Complex Vocabulary for 11+ KS3 Words to Learn

by melaniewp | Feb 16, 2014 | 11 plus, 11+, Common Entrance, Complex Vocabulary, English Language, GCSE, IGCSE, KS2, KS3, Learning Vocabulary, Vocabulary

rigid adj stiffindecision noun inability to decideingratitude noun not-grateful(ness)portray verb to show, depictresidue noun stuff left over, what remainsanew adv afreshsolemn adj seriousreluctant adj not keen (to do something)wanly adv palely (i.e. not...

Spelling Test: Plurals of Words that End in -y and -ey

by melaniewp | Feb 12, 2014 | 11 plus, 11+, Common Entrance, KS2, KS3, SPAG, Spelling

Test your spellings on these plurals. Do you add -s or change the ending to -ies?lady >cherry >donkey >berry >baby >monkey >abbey >journey >dictionary >library > 

Writing to Argue What Makes a Good Hero?

by melaniewp | Nov 21, 2013 | 11 plus, 11+, Common Entrance, English Language Exam, GCSE, IGCSE, KS3, Writing, Writing to Argue, Writing to Persuade

What makes a good hero?A hero can be someone you look up to, or the main character in a film or book. Yet main characters are not always heroic – or not in obvious ways. Sleeping Beauty spends most of her story unconscious. Little Red Riding Hood escapes the...

How to Write a PEA or PEE or PQC Paragraph for English based on Wonder by R J Palacio

by melaniewp | Nov 13, 2013 | 11 plus, 11+, Analysis, Common Entrance, Comprehension, English Literature, Essay, How to Quote, KS2, KS3, PEA, PEE, PQC, R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Learning to analyse a text in detail will hugely raise your grade. Some teachers call this method Point-Evidence-Explain (PEE). Others call it Point-Evidence-Analyse (PEA), or Point-Quote-Comment (PQC). It’s all the same thing. My own paragraphs usually look...

Writing to Argue ‘Being Bossy is a Good Thing’

by melaniewp | Sep 9, 2013 | 11 plus, 11+, Common Entrance, English Language Exam, GCSE, IGCSE, KS2, KS3, Writing to Argue, Writing to Persuade

 This is a ‘writing to argue’ piece that I did with a student aiming for Common Entrance. When she sits, the topic will be ‘Heroes’, so bossiness was an interesting way to consider the issue of leadership. This is pitched fairly high and...

Improve Sentences for the Common Entrance Writing Paper

by melaniewp | Sep 4, 2013 | 11 plus, Common Entrance, Complex Sentences, Creative Writing, Grammar, Writing Paper

If you’re writing a story, how can you make your sentences more interesting? If you’re doing practice exams for Common Entrance or the 11 plus Writing Paper, these examples will help you raise your grade.Example Sentences:[1] There was a tree.Transform...