QTS Literacy Skills — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences contains a correctly used semicolon?
- The pupils were excited; about the school trip.
- The pupils were excited; they had been looking forward to the trip all term. (Correct answer)
- The pupils; were excited about the school trip.
- The pupils were; excited about the school trip.
Correct answer: The pupils were excited; they had been looking forward to the trip all term.
A semicolon correctly separates two closely related independent clauses. Only the second option contains two complete clauses joined by a semicolon.
Question 2: Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
- The teacher's in the staffroom are busy.
- The childrens' books were on the shelf.
- The children's books were on the shelf. (Correct answer)
- Its' important to read every day.
Correct answer: The children's books were on the shelf.
'Children' is already plural, so the possessive apostrophe goes before the 's': children's. This is a common irregular plural possessive.
Question 3: Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: 'Although the weather was poor, the sports day continued as planned.'
- the sports day continued
- as planned
- Although the weather was poor (Correct answer)
- continued as planned
Correct answer: Although the weather was poor
'Although the weather was poor' is a subordinate (dependent) clause — it cannot stand alone as a sentence and is introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'although'.
Question 4: Which of the following words is a modal verb?
- Running
- Beautiful
- Should (Correct answer)
- Quickly
Correct answer: Should
'Should' is a modal verb, used to express obligation, advice, or expectation. Modal verbs also include can, could, may, might, must, shall, will, and would.
Question 5: In the sentence 'The head teacher, who had been at the school for twenty years, announced her retirement,' what is the function of the clause between the commas?
- It is a defining relative clause
- It is a non-defining relative clause providing extra information (Correct answer)
- It is the main clause
- It is an adverbial clause
Correct answer: It is a non-defining relative clause providing extra information
The clause between commas is a non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clause. It adds extra information about the head teacher but could be removed without changing the essential meaning.
Question 6: Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of 'affect' and 'effect'?
- The new policy will effect pupil behaviour.
- The new policy will affect pupil behaviour. (Correct answer)
- The new policy will have an affect on behaviour.
- Bad weather always effects attendance.
Correct answer: The new policy will affect pupil behaviour.
'Affect' is typically used as a verb meaning 'to influence', while 'effect' is typically a noun meaning 'result'. The new policy will affect (influence) behaviour.
QTS Literacy Skills
Which of the following sentences contains a correctly used semicolon?