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Related Words 1

Related Words puzzles use letter codes. Pupils must work out how letters are shifted or swapped to solve the problem and reveal the hidden logic behind the code.

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Fascinating Fact:

Julius Caesar used a letter shift code, now called the Caesar cipher, to send military messages.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, Related Words questions test logical thinking. Pupils must analyse patterns in letter changes, spotting shifts or swaps to decode words correctly.

Key Terms

Cipher: A secret code used to change the letters in a word.
Shift: Moving each letter forward or backward in the alphabet.
Pattern: A rule or system that explains how letters are changed.

Parents can explore more about these types of questions in our guide on 11 Plus sample questions .

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are Related Words questions in the 11 Plus?

They are puzzles where letters in words are coded by a pattern, and pupils must find the same pattern to answer correctly.

How do you solve a Caesar cipher?

You solve it by shifting each letter a set number of places in the alphabet, for example moving A to C means every letter shifts forward by two.

Why are Related Words questions important?

They develop logical reasoning and attention to detail, skills that help pupils succeed in exams and problem-solving tasks.

Try These Related Quizzes

Example: If the code for LUCK is JSAI, what does EMMB mean?

GOOD
GOON
FEED
TEED

Answer: GOOD

The key to this code is to work out that each code letter is two spaces back in the alphabet. If L = J, then the code letter (J) has moved two spaces to the left of L, likewise if U = S then the code letter (S) is two spaces to the left of U. Working out the key allows us to work out any letter. If E is the code letter, then we know that it's two spaces to the left, so to get the answer, we must move two spaces to the right (G), likewise for M we must move two spaces to the right (O) and so on. Easy!

1 .

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
If the code for BOXES is DPZFU, what does HSKFU mean?

FRIES

FRIED

FIRED

FIRES

Tricky! Not only does this code have five letters, but it also uses a different number of moves for each letter. To work out this code you must move two places to the right for the first letter, one place to the right for the next, two for the next and so on. So, B = D (2 moves to the right), and O = P (one move to the right). Then X = Z (2 moves) and E = F (one move). Finally S = U (2 moves to the right). This leads us to FRIES = HSKFU

2 .

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
If the code for BANG is FDRJ, what does WOIG mean?

SLED

SLEW

SLAM

SELF

This code makes different numbers of moves. The key is to move forward 4 places, then 3, then 4, then 3 again. So B = F (moving forward 4 places) and A = D (moving forward 3 places). Then N = R (moving forward 4 again) and G = J (moving forward 3). The answer must be SLED (S = W, L = O, E = I and D = G)

3 .

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
If the code for MILL is UQTT, what does JZQU mean?

SWIM

SLIM

BRIG

BRIM

This code requires you to move forward 8 places in the alphabet. So M = U, I = Q, L = T (twice!) You should have noticed that the two code-words shared the letters U and Q, so we were bound to need M and I in the answer!

4 .

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
If the code for STAR is HGZI, what does YVOG mean?

BEST

FELT

BELT

BEAT

To understand this code, you must work out the position in the alphabet of each letter. Whatever the number is from the beginning of the alphabet, count that number from the end of the alphabet. So, H (8th from the start) becomes S (8th from the end). G (7th from the start) becomes T (7th from the end). Z (last) becomes A (first) and I (9th from the start) becomes R (9th from the end). Using this code, we can work out that BELT = YVOG

5 .

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
If the code for ACRE is FHWJ, what does XYJU mean?

STOP

SLOP

STEP

SHOP

This code works by skipping four letters each time. So, A = F (skipping B, C, D and E). C = H (skipping D, E, F and G). R = W (skipping S, T, U and V) and E = J (skipping F, G, H and I). This leads us to STEP = XYJU

6 .

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
If the code for SPIN is OLEJ, what does DAHL mean?

HELD

HELP

SELF

SELD

This code requires you to move back 4 places (or if you think about it, skipping 3 letters while moving to the left) in the alphabet each time. So S = O (moving left and skipping 3), P = L (moving left and skipping 3), I = E (moving left and skipping 3) and N = J (moving left and skipping 3). The answer must be HELP

7 .

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
If the code for COLD is DPME, what does TOBQ mean?

PANS

SNAP

SNAG

STAG

The key to this code is to move back one letter in the alphabet each time. So, D = C, P = O, M = L and E = D. Each letter means the letter coming before it in the alphabet. SNAP = TOBQ

8 .

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
If the code for FIRE is ILUH, what does GHDG mean?

DEAD

DEAN

READ

LEAD

This code works by skipping two letters each time. So, F = I (skipping G and H) I = L (skipping J and K) R = U (skipping S and T) and E = H (skipping F and G). Working this out leads us to DEAD = GHDG

9 .

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
If the code for HIDE is GHCD, what does OTRG mean?

RUSH

PUSH

RUST

RUTH

The key to this code is to move forward one letter in the alphabet each time. So, G = H, H = I, C = D and D = E. Each letter means the letter following it

10 .

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
If the code for TUSK is UWTM, what is the code for THEM?

JOFU

UFOJ

UJFO

JUOF

Did we catch you out by asking for the code instead of the word? Stay alert! The key to this code is working out that the letters change a different way each time. First you have to go forward one place in the alphabet, then two places, then one, then two again. So T = U (forward one place), and U = W (forward two places). Then S = T (forward one place again) and, finally, K = M (forward two places). We need to follow the same process (rather than reversing it) to find the code for THEM. This means going forward one place, then two places, then one, then two again

Author: Stephen O'Hara