The NAPLAN language conventions Year 5 test, officially called conventions of language, checks spelling, grammar and punctuation. It runs for 45 minutes online and has two parts: spelling first, then grammar and punctuation. This guide explains how each part works, original sample questions with answers, and the simplest ways to practise at home.
Year 5 language conventions at a glance
| Detail | Year 5 conventions of language |
|---|---|
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Part 1 | Spelling: audio dictation and proofreading |
| Part 2 | Grammar and punctuation |
| Important rule | Once your child moves to part 2, they can’t go back to spelling |
| Format | Online and tailored |
How the spelling section works
In the first stages, the spelling section uses audio dictation. Your child hears a word read aloud in a sentence and types the correct spelling, so headphones are used. In the later stage they proofread: they find a misspelt word in a sentence and type it correctly.
Because Year 5 students hear the word rather than see it, they can’t rely on recognising the right spelling from a list. Regular spelling practice from dictation is the best preparation.
What grammar and punctuation questions cover
- Verb tense and subject-verb agreement (was or were, walk or walked)
- Pronouns (I or me, their or there)
- Conjunctions that join ideas (because, but, although)
- Apostrophes for possession and contractions
- Commas in lists and after introductory phrases
- Capital letters, full stops and question marks
- Quotation marks for speech
Year 5 language conventions sample questions
Question 1
Proofreading: which word is spelt incorrectly in this sentence?
We recieved a letter from the school about the excursion.
Show answer
A. The correct spelling is received. Remember “i before e except after c”.
Question 2
Which word correctly completes the sentence?
Yesterday, Mia and her brother ____ to the park.
Show answer
C. walked. “Yesterday” tells us the action happened in the past.
Question 3
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
Show answer
B. The hat belongs to Sam, so add an apostrophe and s: Sam’s.
Question 4
Which sentence is correct?
Show answer
C. Take Jack out and test it: you would say “I went to the library”, not “me went”.
Question 5
Which word best joins the two ideas?
I wanted to play outside, ____ it was raining.
Show answer
B. but. The second idea contrasts with the first, so a contrasting conjunction is needed.
How to help with spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Dictation practice: say a word in a sentence and have your child type or write it. This mirrors the real spelling test.
- Keep a “tricky words” list from your child’s own writing and practise five at a time.
- Read aloud together. Hearing sentences builds a feel for correct grammar.
- Edit together: ask your child to fix punctuation in a short paragraph you’ve written with deliberate errors.
- Link to writing: punctuation and spelling are also worth 11 marks in the writing test.
Ready to practise? Try our free Year 5 language conventions practice tests: Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3. Each has all 51 questions and an explanation for every answer. Official papers from 2008 to 2016 are also free from ACARA: see NAPLAN past papers Year 5.
Language conventions FAQs
Is it called language conventions or conventions of language?
Both names are used. ACARA currently calls it conventions of language; older papers and many parents call it language conventions.
How long is the Year 5 conventions test?
45 minutes, for all year levels.
Does my child need headphones?
Yes, for the spelling dictation questions. Schools provide or ask students to bring them.
Related guides
- NAPLAN Practice Test Year 5
- NAPLAN Reading Year 5
- NAPLAN Numeracy Year 5
- NAPLAN Past Papers Year 5
- NAPLAN Writing Year 5: Prompts, Tips and Practice
Sample questions are original and written by MyNaplan. Test details current for NAPLAN 2026 and 2027.