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Words That Cannot be Made from Larger Words Quiz Illustration | Jellybeans

Which words can and can't be made from 'jellybeans'?

Words that Cannot be Made 2

These puzzles challenge pupils to test accuracy and detail, working out whether a word can really be formed from the letters provided in the 11 Plus exam.

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Fascinating Fact:

Words That Cannot Be Made questions have been a feature of 11 Plus exams for many decades.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, pupils face challenges designed to test focus and accuracy. These questions emphasise careful checking of letters over simply knowing word meanings.

Key Terms

Puzzle: A problem to solve using reasoning and observation.
Letter set: The group of letters that may or may not make the target word.
Accuracy: The ability to check letters carefully without skipping steps.

Parents can explore our 11 Plus sample questions guide for tips on supporting their child’s practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are Words That Cannot Be Made puzzles?

These are questions where pupils decide if a word can be created from a set of letters. If one letter is missing, the correct answer is that it cannot.

Why are these puzzles used in the 11 Plus?

They are used to test careful attention to detail, logical reasoning, and the ability to avoid mistakes caused by rushing.

How can pupils practise for these questions?

Pupils can practise by working slowly through word lists, checking each letter, and then increasing speed once accuracy improves.

Try These Related Quizzes

Example:
Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word POSITIONAL?

Postal
Opal
Notion
Posit
Pools
Satin

It doesn’t matter whether or not you know what the words mean. Just look at the letters they contain and see if they are in the word 'POSITIONAL' the correct amount of times.
The only one of the options which cannot be formed is 'notion', purely because the letter 'N' only appears once in 'POSITIONAL', but twice in ‘notion’.

1 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word YESTERDAY?

Strayed

Erases

Steady

Dearest

All of the words can be made, except for ‘erases’ as this contains two of the letter ‘S’, but ‘yesterday’ has only one

2 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word BALACLAVAS?

Slabs

Balls

Scab

Cabal

All of the words can be made, except for ‘slabs’ as this contains two of the letter ‘S’, but ‘balaclavas’ has only one.
A ‘cabal’ is a secret clique or faction, usually to do with politics

3 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word JELLYBEANS?

Bellies

Enables

Labels

Eyeball

All of the words can be made, except for ‘bellies’ as this contains a letter ‘I’, but ‘jellybeans’ does not

4 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word PACIFIST?

Pact

Facts

Spit

Flats

All of the words can be made, except for ‘flats’ as this contains a letter ‘L’, but ‘pacifist’ does not.
A ‘pacifist’ is someone who believes that war and violence are wrong, so refuses to take part

5 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word ELONGATING?

Tangling

Elation

Learning

Tonnage

All of the words can be made, except for ‘learning’ as this contains a letter ‘R’, but ‘elongating’ does not

6 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word GEOLOGISTS?

Toggles

Soloist

Toilets

Stooge

All of the words can be made, except for ‘toilets’ as this contains two of the letter ‘T’, but ‘geologists’ has only one

7 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word MATRIARCH?

Armchair

Ratchet

Chart

Match

All of the words can be made, except for ‘ratchet’ as this contains a letter ‘E’, but ‘matriarch’ does not. It also has two of the letter ‘T’, but ‘matriarch’ has only one.
A ‘matriarch’ is a woman who is the head of a family

8 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word SCHOLASTIC?

Catholics

Chaotic

Classical

Social

All of the words can be made, except for ‘classical’ as this contains two of the letters ‘A’ and ‘L’, but ‘scholastic’ has only one of each

9 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word HAUGHTIEST?

Heights

Atheist

Eighths

Statute

All of the words can be made, except for ‘statute’ as this contains three of the letter ‘T’, but ‘haughtiest’ has only two.
A ‘statute’ is another name for a law, and an ‘atheist’ is one who does not believe that there are any gods

10 .

Which of the following words can NOT be made from the letters of the word VIRTUOUSLY?

Sourly

Sultry

Story

Visors

All of the words can be made, except for ‘visors’ as this contains two of the letter ‘S’, but ‘virtuously’ has only one

Author: Stephen O'Hara and Ian Miles