Parents fail pupils' tests

The tests are designed for seven to 11 year olds

Parents would do well to go back to school alongside their children this term, with many struggling to answer test questions for 11 year olds, research suggests.

A random survey of 1,000 adults found more than half (59%) failed - that is scored 40% or less - in a sample of 10 multiple choice Key Stage 2 test questions.

Click here to try the questions yourself

The average score was just four out of 10 and only 1% answered nine questions correctly, the survey by amazon.co.uk found.

Fewer than one in six scored top marks - 70% or above.

Donna Rossignol, general manager for toys and kids at amazon.co.uk, said: "Parents are one of the first places kids turn when seeking help with their schoolwork".

"The results of this research show that some parents could perhaps do with some assistance in helping their kids learn," she said.

So, how would you do? Here are the Key Stage 2 sample questions given to adults.

1. Which of these properties applies only to solids?

• Keep their shape
• Take the shape of their container
• Flow easily
• Can be squashed into a smaller volume
• Are invisible

2. Magnetism is a force that can be measured in which of the following units?

• Kilograms
• Newton meters
• Metres
• Newtons

3. Which of the following metals would both be attracted to a magnet?

• Copper and tin
• Copper and aluminium
• Lead and iron
• Iron and mild steel

4. The Sun appears to move across the sky moving from east to west. Why is this?

• The Earth spins on its axis
• The Earth orbits the Sun
• The Moon orbits the Earth

5. There are 365 days in one year. Why is this?

• The earth spins on its axis
• The earth spins on its axis and orbits the sun
• The moon orbits the earth
• The earth orbits the sun

6. Which of the following is not a source of light?

• A glow-worm
• A star
• The moon
• Car headlamp

7. Sometimes planets do make their own light. Which of the following could not be a source of light on a planet?

• A cold, shiny surface
• Lightning
• Red hot lava from a volcano
• A rocket flame when taking off

8. Number that is formed by multiplying a number by itself is called a...

• Prime number
• Square number
• Cube number
• Triangle number

9. The last king of Rome was called...

• Romulus
• Tarquin the Proud
• Julius Caesar

10. For roughly how long had Rome already existed by the time Julius Caesar tried to invade Britain in 55 BC?

• 100 years
• 300 years
• 700 years
• 400 years

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Answers

• 1. Keep their shape
• 2. Newtons
• 3. Iron and mild steel
• 4. The earth spins on its axis
• 5. The earth spins on its axis and orbits the sun
• 6. The moon
• 7. A cold, shiny surface
• 8. Square number
• 9. Tarquin the Proud
• 10. 700 years