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NVR - Choosing a Shape to Complete a Set (2)
This free 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning guide explains a more demanding Similar Shapes question, where children must choose the shape that best completes a set.
In the previous guide, children compared simple shared features. This guide looks at a harder version, where several characteristics may be shared and children have to decide which answer is most similar overall.
This guide is designed for parents helping children revise for the 11 Plus, especially when a question has several possible clues and children need to decide which features matter most.
This 11 Plus guide is free to read and use. It is part of our free 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning exam illustrations, created to help parents understand the question types children may meet.
Please note that the guide is free, while playing the linked 11 Plus quizzes for regular practice requires a subscription.
What Is This Similar Shapes Question Testing?
Similar Shapes questions ask children to find the answer option that is most like the figures given on the left.
Sometimes the shared feature is simple, such as both shapes being squares or both having dashed outlines.
In harder questions, the two starting figures may share several features. Children then have to compare the answer options and decide which one matches the most important characteristics.
How Are These Questions Shown in the 11 Plus Exam?
Candidates are shown two figures on the left. These figures share one or more characteristics.
They are then shown four or five answer options and asked which one is most like the figures on the left.
The task is to identify the shared features, reject red herrings and choose the answer that best fits the set.
Example:
On the left are two figures that have something in common. Which of the remaining five figures is most like the figures on the left?
.JPG "Choosing a Shape to Complete a Set 1")
Start by Listing the Shared Features
The first step is to look carefully at the two figures on the left and ask what they have in common.
In this example, the main shapes are both four-sided, although they are not identical.
Both main shapes also have symmetry. They have rotational symmetry and reflective symmetry.
Each shape has lines running from corner to corner. The lines cross at 90 degrees.
The small shapes at the ends of each line match each other, although the small shapes are different from one line to another.
Parent explanation: Encourage your child to list features mentally: main shape, symmetry, lines, angles and small end shapes. This gives them a structure for comparing the answer choices.
Use a Feature-by-Feature Check
For explanation, we can show the comparison in a table. Children would not write this out in a timed exam, but it helps parents see how the reasoning works.
| Shape | Four-sided, symmetrical main shape | Lines with same object at each end | Lines through corners | Lines intersect at 90 degrees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| B | No | No | Yes | No |
| C | No | Yes | No | No |
| D | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| E | No | Yes | No | No |
The table shows that most answer options can be ruled out quickly because they share only one or two useful features.
The closest choices are A and D.
Choosing the Best Match
Shape A shares several details with the original figures. Its lines have matching objects at each end, the lines go through corners and they intersect at 90 degrees.
However, its main shape is not four-sided, which is a major difference.
Shape D also shares several features. It has a four-sided, symmetrical main shape, and the lines have matching objects at each end. The lines also go through corners.
The only missing feature is that the lines do not intersect at 90 degrees.
Because the main shape is such an important feature, D is the best answer.
Technique tip: If two answers both seem possible, choose the one that matches the clearest and most important features. The main shape is often more important than a smaller detail.
Obvious Features Usually Matter
Children should not ignore small details, but they should also avoid overvaluing obscure clues.
In many Similar Shapes questions, the most important feature is something quite clear: number of sides, symmetry, outline type, internal pattern or the way lines are arranged.
If children are unsure, they should look for the feature that best explains why the two starting shapes belong together.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Children may lose marks on harder Similar Shapes questions because they focus too much on one minor detail.
Common mistakes include:
- Not identifying the main shared features before looking at answers
- Choosing an answer that matches a small detail but not the main shape
- Ignoring symmetry
- Missing whether lines pass through corners
- Forgetting to check whether the same object appears at each end of a line
- Assuming every feature must match perfectly
A calm, feature-by-feature method is usually more useful than guessing. Accuracy should come before speed during early 11 Plus revision.
11 Plus Practice Quizzes for Similar Shapes
This free guide completes the Similar Shapes section, but practice helps children become more familiar with this question type.
Education Quizzes has seven Similar Shapes quizzes in the 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning section.
Next Steps for Parents
This guide completes the Similar Shapes section of the 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning exam illustrations.
Children have now seen both types of Similar Shapes question: finding the odd one out and choosing the shape most like the set.
The final Non-Verbal Reasoning section moves on to Codes, a common feature of both verbal and non-verbal 11 Plus reasoning.
Remember: This 11 Plus guide is free to use. The linked quizzes are available by subscription and provide the regular practice children need to apply the method confidently.
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