Can You Pass a 6th-Grade English Test?

EDUCATION

By: Kennita Leon

6 Min Quiz

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

The English language - sigh. Why do we need to learn a language that we speak at home every day? Well, someone in some school system decided it was a necessary part of our curriculum and it caught on like wildfire in every English-speaking country in the world. Sixth-grade English, in particular, was quite challenging, because students were at the point where they were still young enough to be molded into proper English speakers, but old enough for it to get more challenging. So can you pass this sixth-grade English test? 

We're not going to get crazy and test you on sentence structures and things like that. But we do want to know if you know the basics, along with a few words that every sixth-grader should know. So, can you tell us what a synonym is? Do you know what hyphens and ellipses are used for? Can you tell us what the word "cumulative" means? If you can't answer these questions, then you may not be able to pass this test, but you can surely go ahead and try. Do you think you have what it takes to beat this sixth-grade English test? Let's go ahead and find out. 

What is a noun?

Nouns are any words other than pronouns that refer to persons, places, things, states or qualities. They can be used as the main or standalone elements as the subject in sentences.

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What does "hoax" mean?

In its verb form, to "hoax" is to knowingly masquerade a falsehood as the truth either for comedic or malicious reasons. As a noun, a "hoax" is a deception.

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What is a contraction?

This word has multiple meanings, but its most basic meaning that rings true to all its uses is either the shortening or compressing of something. Word contractions include "don't," "you'll" and "I'm."

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What does a semicolon do?

A semicolon can be used to join two related independent clauses. It can also be used to separate items in a series.

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What does "boisterous" mean?

Noisy or tempestuous, "boisterous" can also mean rowdy or clamorous.

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What does "originate" mean?

To "originate" is to give commencement or initiate something. Who originated that terrible rumor?

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What does "apprehensive" mean?

To be "apprehensive" is to be worried, anxious or uneasy that something will go wrong. Are you apprehensive about this quiz?

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What is a pronoun?

Pronouns are a small group of words that replace nouns, such as I, she or him. The nouns being replaced can be identified by context.

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What does "painstaking" mean?

Something done painstakingly is meticulously done, with great care. Only loosely related to actual pain or stakes.

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What does "prosecute" mean?

To "prosecute" can mean to pursue legal action against someone or an organization, but it also is defined as seeing something through to the end.

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What does "loathe" mean?

To "loathe" someone or something is to dislike them or it intensely. Some people loathe country music, opera or heavy metal.

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What is an adjective?

An "adjective" is a word used to describe a noun or pronoun. "Purple" is an adjective, and so is "angry."

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What are parentheses?

Parentheses set off words that are related in some way to the main topic (like extra information). The singular form of "parentheses" is "parenthesis."

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What does "eerie" mean?

What does "eerie" mean? Often another way to say unnatural or suspicious, this word means mysterious and odd.

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What does "deteriorate" mean?

To "deteriorate" is to decline in status or to dwindle. Synonyms include "degenerate" and "decompose."

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What does "cumulative" mean?

"Cumulative" describes the full total of something, once all its parts are combined. What will your cumulative score be, when you finish this quiz?

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What does "innovation" mean?

An "innovation" is a fresh idea or method. Let's innovate!

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What does it mean to paraphrase something?

Could you paraphrase the question? To "paraphrase" is to rephrase words from someone else, usually to have a better understanding of them.

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What is an interjection?

Wow! This can be either an exclamation or it can be an interruption or aside. Oh yeah!

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What does "unanimous" mean?

To be "unanimous" is to be in one accord, and congruent. Are we in unanimous agreement on this matter?

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What does an apostrophe do?

What is an apostrophe's purpose? This punctuation mark is used to express ownership or to indicate that some letters or numbers have been excluded.

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What is a "synonym"?

A "synonym" is a word that is similar in meaning to another word in the same lexicon. "Dog" and "canine" are synonyms.

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What is a preposition?

A preposition is used to describe the relationship between a noun or pronoun in relation to the rest of the words in a sentence. For example, "down the lane," "across the universe" or "on the table."

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What does "chronological" mean?

"Chronological" order is an arrangement based on time of occurrence, beginning at the initial phase and progressing consecutively. It's similar in concept to alphabetical order - based on time rather than the alphabet.

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What does "conspicuous" mean?

To be "conspicuous" is to be clearly perceptible or attracting attention. That sequin jacket is certainly conspicuous.

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What does "knack" mean?

Having a "knack" for something is to be particularly good at or prone to doing something. Do you have a knack for quiz-taking?

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What does "diminish" mean?

To "diminish" is to reduce or devalue. Don't diminish the value of excellent grammar.

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What does "stationary" mean?

"Stationary" means not in motion or unchanging. Don't confuse it with "stationery."

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What do hyphens do?

The hyphen is a multi-faceted punctuation mark, written as a short dash, which is used to indicate that words have been joined or have a missing portion.

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What does "makeshift" mean?

A "makeshift" item is a provisional substitute which is temporarily adequate. A makeshift car would be a bad idea.

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What is an en dash?

An en dash is slightly wider than a hyphen but not as wide as an em dash. It's often used between numbers, to indicate a range.

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What is an adverb?

An adverb describes a verb. It adds additional components and tells of quality or manner. Run quickly!

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What does "drastic" mean?

To do something "drastic" is to act with great force or intensity. Drastic times call for drastic measures!

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What is an "onomatopoeia"?

An "onomatopoeia" is a word that is based on the imitation of its sound - such as "boom" or "hiss." Such a long word for such a simple idea!

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What does "superlative" mean?

Something "superlative" is of the highest standard or quality. In grammar, it is the highest form of an adjective or adverb. The word can also mean "exaggerated praise."

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What does "siege" mean?

A "siege" is a military operation designed to reduce the defense of a particular place by surrounding it, thereby cutting off aid and supplies to ultimately reduce resistance.

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What is an ellipsis?

An "ellipsis" is a set of dots that expresses that a list or series is inexhaustible. It is also used to indicate the omission of words, as in a long quote.

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What does "persecute" mean?

To "persecute" is to torment a person or group, particularly due to race, creed or differing beliefs. Also used to define persistent annoyance.

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What is an alliteration?

An "alliteration" is a common literary device where the first letter or sound in a series of words is repeated throughout a phrase. Dig deep!

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What does "context" mean?

"Context" includes the circumstances surrounding an event, statement or otherwise. This can also be words directly preceding and following a statement that help in its comprehension.

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