Form: _______
LITERACY SKILLS WORKBOOK
Name: _____________________
YEAR 7 AUTUMN TERM
OVERTON
GRANGE
SCHOOL
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 1: Capital Letters
We use capital letters for:
the beginning of a sentence – The dog wouldn’t stop barking.
proper nouns – Sarah, England, Easter, Sainsbury’s
adjectives for proper nouns – English, Victorian
speech – He said, ‘Hurry up, I’m starving.’ (Note: ‘he’ would not be capitalised in:
‘Hurry up, I’m starving,’ he said.)
 Titles – Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; A Christmas Carol; The Hunger
Games (prepositions, articles and other small words inside the title, such as and, or,
the, an, a, etc. do not begin with a capital letter)
 Initialisms – BBC, NATO, Miss J.K. Rowling




Task 1
Correct the capital letter errors in the following sentences:
1. dave asked, ‘did you watch wolverhampton wanderers play manchester united in
the fa cup?’
2. the narrowest part of the english channel lies between the french port of calais and
the english town of dover.
3. the teacher said, ‘i’m sure i’ve already explained this to you.’
4. my name is gemma. i was born under the sign gemini and i’ve just read my
horoscope in the daily mail. it says that thursday is going to be my lucky day.
5. i’ve just read animal farm by the english writer george orwell, and an american
novel called of mice and men by john steinbeck.
Task 2
List five towns or cities in Britain. List five countries in Europe.
1. ______________________________
1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
5. ______________________________
5. ______________________________
CHALLENGE!
Write a 5-10 line paragraph describing what you did during your summer holidays. Did you visit
any places? Did you meet up with friends? Remember to use capital letters where necessary.
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 2: Capital Letters and Full Stops
Full stops are used to indicate the end of a sentence.
A common mistake is to omit a full stop and use a comma instead.
What should be two sentences are pushed together as one.
We call this error the comma splice. A comma splice creates a run-on sentence.
Example:
My father came down to make his breakfast, he is usually in a hurry in the morning.
Correction:
My father came down to make his breakfast. He is usually in a hurry in the morning.
Task 1
Rewrite each run-on sentence as two separate sentences:
1. I sometimes go for long walks on summer evenings, it is peaceful and I can exercise the
family pet dog.
2. We have a dog, a cat, two gerbils, a hamster and a budgie, they all get on very well
together.
3. The hamster tends to keep us awake at night, her exercise wheel squeaks as she
moves.
4. My sister’s budgie can say a few words, most of them are cheeky and impolite.
5. One day one of the gerbils escaped from its cage, we eventually found it under my
brother’s bed.
6. Our house is more like a zoo than a family home, at Christmas all the pets get presents.
Task 2
Rewrite the passage below so that the capital letters and sentence endings are correct:
my name is beatrix there aren’t many famous people called beatrix, but the netherlands
used to be ruled by queen beatrix her reign lasted for over thirty years, until she abdicated
in april 2013.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE!
Write a 5-10 line paragraph describing the beginning of your new school year. Remember to put
full stops at the ends of your sentences and capital letters where necessary.
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 3: Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
A question mark is used at the end of a sentence which asks a question. It is used instead
of a full stop so that the next word begins with a capital letter.
Example: Which is the best route to London?
An exclamation mark is used at the end of a sentence or phrase to emphasise some
special meaning within it. It can mark surprise, humour, joy, anger or another strong
emotion.
Example: Call the police!
Task 1
Put a question mark at the end of the sentences that you think are questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Where is the hotel
He asked how much it would cost
Is it expensive
Will I like the food
What an awful room
It’s a large room, isn’t it
She asked how long she should stay
Task 2
Choose a question mark or an exclamation mark to complete these sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How can you say that
Watch out
Is this legal
Where is the emergency stop button
Empty your pockets right now
CHALLENGE!
The writer of the following postcard has used far too many exclamation marks. Decide
which sentences or interjections need them and which do not. Also, add a couple of
questions to the message:
Hi Helen!
I can hardly believe we made it to Spain! It’s great! Amazing! We’ve been to all the local beaches!
The sun hasn’t stopped shining! And the food – it’s fab! Next time you really must come too! We’ve
missed you! So get saving!
See you soon!
Love,
Sam
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 4: Apostrophes and Possession
An apostrophe used to indicate ownership/possession goes after the owner’s name to show
something belongs to them.
If the owner is singular, put the apostrophe at the end of the word and add an ‘s’.
Example: This is Jane’s cat.
If the word ends in ‘s’ already, you still need an apostrophe + another ‘s’.
Example: That is James’s dog.
When the owner is plural (more than one) and the word ends in ‘s’ already, just put the apostrophe
after the ‘s’ that is already there.
Example: The man stole those ladies’ handbags.
If the plural does not end in ‘s’ you still add an apostrophe + ‘s’.
Example: He went to get the men’s coats.
Note: It is important to know the difference between it’s and its.
It’s is the abbreviated form of it is and so needs an apostrophe. Example: It’s a lovely day.
Its is the possessive pronoun meaning ‘belonging to it’. This does NOT have an apostrophe. Example:
The cheetah lengthened its stride.
Task 1
Rewrite the following sentences correcting any wrong use of apostrophes and inserting
any that are missing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The cat flinched and arched its back.
The teachers assistant helped to display the childrens work.
The mens voices were raised in anger at the officials refusal to see them.
Its not clear whether their attempt’s to break the world records’ have succeeded
or not.
Task 2
Add apostrophes in the correct places to complete these sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pass Mums bag over.
Bills football kit is filthy.
Ann is Elizabeths mum.
Leave Jacks things alone.
Its the ladies turn to go first.
CHALLENGE
How many sisters are being talked about – one
or more than one?
1.
2.
3.
4.
My sister’s boyfriend is very nice.
She borrowed her sisters’ shoes.
He used to steal his sisters’ sweets.
They’re my sister’s best friends.
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 5: Apostrophes and Contractions
You can also use an apostrophe when you want to leave out one or more letters. The apostrophe
goes where the letters come out. In this way two words are joined together in a shorter form.
These are called contractions.
Examples:
I have not had the chance to do my homework. I have been too busy completing my classwork!
I haven’t had the chance to do my homework. I’ve been too busy completing my classwork!
Task 1
Match each contraction (left) below with its correct long form (right). One has been done
for you:
he is
you’re
they’re
I’ve
aren’t
it’s
haven’t
he’s
it is
is not
are not
have not
you are
isn’t
they are
I have
Task 2
Read the following passage from a script and rewrite it inserting apostrophes where
necessary and correcting any misuse:
Waiter: Our list of dessert’s includes…
Boy:
How many ice-cream’s have you got?
Waiter: Its on the menu. Have you got your’s, sir?
Boy:
What flavour’s? I dont want just one flavour.
Waiter: The menus beside you, sir. Can I take your order’s?
Mother: We must make up our mind’s. The waiters waiting.
Boy:
I cant. Theres too much choice!
CHALLENGE
Write your own informal
conversation between you
and a friend. Include a range
of contractions and words
indicating possession that
need an apostrophe, e.g.,
Javed’s car, etc.
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 6: Commas
Five familiar uses of a comma:
1. before or after a term of address. Example 1: “Manny, come here!”; Example 2: “Yes, sir.”
2. to separate items in a list. Example: We bought cakes, crisps, sweets and lemonade.
3. to separate words and phrases like oh, well, yes, as a matter of fact, etc. Example: Well, I
did warn you.
4. to separate words like please at the end of a sentence. Example: Can you help me,
please?
5. in the punctuation of direct speech. Example: Robert said, “It is getting late.”
Task 1
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“Sir your tie is crooked.”
“Mum I have packed sweaters socks and anoraks.”
“Good morning Mrs Brown.”
“I’m afraid my dear that you are wrong.”
“Will you lock the door after you please?”
Task 2
Insert commas in the following lists where you think they are necessary:
1. He carried a bag full of oranges apples plums peaches melons nectarines and
bananas.
2. He felt weary angry frustrated and bored.
3. Shall I wear my pale blue or my bright red jacket?
4. The official read scrutinized leafed through and stamped my passport.
CHALLENGE!
Rewrite the passage below so that the commas are in the correct places:
Mr Hyde who is my teacher, brought his rabbit, into school yesterday. It has fluffy long white
fur and is very friendly. I don’t really like rabbits but I loved Mr Hyde’s rabbit. It was so cute,
with its floppy ears big eyes, and long whiskers. Mr Hyde, even let me hold the rabbit for a
bit. However I was worried that it might be dirty so I made sure I washed my hands
afterwards.
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 7: Using a Dictionary
Which words belong on these pages of the dictionary (you can use any version)?
Task 1
Match the range of words to the word you should find in the same section (i.e. within that
word range):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
grate to grill
prove to punch
straight to stretch
crumple to curl
smear to snarl
speech to spike
truck to tune
lock to lose
trick to truce
strict to studio
street
structure
smuggle
sphere
cry
prowl
greedy
triumph
loose
trunk
Task 2
Circle the word that will not be in the range as the following words:
1
2
3
4
5
fifty to finger
change to chatter
own to pail
break to bright
mirror to modern
hurry
charm
paddle
brick
mime
film
clean
pack
brim
mixture
figure
chat
out
breeze
mistake
Task 3
Look up the following words in the dictionary and read their definitions. Write down the
definition of each word on the list:
1. dogmatic
2. initiative
3. minuscule
4. rafter
5. spiteful
6. terrestrial
CHALLENGE!
Put the following adjectives in alphabetical order:
enthusiastic
contemptuous
taciturn
conscientious
valiant
recalcitrant
extravagant
sarcastic
perceptive
apprehensive
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 8: Nouns
A noun is a word used for naming a person, animal, place, thing, or state/idea/feeling.
There are four kinds of nouns:
1. Proper noun – this is a name referring to a particular person or thing, rather than a
general class of thing. Examples: Samson, Mexico, August, Gulliver’s Travels.
2. Common noun – this refers to a kind of person or thing. It is called ‘common’ because
the name is common to all persons or things of the same kind. Examples: man, country,
day, month, book.
3. Collective noun – this describes a group or collection of people, animals or things.
Examples: army, bunch, team, pack, swarm.
4. Abstract noun – this describes things that cannot actually be seen, heard, smelt, felt or
tasted. Examples: sleep, honesty, boredom, freedom, power.
Task 1
Can you pick out the nouns in the list of words below?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
board
bored
car
list
amazing
6. horrendous
7. cup
8. slowly
9. David
10. bottle
Task 2
Write the collective nouns needed to complete these sentences:
company
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
plague
clump
band
brood
The _____________ of pilgrims halted before the mosque.
A _____________ of locusts devoured every growing plant.
The mother hen was accompanied by her ____________ of chicks.
Under a small __________ of trees a tent had been pitched.
Several plays have been performed by this brilliant _________ of actors.
CHALLENGE
Can you form abstract nouns out of the following verbs?
abolish
complete
imagine
accuse
deceive
improve
advise
decide
inquire
astonish
destroy
pronounce
choose
complain
explain
explore
pursue
satisfy
Date: ___/___/___
Autumn term
Week 9: Adjectives
Adjectives add a bit of colour to our sentences. They’re great describing words. Adjectives
describe or modify (change) nouns by giving these nouns a particular quality.
Example 1: My maths teacher is strict but helpful.
In this example, the noun is ‘teacher’ and the adjectives describing the teacher are ‘strict’
and ‘helpful’.
Example 2: I was dared to eat the rotten apple.
In this example, the noun is ‘apple’ and the adjective describing the apple is ‘rotten’.
Task 1
Underline the adjectives in the following sentences:
1. Excretion is a life process which involves getting rid of poisonous waste chemicals
from the body.
2. History is a fascinating subject, especially because we get to study a wide range of
primary and secondary sources.
3. Natural gas, crude oil and coal are collectively known as fossil fuels.
4. In the beginning the Earth was not solid, but over time the outside has cooled to
form a hard rock crust.
5. Charles Dickens created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is
regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Task 2
Read the following diary entry, then a) underline the adjectives that are used and b) circle
the nouns that the adjectives describe or modify:
November 25th
Late start to a grey day. Quick walk to school and then a hilarious experiment in Science
that went wrong. I had hockey practice at lunchtime. We’ve got a difficult match next
week. Then home for my favourite tea and the usual homework.
CHALLENGE
Fill in the blanks with suitable adjectives:
The _____________ sun was __________ in the __________ sky. The heat was __________ but
not ____________ as there was a _________ and ______________ breeze that fanned her
___________ cheeks. She looked towards the _____________ hills and thought of the
place beyond the horizon, the _____________ city of her dreams.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 10: Verbs
A verb is a word, or group of words (phrase), that tells you what a person or thing etc. is
doing or being. A verb is the most important word in a sentence. Without at least a verb, a
sentence does not make any sense.
Example 1: Alex is doing his homework. (The verb phrase ‘is doing’ indicates an action).
Example 2: Omar is a student. (The verb ‘is’ is a being/state-of-being word – there is no
action here).
Example 3: Keisha likes chocolate. (The verb ‘likes’ is also a being verb as there is no action;
it simply tells you something about Keisha.)
Task 1
Make a list of the verbs/verb phrases in these sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If living organisms did not reproduce, they would soon become extinct.
In 1833, slavery was abolished in the British Empire.
The Earth’s core reaches about 5000°C.
Brazil produces and exports vast quantities of coffee.
Many animals hibernate during the winter.
Task 2
Match up the verbs in the left column with their definitions in the right column. Use a
dictionary to help.
To work hard or try hard
To make strong
To confuse completely
To pull or tear down
To eat like an animal
To put out; to wipe out
To regard with disgust
bewilder
devour
extinguish
loathe
strive
demolish
fortify
CHALLENGE
Using interesting verbs will improve the quality of your work and make your writing
livelier. Replace the verbs that are underlined with more interesting or ambitious choices:
It was sports day. I tried the high jump and ran around the track. My friend Alex said,
‘Well done!’ as I went past. I walked to the refreshment tent and got a drink.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 11: Adverbs
A word which describes how, where or when an action is performed is called an adverb.
Example 1: The troops fought gallantly. (Gallantly tells how the troops fought).
Example 2: We looked everywhere for the lost ball. (Everywhere tells where we looked).
Example 3: Sasha flew to India yesterday. (Yesterday tells when Sasha flew).
Note: You can often change an adjective into an adverb by adding –ly, e.g., slow
(adjective) becomes slowly (adverb).
Adverbs can modify adjectives, e.g., Her work was very neat. The adverb very modifies the
adjective neat by telling how neat her work was. Adverbs can also modify other adverbs,
e.g., He sang so beautifully! The adverb so modifies the adverb beautifully.
Task 1
Make a list of the adverbs in these sentences. After each one write how, where or when as
required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nigel washed the dishes carefully.
I always play football with my friends.
The train will be arriving shortly.
We wandered aimlessly around the town centre.
I’ve looked everywhere for my mobile phone.
Task 2
Complete each sentence by using a suitable adverb from the box on the right. Use a
dictionary to help.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The thief struggled ______________.
We waited ______________.
The miser lives ______________.
The wind howled ______________.
The girls danced __________________.
frugally
gracefully
violently
mournfully
patiently
CHALLENGE
Read this extract from an article and write down all the adverbs that are used:
Fortunately, the festival, which had been planned so meticulously, was not badly interrupted
by the heavy rain. The organizers reluctantly had to cancel some events, but the crowds
were very enthusiastic and the alterations did not substantially interfere with their enjoyment.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 12: Prepositions
A word which shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun – see Week 13) and
some other word in a sentence is called a preposition.
Example 1: The dog is on the chair. (The preposition on shows the relationship between
the dog and the chair.
Example 2: The terrified cat hid under the table. (The preposition under shows the
relationship between the cat and the table.
Prepositions often tell you where one thing is in relation to another. Think of the word
position in preposition. A preposition often places the noun or pronoun in a particular
position in relation to something else.
Here are some examples of prepositions: above, across, after, below, between, before,
by, near, through, off, up, among, beside, around, opposite, by, of, with, without.
Task 1
Pick out the prepositions used in the following signs:
DON’T WALK ON THE GRASS
KEEP TO THE RIGHT
NO PARKING
BEYOND THIS POINT
Task 2
Fill in the gaps that have been left in the following sentences with appropriate prepositions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Push waves can travel ______________ solids and liquids.
Harold Godwinson was crowned king _________ Edward the Confessor died.
Movement is easier to see __ animals than __ plants.
The architect designed an ornate roof ____________ the building.
The athletes ran relentlessly _______ the track.
CHALLENGE
In the following report you are presented with a choice of prepositions. Choose the correct
preposition for the context:
The leader of the party said she was beyond/beside herself with/at joy. They had won a
victory before/beyond their expectations, a victory that until/from the very last moment
they had not thought possible. On/In most people’s opinions, the election was going to be
a very close thing and the result would depend of/on a very few votes. Across/Against the
odds, the party had won of/by sheer hard work.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 13: Personal Pronouns
A word which is used instead of or to refer to a noun is called a pronoun.
Like the nouns they refer to, personal pronouns can be subjects or objects of a
sentence. The subject of a sentence performs the action of the verb. Example: Nadine
kicked the ball. Nadine is the subject who performed the action kicked.
The object of a sentence is the one that is affected by the action. Example: Nadine
kicked the ball. The ball is the object as it was kicked.
The pronoun ‘she’ can be used to replace the noun Nadine, whilst the pronoun ‘it’ can
be used to replace the noun ball: She kicked it.
The following personal pronouns act as subjects: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. Example:
They walked a long way.
The following personal pronouns act as objects: me, you, him, her, it, us, them (notice
that you and it stay the same). Example: I washed them this morning.
Task 1
There are errors in the use of pronouns in each of the following sentences. Find these errors
and correct them:
1. You and him are friends, aren’t you?
2. Us kids went to the seaside, but she rained all day.
3. I tried to tell they, but them wouldn’t listen.
Task 2
Which of the pronouns in bold type are subjects and which are objects?
1. I gave it a good rinse.
2. I like Sundays. They are a chance for me to relax before the work week begins.
3. Life is great when you have a positive attitude.
CHALLENGE
Decide where pronouns could replace nouns in the following extract. Rewrite the sentences
where necessary:
The day of the Grand Prix dawned. The day was rainy and the drivers were worried conditions would
be dangerous. The drivers asked the organizers for a delay, but the organizers refused. Fortunately, the
weather became warm and sunny, so the circuit dried out. The circuit was by then reasonably safe,
so the drivers were pleased and the drivers felt safer in these driving conditions. The conditions were
now similar to last year’s.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 14: Nouns: Plurals
Singular
chief
chimney
deer
diary
factory
goose
hero
leaf
man
mouse
Plural
chiefs
chimneys
deer
diaries
factories
geese
heroes
leaves
men
mice
Singular
ox
photo
piano
potato
shelf
son-in-law
thief
tomato
wolf
woman
Plural
oxen
photos
pianos
potatoes
shelves
sons-in-law
thieves
tomatoes
wolves
women
Task 1
Rewrite these sentences, changing the nouns in bold type from singular to plural:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The thief removed the tomato from the shelf.
The chief put away his knife.
The hero had his photo taken.
The child looked at the little white mouse.
The fox looked longingly at the goose.
Task 2
Form the plural of each of the following words (use a dictionary if necessary):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Building
Box
Pass
Recess
Story
Loss
7. Class
8. Army
9. Handkerchief
10. Beach
11. Hoax
12. Patio
CHALLENGE
Read the following passage in which many plurals are wrongly spelt. Pick these out and
correct them:
In most townes and citys there are lots of different types of foods to eat. Sometimes all we
want is some baked potatos or sandwichs; at other times we might want to get our tooths
into full cooked lunchs. Cookes and chefes have to work long houres and we should see
them as heros, keeping us all fed. Parts of their job are less enjoyable – for example, washing
dishs, a job that is often given to junior employies. We should celebrate the many varietys of
food in our country and all of the opportunitys to eat well.
Autumn term
Date: ___/___/___
Week 15: Homophones
There are many words which sound alike but are spelt differently. These words are called
homophones. The word homophone means ‘the same sound’.
You will find many pairs of homophones, but you will also find groups of three or more
words with the same sound but different meanings and spellings.
Examples: read/reed, boy/buoy, they’re/there/their.
Task 1
Here are five sets of the most common homophones. Can you fit them into the sentences
correctly?
1. “Come over ___________,” called Fred, but Alice was so busy she didn’t ___________.
(hear/here).
2. No-one ________ the people who had moved into the _________ house. (knew/new)
3. The girl __________ out as Justin Bieber went ___________. (past/passed)
4. Most people _______ with their _______ hand. (write/right)
5. I’m not sure ___________ the ____________ will be any better tomorrow.
(whether/weather).
Task 2
See if you can choose the correct homophones in the following sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
They always take there/they’re/their dog with them on holiday.
Let’s wait there/they’re/their alongside the entrance.
Ask them if there/they’re/their coming tomorrow.
You’re/Your door was unlocked.
You’re/Your not as funny as you think you are.
CHALLENGE
Read the following passage in which the wrong homophones have been used. Pick these
out and correct them:
She started to ball when she realised her quays were lost, which made the people nearby
stair at her. Her sounds were soon drowned out by the banned that began to play, indirectly
telling her she wasn’t aloud to ruin everyone’s knight! This just made her want to flea, but she
couldn’t – not without her quays!