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English Quiz - Writing Explanations (Questions)

Welcome to another exciting KS2 English quiz all about writing explanations! Explanations are like treasure maps for understanding things better – they tell you the hows, whys, wheres, whens, and whats.

Imagine you're a detective uncovering secrets! Do you enjoy science? If so, you're probably already familiar with the wonders of explanation books. Now, it's your turn to become a master at writing explanations. Dive into this quiz and see how well you can explain things in your own words!

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1. What is the purpose of an explanation?
[ ] To explain how something works.
[ ] To explain natural phenomena (such as a tornado).
[ ] To explain a social process (such as the legal system).
[ ] All of the above.
2. Which of the following would NOT be a suitable title for an explanation?
[ ] How do meteorologists forecast the weather?
[ ] How to make an alpine garden.
[ ] How do lava lamps work?
[ ] Why do bears hibernate?
3. What should the introduction include?
[ ] It should introduce the subject.
[ ] It should give instructions for how to read the rest of the explanation.
[ ] It should tell a mystery story.
[ ] It should tell the reader how long it will take to read the whole explanation.
4. You would use a glossary for ____
[ ] listing the page number where each subject is mentioned.
[ ] giving the title and the name of the author.
[ ] listing the contents of the explanation.
[ ] defining specialist vocabulary.
5. In an explanation about how a lava lamp works, which tense would you use?
[ ] Past
[ ] Present
[ ] Future
[ ] None of the above
6. Why are illustrations, diagrams and charts used in explanations?
[ ] They help the reader understand how to follow the instructions.
[ ] They add extra information, which helps the reader understand the explanation.
[ ] They are only there to entertain the reader.
[ ] They are never used in explanations.
7. Which of the following connectives would you NOT find in an explanation?
[ ] After that, next, the following spring.
[ ] Furthermore, moreover, in conclusion.
[ ] First, then, finally.
[ ] Because, so, as a result.
8. Which of these questions could NOT be answered by an explanation?
[ ] Should pupils have to wear school uniform?
[ ] What causes the tides?
[ ] Why do penguins have wings?
[ ] How does a computer work?
9. Explanations are written in ____
[ ] first person.
[ ] second person.
[ ] third person.
[ ] first person and second person.
10. Which of the following would be an example of an explanatory (explanation) text?
[ ] A novel.
[ ] A book of poetry.
[ ] A manual on how to look after your bike.
[ ] A book on how a bike works.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Explanation texts

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English Quiz - Writing Explanations (Answers)
1. What is the purpose of an explanation?
[ ] To explain how something works.
[ ] To explain natural phenomena (such as a tornado).
[ ] To explain a social process (such as the legal system).
[x] All of the above.
Explanations have many purposes.
2. Which of the following would NOT be a suitable title for an explanation?
[ ] How do meteorologists forecast the weather?
[x] How to make an alpine garden.
[ ] How do lava lamps work?
[ ] Why do bears hibernate?
'How to make an alpine garden' would be a set of instructions.
3. What should the introduction include?
[x] It should introduce the subject.
[ ] It should give instructions for how to read the rest of the explanation.
[ ] It should tell a mystery story.
[ ] It should tell the reader how long it will take to read the whole explanation.
The introduction can also mention the most important key words and define them.
4. You would use a glossary for ____
[ ] listing the page number where each subject is mentioned.
[ ] giving the title and the name of the author.
[ ] listing the contents of the explanation.
[x] defining specialist vocabulary.
A glossary gives the meanings of words.
5. In an explanation about how a lava lamp works, which tense would you use?
[ ] Past
[x] Present
[ ] Future
[ ] None of the above
Most explanations are written in the present tense, although it is sometimes possible to use the past (giving an example from the past) or the future (explaining what will happen next).
6. Why are illustrations, diagrams and charts used in explanations?
[ ] They help the reader understand how to follow the instructions.
[x] They add extra information, which helps the reader understand the explanation.
[ ] They are only there to entertain the reader.
[ ] They are never used in explanations.
If you are asked to write an explanation, remember to use any or all of these in your work.
7. Which of the following connectives would you NOT find in an explanation?
[ ] After that, next, the following spring.
[x] Furthermore, moreover, in conclusion.
[ ] First, then, finally.
[ ] Because, so, as a result.
'Furthermore', 'moreover' and 'in conclusion' would be used in an argument, but not in an explanation.
8. Which of these questions could NOT be answered by an explanation?
[x] Should pupils have to wear school uniform?
[ ] What causes the tides?
[ ] Why do penguins have wings?
[ ] How does a computer work?
If the question was 'Why should pupils have to wear a school uniform?' this could be answered by an explanation.
9. Explanations are written in ____
[ ] first person.
[ ] second person.
[x] third person.
[ ] first person and second person.
We have a KS2 English quiz called 'First, Second and Third Person' if you want to refresh your memory on the differences.
10. Which of the following would be an example of an explanatory (explanation) text?
[ ] A novel.
[ ] A book of poetry.
[ ] A manual on how to look after your bike.
[x] A book on how a bike works.
Next time you are reading a piece of writing, look out for any explanatory text.
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