Vocabulary

21 Skills in English. 15 are ready to try — three verified questions each, no account needed.

Ready to try

Ages 5–11
Discussing and Questioning New Words
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in texts; discuss word meanings and link new vocabulary to words already known
132 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–8
Sorting & Categorising Words
Sort common objects and words into categories to understand how concepts relate; demonstrate understanding of opposites (antonyms) for common verbs and adjectives
9 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–9
Using New Vocabulary
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, being read to, and responding to texts in own speech and writing
59 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–8
Word Parts as Clues
Use knowledge of common inflections and affixes (-ed, -s, un-, -er) as clues to the meaning of unknown words; understand how the prefix un- changes meaning
22 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 6–9
Defining Words
Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., 'a duck is a bird that swims'), making real-life connections between words and their use
48 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–10
Formal and Informal English
Recognise and compare formal and informal uses of English, understanding that language choices vary based on audience, purpose and context
15 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–9
Word Families and Root Words
Explore word families based on common root words, understanding how words are related in form and meaning through shared roots, prefixes and suffixes (e.g., solve → solution, solver, dissolve, insoluble)
9 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–11
Antonyms & Synonyms
Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their antonyms (opposites) and synonyms (words with similar meanings), using synonym and antonym relationships to refine vocabulary and improve precision in writing
24 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–11
Idioms & Proverbs
Recognise and interpret common idioms (break the ice, hit the nail on the head), adages (actions speak louder than words), and proverbs (a stitch in time saves nine), understanding their figurative meanings and when to use them
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–11
Similes & Metaphors
Understand and identify similes (comparisons using like or as) and metaphors (direct comparisons stating something is something else) in texts, explaining how each creates imagery and conveys meaning
9 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Choosing Formal Vocabulary
Distinguish between formal and informal vocabulary, selecting words appropriate for formal speech and writing such as 'discover' instead of 'find out' and 'request' instead of 'ask for'
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Dialects & Registers
Compare and contrast the varieties of English used in stories, dramas, or poems, including dialects and registers, understanding how language varies by region, context, and purpose
9 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Using a Thesaurus to Choose Words
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and extend vocabulary choices, selecting the most appropriate word based on context, connotation, and register
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Academic Vocabulary
Acquire and use accurately a broad range of general academic vocabulary and domain-specific words — drawing new vocabulary from reading and listening and deploying it consciously in writing and speech to achieve particular effects
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Advanced Figurative Language
Understand and interpret figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meaning — including allusion, irony, pun, oxymoron, and extended metaphor — and distinguish between connotation and denotation when analysing or choosing…
17 verified questions on this shelf

Being planted

These Skills are on the map, but their questions are still being written and checked.

Ages 5–9
Shades of Meaning
Coming soon
Ages 6–9
Root Words & Inflections
Coming soon
Ages 8–9
Literal vs Figurative Language
Coming soon
Ages 9–11
Domain Vocabulary Across Subject Areas
Coming soon
Ages 9–11
Greek and Latin Roots for Word Meaning
Coming soon
Ages 11–14
Vocabulary Strategies
Coming soon

Skill names and descriptions include the Marble Skill Taxonomy © Generative Spark, Inc. (withmarble.com), licensed under ODbL 1.0 (database) and CC BY-SA 4.0 (content). Practice questions are GlowGrades's own, each checked by independent verifiers that must agree before a child ever sees it.