KS2 SATs (Key Stage 2 Standard Attainment Tests) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What type of word is 'quickly' in the sentence: 'She ran quickly to school'?

Noun
Adverb (Correct answer)
Adjective
Verb

Correct answer: Adverb

'Quickly' is an adverb because it describes how the verb 'ran' is performed. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Question 2: What is the suffix in the word 'helpless'?

help
hel
less (Correct answer)
ess

Correct answer: less

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word to change its meaning. '-less' is the suffix here, meaning 'without', so 'helpless' means 'without help'.

Question 3: What is an 'expanded noun phrase'?

A noun used as a verb
A pronoun replacing a noun
A noun at the start of a sentence
A noun with adjectives or modifiers added for detail (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A noun with adjectives or modifiers added for detail

An expanded noun phrase includes the noun plus additional words (adjectives, prepositional phrases) to give more detail. 'The rusty, old bicycle with a broken chain' is an expanded noun phrase.

Question 4: What does 'summarise' mean in relation to reading?

To describe every detail
To quote long passages
To give your personal opinion
To briefly retell the main points in your own words (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To briefly retell the main points in your own words

Summarising means identifying the key points of a text and expressing them concisely in your own words. It requires you to distinguish between important information and less important detail.

Question 5: What type of sentence is this: 'Wash your hands before dinner'?

Command (Correct answer)
Statement
Question
Exclamation

Correct answer: Command

A command (imperative sentence) gives an instruction or order. It usually begins with a verb and does not have a named subject, as the subject 'you' is implied. 'Wash your hands' is a command.

Question 6: What is 3/5 of 40?

30
24 (Correct answer)
15
20

Correct answer: 24

40 ÷ 5 = 8, then 8 × 3 = 24.

Question 7: Which of these is an example of emotive language?

The building was demolished in 2019.
Innocent children are suffering needlessly. (Correct answer)
43% of students agreed.
The report was published on Monday.

Correct answer: Innocent children are suffering needlessly.

Emotive language is designed to create an emotional response. Words like 'innocent', 'suffering', and 'needlessly' are chosen to make the reader feel sympathy and outrage.

Question 8: Which word contains a silent letter?

step
knife (Correct answer)
clock
jump

Correct answer: knife

'Knife' contains the silent letter 'k'. In English, 'kn-' at the start of a word has a silent 'k', as in 'know', 'kneel', 'knock', and 'knight'.

Question 9: Which sentence uses the most precise and descriptive vocabulary?

The enormous hound bounded across the lawn. (Correct answer)
The big dog went across the garden.
The nice animal moved over the ground.
A thing ran somewhere outside.

Correct answer: The enormous hound bounded across the lawn.

'Enormous hound bounded across the lawn' uses precise vocabulary: 'enormous' is more specific than 'big', 'hound' is more precise than 'dog', 'bounded' is more descriptive than 'went', and 'lawn' is more specific than 'garden'.

Question 10: A character clenches their fists and stares at the floor. What can you infer?

They are upset or angry (Correct answer)
They are tired
They are excited
They are cold

Correct answer: They are upset or angry

These body language cues — clenching fists and looking at the floor — suggest frustration, anger, or upset. Authors use physical details to show emotions without stating them directly.

Question 11: Which connective would best show contrast between two ideas?

However (Correct answer)
Furthermore
Similarly
Therefore

Correct answer: However

'However' is a connective used to introduce a contrasting or opposing idea. 'Furthermore' adds information, 'therefore' shows consequence, and 'similarly' shows comparison.

Question 12: What is 5/8 as a percentage?

55%
58%
62.5% (Correct answer)
65%

Correct answer: 62.5%

5 ÷ 8 = 0.625, then multiplying by 100 gives 62.5%.

Question 13: What does 'context' mean when reading unfamiliar words?

The title of the book
The punctuation around the word
The number of syllables in the word
The meaning of surrounding words and sentences that help you work out the unknown word (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The meaning of surrounding words and sentences that help you work out the unknown word

Using context means looking at the words, phrases, and sentences surrounding an unknown word to work out its probable meaning. This is an important reading strategy for tackling unfamiliar vocabulary.

Question 14: What is the past tense of 'run'?

runned
ran (Correct answer)
running
runs

Correct answer: ran

'Ran' is the simple past tense of the irregular verb 'run'. Unlike regular verbs that add '-ed', irregular verbs change their spelling entirely in the past tense.

Question 15: What is 300,000 + 40,000 + 700 + 60 + 3?

340,763 (Correct answer)
340,673
340,763
304,763

Correct answer: 340,763

Adding the place values: 300,000 + 40,000 = 340,000, + 700 = 340,700, + 60 = 340,760, + 3 = 340,763.

Question 16: What is 3.14 rounded to the nearest whole number?

3 (Correct answer)
4
3.2
3.1

Correct answer: 3

To round 3.14 to the nearest whole number, look at the first decimal digit: 1. Since 1 < 5, round down to 3.

Question 17: What is the next term in the sequence: 3, 7, 11, 15, ___?

18
19 (Correct answer)
20
21

Correct answer: 19

The sequence increases by 4 each time (arithmetic sequence with common difference 4). 15 + 4 = 19.

Question 18: What does the prefix 'un-' mean in the word 'unhappy'?

Not (Correct answer)
Before
Very
Again

Correct answer: Not

The prefix 'un-' means 'not', so 'unhappy' means 'not happy'. This prefix reverses the meaning of the root word, as seen in 'undo', 'uncertain', and 'unfair'.

Question 19: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

To produce food using sunlight
To photosynthesise
To break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil (Correct answer)
To eat other animals

Correct answer: To break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil

Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down dead organic matter — plants and animals — into simpler substances. This returns vital nutrients to the soil, which plants can then absorb. They are crucial to nutrient cycling.

Question 20: An author writes: 'The old house groaned in the wind.' What technique is this?

Simile
Hyperbole
Personification (Correct answer)
Onomatopoeia

Correct answer: Personification

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. A house cannot actually 'groan' — this is a human action given to a building.

Question 21: What is 'ambitious vocabulary'?

Using precise, interesting, and well-chosen words that enhance meaning (Correct answer)
Using very long words that no one understands
Using simple, everyday words
Repeating the same adjectives throughout

Correct answer: Using precise, interesting, and well-chosen words that enhance meaning

Ambitious vocabulary means choosing words carefully to be precise, interesting, and impactful rather than relying on common or vague words. For example, 'sprinted' instead of 'ran', or 'freezing' instead of 'cold'.

Question 22: An author uses the phrase 'the wind howled'. What technique is this?

Personification (Correct answer)
Metaphor
Simile
Alliteration

Correct answer: Personification

Personification gives human qualities or actions to non-human things. The wind cannot actually 'howl' like a person or animal, but giving it this quality makes the description more vivid and powerful.

Question 23: Which word is a subordinating conjunction?

Or
But
Although (Correct answer)
And

Correct answer: Although

'Although' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause. 'And', 'but' and 'or' are coordinating conjunctions.

Question 24: What is 3/8 + 1/4?

1/2
4/8
4/12
5/8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5/8

To add 3/8 and 1/4, convert 1/4 to 2/8 (common denominator). Then 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8.

Question 25: What is 3/4 expressed as a percentage?

70%
75% (Correct answer)
80%
34%

Correct answer: 75%

3/4 = 0.75, and 0.75 × 100 = 75%.

Question 26: Why do authors use subheadings in non-fiction texts?

To create suspense
To help readers navigate and find information (Correct answer)
To add more characters
To make the text longer

Correct answer: To help readers navigate and find information

Subheadings divide a non-fiction text into sections, making it easier to navigate. They tell the reader what each section is about and allow them to find specific information without reading everything.

Question 27: What is a synonym for 'enormous'?

Tiny
Gigantic (Correct answer)
Slight
Average

Correct answer: Gigantic

A synonym is a word with the same or similar meaning. 'Gigantic' means extremely large, making it a synonym for 'enormous'. Other synonyms include 'colossal', 'vast', and 'immense'.

Question 28: What does 'retrieve' mean in reading comprehension?

Making up your own answer
Summarising the whole passage
Writing about your opinion
Finding and copying information directly from the text (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Finding and copying information directly from the text

Retrieval means finding information that is directly stated in the text. In SATs, retrieval questions ask you to locate specific facts or details. You do not need to infer — the answer is in the text.

Question 29: Which punctuation mark is used to show that letters have been missed out in a contraction?

Apostrophe (Correct answer)
Hyphen
Full stop
Comma

Correct answer: Apostrophe

An apostrophe shows where letters have been omitted in a contraction. For example, 'do not' becomes 'don't' — the apostrophe replaces the missing 'o'.

Question 30: In the sentence 'The soldiers, exhausted and starving, trudged through the mud', what extra information do the commas contain?

A list of nouns
A parenthetical phrase (embedded clause) (Correct answer)
A relative clause
A fronted adverbial

Correct answer: A parenthetical phrase (embedded clause)

The phrase 'exhausted and starving' is inserted between commas as a parenthetical (embedded) clause giving extra information about the soldiers. It could be removed without changing the basic sentence meaning.

Question 31: What is 4.6 × 10?

460
0.46
46 (Correct answer)
4.60

Correct answer: 46

Multiplying by 10 moves all digits one place to the left. 4.6 × 10 = 46. The decimal point effectively moves one place to the right.

Question 32: What is 25% of 80?

20 (Correct answer)
25
40
15

Correct answer: 20

25% is the same as one quarter, and 80 ÷ 4 = 20.

Question 33: Which of the following shows the correct use of a dash for effect?

She was scared very scared — indeed.
She was scared very — scared indeed.
She — was scared very scared — indeed.
She was scared — very scared indeed. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She was scared — very scared indeed.

A dash can be used to add emphasis or a dramatic pause. 'She was scared — very scared indeed' uses the dash to create impact by drawing attention to just how scared she was.

Question 34: What is a 'biography'?

A set of instructions
A written account of a real person's life written by someone else (Correct answer)
A poem about nature
A made-up story about a fictional character

Correct answer: A written account of a real person's life written by someone else

A biography is a non-fiction text that tells the story of a real person's life, written by another person. It is different from an autobiography, which is written by the person themselves.

Question 35: What does the root word 'port' mean in words like 'transport' and 'export'?

Door
Water
Carry (Correct answer)
Write

Correct answer: Carry

The Latin root 'port' means 'carry'. 'Transport' means to carry across, and 'export' means to carry out. Knowing roots helps decode unfamiliar words.

Question 36: Which sentence is grammatically correct?

They're coats are on the hook.
Theyre coats are on the hook.
There coats are on the hook.
Their coats are on the hook. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Their coats are on the hook.

'Their' shows possession (belonging to them). 'There' refers to a place. 'They're' is a contraction of 'they are'. 'Their coats' means the coats belonging to them, which is correct here.

Question 37: What does TIPTOP stand for as a guide to starting new paragraphs?

Time, Idea, Place, Topic, Opinion, Person (Correct answer)
Topic, Introduction, Point, Theme, Opening, Paragraph
Title, Introduction, Plot, Theme, Order, Purpose
Time, Information, People, Topic, Opinion, Pace

Correct answer: Time, Idea, Place, Topic, Opinion, Person

TIPTOP is a KS2 mnemonic for when to start a new paragraph: Time (change of time), Idea (new idea), Place (new location), Topic (new topic), Opinion (different viewpoint), Person (new character/speaker).

Question 38: Why should a writer use a variety of sentence structures?

To make the text as long as possible
To confuse the reader
To avoid using commas
To make the writing more interesting and to create different effects (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To make the writing more interesting and to create different effects

Using a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex) makes writing more engaging, controls pace, creates effects, and demonstrates a writer's skill. Monotonous sentence structures make writing dull.

Question 39: What is the plural of 'phenomenon'?

Phenomenons
Phenomenies
Phenomenas
Phenomena (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Phenomena

'Phenomenon' comes from Greek, and its correct plural form is 'phenomena'. This follows the Greek pattern like criterion/criteria.

Question 40: What is 345 + 278?

523
623 (Correct answer)
613
633

Correct answer: 623

Adding 345 + 278: 5 + 8 = 13 (write 3, carry 1), 4 + 7 + 1 = 12 (write 2, carry 1), 3 + 2 + 1 = 6. Answer: 623.

Question 41: In the sentence 'Running through the park, the boy tripped over a root,' what is 'Running through the park'?

A fronted adverbial (Correct answer)
A relative clause
A noun phrase
A main clause

Correct answer: A fronted adverbial

A fronted adverbial is a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of a sentence that describes the verb. Here it tells us when/how the boy tripped.

Question 42: Which word is a conjunction in: 'I wanted to play outside but it was raining'?

raining
play
wanted
but (Correct answer)

Correct answer: but

'But' is a coordinating conjunction that joins two main clauses. It shows a contrast between the two ideas. Other coordinating conjunctions include 'and', 'or', and 'so'.

Question 43: A shop sells pencils in packs of 8. Mrs Jones needs 50 pencils for her class. How many packs must she buy?

6 packs
7 packs (Correct answer)
5 packs
8 packs

Correct answer: 7 packs

50 ÷ 8 = 6 remainder 2. Since she cannot buy a partial pack and needs at least 50, she must buy 7 packs (which gives her 56 pencils).

Question 44: When should you use a hyphen in writing?

To join words that work together as a modifier before a noun (Correct answer)
To show possession
To list items
To replace a full stop

Correct answer: To join words that work together as a modifier before a noun

A hyphen joins compound modifiers that work together before a noun: 'a well-known author', 'a seven-year-old child'. Without the hyphen, the meaning can become unclear.

Question 45: In a text, the author describes a character's hands as 'trembling like autumn leaves.' What technique is being used?

Simile (Correct answer)
Personification
Metaphor
Alliteration

Correct answer: Simile

A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as'. Here, the trembling hands are compared to autumn leaves using the word 'like'.

Question 46: What does the word 'ancient' mean?

Very old (Correct answer)
Bright and colourful
Enormous in size
New and modern

Correct answer: Very old

'Ancient' means very old, typically referring to things from thousands of years ago. It is often used to describe civilisations, buildings, or artefacts from long ago in history.

Question 47: Which organ removes waste products from the blood in the form of urine?

Liver
Kidneys (Correct answer)
Heart
Lungs

Correct answer: Kidneys

The kidneys filter waste products (particularly urea) and excess water from the blood. The resulting liquid (urine) passes to the bladder and is excreted. Humans have two kidneys.

Question 48: Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

She has one dream: to become a doctor. (Correct answer)
I need: to go now.
They played: football.
He went: to the shop.

Correct answer: She has one dream: to become a doctor.

A colon is used to introduce information that explains or expands on what came before. 'She has one dream: to become a doctor' correctly uses the colon to introduce what the dream is.

Question 49: What does 'retrieve' mean in this sentence: 'The dog was trained to retrieve the ball'?

To fetch and bring back (Correct answer)
To hide
To throw
To chew

Correct answer: To fetch and bring back

'Retrieve' means to get something and bring it back. In this context, the dog fetches the ball and returns it.

Question 50: Which of these fractions is equivalent to 2/3?

6/10
3/5
4/9
4/6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4/6

4/6 simplifies to 2/3 by dividing both numerator and denominator by 2.

Question 51: What is the main purpose of an opening paragraph in a newspaper report?

To introduce the characters
To describe the weather that day
To give the journalist's opinion
To summarise the key facts of the story (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To summarise the key facts of the story

The opening paragraph (or 'lead') of a newspaper report summarises the most important facts: who, what, where, when and why.

Question 52: What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

Facts are only in fiction texts
A fact can be proven true; an opinion is a personal view (Correct answer)
An opinion can be proven true; a fact is a personal view
Opinions are always correct

Correct answer: A fact can be proven true; an opinion is a personal view

A fact is a statement that can be verified as true or false. An opinion is a personal belief or judgement that cannot be proven. Being able to distinguish between the two is a key reading skill.

Question 53: Which punctuation correctly punctuates this list: 'I packed my bag with a book a pencil a ruler and a snack'?

I packed my bag with a book, a pencil, a ruler and a snack. (Correct answer)
I packed my bag with a book. A pencil. A ruler and a snack.
I packed my bag with a book; a pencil; a ruler; and a snack.
I packed my bag with: a book, a pencil, a ruler and a snack.

Correct answer: I packed my bag with a book, a pencil, a ruler and a snack.

Items in a list are separated by commas. The Oxford comma before 'and' is optional in KS2. A colon would be used if the list were formally introduced after a complete clause — here a comma list is the standard approach.

Question 54: Which spelling is correct?

recieve
achieve (Correct answer)
beleive
freind

Correct answer: achieve

'Achieve' is the correct spelling. The others violate the 'i before e except after c' rule or common spelling patterns. 'Believe', 'receive', and 'friend' are the correct spellings of the others.

Question 55: What is 7.2 ÷ 4?

1.6
2.8
2.4
1.8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1.8

72 ÷ 4 = 18, then placing the decimal point gives 1.8.

Question 56: Which number is exactly halfway between 3.6 and 4.2?

3.8
4.0
3.9 (Correct answer)
3.7

Correct answer: 3.9

To find the halfway point, add the two numbers and divide by 2: (3.6 + 4.2) ÷ 2 = 7.8 ÷ 2 = 3.9.

Question 57: Which part of the plant contains seeds and is often eaten as fruit?

Stem
Leaf
Ovary (fruit) (Correct answer)
Root

Correct answer: Ovary (fruit)

After fertilisation, the ovary of a flowering plant develops into a fruit containing seeds. Fruits (which include tomatoes, peas in pods, and apples) protect and help disperse the seeds.

Question 58: What process do plants use to make their own food?

Pollination
Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
Germination
Respiration

Correct answer: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make glucose (food) and oxygen.

Question 59: Identify the subordinating conjunction: 'She stayed inside because it was cold.'

stayed
inside
cold
because (Correct answer)

Correct answer: because

'Because' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause ('it was cold') and connects it to the main clause. Other subordinating conjunctions include 'although', 'since', and 'when'.

Question 60: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

I like apples; and oranges.
The cat; sat on the mat.
He ran quickly; to the shop.
She was tired; she went to bed early. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She was tired; she went to bed early.

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses. 'She was tired' and 'she went to bed early' are both complete sentences that are closely related.

Question 61: What is the function of the large intestine?

To absorb nutrients into the blood
To produce stomach acid
To absorb water and pass out waste as faeces (Correct answer)
To digest protein

Correct answer: To absorb water and pass out waste as faeces

The large intestine's main function is to absorb water from undigested food material. The remaining solid waste forms faeces, which is stored in the rectum before being excreted.

Question 62: What is 60% as a decimal?

60
0.6 (Correct answer)
0.06
6

Correct answer: 0.6

To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100: 60 ÷ 100 = 0.6.

Question 63: Sound travels fastest through which type of material?

Solid metal (Correct answer)
A vacuum
Air
Water

Correct answer: Solid metal

Sound travels fastest through solids because the particles are closest together, allowing vibrations to pass quickly from one particle to the next. Sound cannot travel through a vacuum at all.

Question 64: What is the unit of force?

Metre (m)
Newton (N) (Correct answer)
Joule (J)
Kilogram (kg)

Correct answer: Newton (N)

Force is measured in Newtons (N), named after Sir Isaac Newton. A Newton is the amount of force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 metre per second squared. Weight is also measured in Newtons.

Question 65: Which sentence is written in the passive voice?

The dog chased the cat.
The cat was chased by the dog. (Correct answer)
The dog is chasing the cat.
The cat chased the dog.

Correct answer: The cat was chased by the dog.

In the passive voice, the subject receives the action rather than doing it. 'The cat was chased by the dog' puts the cat as the subject even though the dog performed the action.

Question 66: Why might a writer use a rhetorical question?

To make the reader think and engage with the argument (Correct answer)
To fill space in their writing
Because they don't know the answer
Because the answer is too difficult to explain

Correct answer: To make the reader think and engage with the argument

Rhetorical questions are not asked to get an answer — they are used to make the reader think about the point being made and engage with the argument.

Question 67: What fraction of 40 is 10?

1/5
1/8
1/3
1/4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1/4

10 is a fraction of 40. 10/40 simplifies to 1/4 (dividing numerator and denominator by 10). So 10 is one quarter of 40.

Question 68: A recipe for 4 people uses 300g of flour. How much flour is needed for 10 people?

750g (Correct answer)
700g
900g
600g

Correct answer: 750g

For 1 person: 300 ÷ 4 = 75g. For 10 people: 75 × 10 = 750g.

Question 69: What is 2.5 × 0.4?

1.0 (Correct answer)
10
0.1
0.8

Correct answer: 1.0

2.5 × 0.4: Multiply 25 × 4 = 100, then count decimal places (1 + 1 = 2), giving 1.00 or 1.0.

Question 70: A text says: 'As quick as a flash, she sprinted across the field.' What technique is used?

Personification
Simile (Correct answer)
Metaphor
Alliteration

Correct answer: Simile

A simile compares one thing to another using 'like' or 'as'. Here, her speed is compared to a flash using 'as...as', making it a simile. Similes create vivid images in the reader's mind.

Question 71: Which word is spelled correctly?

commitee
comittee
committee (Correct answer)
committie

Correct answer: committee

'Committee' is the correct spelling, with double 'm', double 't', and double 'e'. It is one of the Year 5/6 statutory spelling words that pupils are expected to know.

Question 72: What is the purpose of a glossary in a non-fiction book?

To give the author's biography
To show pictures related to the text
To explain the meanings of key words (Correct answer)
To list the chapters in order

Correct answer: To explain the meanings of key words

A glossary is an alphabetical list of specialist or difficult words used in the text, along with their definitions.

Question 73: What does 'first-person narration' mean?

The story is told from an outside viewpoint using 'he' and 'she'
The story is told by a character using 'I' and 'we' (Correct answer)
The story is written in the future tense
The story has more than one narrator

Correct answer: The story is told by a character using 'I' and 'we'

First-person narration means the story is told by a character within the story using 'I', 'me', 'we'. This creates a sense of personal experience and allows the reader to see events through that character's eyes.

Question 74: Calculate 346 × 7.

2,322
2,412
2,422 (Correct answer)
2,432

Correct answer: 2,422

346 × 7: 6 × 7 = 42 (write 2, carry 4), 4 × 7 = 28 + 4 = 32 (write 2, carry 3), 3 × 7 = 21 + 3 = 24. Answer: 2,422.

Question 75: Which prefix turns 'visible' into its opposite?

dis-
in- (Correct answer)
un-
im-

Correct answer: in-

The prefix 'in-' turns 'visible' into 'invisible', meaning not able to be seen.

Question 76: Tom has £5.00. He buys a sandwich for £2.35 and a drink for £1.20. How much change does he receive?

£1.45 (Correct answer)
£1.55
£1.35
£1.65

Correct answer: £1.45

Total spent = £2.35 + £1.20 = £3.55. Change = £5.00 − £3.55 = £1.45.

Question 77: A number is multiplied by itself and the answer is 144. What is the number?

11
12 (Correct answer)
13
14

Correct answer: 12

12 × 12 = 144, so the square root of 144 is 12. Knowing square numbers helps: 11² = 121, 12² = 144, 13² = 169.

Question 78: What does it mean when forces on an object are 'balanced'?

The forces cancel each other and the object accelerates
The object stays still or continues at constant speed (Correct answer)
The object changes direction
The object is always moving

Correct answer: The object stays still or continues at constant speed

When forces are balanced (equal in size and opposite in direction), there is no resultant force. The object either stays still or moves at a constant speed in a straight line (Newton's First Law).

Question 79: What is the name of the force that a surface exerts on an object resting on it?

Gravity
Friction
Tension
Normal reaction force (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Normal reaction force

The normal reaction force (or normal force) acts perpendicular to a surface, pushing up against an object resting on it. It balances gravity for stationary objects on a flat surface.

Question 80: What is the name of the process by which plants lose water through their leaves?

Evaporation
Transpiration (Correct answer)
Absorption
Condensation

Correct answer: Transpiration

Transpiration is the process by which water moves through a plant and evaporates from the leaves through tiny pores called stomata. It helps draw water up from the roots and cools the plant.

Question 81: An author includes statistics in a persuasive text. Why might they do this?

To make the text longer
To make the argument sound more factual and convincing (Correct answer)
To confuse the reader
To entertain the reader

Correct answer: To make the argument sound more factual and convincing

Statistics (numbers and data) are used in persuasive writing to provide evidence and make arguments appear more credible and convincing.

Question 82: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The effect of the rain ___ the crops was devastating'?

by
for
on (Correct answer)
at

Correct answer: on

The correct preposition is 'on'. 'The effect of the rain on the crops' is the standard construction in English.

Question 83: What does 'onomatopoeia' mean?

Repeating the same sound at the start of words
Giving human qualities to objects
Words that sound like the thing they describe (Correct answer)
A type of comparison

Correct answer: Words that sound like the thing they describe

Onomatopoeia refers to words whose sound imitates what they describe, such as 'buzz', 'crash', 'sizzle', and 'squelch'. These words make writing more vivid and help the reader hear what is being described.

Question 84: What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

Similes are only used in poetry
A simile uses 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor says something IS something else directly (Correct answer)
A metaphor uses 'like' or 'as'; a simile is direct
They are the same thing

Correct answer: A simile uses 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor says something IS something else directly

Both compare two things, but a simile uses 'like' or 'as' ('brave as a lion'), while a metaphor makes a direct comparison ('he is a lion'). Metaphors are often considered more powerful.

Question 85: Which word is an antonym of 'ancient'?

Historic
Modern (Correct answer)
Crumbling
Old

Correct answer: Modern

An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. 'Modern' means new or contemporary, making it the opposite of 'ancient', which means very old.

Question 86: Which sentence uses a comma correctly to separate a subordinate clause?

The children, ran outside when the bell rang.
The children ran outside, when the bell rang.
When the bell rang, the children ran outside. (Correct answer)
When, the bell rang the children ran outside.

Correct answer: When the bell rang, the children ran outside.

A subordinate clause at the start of a sentence is followed by a comma before the main clause. 'When the bell rang' is the subordinate clause, so a comma after 'rang' is correct.

Question 87: What type of word is 'quickly' in the sentence 'She ran quickly'?

Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Adverb

'Quickly' is an adverb because it modifies the verb 'ran', telling us how she ran. Adverbs often end in '-ly' and describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Question 88: A bag contains 3 red, 5 blue and 2 green marbles. What fraction of the marbles are blue?

1/2 (Correct answer)
5/10
5/8
3/10

Correct answer: 1/2

Total marbles = 3 + 5 + 2 = 10. Blue marbles = 5. Fraction = 5/10 = 1/2.

Question 89: What does the term 'audience' mean in writing?

The person or group the writing is intended for (Correct answer)
The length of the writing
The genre of the text
The setting of the story

Correct answer: The person or group the writing is intended for

Audience means who the writing is aimed at. Knowing your audience affects vocabulary choices, tone, formality, and content. A letter to a friend uses different language from a report for a head teacher.

Question 90: What is the purpose of bullet points in a non-fiction text?

To make the writing look longer
To introduce dialogue
To present a list of information clearly and concisely (Correct answer)
To show the order of events in a story

Correct answer: To present a list of information clearly and concisely

Bullet points present information as a clear, easy-to-read list. They are used in non-fiction texts such as reports, instructions, and information leaflets to organise key points efficiently.

KS2 SATs (Key Stage 2 Standard Attainment Tests)

The KS2 SATs are national curriculum tests taken by Year 6 pupils (aged 10–11) in England, assessing Mathematics (Arithmetic and Reasoning), English Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling, and English Reading Comprehension across five papers.

Questions

110 min

Time Limit

65%

To Pass

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