Why Grammar Matters in the Flyers Exam
Unlike Starters and Movers, the Flyers exam expects children to produce grammatically correct language — not just recognise it. This is particularly true in Part 7 (Writing), where children write a complete story, and in the Speaking test, where responses are assessed live by a Cambridge-authorised examiner. Errors in basic structures affect shields directly.
The 20 Cambridge Flyers Grammar Structures
| # | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Past Continuous (was/were + -ing) | She was reading when the phone rang. |
| 2 | Present Perfect Simple (have/has + past participle) | He has visited the museum before. |
| 3 | Present Perfect + already | She has already finished her homework. |
| 4 | Present Perfect + yet | Has he arrived yet? / He hasn't arrived yet. |
| 5 | Present Perfect + ever/never | Have you ever seen a whale? |
| 6 | Present Perfect + just | They have just left the house. |
| 7 | be going to (future plans) | We're going to visit grandma tomorrow. |
| 8 | will (predictions, spontaneous decisions) | It will be sunny tomorrow. / I'll help you. |
| 9 | might/may (possibility) | It might rain later. / She may be at school. |
| 10 | could (suggestions, past ability) | We could go to the park. / He could swim at age five. |
| 11 | should (advice) | You should drink more water every day. |
| 12 | shall (offers, suggestions) | Shall we play a game? / Shall I open the window? |
| 13 | Zero Conditional (if + present, present) | If you heat ice, it melts. |
| 14 | Relative clause: who (people) | The teacher who helped me is very kind. |
| 15 | Relative clause: which (things) | The book which I read was very exciting. |
| 16 | Relative clause: where (places) | The park where we play is near my house. |
| 17 | Tag questions | It's cold today, isn't it? / You've been there, haven't you? |
| 18 | Passive: be made of / be used for + -ing | This chair is made of wood. / A pen is used for writing. |
| 19 | Linking verbs + like (feel/look/sound/smell/taste) | It tastes like chocolate. / The music sounds like rain. |
| 20 | too + adjective / adjective + enough | It's too hot to play. / She's tall enough to ride. |
Which Structures Appear Most Often in the Exam?
- Past Simple and Past Continuous — essential for Part 7 (Writing) and Speaking: children must use the correct tense when narrating a story
- Present Perfect — frequently appears in Reading & Writing Parts 2, 4, and 5
- Relative clauses (who/which/where) — common in Parts 3 and 5
- Modal verbs (should, might, could) — appear in dialogues in Parts 2, 4 and in the Speaking test
- Tag questions — appear in Speaking Part 4 (personal questions from the examiner)
How to Practise Grammar Effectively Between Class Sessions
1. Learn in Context, Not in Tables: Rather than memorising grammar rules in isolation, practise each structure in a complete, meaningful sentence. Instead of drilling "Present Perfect = have/has + past participle", learn the sentence "Have you ever eaten sushi?" — the brain retains this far more reliably. 2. Daily Writing Practice: Write 2–3 sentences per day using the structure being studied. The Story Writing Hub on Flyers English helps children practise grammar naturally within a story-writing context and receive instant AI feedback.
Summary
Mastering Cambridge Flyers grammar doesn't mean memorising rule tables — it means using the 20 structures naturally across reading, writing, and speaking. Combining structured class teaching with daily grammar practice through Story Tower and Story Writing Hub gives children the repetition they need for these structures to become automatic.