Use many different words in your writing and speech.

Improving Vocabulary 02

This KS2 English quiz further tests your vocabulary skills. One of the best ways of improving your vocabulary is to learn a new word every day. Write the word down, find out what it means and practise using it in a sentence. Try it out on friends and family to see if they know what it means!

Improving your vocabulary means you will have a wider choice of words to choose from. When you use a less common word in speech, take note of the reactions of others to see if they understand what you have said. If they seem unsure, you can always explain the meaning of your new word.

Here's another chance to practise developing your vocabulary by taking this enjoyable picture quiz.

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
Before the thunderstorm, the birds stopped making noise.

hushed.

sounded quiet.

shrieked.

whispered.

Before the thunderstorm, the birds hushed.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
My best friend is kind.

nice.

bossy.

busy.

considerate.

My best friend is considerate. My best friend could also be 'sympathetic', 'generous', 'thoughtful', or 'compassionate'.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
No one expected Kieran to be such a slow runner.

plodding

pacy

rapid

clumsy

No one expected Kieran to be such a plodding runner.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
There was a big crowd at the stadium.

a reasonable

an immense

an okay

a tolerable

There was an immense crowd at the stadium.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
We all agreed it had been a bad day.

an atrocious

a dreadful

an unsatisfactory

Any of the above

'Bad' is used too often. There are so many more interesting and specific words which could replace 'bad'. Try collecting alternatives to this rather boring word.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
I've been waiting for a long time to borrow that book.

for a little while

calmly

endlessly

patiently

I've been waiting endlessly to borrow that book. It might just be possible that this could be an exaggeration!

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
My Grandad builds really good bonfires.

tolerable

splendid

satisfactory

acceptable

My Grandad builds splendid bonfires.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
She wore a pretty dress at the party.

an ugly

an attractive

a fashionable

a sparkly

She wore an attractive dress to the party - depending on their personal opinion, others could describe the dress as 'beautiful', 'gorgeous', 'nice', 'lovely' or 'delightful'.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
The fruit salad was really nice.

edible.

harmless.

delectable.

nutritious.

The fruit salad was delectable.

10.

Without changing the meaning of the sentence, select the best choice to replace the word or words in italics.
Cress seeds are some of the smallest I have ever seen. In fact, they are tiny.