Question 1
A number of gulls were _____ effortlessly high above the cliffs.
To soar means to fly high in the air, often without moving the wings. The clue is high above the cliffs: soaring is about height. Not skimming, which means flying just above a surface such as water, so it cannot happen high above the cliffs. Coasting and floating are not used for birds flying high.
Question 2
Crocodiles and alligators are _____.
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals with scaly skin that usually lay eggs, e.g. crocodiles, snakes and lizards. Not mammals, which feed their young on milk, and not crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters.
Question 3
Only after buying the cottage did we discover that it was _____ with mice.
A place is infested with pests such as mice, rats or insects when there are large numbers of them in it. Not infected, which is used for diseases and germs (an infected wound).
Question 4
The sheep were herded into a _____ to protect them from stray dogs.
A fold (or sheepfold) is an enclosed area where sheep are kept. A hutch is for rabbits, a kennel is for dogs, and a cage is for birds or small animals.
Question 5
I'm sure there are spiders in your room; look at those _____ in the corner.
Cobwebs are spiders' webs, especially old, dusty ones in the corners of rooms. Nets, meshes and networks are not used for what spiders make.
Question 6
The animals taken to the slaughterhouse must be killed by _____ methods.
Humane means kind, causing as little pain as possible: humane methods of killing animals. Not human, which simply means relating to people (the human body).
Question 7
On the beach the crabs _____ from rock pool to rock pool.
To scuttle means to move quickly with short steps, often sideways. It is the typical verb for crabs and beetles. Shuffled means walking slowly without lifting your feet, and strutted means walking in a proud way.
Question 8
A _____ hatches from an egg laid by a butterfly or moth.
A caterpillar is the young form of a butterfly or moth, which hatches from its egg. A maggot is the young form of a fly, and a toad is an amphibian.
Question 9
I'll _____ that mosquito if it settles on my arm.
To swat means to hit an insect with a quick, sharp blow, usually with your hand or a flat object: swat a fly/mosquito. Slap and smack are mainly used for hitting people, and stab means using a knife.
Question 10
There is an old horse _____ over there, where animals could drink on the way to market.
A trough is a long, open container that holds water or food for animals: a horse trough. A gutter carries rainwater away, and a moat is the water around a castle.
Question 11
Crows and vultures are _____ living on carrion.
Scavengers are animals that feed on carrion, the flesh of dead animals. Predators hunt and kill live animals, and parasites live on or inside other living creatures.
Question 12
The frightened horse began to _____ away from the snake.
When a horse shies (away), it suddenly moves back or sideways because it is frightened. Here shy is a verb, not the adjective meaning 'nervous with people'.
Question 13
Wolves were _____ mournfully in the nearby forest.
Wolves howl: they make a long, loud, sad cry. Mournfully is the clue. Growling is a low, angry sound, and roaring is used for lions.
Question 14
Squirrels and mice are _____.
Rodents are small mammals with strong front teeth for gnawing, e.g. mice, rats and squirrels. Not carnivores, which eat meat, and not amphibians, such as frogs.
Question 15
We could hear the hens _____ in the farmyard.
Hens cluck: they make a short, low sound. Chirping is the sound of small birds or insects, and chattering is used for monkeys, magpies or people.
Question 16
When it saw the dog by the water, the heron _____ its wings and rose into the air.
Birds flap their wings, moving them up and down, to fly. Not folded, because a bird folds its wings when it stops flying. Dogs wag their tails.
Question 17
Look at the marks on the cherries where the birds have _____ them!
Birds peck things: they strike or bite them with their beaks. Gnaw is used for rodents biting hard things, and nibble means taking small bites, usually with teeth.
Question 18
As he walked through the fields, he heard sheep _____.
Sheep and goats bleat. Donkeys bray, and lions roar.
Question 19
The snake _____ smoothly through the long grass.
To glide means to move smoothly and quietly; smoothly is the clue. Skidded means sliding out of control, and strolled means walking slowly for pleasure, which needs legs.
Question 20
The bird had its nest on a _____ halfway down the cliff.
A ledge is a narrow, flat piece of rock that sticks out from a cliff or wall. A sill is the ledge under a window, and a shelf is usually inside a cupboard or room.
Question 21
Many insects, such as wasps and ants, use their _____ to touch objects.
Antennae (singular: antenna) are the two long, thin feelers on an insect's head that it uses to touch and sense things. Aerials receive radio or TV signals.
Question 22
A donkey _____ loudly all through the night.
Donkeys bray: they make a loud, harsh sound. Horses neigh, and hens cackle.
Question 23
Look at the seagulls _____ up and down on the waves near the fishing boats.
To bob means to move gently up and down on water: boats bobbing in the harbour. Not bouncing, which means springing back from a hard surface.
Question 24
Unlike most birds, swifts rarely land on the ground. They use wind currents to _____ through the air.
To glide means to fly smoothly without moving the wings, using air currents. Not flap, which means moving the wings up and down; you do not need wind currents to do that.
Question 25
The terrified hunter, _____ in the arms of a huge bear, fought desperately to loosen its grip.
Locked in someone's arms means held so tightly that you cannot escape. The clue is fought desperately to loosen its grip. Cradled and nestled suggest gentle, comfortable holding, which does not fit a terrified hunter.
Print this test
Free worksheets for class or home