CSSE-Style English Mock 5 (Essex)
The CSSE-Style English Mock 5 (Essex) is a fifth full practice sitting of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex's English format: a source text, then reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, spelling/punctuation/grammar (SPaG) and a continuous writing task within one hour. By a fifth sitting, most remaining marks tend to be lost by rushing the comprehension section under time pressure rather than skimming to save time and then re-reading anyway.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Resist the urge to skim the source extract to save time: a careful single read is usually faster overall than a fast read followed by a confused re-read once the questions reveal what mattered.
- As you read, briefly notice where the extract's mood or pace changes, for example where the writing slows down to describe something in detail, since comprehension questions are frequently based on exactly these turning points.
- In the vocabulary section, be alert to words that look similar to a more common word but mean something different, since these near-miss words are a common way marks are lost under time pressure.
- In the SPaG section, do not assume every sentence contains an error; some correction questions include at least one sentence that is already correct, and 'no change needed' can be a valid answer.
- Plan the continuous writing task even under time pressure: a piece with a visible shape, planned in under a minute, consistently scores higher than an unplanned piece of the same length.
- If you find yourself running short on time in the final section, prioritise finishing the piece with a clear ending over adding further description in the middle, since an unfinished piece loses marks for structure that a shorter, complete one does not.
Worked example
Source sentence: 'The vet lifted the owl's injured wing with the lightest possible touch, wary of causing further pain to a creature that had already endured so much.' Explain what this sentence suggests about the vet's approach to her work.
- Identify the point: the sentence suggests the vet is gentle, careful and highly attentive to the animal's suffering.
- Select the evidence: 'the lightest possible touch' shows physical gentleness taken to its furthest degree.
- Select further evidence: 'wary of causing further pain' shows the vet is actively thinking about the owl's experience, not just performing a task.
- Explain the evidence: describing the owl as a creature that 'had already endured so much' shows the vet sees it as having a history of suffering, which she is trying not to add to.
- Final answer: the sentence suggests the vet approaches her work with great gentleness and empathy, shown by the extreme care of 'the lightest possible touch' and her clear awareness of the owl's past suffering, treating the bird as a creature that deserves relief from pain rather than simply as a patient to be treated.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1'The rescued fox seemed wary of every sound, flinching at the smallest movement near its cage.' What does 'wary' suggest about the fox's state of mind?Show answer
Answer: That the fox was nervous, cautious or on edge, suggesting it did not yet trust its surroundings.
Q2Give a word that is a synonym for 'elated'.Show answer
Answer: Delighted, overjoyed or thrilled.
Q3Correct the error in this sentence: 'The volunteers has fed the animals before the vet arrived.'Show answer
Answer: The volunteers had fed the animals before the vet arrived. ('had' is needed to form the past perfect tense, agreeing with the plural subject 'volunteers')
Q4'Despite his best efforts, the young vet's voice faltered as he explained the diagnosis to the worried family.' What does 'faltered' suggest about the vet's voice?Show answer
Answer: That it became unsteady, hesitant or weak, suggesting the vet was nervous or emotional.
Q5The warden's notes recorded sightings of two adult animals and their cubs. Complete the sentence: the reserve was home to several ___ (plural of 'wolf').Show answer
Answer: wolves (change the f to v and add es)
Q6'The tedious task of cleaning every cage took the volunteers most of the morning.' What does 'tedious' suggest about the task?Show answer
Answer: That the task was long, boring or tiresome to do.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Source sentence: 'By the third week, the owl had stopped flinching at footsteps, and once, just once, it turned its great round eyes towards her instead of away.' Explain what this sentence suggests about how the owl's behaviour had changed, using evidence from the text. (5 marks)
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Continuous writing task: 'Write about caring for something, whether a person, an animal or an object, that could not thank you for it.' Write a continuous piece of about 300 to 400 words. (15 marks)
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the csse-style english mock 5 (essex) worksheet pack - 11 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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