British & IGCSE · Year 6 · Cambridge Primary Checkpoint 0058
Checkpoint 6 English (Cambridge Primary 0058)
The complete free course for Year 6 Cambridge Primary Checkpoint English: Paper 1 non-fiction and Paper 2 fiction, every reading topic (grammar, punctuation, language and comprehension) and a writing pack for every genre with strong samples.
Start here: the exam
Both papers, the marks, and exactly how your writing is marked.
- The Exam: OverviewEverything about the Year 6 Cambridge Primary Checkpoint English exam (0058): both papers, timings, marks, the kinds of reading questions and writing tasks, and a 12-week study plan.
- How Your Writing Is MarkedThe five categories that mark your Checkpoint 6 writing out of 25, what top marks need in simple words, the G.A.A.P. and G.C.S.P.P. planning techniques, and how to use your 30 minutes.
Reading: grammar & punctuation
Every grammar and punctuation point the reading questions test, with practice.
- Parts of Speech (Word Classes)Every word class you need for Checkpoint 6: nouns (including abstract nouns), pronouns (including relative pronouns), verbs, modal verbs and infinitives, adjectives, adverbs, determiners, prepositions and conjunctions, how to name a word class in context, and practice with answers.
- Phrases and ClausesNoun phrases, expanded noun phrases, prepositional phrases and fronted adverbials, main and subordinate clauses, and relative clauses: how to spot them, how Checkpoint asks about them, how to use them in your writing, with practice and answers.
- Sentence Types and KindsSimple, compound and complex sentences, the four kinds of sentence, short sentences for effect, the mistakes to avoid and exactly how Checkpoint 6 asks about sentences.
- Conjunctions and ConnectivesCoordinating and subordinating conjunctions, connectives grouped by function (time, cause, contrast, addition and more), how to link paragraphs, and how Checkpoint 6 asks about them.
- Punctuation: Every Mark and Why Writers Use ItEvery punctuation mark you need for Checkpoint 6, from full stops to semicolons, with the uses to learn, all the possible answers to 'Why does the writer use ___?', speech punctuation, apostrophes and practice.
- Grammar in Use: Tenses, Passive, Reported Speech and MoreTenses (including present perfect and past progressive), active and passive verb forms, direct and reported speech, subject-verb agreement, comparatives and superlatives, if-sentences, standard English, formal and informal language and proofreading.
Reading: understanding texts
Text types, purpose, inference, language effects, vocabulary and how to tackle each reading paper.
- Text Types and Their FeaturesFiction and non-fiction, every non-fiction and fiction genre with its features, and how to answer “Which type of text is this?” and “Give two features” questions.
- Purpose, Fact and Opinion, and ViewpointWhy a text was written and the clues that show it, fact versus opinion, first, second and third person, characters’ feelings and the writer’s attitude, with methods for every question type.
- Inference, Main Ideas and ThemesExplicit and implicit information, retrieving facts, inference with evidence, main ideas and themes, putting events in order and writing a short summary, with practice on two original texts.
- Language Effects: Figurative Language, Tone and MoodEvery language device you meet in Checkpoint 6 reading, one method for any effect question, and the full list of effects you can write for each device.
- Vocabulary Skills: Context Clues, Word Parts, Spelling and IdiomsWork out unfamiliar words from context and word parts, answer 'find a word' and technical-term questions, and master the spelling rules and British idioms that matter in Checkpoint 6.
- How to Tackle Paper 1 and Paper 2 ReadingExam technique for Section A Reading in both Checkpoint 6 papers: every question type with its method, quoting, timing, and a full original practice section for each paper with answers.
Paper 1 writing: non-fiction
One pack per genre: features → how to structure it → a strong sample.
- Paper 1 Writing Basics: Purpose, Format, Register and G.A.A.P.Everything you need before any non-fiction genre: purpose vs format, formal vs informal language, reading the task, the G.A.A.P. technique, a 5-minute plan, paragraphing and a strong sample.
- AutobiographyHow to write your own life story for Paper 1: what it is, features, the four-paragraph structure, phrases, vocabulary, a strong sample and a practice task.
- BiographyHow to write the life story of another person for Paper 1: features, the teacher's sub-heading structure, formal phrases, vocabulary, a strong sample and a practice task.
- Recount WritingHow to retell real events for Paper 1: what a recount is, features, the five-paragraph structure, phrases for every part, vocabulary, a strong sample and practice.
- Diary WritingHow to write a diary entry for Paper 1: features, the teacher's date-greeting-body-reflection-conclusion structure, phrases, feeling vocabulary, a strong sample and practice.
- Informal and Formal LettersHow to write informal and formal letters for Checkpoint 6 Paper 1: layout, greetings and sign-offs, paragraph plan, useful phrases and two strong samples.
- Formal and Informal EmailsHow to write formal and informal emails for Checkpoint 6 Paper 1: subject lines, greetings and sign-offs, paragraph plans, useful phrases and two strong samples.
- Blog PostHow to write a blog post for Checkpoint 6 Paper 1: personal voice, title, subheadings, tips and a call to action, with a paragraph plan, phrases and a strong sample.
- Magazine ArticleHow to write a magazine article for Checkpoint 6 Paper 1: headline, strapline, byline, hook, subheadings and a strong ending, with a plan, phrases and a strong sample.
- Newspaper Report — Writing PackHow to write a full-mark news report for Paper 1 — a task type set in a recent paper: features, the 5 Ws lead, structure, useful phrases and two strong samples for a school and a local newspaper.
- Non-Chronological Report — Writing PackHow to write a full-mark information text (non-chronological report) for Paper 1: features, sections with subheadings, topic sentences, useful phrases and a strong sample.
- Opinion Writing — Writing PackHow to give and explain your view for full marks in Paper 1: opinion vs persuasive vs balanced argument, features, the REAP paragraph, useful phrases and a strong sample article.
- Persuasive Writing — Writing PackHow to persuade the reader to act for full marks in Paper 1: persuasive techniques, the PEEL paragraph, letter and speech layouts, calls to action and two strong samples.
- Balanced Argument (Argumentative Writing)How to write a fair, for-and-against argument on a local or school issue for Paper 1 — a recent Checkpoint task — with features, a five-paragraph plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong sample.
- Leaflet WritingHow to write an eye-catching leaflet that informs and persuades — title, headings, bullet points and a call to action — with a section plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong sample.
- Review WritingHow to review a book, film, toy or product, place or event for Paper 1 — a toy review has been set in a real paper — with features, a plan for every type, phrases, vocabulary and two strong samples.
- Instruction WritingHow to write clear step-by-step instructions — title, equipment list, numbered steps, imperative verbs and tips — with a plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong sample.
- Report WritingHow to write a formal, factual report for a reader such as the head teacher — purpose, headings, facts, survey results and recommendations — with a plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong sample.
Paper 2 writing: fiction
Story-writing skills, then one pack per fiction genre with a strong sample.
- Fiction Writing Basics: Everything for Paper 2 WritingEvery element of a Paper 2 story — character, setting, plot, imagery, dialogue, tense and point of view — plus sentence starters, the G.C.S.P.P. planning technique, how to write an opening, a continuation or a full story, and two strong samples.
- Describing a SettingHow to describe a place so the reader can see, hear, smell and feel it — one clear mood, wide-to-detail zoom, the senses, strong verbs and one strong comparison — with building-block sentences, short model paragraphs and a full sample story opening.
- Describing a Character (STEAL)How to create a believable, memorable character with the STEAL method — Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions and Looks — plus show-don’t-tell, imagery for characters, sentence frames, short character sketches and a full sample story.
- How to Create SuspenseHow to keep the reader asking ‘what happens next?’ — strong verbs, short sentences, sound words, showing fear, keeping secrets, slow motion and cliffhangers — with a suspense build-up plan, ‘Why does the author use…?’ practice and a full sample story continuation.
- Fantasy StoriesHow to build a magical world with its own rules, an unexpected hero and a test of courage in 30 minutes — features, a six-stage plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong 250-350 word sample.
- Adventure StoriesHow to write an exciting story of real danger, a brave hero and a race against time in 30 minutes — features, a five-part plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong 250-350 word sample.
- Horror (Spooky) StoriesHow to write a gently spooky story that builds suspense with sounds, shadows and one impossible detail — no gore needed — with features, a five-part plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong 250-350 word sample.
- Mystery StoriesHow to build a fair, clever mystery with a puzzling question, real clues, a red herring and a satisfying answer in 30 minutes — features, a six-stage plan, phrases, vocabulary and a strong 250-350 word sample.
- Realistic Fiction: STEAL and ImageryHow to write a believable realistic story for Paper 2 with the two key tools — STEAL characterisation and imagery — plus a paragraph plan, openings and endings, phrases, vocabulary and a strong 250-350 word sample annotated letter by letter.
- Fables and FairytalesHow to write an original fable or fairytale for Paper 2: the features, the rule of three, a six-stage plan, openings, endings and morals, phrases, vocabulary and two strong 250-350 word samples with notes.
- Myths and LegendsHow to write an original myth or legend for Paper 2: the difference between the two, the features, a five-stage quest plan, openings and endings, phrases, vocabulary and two strong 250-350 word samples with notes.