11 Plus Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning Overview

Verbal reasoning is designed to evaluate a student's ability to work with words, texts, and language-based puzzles. It often involves tasks like identifying relationships between words, completing sentences, spotting patterns in words or letters, and comprehending written passages. The goal is to measure a student's logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and language proficiency.

The Importance of Verbal Reasoning

Grammar schools put a high value on the 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning test. Of the 163 grammar schools analysed by Education Quizzes, only 35 do not include it as a part of their entrance exam.

Several schools (including all Lincolnshire grammar schools in Boston, Bourne, Gainsborough, Grantham, Louth, Skegness, Sleaford and Spalding) test only verbal and non-verbal reasoning and don't test English and Maths. The norm in Kent schools is to use the two reasoning exams combined with English and Maths sections.

Verbal Reasoning Test

Most primary schools do not specifically teach verbal reasoning so it is important for children to prepare for the 11 Plus by practicing the different types of tests that they might encounter. Education Quizzes in this section of the website provide ample opportunity for this.

Very often families enjoy this type of test and play the quizzes together – it is a fun opportunity for mum, dad, and siblings to get involved. This maintains enthusiasm and boosts the confidence of the child who is taking the test.

Here is a brief overview of the types of question to expect:

• 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