Year 6 SATs

Reading Revision & Practice Booklet:

Vocabulary Victor

Name:

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 Who is Vocabulary Victor?
Vocabulary Victor is the clever canine who helps with reading content
domain 2a:

Give/explain the meaning of words in context.

This means that he is there to help you to work out the meaning of
words you don’t know.

He helps you to do this by looking at the words or phrases you’re

unsure of in context. This means using the text so far, using the
sentences around the word and using what you already know about
the plot to figure out what the word must mean.

What sort of questions might Vocabulary Victor ask?

Vocabulary Victor will always ask questions which relate to the meaning of words
within the text. He has been known to ask:

• Which word is the closest in meaning to a given word?

• Can you define a given word or phrase to explain what it means in this sentence?

• Can you choose an alternative phrase that means the same thing as a given word
or phrase?

• Can you find and copy a word or group of words from a paragraph that are closest
in meaning to a given phase?

• Are you able to give multiple answers which all share the same meaning?

• Can you choose the best description from the multiple choices offered to match
given description?

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 Two Little Ducks
Ecstatically, Jeff jumped from his seat almost faster than the speed of light. Like
rockets launching into space, he thrust his hands into the air and an enormous sound
seemed to explode with such fury that it was as if it had accelerated from his feet.

“YESSSSSSSSS!”

Jeff wafted the flimsy, dotted card that he’d been using to keep track
of the numbers high above his head. It danced merrily in the air,
seemingly, as proud as Jeff of their shared victory.

Two little ducks: that’s all Jeff had been waiting for, for what had seemed
like hours. Anxiously, his forehead had dripped and his face had contorted
with concentration and tension when his dabber had hovered over the only
vacant square. Upon the stage had stood a familiar figure with godlike power:
the power to decide which number would be chosen at random from the
spinning container. She had been all that stood between Jeff and some hard-
earned winnings.

Two little ducks, thought Jeff to himself, almost praying. Just two little...

And, as the hall erupted with sound of ‘quack, quack’, Jeff truly did launch

Let’s have a go at answering a Vocabulary Victor

question, step by step: …it was as if it had accelerated
from his feet.
1. Find and underline the quoted sentence in the
original text. Which word is closest in meaning
to accelerated? Tick one.
2. Re-read the sentence in context. What do you
think the word means?
balanced
3. Look at the options in the question. Try
replacing the word with all of the different
sped
alternatives. Do any make sense?

4. Check the number of answers you need to give

collided
and clearly mark the answer in the way you
are asked to.
trembled
Now, using these top tips, have a go at answering
some on your own.

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…his face had contorted with concentration and tension…
What does contorted mean in this sentence? Tick one.

to show sadness

to twist out of shape

to become redder and redder

to display a serene smile

2

Look at the paragraph beginning: Two little ducks: that’s all Jeff…
Find and copy one word from this paragraph that is closest in meaning to ‘empty’.

It danced merrily in the air, seemingly as proud as Jeff of their shared victory.
Find and copy two different words from the sentence above which show that the
dotted card appeared to have positive feelings.
1. 

2. 
4

And, as the hall erupted with sound of ‘quack, quack’, Jeff truly did launch into
space: he was over the moon.
Choose the best words to match the meaning of the sentence above. Circle both of
your choices.
raucous
As the hall became dangerous silent ,
Jeff was ecstatic was in a rocket. visited new places.
5

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 The History of Bicycles
The bicycle, commonly referred to as the bike, is a two-wheeled
vehicle invented in late 19th century Europe. Whether human-
powered or motor-powered, the bicycle is the preferred mode
of transport by millions of cyclists worldwide, with over
one billion bicycles now in existence – far exceeding the
number of cars currently in circulation.

First appearing in English print in the year 1868,

the word ‘bicycle’ comes from the French word first
used to describe an unidentified two-wheeled vehicle.
However, the modern bicycle so familiar to us has its
roots in many more unusual two-wheeled vehicles.

The Dandy horse was the first human-powered, two-wheeled

mode of transport and was invited by Baron Karl von Drais in
1817. Unlike the modern metallic frames commonly seen today, the rider of the Dandy
horse would sit astride a wooden frame, pushing the vehicle along with their feet while
steering using a small wheel.

In the early 1860s, French mechanics Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement added new
technical elements, such as pedals, to the bicycle – enlarging the front wheel to create a
vehicle which was mass-produced as the velocipede.

…enlarging the front wheel to create a vehicle which was mass-produced as the
velocipede.
Choose the best words to match the meaning of the sentence above. Circle both of
your choices.
fake copies
Before huge numbers French versions of the velocipede were

made, the front wheel of the bicycle was removed. made smaller. made bigger.

Look at the paragraph beginning: First appearing in English print…

Find and copy one word from this paragraph that is closest in meaning to ‘unknown’.

2

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The bicycle, commonly referred to as the bike…
What does commonly referred to mean?

Whether human-powered or motor-powered, the bicycle is the preferred mode of

transport by millions of cyclists worldwide.
Which word is closest in meaning to preferred? Tick one.

maintained

unique

dreaded

favoured

French mechanics Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement added new technical elements…
What does technical elements mean in this sentence? Tick one.

practical aspects

difficult mistakes

scientific simplicity

French workmen
5

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 Stripy Messengers, Swollen
Branches: A Spring Cinquain
Eager senses search for welcome signs.

The floral scent of renewal, surfing on a breeze.

A buzzing herald of bees; the year’s first busy foray.

Pink blossom uncurling, swelling branches with colour.

My cheeks blushing at the first warm kiss of Spring.

Eager senses search for welcome signs.

Which word is closest in meaning to eager? Tick one.

peculiar

overwhelmed

yearning

disinterested
1

The floral scent of renewal, surfing on a breeze.

What does renewal mean?


2

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 Find
Findand
and copy
copy one
one word
word from
from the
the poem
poem that is closest
that is closest in
in meaning
meaning to
to‘a
‘asudden
sudden occur-
occurrence’. rence’.


3

A buzzing herald of bees…

What does herald mean in this sentence? Tick one.

the promise of an end

unusual and unexpected events

a sign something will happen

an individual’s quest
4

Find and copy

Find and copy aone
group of from
word wordsthe
which
poemtell youisthat
that the in
closest smell of flowers
meaning to ‘aissudden
lingering
occur-
in the air. rence’.

5

Extended Response Challenge

Can you use evidence from the text and two acceptable points to score
all three marks on this challenge question?

This poem is about the arrival of springtime. Read the poem carefully.

Using evidence from the text to support your answer, explain two
different reactions that the poet has to spring’s arrival.







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 Answers
Two Little Ducks
1. …it was as if it had accelerated from his feet.
Which word is closest in meaning to accelerated? Tick one.

balanced

sped

collided

trembled

2. …his face had contorted with concentration and tension…

What does contorted mean in this sentence? Tick one.

to show sadness

to twist out of shape

to become redder and redder

to display a serene smile

3. Look at the paragraph beginning: Two little ducks: that’s all Jeff…
Find and copy one word from this paragraph that is closest in meaning to ‘empty’.

vacant

4. It danced merrily in the air, seemingly as proud as Jeff of their shared victory.
Find and copy two different words from the sentence above which show that the dotted
card appeared to have positive feelings.

merrily

proud

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 5. And, as the hall erupted with sound of ‘quack, quack’, Jeff truly did launch into
space: he was over the moon.
Choose the best words to match the meaning of the sentence above. Circle both of
your choices.
raucous
As the hall became dangerous silent ,
Jeff was ecstatic was in a rocket. visited new places.

The History of Bicycles

1. …enlarging the front wheel to create a vehicle which was mass produced as the
velocipede.
Choose the best words to match the meaning of the sentence above. Circle both of
your choices.
fake copies
Before huge numbers French versions of the velocipede were

made, the front wheel of the bicycle was removed. made smaller. made bigger.

2. Look at the paragraph beginning: First appearing in English print…

Find and copy one word from this paragraph that is closest in meaning to ‘unknown’.
unidentified
3. The bicycle, commonly referred to as the bike…
What does commonly referred to mean?

Accept any answer which correctly defines the phrase ‘commonly referred to’ but in

the child’s own words, such as:

• Commonly referred to means that something is regularly called something;

• It means when lots of people use a different name instead of an item’s real name.

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4. Whether human-powered or motor-powered, the bicycle is the preferred mode of
transport by millions of cyclists worldwide.
Which word is closest in meaning to preferred? Tick one.

maintained

unique

dreaded

favoured

5. French mechanics Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement added new

technical elements…
What does technical elements mean in this sentence? Tick one.

practical aspects

difficult mistakes

scientific simplicity

French workmen

Stripy Messengers, Swollen Branches: A Spring Cinquain

1. Eager senses search for welcome signs.
Which word is closest in meaning to eager? Tick one.

peculiar

overwhelmed

yearning

disinterested

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2. The floral scent of renewal, surfing on a breeze.
What does renewal mean?
Accept any answer which correctly defines ‘renewal’ in the child’s own
words, such as:

• Renewal means when something begins again;

• It means something that had stopped but is now starting back up

3. Find and copy one word from the poem that is closest in meaning to ‘a sudden
occurrence’.
foray

4. A buzzing herald of bees…

What does herald mean in this sentence? Tick one.

the promise of an end

unusual and unexpected events

a sign something will happen

an individual’s quest

5. Find and copy a group of words which tell you that the smell of flowers is lingering
in the air.
surfing on a breeze

Extended Response Challenge

Acceptable points:
AP1. Overdue/welcome/the poet is desperately searching for it.
AP2. The poet sees spring as a busy time.
AP3. Warm/thawed/the poet is warming up again after winter.
AP4. The poet blushes.
AP5. The poet sees the arrival of spring as a welcome embrace.

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Award 3 marks for two acceptable points, at least one with evidence, e.g.

• The poet reacts eagerly to spring because the poem says that ‘eager senses’ are
searching. The poet also blushes when spring arrives. [AP1 + evidence and AP4]

• The poet sees spring as a busy time because it states that it is the ‘year’s first
busy foray’. The poet also seems to welcome the warm embrace and ‘first
warm kiss’ of spring with a ‘blush’. [AP2 + evidence and AP5 + evidence]

Award 2 marks for either two acceptable points, or one acceptable point with
evidence, e.g.

• The poet must like to welcome spring because it says

eager senses search for it. [AP1 + evidence]

• The poet searches for spring and then blushes when it arrives. [AP1 and AP4]

Award 1 mark for one acceptable point, e.g.

• The poet blushes when spring arrives. [AP5]

• The poet thinks that spring is very busy. [AP2]

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