About 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning is all about words, patterns and logic. Students spot relationships between words, choose meanings, follow instructions and solve language-based puzzles. Most primary schools don’t teach these skills explicitly, so short, regular practice makes a big difference.
Dip into quick quizzes like Anagrams, hunt for Hidden Word clues, sharpen nuance in Closest Meaning and build speed with Making Words From Larger Words. Each quiz gives instant feedback so learners can spot gaps, revisit tricky areas and grow confidence.
Common 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning question types
- Anagrams: Rearrange the letters in the word 'LISTEN' to form another word.
- Closest Meaning: Choose the word that has the closest meaning to 'happy' from the options: 'joyful', 'sad', 'angry', 'tired'.
- Complete the Sum: Fill in the blank to complete the sum: 7 + __ = 15.
- Complete the Word: Fill in the missing letters to complete the word: C _ _ T _ R (Answer: COMPUTER).
- Compound Words: Combine two words to form a compound word, e.g., 'butter + fly = butterfly'.
- Following Instructions: Follow a set of written or verbal instructions to solve a puzzle or complete a task, such as 'Draw a circle around the square'.
- Hidden Words: Find hidden words within a jumble of letters, e.g., finding the word 'RAIN' within the letters: WRAINBOW.
- Insert a Letter: Add a letter to a word to make it meaningful, e.g., 'ST_AR' (Answer: STAR).
- Letter Connections: Identify relationships or patterns between letters, such as finding the next letter in a sequence.
- Letter Series: Recognize the pattern in a series of letters and determine the missing letter, e.g., AB, CD, EF, _ _ (Answer: GH).
- Letters for Numbers: Assign numerical values to letters and decode a message, e.g., A=1, B=2, C=3, so 'ABC' becomes '123'.
- Letters for Symbols: Replace symbols with letters or vice versa to decode a message, e.g., '?' could represent a missing letter.
- Make a Word: Form words using a set of given letters, e.g., using the letters 'R, E, A, D' to create words like 'DARE' or 'READ'.
- Making Words from Larger Words: Create smaller words from a longer word, e.g., from 'MOTHER,' make words like 'HER' and 'MET'.
- Missing Word: Identify the missing word in a sentence or passage, often based on context.
- Move a Letter: Rearrange or move a letter within a word to create a new word, e.g., 'STAR' to 'RATS'.
- Number Series: Recognize patterns in a series of numbers and identify the next number in the sequence, e.g., 2, 4, 6, _ _ (Answer: 8).
- Opposite Meaning: Find a word that has the opposite meaning to a given word, e.g., 'big' to 'small'.
- Pick a Figure: Choose the figure or shape that completes a pattern or sequence.
- Putting Words into Groups: Organize a list of words into specific groups based on shared characteristics or criteria.
- Reading Information: Read a passage or text and answer questions about its content and details.
- Related Numbers: Identify relationships between numbers, such as finding a common factor or multiple.
- Related Words: Recognize connections or relationships between words, e.g., identifying synonyms or antonyms.
- Same Meaning: Choose words that have the same or similar meanings from a list of options.
- Two Odd Ones: Identify the two words or items that do not belong in a given list.
- Word Connections: Establish connections between words based on shared attributes, e.g., finding words related to 'ocean' (e.g., 'wave,' 'beach').
- Word-Number Codes: Decode words or messages represented by numerical codes, e.g., '1-14-4-15' spells 'HAND'.
- Words that cannot be made: Identify which word cannot be formed using a set of letters, e.g., from the letters 'R, E, T, A, D,' 'TRADE
See the 11-Plus Guidance: Wikipedia - Verbal Reasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning?
It’s a set of language-based puzzles that test logic, vocabulary and pattern-spotting. Question types include anagrams, hidden words, closest meaning and word-building tasks.
How should my child practise?
Short, frequent sessions work best – a couple of quizzes several times a week. Aim for accuracy first, then build speed. Use the instant feedback to identify topics to revisit.
Do these quizzes match real exam styles?
Yes. They reflect the most common 11 Plus formats and difficulty levels. Repeating quizzes over time helps students become familiar with layouts, timings and question wording.
Author: Stephen O’Hara (11 Plus Freelance Tutor)
