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Letter Connections 3

Letter connection puzzles use alphabet rules to test logic. These questions sharpen reasoning, memory, and pattern spotting, preparing pupils for success in 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Caesar cipher, one of the oldest secret codes, is really just a letter connection puzzle where letters shift along the alphabet.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, puzzles based on letter sequences help pupils practise logical thinking. These activities strengthen problem-solving skills and prepare them for exam-style questions.

Key Terms

Cipher: A secret code used to hide a message.
Shift: Moving letters forward or backward in the alphabet.
Pattern: A repeated or logical arrangement of letters or numbers.

For more insight into preparation, see our guide on 11 Plus courses and materials for parents.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the Caesar cipher?

The Caesar cipher is a type of code that shifts letters of the alphabet by a set number, making words look different while keeping the structure consistent.

How are letter connection puzzles linked to ciphers?

Both use alphabet positions and shifts. Letter puzzles train pupils to spot these patterns, which are similar to how secret codes like ciphers work.

How can practising these puzzles help in exams?

They improve pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and focus, which are skills directly tested in 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning questions.

Try These Related Quizzes

Example:

The alphabet is given below to help you. Find the pair of letters that will complete the sentence in the most sensible way. When you have found the most appropriate pair of letters, choose the correct answer from the four choices available.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
BC is to DE as GH is to ?

Answer: The correct answer is IJ

To get from B to D we moved forward 2 letters, and to get from C to E we also moved forward 2 letters. Only IJ works.

1 .

The alphabet is given below to help you. Find the pair of letters that will complete the sentence in the most sensible way. When you have found the most appropriate pair of letters, choose the correct answer from the four choices available.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
KO is to UF as CR is to ?

To get from K to U we moved forward 10 letters, and to get from O to F we moved backwards 9 letters. Only MI works.
'KO' was one of the original letters in the question. Do you know what sport uses KO as an abbreviation, and what it means? Read below to find out

2 .

To get from H to A we moved backwards 7 letters, and to get from P to Q we moved forward 1 letter. Only LK works

3 .

To get from E to V we moved forward 17 letters, and to get from T to G we moved backwards 13 letters. Only SI works.
The puzzle in question 1? The sport that uses 'KO' as an abbreviation is boxing, and it means 'Knock Out'

4 .

To get from H to F we moved backwards 2 letters, and to get from U to D we moved backwards 17 letters. Only PG works.
17 is a very interesting number, being a prime number and the smallest number that can be written in French as a compound word (dix-sept). It is also the number of syllables in a haiku, which is a short poem from Japan which has only three lines. You will encounter haiku in Secondary School, if you haven't already

5 .

To get from D to T we moved forward 16 letters, and to get from K to A we moved backwards 10 letters. Only VI works

6 .

To get from G to B we moved backwards 5 letters, and to get from O to P we moved forward 1 letter. Only LH works.
One of the possible answers was GB. Can you think of things that GB is short for? Read below for the answer

7 .

To get from B to P we moved forward 14 letters, and to get from J to Q we moved forward 7 letters. Only ZZ works

8 .

To get from S to B we moved backwards 17 letters, and to get from W to M we moved backwards 10 letters. Only HF works.
The puzzle in question 6? GB stands for Great Britain, and also for Girls' Brigade, an organisation set up in Ireland in 1893 and in July 1965 merged with The Girls’ Guildry (founded in Scotland in 1900) and The Girls’ Life Brigade (founded in England in 1902) to form The Girls’ Brigade

9 .

To get from K to S we moved forward 8 letters, and to get from P to H we moved backwards 8 letters. Only YF works

10 .

To get from B to O we moved forward 13 letters, and to get from M to G we moved backwards 6 letters. Only SP works.
Well done! You have completed the third of our four Letter Connections quizzes, which means you have only one more to do to become an expert. You will be seeing the alphabet in your sleep after the last one! But, think of the practice you are getting for your 11+

Author: Stephen O'Hara