Solihull School 11+ English Sample Paper
Solihull School 11+ English Sample Paper
ENGLISH
Sample Paper
There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; a thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and
wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled
tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors, lay countless piles of precious
things, gold wrought and unwrought, gems and jewels, and silver red-stained in the ruddy light.
Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one side, so that the hobbit
could see his underparts and his long pale belly crusted with gems and fragments of gold from his long
lying on his costly bed. Behind him where the walls were nearest could dimly be seen coats of mail,
helms and axes, swords and spears hanging; and there in rows stood great jars and vessels filled with
a wealth that could not be guessed.
Questions:
1. Where is Bilbo at the beginning of the extract?
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2. According to Bilbo, who were responsible for making the tunnel?
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3. What type of word is noiselessly? Is it a verb, and adjective, a noun, an adverb or a preposition?
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4. What did Bilbo slip on? Why do you think he might have done this?
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5. Describe Bilbos emotions as he begins his journey down the tunnel. Use quotations to support
your answer.
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6. Explain what Tolkien means in the following sentence: Already he was a very different hobbit from
the one that had left the safe comforts of Bag-End long ago.
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7. Of what does Bilbo start to become aware whilst travelling down the tunnel?
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8. Find two examples of when Tolkien uses a simile in the passage and copy them down.
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9. Find an example from the passage when the writer appeals to the readers sense of sound.
Describe the effect it has.
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10. Explain, in your own words, the meaning of the following two sentences: The tremendous things
that happened afterwards were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel
alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.
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Task 2
Read the following sentences. They all contain errors. You must rewrite each sentence ensuring that
you have corrected the errors and mistakes. This task is worth thirty marks.
1. sallys pour was saw after she got a nasty splinter in it whilst going four a walk in the would.
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2. come hear now, said the teacher, Mrs cobble. whos responsible for all this dreadfull mess.
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4. Robbie and charlotte should of taken their 3D glases with them to sea the new Harry Potter movie
at the cinema.
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Task 3
Choose one of the following creative writing challenges. Write your answer on the lined paper provided.
This task is worth thirty marks.
For all of the challenges, you will be marked on:
your use of varied, interesting vocabulary including verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs
the accuracy of your grammar and expression
the originality of your ideas
your ability to create an interesting and exciting story or description
1. Write a description of a forest. Write about lots of different things that you can see and hear
around you and try to use all five senses in your description. You do not need to tell a story; you
will be marked on how well you can describe the scene. You can use the picture below as
inspiration.
2. Write the first chapter of a longer story. You should use the sentences below as your opening:
I banged loudly on the door, begging to be let in. When the door finally opened, I could not
believe the sight before me.
3. Imagine you are the man in the picture below. Write a short story, using the scene in the picture
as a starting point. The box he is opening appears laden with treasure.
Section B
Section B has only one task; please attempt this. It is expected that you will find these questions more
challenging.
Task 1
Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow. You should aim to spend thirty minutes
on this task. It is worth twenty marks.
Daffodils
I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
1. What technique has the writer used in the opening line? What effect does it have upon the way we
view the speaker?
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2. The poem is written from the first person perspective. What effect does this have?
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3. By suggesting that the daffodils are dancing, the poet has used which technique? What effect
does it have?
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5. In your own words, explain the meaning of the following lines: I gazed - and gazed - but little
thought / What wealth the show to me had brought.
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6. According to the final stanza, what effect does the remembrance of the daffodils have upon the
speaker? What does this suggest about the power of nature?
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