---
title: "Spelling Test Maker: Multiple Choice Tests by Grade | Formswrite Blog"
description: "Build a multiple choice spelling test by grade band with 15 sample questions and answers, then turn it into a Google Form or a live class game."
canonical: https://formswrite.com/blog/spelling-test-maker-multiple-choice-by-grade
last-updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Spelling Test Maker: Multiple Choice Tests by Grade

In short

A multiple choice spelling test shows four spellings of one word and asks students to circle the correct one. It grades itself, works on a tablet, and tests recognition of correct spelling, which is what proofreading needs.

## Two ways to test spelling

A traditional test has the teacher read each word aloud and students write it. That measures recall and is the right choice for a weekly list. A multiple choice test shows the spellings and asks students to identify the right one. It measures recognition, takes about half the time to give, and can be taken independently.

Neither is better for every class. Many teachers give the written test on Friday and a multiple choice quiz midweek as a check. This page covers the multiple choice version. Formswrite does not read words aloud, so if you want a dictated test, read the words yourself or use the multiple choice format.

## 15 sample questions with answers

**Grades 2 and 3**

1.  Which is spelled correctly? A) becuase B) becausse C) because D) becase. **Answer: C**
2.  Which is spelled correctly? A) freind B) friend C) frend D) friand. **Answer: B**
3.  Which is spelled correctly? A) agin B) agane C) again D) agian. **Answer: C**
4.  Which is spelled correctly? A) beautiful B) beutiful C) beautifull D) butiful. **Answer: A**

**Grades 4 and 5**

1.  Which is spelled correctly? A) seperate B) separate C) separete D) seprate. **Answer: B**
2.  Which is spelled correctly? A) nieghbor B) naybor C) neighbor D) neigbor. **Answer: C**
3.  Which is spelled correctly? A) tomorow B) tommorow C) tomorrow D) tomorroe. **Answer: C**
4.  Which is spelled correctly? A) wierd B) weird C) weard D) weerd. **Answer: B**

**Grades 6 to 8**

1.  Which is spelled correctly? A) recieve B) receive C) receve D) reseive. **Answer: B**
2.  Which is spelled correctly? A) neccessary B) necesary C) necessary D) nessessary. **Answer: C**
3.  Which is spelled correctly? A) definately B) definitely C) definitly D) defanitely. **Answer: B**
4.  Which is spelled correctly? A) embarass B) embarrass C) embarras D) embarrasss. **Answer: B**
5.  Which is spelled correctly? A) occassion B) ocasion C) occasion D) occation. **Answer: C**

**Sentence version**

1.  Choose the correct word: "The students left \_\_\_\_\_\_ coats in the hall." A) there B) their C) they're D) thier. **Answer: B**
2.  Choose the correct word: "We are going to the park, and \_\_\_\_\_\_ coming too." A) your B) you're C) youre D) yore. **Answer: B**

## How to build a good spelling distractor

Wrong options should be mistakes students actually make: a doubled or missing letter (_occassion_), the _ie_ and _ei_ swap (_recieve_), or a phonetic spelling (_naybor_). Do not include an option that is a different real word unless you are testing homophones. Keep all four options the same length where you can, because a longer spelling often looks "more correct".

Always check each question has exactly one correct spelling. It is easy to type the right spelling twice by accident when you write options quickly.

## Structure table

| Grade band | Words per test | Options | Points each | Time |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Grades 2 to 3 | 10 | 3 or 4 | 1 | 5 min |
| Grades 4 to 5 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 7 min |
| Grades 6 to 8 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 10 min |
| Homophone or sentence block | 5 add-on | 4 | 2 | 3 min |

## Turn your word list into a quiz

1.  Write or paste your spelling list, one word per line, in a Google Doc.
2.  Open the [spelling worksheet generator](/tools/worksheet-generator/spelling) for printable practice, or the [multiple choice test generator](/tools/multiple-choice-test-generator) to produce a four-option spelling quiz from your list.
3.  Read through the generated questions and delete any where two options could be correct.
4.  Export it. Formswrite Forms is the only free export, with 5 forms per month on the free plan. A Google Forms export is paid, and so are the Kahoot, Quizizz, Blooket and LMS formats.
5.  For a live version, run the quiz in Formswrite Play. See [Formswrite Play for classroom games](/blog/formswrite-play-interactive-classroom-games-kahoot-alternative).

[Make a multiple choice spelling test](/tools/multiple-choice-test-generator)

For the Google Forms side of this, see [how to create multiple choice questions in Google Forms](/blog/how-to-create-multiple-choice-questions-in-google-forms) and [how to make an answer key in Google Forms](/blog/how-to-make-an-answer-key-in-google-forms).

## FAQ

How many words should a spelling test have?

Ten words for grades 2 and 3, fifteen for grades 4 and 5, and up to twenty for middle school. Longer tests mostly measure patience. Many teachers add a few challenge words from earlier weeks to keep old patterns fresh.

Is a multiple choice spelling test as good as a written one?

They measure different skills. Recognition (multiple choice) is what proofreading uses, and recall (writing the word) is what composing uses. A written test is a better check of whether a pattern is learned, so a mix is the most informative.

Can I make a spelling test from my own word list?

Yes. Paste the list into a quiz generator and ask for four-option spelling questions. Check each result, because generated misspellings are occasionally real words or a second correct spelling.

How do I stop students from guessing on spelling quizzes?

Use four options instead of three, make the wrong choices realistic mistakes, and shuffle the order of the options. Showing the score without penalizing wrong answers keeps the quiz low stakes while still giving you data.