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Compound Words 2

Compound words are formed by joining two smaller words, like “cupcake” or “football”. They’re common in English and often appear in 11 Plus verbal reasoning questions.

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Fascinating Fact:

Some compound words change their meaning over time, for example cupboard once meant a board to put cups on, not a piece of furniture with doors.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, compound words test your ability to spot patterns and meanings. They show how English develops over time and strengthen vocabulary and problem-solving skills.

Key Terms

Compound word: A word formed by joining two smaller words, such as “blackboard”.
Vocabulary: The set of words that a person understands and uses in reading, writing, and speech.
Meaning: The idea or concept that a word or phrase represents.

For further support, explore our guide on 11 Plus courses and materials for parents.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are compound words in English?

Compound words are created when two smaller words are joined to form a new word, such as “sunflower” or “handbag”.

Do compound words always keep the same meaning?

No. Some compound words change meaning over time, like “cupboard”, which originally described a board for cups, not a closed piece of furniture.

Why are compound words tested in the 11 Plus?

They test vocabulary, logical thinking, and how well pupils understand language structures, all important skills for verbal reasoning.

Try These Related Quizzes

Example: Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(hand finger toe) (sun some son)

hand son
hand sun
finger some
hand some

The correct answer is hand some because hand and some together make the compound word handsome.

1 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(why whose what) (ever even evil)

what ever

why ever

whose even

why evil

The correct answer is what ever because what and ever together make the compound word whatever. Yes we do say 'why ever' but it is not a compound

2 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(book band brick) (mink main mark)

book main

book mark

band mink

brick mark

The correct answer is book mark because book and mark together make the compound word bookmark. Mink is an animal like a stoat or a weasel. Do you know how to tell the difference between a weasel and a stoat? The answer will be hidden below!

3 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(back black base) (spine side state)

black side

base state

back spine

back side

The correct answer is back side because back and side together make the compound word backside. Just checking if you are all paying attention!

4 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(over under near) (mind sand stand)

over sand

under stand

near mind

under mind

The correct answer is under stand because under and stand together make the compound word understand. Is the opposite of understand overstand? Why not?

5 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(day night noon) (cream seam dream)

night cream

noon seam

day cream

day dream

The correct answer is day dream because day and dream together make the compound word daydream

6 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(chair wall bed) (line room bow)

bed room

wall room

chair bow

chair line

The correct answer is bed room because bed and room together make the compound word bedroom. I prefer the idea of a chair bow myself, but then it is not a compound word!

7 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(out dead live) (beat music line)

out music

live music

dead line

out beat

The correct answer is dead line because dead and line together make the compound word deadline. In secondary school you will have many of these!

8 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(box pan bowl) (meat bread cake)

box meat

pan bread

bowl cake

pan cake

The correct answer is pan cake because pan and cake together make the compound word pancake. The answer to the puzzle in question 2? A weasel is weasely recognisable and a stoat is stoatally different!

9 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(team mate meat) (walk will work)

team walk

mate will

meat work

team work

The correct answer is team work because team and work together make the compound word teamwork. In sports, coaches often say there is no 'I' in 'team'. If they tell you this, say 'Yes, but m-e is!'

10 .

Which two words together can make a new, compound word? Choose one word from each group below and select the correct answer from the four choices available.

(count clout court) (garden field yard)

court yard

court field

clout garden

count field

The correct answer is court yard because court and yard together make the compound word courtyard. Congratulations! You have now completed 2 out of the 4 Compound Words quizzes

Author: Stephen O'Hara