Vocabulary Test: Specifications

Full marks: 50
This test has two parts: the first one is of receptive knowledge of
vocabulary with 25 multiple-choice items presented in five
subsections. For the first three subsections fifteen words were
chosen from word-up project. These are low frequency words whose
knowledge would be an indicator of overall sound vocabulary
knowledge in English. We have chosen 15 words across three
categories - nouns, verbs and adjectives equally represented from
three grades four, five and six. So part one subsections I(nouns), II
(adjectives) and III (verbs) test the knowledge of these words.
We test knowledge of word definitions (I.I), antonyms (I.II),
synonyms (I.VI), collocation (I.III, I.V), and word use in context (I.IV).
1. for nouns have definitions
2. for adjectives have antonyms
3. for verbs have fill in the blanks (collocation type)
In the second part of the test, word use fluency is examined with the
help of two item types. II.I tests knowledge of word meaning through
its use in a meaningful sentence. This sub-section has 20 items. In
II.II knowledge of synonyms in a context is tested through five
supply type items.
Grade 4
(5)
Grade 5
(5)
Grade 6
(5)

nouns
arena
monarch
document
protagonist
quest

verbs
blend
coax
preserve
retain
ignite

adjectives
sturdy
precious
sparse
constant
vibrant/domes
tic

Vocabulary Test
PART ONE
I. Match the word with its correct definition. Circle the correct
option. 5X1=5
1. In the circus, the ring-master played with the lion in an arena
that was built with iron bars all around. So we did not feel scared
watching the game.
An arena is ___________________
a. an enclosed space
b. a room in a house
c. a playground
2. In old days every kingdom used to be ruled by a monarch.
A monarch is a
a.king
b.minister
c. caretaker
3. In the novel Robinhood, the protagonist is Robinhood. There are
other supporting characters in the story as well.
A protagonist is
a. the main character
b. the plot of the story
c. the best character
4.
A campaignis
5. My history teacher says that one should never give up ones
quest for knowledge.
A quest
a.
b.
c.

is
a search
a truth
an information

II. Read the following sentences. Choose a word that is OPPOSITE to

the underlined word in each sentence. Circle the correct option.
5X1=5
1. Although I travelled through Europe for six long months, my bag
did not tear away. It was very sturdy.
a. strong

b. spacious

c. not well-made

2. When I was young, my grandfather gave me a box of candles. Ive

kept it safe because its a precious gift to me.
a. of no value

b. of great value c. very common

3. I went to a tour to Bhutan with my parents. I was surprised when I

reached at the hilltop. Vegetation was sparse and very few people
lived there.
a. almost nil

b. very green

c. in plenty

4. I know Rita for ten years. She has been my constant friend and
we have always shared secrets with one another.
a. endless

b. temporary

c. good

5. My grandmother was very angry that I wanted a squirrel as my

pet. She complained that squirrels are not domestic.
a. wild

b. tame

c. bright

III. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. Circle the correct
option.

IV. Read the text and circle the correct option to fill in the
blanks.
5X1 =
5marks
WHAT MAKES A ROLLER COASTER GO?
Gravitythe force that makes things fall __________ (1) the ground.
Roller coasters are powered by gravity, except at the very beginning
of the ride. To get started, the roller-coaster cars hook on to a chain.
It _________ (2) them to the top of the first hill. The chain can pull the
cars because gears connect it to a motor on the ground. When the
cars get to the top of the first hill, the hooks let go. Then the cars
roll down. They go faster and faster until they reach __________(3).
As the cars go up the next hill, they slow down. The same force of
gravity that makes the cars go faster while they are coasting down
makes them go slower _____________ (4) they are coasting up.
__________ (5) hill that the cars go up is a little lower than the hill
that the cars just rolled down. This is because gravity does not let
the cars roll to a place that is as high as the hill they just came from.
1
2
3
4
5

a. on
a. pulls
a. the
bottom
a. after
a. any

b. toward
b. connects
b. the end
b. because
b. each

c. in
c. attracts
c. the pit
c. when
c. no

V. Match the following phrases in column A with the words they can
be combined with in Column B.
6X1= 6

Column A
1. A box of
2. A fancy
3. A fantastic
4. A crate of
5. A genuine
6. A bottle of

Column B
A. train
B. eggs
C. person
D. dress
E. swim
F. idea
G. bricks
H. perfume
I. chocolates

Write your answers below.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

A box of ___________________________
A fancy of
___________________________
A fantastic
___________________________
A crate of
___________________________
A genuine
___________________________
A bottle of ____________________________

Read the following text and provide a suitable synonym for each of
the underlined words.
4X1=4

PART TWO
Words can be used in sentences. For example I can use the word
bagin a sentence like: While going to school, I carry all my books in
a big bag. Now write a sentence with each word give below to show
that you know the meaning of the word and can use it in a sentence.
Words
1. dinner
(n)
2. leisure
3.
remember
4. brown
5. jump
6. asleep
7.
newspaper
8. hillside
9. seventy
10. tender
11. boil
12. swim
13.
interesting
14. toss
15.
uncanny
16. earn
17.

Sentences

progress
18. tennis
19. crowded
20. park