Free Online 11 Plus English Tests and Practice Papers

This page contains free English tests and papers with hundreds of free online questions and answers. The free tests are at 11 plus, Key Stage 2 and SATs level, and are suitable for children who are age ten, eleven or above. The online English tests cover the following topics:

  • Punctuation – apostrophes, speech marks, quotation marks, quotes, inverted commas, direct speech, commas, semi-colons, colons, full stops, question marks, capital letters, capitalisation
  • Spelling – proofreading, proofread and correct mistakes in misspelt words, multiple-choice cloze (missing word) spelling tests requiring selection of the correctly spelt word
  • Synonyms – words closest in meaning
  • Antonyms – words opposite in meaning
  • Parts of Speech Grammar – identification of adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns, collective nouns
  • Literary devices (figurative language) – identification of alliteration, personification, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, oxymoron
  • Vocabulary – cloze (missing word) tests, select the missing word that best completes the sentence based on context
  • Comprehension – multiple-choice and standard format English comprehension tests with passages taken from The Surgeon of Gaster Fell by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett and The Law of Life by Jack London.

The free online English tests are located near the top of the web page. Four pdf paper English comprehension tests are further down the web page.

This page also contains demo test software of our online 11+ (11 plus) English membership packages for Essex CSSE , SET Selective Eligibility Test and CEM independent, secondary and grammar school entrance exams.

Free English Grammar, Punctuation, Vocabulary, Cloze and Comprehension Tests

Demos of Visuteach’s online English test membership packages

Demo 1:
This demo contains some synonym, antonym, cloze (missing words and missing letters) and jumbled, shuffled sentence questions.

Demo 1

Demo 2:
This demo contains cloze tests with missing letters in words.

Demo 2

Demo 3:
This demo is a timed comprehension test (with answers at the end of the test).
You can print out the passage or read it online in the demo test software itself.

Passage

Demo 3

Essex English Demo:

You can print out the passage or read it online in the test software itself. You should write your answers to the comprehension and applied reasoning tests on a piece of paper. When you have completed the test, check your answers against the completed answer sheet.

Passage

Comprehension Test

Applied Reasoning Test

Answer Sheet

Selective Eligibility Test English Demo:

The following demo is a timed test with 10 questions which should be answered in 6 minutes. Answers appear immediately after each question.

Demo Test

Free 11 Plus English Comprehension Tests

The English comprehension tests below are old Visuteach tests created for certain independent school entrance exams. They are more difficult than GL Assessment or CEM style comprehension tests because they are not multiple-choice. They are standard format tests and are useful for comprehension practice.

The English passages shown below can be displayed in full screen mode by clicking on the Full Screen icon which is on the toolbar at the bottom of each passage. A picture of the Full Screen icon is shown below:

full screen icon

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For mobile users, you can use pinch and zoom to enlarge the text.

Free English Comprehension Test 1

You can download and print out a pdf file of Visuteach’s free English comprehension test 1 by clicking on the link below:

Visuteach Free English Comprehension Test 1

The answers to this test are shown in the tabs below.

Alternatively, you can read the comprehension passage below and see the test questions below.

Why was the narrator “hot with anger”? (Line 6) — [2 Marks]

Because his privacy was disturbed by a knock on the door.

Explain in your own words the meaning of “to renew his rough application for admittance”. (Lines 7-8) — [2 Marks]

To again forcefully ask to be let in.

What disconcerted the narrator about the appearance of the visitor? — [2 Marks]

That he looked like a man of breeding and education rather than a wandering shepherd or an uncouth tramp.

What do the following words mean?

infernal (line 3) — [2 Marks]

shimmering (line 10) — [2 Marks]

solitude (line 18) — [2 Marks]

curtly (line 36) — [2 Marks]

hellish

flickering

loneliness

abruptly

Who was the visitor referring to when he said “there are other hermits in the wilderness besides yourself”? (Lines 18-19) — [2 Marks]

Himself.

Why did the visitor knock on the narrator’s door? — [2 Marks]

To be neighbourly.

Why do you think the narrator was so discourteous? — [2 Marks]

Because the narrator wanted to be left alone and resented any intrusion.

Why do you think the narrator had his hand on the door latch? (Line 24) — [2 Marks]

Because he wanted to get rid of the visitor.

Give two examples that show that the visitor was not forthcoming with information about himself. — [4 Marks]

He didn’t give his name and he was not forthcoming about the mark on his face.

Look at lines 17-30. Give four words or phrases that, in your opinion, describe the visitor. — [4 Marks]

lives like a hermit

neighbourly

helpful

cagey

Which two words from the list best describe the narrator? — [2 Marks]

humble

sympathetic

rude

considerate

affable

solitary

rude

solitary

What is the implication of the last line? (Line 41) — [2 Marks]

That there is potential danger.

Free English Comprehension Test 2

Download and print out a pdf file of Visuteach’s free English comprehension test 2 by clicking on the link below:

Visuteach Free English Comprehension Test 2

The answers to this test are shown in the tabs below.

Alternatively, you can read the comprehension passage below and see the test questions below.

Look at lines 2-4. What word signifies that Jules was renowned? — [1 Mark]

celebrated

Look at lines 6-7. What two things did the diners have in common? — [2 Marks]

They were men and they wore evening dress.

Look at lines 11-12. In your own words, describe the atmosphere of the Grand Babylon. — [2 Marks]

The atmosphere was one of calm and relaxation.

Why do you think that Jules had to address the customer twice? (Line 17) — [2 Marks]

Because the customer ignored him the first time.

Why do you think that the customer’s eyes twinkled when he saw the expression on the face of Jules? (Line 19) — [3 Marks]

Because he was pleased to have annoyed Jules.

Why do you think that Jules replied as he did in line 23? — [2 Marks]

Because he wanted to put the customer down.

Why do you think that several men glanced around uneasily? (Line 24) — [2 Marks]

Because the conflict between Jules and the customer disturbed their calm.

What do the following words mean?

dexterity (line 10) — [2 Marks]

mar (line 13) — [2 Marks]

insolence (line 32) — [2 Marks]

placidly (line 34) — [2 Marks]

skill

spoil

rudeness

calmly

Why do you think that the customer sat up straight in line 34? — [3 Marks]

Because he was starting to take the conflict more seriously.

Which two words from the list best describe the customer? — [2 Marks]

charming

educated

demanding

humble

rude

youthful

demanding

rude

Which two words from the list best describe Jules? — [2 Marks]

self-important

informative

condescending

self-effacing

helpful

accommodating

self-important

condescending

Why do you think Jules said that he would send the drink to the customer? (Line 42) — [3 Marks]

Because he wanted to indicate to the customer that he would not be serving him and that he was not just like any other waiter.

Free English Comprehension Test 3

Print out and download a pdf file of Visuteach’s free English comprehension test 3 by clicking on the link below:

Visuteach Free English Comprehension Test 3

The answers to this test are shown in the tabs below.

Alternatively, you can read the comprehension passage below and see the test questions below.

In line 1, give one reason why Koskoosh listened so ‘greedily’. — [2 Marks]

Because he could not see.

In paragraph 1, what three words or phrases indicate that Koskoosh was being abandoned? — [3 Marks]

sitting alone in the snow

forlorn

helpless

In paragraph 1, cite one piece of evidence which shows that Sit-cum-to-ha was not concerned about the plight of Koskoosh. — [2 Marks]

She was too busy to waste a thought on Koskoosh.

‘Camp must be broken’ (Line 7). What is meant by this? — [2 Marks]

That the tribe is packing up and leaving.

What is the meaning of ‘the short day refused to linger’? (Line 8) — [2 Marks]

Daylight was fast running out.

‘Life called her, and the duties of life, not death’ (Line 8). How does this explain Sit-cum-to-ha’s behaviour towards Koskoosh? — [2 Marks]

Sit-cum-to-ha does not pay attention to her dying grandfather, because her main concern is life and the tasks she needs to carry out for the benefit of the tribe.

In paragraph 2, why was Koskoosh panicky? — [2 Marks]

Because he was afraid of dying.

What do the following words mean?

acute (line 2) — [2 Marks]

abided (line 3) — [2 Marks]

mangy (line 12) — [2 Marks]

chiding (line 17) — [2 Marks]

sharp

remained

shabby

scolding

Why do you think that Koskoosh was sitting next to a heap of dry wood? (Line 11) — [2 Marks]

Because he needed the wood to light a fire to keep himself warm.

Which two words from the list best describe Koskoosh? — [2 Marks]

attentive

jealous

selfish

infirm

bitter

hopeful

attentive

infirm

Does Koskoosh think it matters if Koo-tee dies soon? (Answer yes or no) — [1 Mark]

Give a reason for your answer. — [2 Marks]

No.

Because Koskoosh thinks that the child will only live for a few more years, and that half of them will be spent in hunger.

Why do you think that the tribe left Koskoosh to die in the snow? — [3 Marks]

Because the hard conditions of the journey meant that he would be a burden. He was close to death, and could no longer contribute to the tribe.

In paragraph 3, what surprised Koskoosh? — [2 Marks]

The fact that his son remained behind for a final goodbye.

Free English Comprehension Test 4

A pdf file of Visuteach’s free English comprehension test 4 can be downloaded and printed out  by clicking on the link below:

Visuteach Free English Comprehension Test 4

The answers to this test are shown in the tabs below.

Alternatively, you can read the comprehension passage below and see the test questions below.

a) In paragraph 2, state two things sought by James Upperton. — [2 Marks]

b) In your own words, explain why he sought those two things. — [2 Marks]

a) Seclusion and freedom.

b) Because he wanted nothing to deflect him from lofty and serious thoughts.

In paragraph 2, in your own words, explain why he decided to change his lodgings. — [2 Marks]

Because of the prying nature of his landlady.

In your own words, explain how James Upperton found his new lodgings. — [2 Marks]

He found them by chance on one of his walks.

Why do you think that James Upperton found the dilapidated cottage ideal? — [2 Marks]

Because of its isolation.

Give two things that needed fixing at the cottage. — [2 Marks]

A wall and the roof.

In line 17, the word ‘Spartan’ is used. What does this show about Upperton’s tastes? — [2 Marks]

They are plain and simple.

Why do you think that the sheep had little to fear from Upperton? (Line 22) — [2 Marks]

Because he was a vegetarian.

Look at lines 26-28. In your own words, describe the life that Upperton had left behind. — [2 Marks]

There wasn’t much that was agreeable about the tiresome hard work in pursuit of money and happiness.

Which two words from the list best describe James Upperton? — [2 Marks]

obnoxious

polite

considerate

pensive

extravagant

independent

(i)  pensive

(ii) independent

What do the following words mean?

seclusion (line 6) — [2 Marks]

atoned (line 30) — [2 Marks]

ethereal (line 33) — [2 Marks]

gratify (line 34) — [2 Marks]

isolation

compensated

heavenly

please

a) In paragraph 5, what was different about the way the two rooms were laid out? — [2 Marks]

b) What does this show about what James Upperton valued? — [3 Marks]

a) His dwelling room was laid out plainly, with few possessions, whereas his study was laid out luxuriously.

b) This shows that he valued the mental over the physical.