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Primary 6 PSLE English Vocabulary Quiz
Free Exam-Derived Owl Alpha Primary 6 PSLE English Vocabulary quiz with questions and answers for Singapore students. This page is rendered as a direct URL so the questions and answers can be discovered without pressing in-page buttons.
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Questions
Primary 6 PSLE English Quiz - Vocabulary
Name: _________________________
Class: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Score: _______ / 40
Duration: 40 minutes
Total Marks: 40
Instructions
- Read each question carefully before answering.
- For multiple-choice questions, write the letter (A, B, C, or D) in the space provided.
- For fill-in-the-blank questions, write the correct word or phrase in the space provided.
- For vocabulary-in-context questions, choose the option closest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the passage.
- Each question carries the marks indicated.
- Do not leave any question blank — make your best attempt.
Section A: Vocabulary in Context (Questions 1–5)
Each question carries 2 marks. Choose the option closest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence.
1. The scientist's groundbreaking research changed the way doctors treat the disease.
(A) ordinary
(B) revolutionary
(C) controversial
(D) dangerous
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
2. After the long drought, the villagers were elated when the rains finally arrived.
(A) confused
(B) overjoyed
(C) anxious
(D) disappointed
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
3. The speaker's eloquent words moved the entire audience to tears.
(A) fluent and persuasive
(B) loud and aggressive
(C) simple and plain
(D) confusing and unclear
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
4. The old mansion had a dilapidated roof that let rainwater seep through.
(A) newly renovated
(B) beautifully decorated
(C) falling apart
(D) brightly painted
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
5. Despite the criticism, she remained resolute in her decision to continue the project.
(A) uncertain
(B) firm and determined
(C) hesitant
(D) regretful
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
Section B: Collocations (Questions 6–10)
Each question carries 2 marks. Choose the option that correctly completes the collocation in the sentence.
6. The manager decided to _____________ a complaint after receiving poor service.
(A) do
(B) make
(C) take
(D) have
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
7. Please _____________ attention to the safety instructions before we begin.
(A) give
(B) pay
(C) take
(D) hold
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
8. The team worked hard to _____________ their goal of raising ten thousand dollars.
(A) make
(B) reach
(C) do
(D) catch
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
9. The new evidence helped the detective _____________ the mystery.
(A) solve
(B) answer
(C) find
(D) discover
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
10. She was so nervous that she could barely _____________ a word during her speech.
(A) say
(B) speak
(C) utter
(D) tell
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
Section C: Phrasal Verbs (Questions 11–15)
Each question carries 2 marks. Choose the phrasal verb that best replaces the underlined phrase in the sentence.
11. The company decided to tolerate the delays and continue with the production schedule.
(A) put off
(B) put up with
(C) put across
(D) put down
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
12. The principal promised to investigate the matter thoroughly.
(A) look after
(B) look down on
(C) look into
(D) look back on
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
13. After retiring, she often thought about her years as a teacher.
(A) looked after
(B) looked into
(C) looked down on
(D) looked back on
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
14. The new manager will assume control of the department next month.
(A) take up
(B) take over
(C) take in
(D) take off
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
15. He decided to start painting as a hobby during the school holidays.
(A) take over
(B) take in
(C) take up
(D) take off
Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
Section D: Cloze Passage — Vocabulary (Questions 16–20)
Each question carries 2 marks. Read the passage below and fill in each blank with the most suitable word from the options provided.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is one of the most (16) _____________ natural wonders in the world. Stretching over 2,300 kilometres, it is the largest coral reef system on Earth and is home to thousands of marine species.
However, the reef is facing a serious (17) _____________ due to rising ocean temperatures. When water temperatures increase, corals expel the algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white — a process known as coral bleaching. If temperatures remain high for prolonged periods, the corals may die.
Scientists have been (18) _____________ monitoring the reef's health and have urged governments to take immediate action. Conservation efforts include reducing carbon emissions, controlling pollution, and establishing marine protected areas.
Tourism also plays a (19) _____________ role in the reef's survival. Revenue from eco-tourism funds many conservation projects. However, irresponsible tourism practices can cause further damage to the fragile ecosystem.
Experts believe that if we act now, there is still a (20) _____________ of reversing some of the damage. Every small effort counts in preserving this magnificent natural treasure for future generations.
Word Bank for Questions 16–20:
| Blank | (A) | (B) | (C) | (D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | spectacular | ordinary | temporary | isolated |
| 17 | threat | celebration | improvement | discovery |
| 18 | casually | reluctantly | closely | occasionally |
| 19 | minor | destructive | significant | questionable |
| 20 | risk | danger | chance | threat |
16. Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
17. Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
18. Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
19. Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
20. Answer: _____________ (2 marks)
End of Quiz
Check your answers carefully before submitting.
Answers
Primary 6 PSLE English Quiz - Vocabulary
Answer Key
Section A: Vocabulary in Context (Questions 1–5)
1. Answer: (B) revolutionary (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Groundbreaking" means innovative or pioneering, introducing something entirely new. "Revolutionary" is the closest synonym. "Ordinary" is the opposite. "Controversial" and "dangerous" do not capture the meaning of introducing something new and significant.
Common mistake: Students may choose (C) controversial, associating "groundbreaking" with something that causes debate, but the context emphasises the positive impact on medical treatment.
2. Answer: (B) overjoyed (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Elated" means extremely happy or joyful. The context — villagers waiting for rain after a long drought — supports this meaning. "Anxious" and "disappointed" are negative emotions that do not fit. "Confused" is unrelated.
Common mistake: Students may confuse "elated" with "anxious" due to the stressful situation, but the arrival of rain would bring relief and joy.
3. Answer: (A) fluent and persuasive (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Eloquent" describes speech or writing that is fluent, forceful, and persuasive. The fact that the audience was moved to tears confirms the power of the words. "Loud and aggressive" describes volume and tone, not quality of language. "Simple and plain" is the opposite of eloquent.
Common mistake: Students may choose (B) loud and persuasive, confusing eloquence with volume.
4. Answer: (C) falling apart (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Dilapidated" means in a state of disrepair or ruin. A roof that lets rainwater seep through is clearly falling apart. "Newly renovated" and "beautifully decorated" are opposites. "Brightly painted" describes appearance, not structural condition.
Common mistake: Students unfamiliar with the word may guess based on the word's sound rather than the context clue ("let rainwater seep through").
5. Answer: (B) firm and determined (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Resolute" means admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. The context — she continued despite criticism — confirms this meaning. "Uncertain" and "hesitant" are opposites. "Regretful" implies she wished she had not made the decision, which contradicts "remained."
Common mistake: Students may choose (D) regretful, misreading "remained" as implying she was stuck with a bad decision.
Section B: Collocations (Questions 6–10)
6. Answer: (B) make (2 marks)
Reasoning: The correct collocation is "make a complaint." In English, "make" pairs with "complaint" as a fixed expression. "Do a complaint," "take a complaint," and "have a complaint" are not standard collocations (though "have a complaint" is sometimes used informally).
Common mistake: Students may choose (C) take, influenced by "take action" or "take steps."
7. Answer: (B) pay (2 marks)
Reasoning: The correct collocation is "pay attention." This is a fixed expression in English. "Give attention" is occasionally used but less common in this context. "Take attention" and "hold attention" are not standard collocations.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) give, as "give attention to" is grammatically possible but not the idiomatic expression used in instructions.
8. Answer: (B) reach (2 marks)
Reasoning: The correct collocation is "reach a goal." "Make a goal" refers to scoring in sports. "Do a goal" and "catch a goal" are not standard English collocations.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) make, confusing "make a goal" (sports) with "reach a goal" (achievement).
9. Answer: (A) solve (2 marks)
Reasoning: The correct collocation is "solve a mystery." "Answer" pairs with "question," not "mystery." "Find" and "discover" do not collocate naturally with "mystery" in this context.
Common mistake: Students may choose (B) answer, as "answer" is associated with problems and questions.
10. Answer: (C) utter (2 marks)
Reasoning: The correct collocation is "utter a word." "Utter" means to speak or pronounce, and "could barely utter a word" is a common expression indicating extreme nervousness. "Say a word" is grammatically correct but less idiomatic in this fixed expression. "Speak a word" is also possible but less commonly tested.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) say, as it is the most common verb for speaking, but "utter" is the precise collocation tested at PSLE level.
Section C: Phrasal Verbs (Questions 11–15)
11. Answer: (B) put up with (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Put up with" means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant. The context — tolerating delays — matches this meaning. "Put off" means to postpone. "Put across" means to communicate an idea. "Put down" means to criticise or place something down.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) put off, confusing "tolerate" with "postpone."
12. Answer: (C) look into (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Look into" means to investigate or examine. The context — the principal investigating a matter — matches perfectly. "Look after" means to take care of. "Look down on" means to regard with contempt. "Look back on" means to reflect on the past.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) look after, associating the principal's role with caring for students.
13. Answer: (D) looked back on (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Looked back on" means to think about or reflect on past events. The context — a retiree thinking about her teaching years — matches this meaning. "Looked after" means to care for. "Looked into" means to investigate. "Looked down on" means to despise.
Common mistake: Students may choose (B) looked into, confusing reflection with investigation.
14. Answer: (B) take over (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Take over" means to assume control or responsibility. The context — a new manager assuming control of a department — matches this meaning. "Take up" means to start a hobby or activity. "Take in" means to understand or to provide shelter. "Take off" means to remove or to become successful quickly.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) take up, confusing "assume control" with "start something new."
15. Answer: (C) take up (2 marks)
Reasoning: "Take up" means to begin a new hobby, activity, or interest. The context — starting painting as a hobby — matches this meaning. "Take over" means to assume control. "Take in" means to understand or absorb. "Take off" means to remove or depart.
Common mistake: Students may choose (D) take off, associating "take off" with starting something, but "take off" refers to removal or rapid success, not beginning a hobby.
Section D: Cloze Passage — Vocabulary (Questions 16–20)
16. Answer: (A) spectacular (2 marks)
Reasoning: The passage describes the Great Barrier Reef as one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. "Spectacular" means beautiful and impressive, fitting the context perfectly. "Ordinary" contradicts the description. "Temporary" and "isolated" do not describe a natural wonder.
Common mistake: Students may choose (D) isolated, thinking of the reef's remote location, but the context emphasises its grandeur, not its remoteness.
17. Answer: (A) threat (2 marks)
Reasoning: The passage describes rising ocean temperatures as a serious problem facing the reef. "Threat" means a potential danger, which fits the context. "Celebration" and "improvement" are positive and do not fit. "Discovery" does not convey the sense of danger.
Common mistake: Students may choose (D) threat for question 20 instead, not realising "threat" is the correct answer here and "chance" fits question 20 better.
18. Answer: (C) closely (2 marks)
Reasoning: Scientists monitoring the reef's health would do so carefully and attentively. "Closely" means with great attention, which fits. "Casually" and "occasionally" suggest a lack of urgency, which contradicts the serious tone. "Reluctantly" means unwillingly, which does not fit the context of scientists urging action.
Common mistake: Students may choose (D) occasionally, not realising that ongoing, careful monitoring is implied by "have been... monitoring."
19. Answer: (C) significant (2 marks)
Reasoning: The passage states that tourism revenue funds many conservation projects, indicating that tourism plays an important role. "Significant" means important or notable. "Minor" contradicts the evidence. "Destructive" is negative and only applies to irresponsible tourism. "Questionable" means doubtful, which does not fit.
Common mistake: Students may choose (B) destructive, focusing on the later sentence about irresponsible tourism, but the blank refers to the overall role of tourism.
20. Answer: (C) chance (2 marks)
Reasoning: The sentence expresses hope that damage can be reversed if action is taken now. "Chance" means possibility, which fits the optimistic tone. "Risk" and "danger" are negative and imply something bad might happen. "Threat" is also negative and does not fit the context of hope and possibility.
Common mistake: Students may choose (A) risk, confusing "possibility of success" with "possibility of failure."
Summary of Marks
| Section | Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Vocabulary in Context | 1–5 | 2 | 10 |
| B: Collocations | 6–10 | 2 | 10 |
| C: Phrasal Verbs | 11–15 | 2 | 10 |
| D: Cloze Passage | 16–20 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | 20 questions | 40 marks |
Marking Notes
- Award full marks (2) for each correct answer.
- Award 0 marks for incorrect or blank answers.
- No half marks for this quiz — answers are either correct or incorrect.
- For the cloze passage (Questions 16–20), accept only the exact word from the correct option. Spelling must be correct.