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Primary 5 English Semestral Assessment 2 (End of Year) Paper 4

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Questions

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) — English Primary 5

SA2 Practice Paper Version 4 of 5

Subject: English Language
Level: Primary 5
Paper: SA2 Grammar and Language Skills
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Marks: 60

Name: _______________________________
Class: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________

Instructions

Answer ALL questions.
Write your answers clearly in the spaces provided.
For multiple-choice questions, circle the correct option.
Marks are shown in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
Check your work carefully if you finish before time is called.

Section A: Grammar MCQ [20 marks]

Questions 1–20. Choose the correct answer and circle the option (A, B, C, or D). Each question carries 1 mark.

1. The group of swimmers __________ training early every morning before the competition.

A) is
B) are
C) was
D) were

[1]

2. Neither the teacher nor the students __________ satisfied with the new timetable.

A) was
B) were
C) is
D) has been

[1]

3. By the time we arrived, the film __________ already __________.

A) has / started
B) had / started
C) have / started
D) was / starting

[1]

4. If I __________ you, I would apologise to her immediately.

A) am
B) was
C) were
C) be

[1]

5. The treasure __________ buried beneath the old oak tree for over three hundred years.

A) lay
B) laid
C) lain
D) had lain

[1]

6. __________ you been to the new science centre? It opened last month.

A) Has
B) Have
C) Had
D) Did

[1]

7. The bakery on the corner of Orchard Road __________ the most delicious chocolate tarts in the neighbourhood.

A) sell
B) sells
C) selling
D) sold

[1]

8. Not only my brother but also my cousins __________ visiting us this December.

A) is
B) are
C) was
D) were

[1]

9. "I __________ finish this report by Friday," Mr. Tan promised his manager.

A) will
B) would
C) shall
D) should

[1]

10. The ancient manuscript, together with several rare coins, __________ donated to the national museum.

A) were
B) was
C) are
D) have been

[1]

11. Since she __________ from university, Maya has worked in three different countries.

A) graduated
B) has graduated
C) had graduated
D) graduates

[1]

12. Each of the performers __________ given a commemorative medal after the concert.

A) were
B) was
C) are
D) have been

[1]

13. The children __________ in the garden when the thunderstorm suddenly began.

A) play
B) played
C) were playing
D) have played

[1]

14. Hardly had the train __________ when the platform announcement began.

A) leave
B) left
C) leaving
D) leaves

[1]

15. Neither rain nor shine __________ prevent the dedicated volunteers from completing their mission.

A) can
B) could
C) will
D) would

[1]

16. By next summer, my family __________ in Singapore for exactly ten years.

A) will live
B) will have lived
C) would have lived
D) have lived

[1]

17. The furniture in the attic __________ covered with dust since the renovation ended.

A) has been
B) have been
C) was
D) were

[1]

18. "If only I __________ harder for my PSLE," sighed Aunt Mei, recalling her school days.

A) study
B) studied
C) had studied
D) have studied

[1]

19. The CEO, accompanied by her board of directors, __________ present at the annual shareholders' meeting.

A) were
B) was
C) are
D) have been

[1]

20. No sooner __________ the bell __________ than the excited students rushed out of their classrooms.

A) had / rang
B) has / rung
C) did / rang
D) does / ring

[1]

Section B: Grammar Cloze [10 marks]

Read the passage below. Choose the correct word from the brackets to fill in each blank. Write your answer in the space provided. Each blank carries 1 mark.

The Unsung Hero of Sungai Buloh

Leprosy, once a feared disease, affected thousands in Singapore and Malaysia during the early twentieth century. In 1926, a dedicated doctor (21) [establish / established / establishes / establishing] a leprosy settlement at Sungai Buloh, then a remote jungle area far from the city. Dr. T.K. Wu, the remarkable physician, (22) [work / worked / had worked / was working] tirelessly to transform the settlement into a self-sufficient community rather than merely an isolation facility.

The patients, who (23) [were / was / are / been] previously shunned by society, gradually found purpose within the settlement. By 1930, they (24) [grew / had grown / have grown / growing] their own vegetables, raised poultry, and even (25) [operate / operated / operating / had operated] a printing press. "If we (26) [do not / did not / had not / would not] create dignity for ourselves, who will?" became their unspoken motto.

Dr. Wu insisted that the settlement (27) [be / was / is / were] run with compassion and respect. He believed that every person (28) [deserve / deserves / deserved / deserving] medical care regardless of their condition. Even after he retired, the principles he (29) [instils / instilled / had instilled / was instilling] continued to guide the settlement's operations.

Today, Sungai Buloh (30) [stand / stands / stood / standing] as a testament to human resilience. The settlement, which once (31) [house / housed / houses / housing] thousands of patients, now serves as a heritage site where visitors learn about this poignant chapter.

[10 marks total for blanks 21–30]

Section C: Sentence Transformation [20 marks]

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between TWO and FIVE words, including the word given. Write your answer in the space provided. Each question carries 2 marks.

31. "Why don't we visit the Botanic Gardens this Saturday?" suggested Mei Ling.

LET'S

Mei Ling ________________________________ the Botanic Gardens this Saturday.

[2]

32. The last time I ate durian was at my grandmother's house in June.

SINCE

I ________________________________ durian since my grandmother's house in June.

[2]

33. The conductor made the musicians rehearse the symphony repeatedly.

WAS

The musicians ________________________________ the symphony repeatedly by the conductor.

[2]

34. It is unnecessary for you to finish the entire workbook tonight.

NEED

You ________________________________ the entire workbook tonight.

[2]

35. Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor concert continued as planned.

ALTHOUGH

The outdoor concert continued as planned ________________________________ heavily.

[2]

36. "You must not touch the exhibits," the museum guide warned us.

FORBIDDEN

The museum guide said that ________________________________ the exhibits.

[2]

37. Zara is too young to apply for the part-time library position.

OLD

Zara ________________________________ to apply for the part-time library position.

[2]

38. The manager suspects that someone stole the confidential documents.

HAVE

The manager suspects that the confidential documents ________________________________.

[2]

39. "I will definitely attend your recital," Priya promised her sister.

WORD

Priya ________________________________ sister that she would attend her recital.

[2]

40. Not many students in my class enjoy reading classical literature.

FEW

______________________________ students in my class enjoy reading classical literature.

[2]

Section D: Editing for Grammar [10 marks]

The passage below contains TEN grammatical errors. Each error is underlined. Write the correct word in the space provided at the end of each line. The first error has been corrected for you as an example.

Example: The team of players were training hard. → was

The Forgotten Craft of Rattan Weaving

(41) Rattan weaving have been an integral part of Southeast Asian culture for centuries. In Singapore, this traditional craft are rapidly disappearing as fewer young people chooses to learn it. Mr. Lim, who is now seventy-eight, begun learning rattan weaving from his father when he was merely twelve years old.

(42) have → _________

(43) are → _________

(44) chooses → _________

(45) begun → _________

By the 1980s, the demand for hand-woven rattan furniture had fell dramatically. Factory-made alternatives was cheaper and more consistent in quality. However, Mr. Lim refused to abandon his livelihood. "If I had gave up then," he reflects, "an important part of our heritage would have been lost."

(46) fell → _________

(47) was → _________

(48) gave → _________

Today, Mr. Lim teaching small groups of enthusiasts at a community centre. Neither age nor failing eyesight have diminished his passion. He hopes that more young people will take an interest before the skill die out completely. "Each basket tells a story," he often says. "If only someone is listening."

(49) teaching → _________

(50) have → _________

(51) die → _________

(52) is → _________

END OF PAPER

Total: 60 marks

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Answers

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) — English Primary 5

SA2 Practice Paper Version 4 of 5 — ANSWER KEY

Total Marks: 60

Section A: Grammar MCQ [20 marks]

Q	Answer	Explanation	Common Mistakes
1	A) is	"Group" is a collective noun taking singular verb when considered as a unit. "Of swimmers" is a prepositional phrase that does not make the subject plural.	Choosing "are" by mistakenly making "swimmers" the subject.
2	B) were	With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject: "students" (plural) → "were."	Choosing "was" by applying singular to "teacher" despite proximity rule.
3	B) had / started	Past perfect for action completed before another past action ("By the time we arrived").	Choosing present perfect "has / started" — arrival is past, so earlier action needs past perfect.
4	C) were	Subjunctive mood after "If I were you" — hypothetical/impossible condition. "Were" used for all persons in formal subjunctive.	Using "was" (colloquial but grammatically non-standard for this fixed expression).
5	D) had lain	"Lie" (recline) → lay → lain. Past perfect needed for duration "for over three hundred years" up to past context.	Confusing "lay" (past of lie, transitive "lay" is different verb) or using "laid" (past of transitive "lay").
6	B) Have	Present perfect for past action with present relevance ("It opened last month" = still open, experience matters). Subject "you" takes "have."	Using "Has" with "you"; using simple past "Did" which misses the "have you ever" experience meaning.
7	B) sells	Simple present for general truth/fact about the bakery. Singular subject "bakery."	Choosing "sell" by matching with "tarts"; choosing "sold" without time marker for past.
8	B) are	"Not only...but also" — verb agrees with nearest subject "cousins" (plural). Present tense for planned future.	Using "is" with "brother"; using "was/were" without past time context.
9	C) shall	"Shall" for formal promises/committments (especially first person, formal contexts). Mr. Tan is making a workplace promise.	"Will" is acceptable colloquially but "shall" is more formal and precise for promises in exam context.
10	B) was	Subject is "manuscript" (singular); "together with coins" is parenthetical. Main verb agrees with main subject.	Using "were" by adding coins to subject; using plural verb incorrectly.
11	A) graduated	Simple past for completed action at specific time before another past marker ("Since she graduated" is the starting point).	Using present perfect "has graduated" — "since" requires the starting action to be simple past.
12	B) was	"Each" is singular pronoun; "of the performers" is prepositional. Singular verb required.	Using "were" by association with plural "performers."
13	C) were playing	Past continuous interrupted by sudden action ("when the thunderstorm began").	Using simple past "played" misses the ongoing nature; present perfect inappropriate.
14	B) left	"Hardly had...when" structure: past perfect "had left" → but in inversion, "had" is moved to front, main verb is past participle "left." Actually: "Hardly had the train left" = "The train had hardly left."	Confusing with "Hardly had...left" pattern; some may choose "leave" not recognizing past participle needed.
15	A) can	"Neither...nor" with singular concept; "can" for capability/possibility in present general statement.	Using "could" unnecessarily shifts to past; "will" changes modal meaning.
16	B) will have lived	Future perfect for completed duration by future time point ("By next summer").	Using "will live" (future simple misses completion); "would have" (conditional, no "if").
17	A) has been	Present perfect continuous state from past to now. "Furniture" is uncountable/singular.	Using "have been" treating furniture as plural; "was" doesn't cover duration "since."
18	C) had studied	Third conditional/ regret about past: "If only + past perfect" for counterfactual past.	Using simple past "studied" (second conditional, for present/future unreal); "have studied" grammatically awkward.
19	B) was	"Accompanied by directors" is parenthetical; subject "CEO" is singular. Past tense for completed meeting.	Using "were" by including directors in subject determination.
20	A) had / rang	"No sooner had...than" structure: past perfect in no sooner clause, simple past in than clause. Inversion moves "had."	Using "has/rung" (present perfect wrong); "did/rang" misses the "no sooner had done" structure.

Section B: Grammar Cloze [10 marks]

Blank	Answer	Explanation
21	established	Simple past for completed action in 1926 (specific past time).
22	worked	Simple past for ongoing action in past, parallel to "established." Or "had worked" for emphasis on duration before other actions, but simple past flows better in narrative. Accepted: worked (main narrative tense).
23	were	Past tense; relative clause describing patients in past context.
24	had grown	Past perfect for action completed before implied later time in past narrative ("By 1930" = before 1930 ended, they had already achieved this).
25	operated	Simple past parallel to "grew" and "raised" in series.
26	do not	First conditional real possibility in direct speech: "If we do not create...who will?" Present tense in if-clause for future meaning.
27	be	Subjunctive after "insisted that" (mandative subjunctive: "insisted that...be run").
28	deserved	Past tense in reported/thought context parallel to "believed."
29	had instilled	Past perfect for action completed before retirement (earlier past).
30	stands	Simple present for current state/general truth.
31	housed	Simple past for completed historical function.

Section B Total: 10 marks (1 mark per correct answer)

Section C: Sentence Transformation [20 marks]

Marking: 2 marks each — 1 mark for correct structure, 1 mark for correct verb form/tense accuracy. Deduct 1 mark if between 2–5 word rule violated or word changed.

Q	Answer	Working/Explanation	Marks
31	suggested that we visit / suggested visiting / suggested they visit	Reported speech: "Why don't we" → suggest + -ing or suggest + that + clause (subjunctive "visit" without "to"). "Let's" is the given word. Structure: "suggested that we visit" or "suggested visiting." Word count: "suggested visiting" (2 words) or "suggested that we visit" (4 words).	2
32	have not eaten / haven't eaten	"The last time I ate" = "I have not eaten since." Present perfect for period from past point to now. "Since" given. Structure: "have not eaten since" — check word count carefully. Required: "I haven't eaten durian since..." = 2 words before "since," "since" is given. Actually: "I HAVE NOT EATEN durian since..." → "have not eaten" = 3 words. Or "haven't eaten" = 2.	2
33	were made to rehearse / were made to practice	Passive causative: "made someone do" → "was/were made to do" (passive requires "to"). "Were" given. Past tense plural. Structure: "were made to rehearse" = 4 words.	2
34	do not need to finish / don't need to finish / need not finish	"Unnecessary" → "do not need to" or "need not." "Need" given. Two structures: "You need not finish" (3 words) or "You do not need to finish" (5 words).	2
35	although it rained / although the rain fell	"Despite + noun" → "Although + clause." "Although" given. Need subject + verb: "although it rained" = 3 words.	2
36	we were forbidden to touch / touching was forbidden for us	"Must not touch" → "forbidden to touch." "Forbidden" given. Passive: "we were forbidden to touch" = 4 words. Check: "The museum guide said that we were forbidden to touch the exhibits."	2
37	is not old enough	"Too young" → "not old enough." "Old" given. Structure: "is not old enough" = 5 words maximum. Or "isn't old enough" = 3 words.	2
38	have been stolen"	Passive present perfect: "someone stole" → "have been stolen." "Have" given. Structure: "have been stolen" = 3 words. Adds to "documents have been stolen."	2
39	gave her word to her / gave her word that she would	"Promise" → "gave one's word." "Word" given. Structure: "gave her word to her" or better: "Priya gave her [sister]..." Actually: "Priya kept her..." No — idiomatic: "gave her word to her sister" = 5 words. Or "promised" replacement. Best: gave her word to her sister... = 5 words including "word"? Count: "gave"(1) "her"(2) "word"(3-given) "to"(4) "her"(5). After "word" we need the rest. Actually: "gave her word to her sister" — "word" is position 3, so words with given word: "gave her word to her" = 5 words.	2
40	Few	"Not many" → "Few" (negative quantifier). "Few" given as first word. Structure: "Few students..." = 1 word only needed. And: "Very few" would be 2. Simply "Few" = 1 word, but minimum is 2 words. Actually need: Very few = 2 words. Or "But few" = 2. Or "Too few" = 2. Check: "Not many" = opposite is "Few" but need 2+ words. Very few students... = acceptable and improves emphasis matching "not many."	2

Alternative acceptable answers noted where standard transformation permits variation.

Section D: Editing for Grammar [10 marks]

Line	Error	Correction	Explanation
41 (ex)	were	was	Example completed
42	have	has	"Rattan weaving" = singular uncountable subject; present perfect "has been."
43	are	is	"This traditional craft" = singular; "is disappearing."
44	chooses	choose	"Fewer young people" = plural subject; simple present plural.
45	begun	began	Simple past needed: "begin" → began → begun (past participle). "Begun" needs auxiliary.
46	fell	fallen	"Had fell" → "had fallen" (past perfect = had + past participle).
47	was	were	"Alternatives" = plural subject; simple past plural.
48	gave	given	"Had gave" → "had given" (past perfect = had + past participle).
49	teaching	teaches	Simple present for current habit; "Mr. Lim" singular subject needs "-es."
50	have	has	"Neither age nor failing eyesight" = singular concept (neither...nor with singular nearest); or formal agreement with first subject "age" (singular).
51	die	dies	"The skill" = singular; simple present third person singular.
52	is	were	"If only someone were listening" — subjunctive for wish/regret about present (unreal). Formal usage preferred in edited writing.

Section D Total: 10 marks (1 mark per correct correction; must include correct form, not just identification)

MARK SCHEME SUMMARY

Section	Marks
A: Grammar MCQ (Q1–20)	20
B: Grammar Cloze (Q21–30)	10
C: Sentence Transformation (Q31–40)	20
D: Editing (Q41–52, 10 errors)	10
TOTAL	60

Time allocation guidance (not on paper):

Section A: 15 minutes (45 sec per question)
Section B: 10 minutes
Section C: 25 minutes (2.5 min per transformation)
Section D: 15 minutes
Review: 10 minutes buffer

PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR

Score	Level
54–60	Excellent: Strong grammar command, ready for PSLE
48–53	Good: Minor errors in complex structures; practice subjunctive and perfect tenses
42–47	Satisfactory: Inconsistent with advanced structures; review transformation patterns
36–41	Needs Improvement: Foundations secure but gaps in perfect tenses, passive, subjunctive
Below 36	Significant gaps; systematic grammar review recommended

End of Answer Key