Verbal Reasoning - A Complete Guide

11 Plus Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning tests a child's ability to solve problems by using logic to answer a variety of
different question types. Verbal Reasoning requires very good maths skills, a good understanding
of grammar and a wide vocabulary. The tests are designed to assess a child’s potential, not just
their intelligence.

The best way to improve vocabulary is to read a lot - preferably out loud to an adult. Pay
particular attention to unknown words and ensure that your child understands the meaning of
all the words. Learning words in context is the best way to ensure your chold remembers them
in future, however there are some other strategies that can help to improve vocabulary.

Making a list of unknown words and have them look them up in a good children’s
dictionary/thesaurus. Ones with visual aids, at this stage, can be useful as they tap into the
multiple senses, making it easier to store and recall.

Pay particular attention to words that have more than one meaning - such as 'contract' and
'suspend'. At the end of the guide in the appendix, you will find a list of important words for
Verbal Reasoning. Although this is not exhaustive, it is a good resource to get your child on track
with words likely to feature in exams.

Because Verbal Reasoning is not taught in school, it is important that your child becomes
familiar with this type of question. They must be able to identify the question types, understand
the question and have a strategy for answering them quickly. The questions involve letters,
words, codes and sequences and require the child to work quickly and accurately to solve
problems described in words and text.

There are typically 21 different types of Verbal Reasoning question types -determined by the GL
Assessment group. The table below shows these types and how they are typically described in a
question or section:

Type Description
In the following question, find the one letter that will complete the word in
TYPE-A :
front of the brackets and begin the word after the brackets. The same
Insert A Letter
letter must fit into both sets of brackets.
TYPE-B : In the following questions, find the two words that are different from the
Find the odd word other three.
TYPE-C : In the following question, words have been written in code. The first word
Alphabet Code and it's code has been given to you. You must find the second word or code.
TYPE-D : In the following questions, find two words, one from each group that are
Synonyms most similar in meaning.
In the following question, you are given a sentence in which a four letter
TYPE-E :
word is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next word.
Hidden word in
Find the pair of words that contain a real four letter word and write the
sentence
four letter word in the answer.
In the following question, one word, which is in capitals, has had three OR
TYPE-F : four consecutive letters taken out. These 3 or 4 letters will make one
Find the word correctly spelt word without changing the order. Find the appropriate 3 or
4 letter word.
 TYPE-G : For the following question, numbers have been allocated to letters. Work
Calculating with out the answer to the calculation and mark the appropriate letter on the
Letters answer sheet or in the space provided.
TYPE-H : In the following questions, find two words, one from each group that are
Opposite Meaning most opposite in meaning.
TYPE-I :
In the following questions, find the number that best completes the
Complete the
calculation.
calculation
In the following question, you are given two words. Choose one letter that
TYPE-J :
can be moved from the word on the left to the word on the right, making
Rearrange to make
two new words. You cannot rearrange any letters, but the letter that you
two new words
move can fit anywhere in the second word.
TYPE-K : In the following question, the numbers in the last group must be related to
Number each other in the same way as the numbers in previous group(s). Find the
relationship missing number.
TYPE-L :
Complete alphabet In the following question, find the letters that best complete the series.
series
TYPE-M :
In the following questions you must chose two words, one from each group
Complete the
in brackets that best complete the sentence.
Sentence
You have been given four words and three codes. The codes are not
TYPE-N : necessarily written in the same order as the words and one code is missing.
Word Codes Once you have figured out which code belongs to which word, answer the
question below.
TYPE-O :
In the following question there are three pairs of words. You must complete
Complete word
the third pair in the same way as the first two pairs.
pairs
TYPE-P :
For the following question, find the number that best completes the series.
Number series
In the following question, find the two words, one from each group, that
TYPE-Q :
together make a new, real word. The word from the first group always
Form new word
comes first.
In each of the following question, the word in brackets in the second group
TYPE-R : must be made from the words outside the brackets in the same way as the
Create word word in brackets in the first group is made from the words outside the
brackets in the first group. Find the missing word.
TYPE-S : In the question below there are two pairs of words. Choose the word from
Similar Meaning the 5 possible answers which goes equally well with both the pairs.
In the question below, the pairs of letters are related in some way. Write
TYPE-U :
the letters which complete the second relationship. The alphabet has been
Letter Relationship
provided to assist you.
TYPE-Z : Generally includes Logic questions where the student has to read the
Comprehension question and comprehend the logic before answering.
IPS stands for Internet Primary School, who were one of the first publishers to categorise the
question styles for Verbal Reasoning using a lettering system (type L,B,N etc). Sometimes you
will find the types identified by a number and labelled differently – below we have included a
comparison table to make this clearer:

QUESTION TYPE IPS

01 – INSERT A LETTER A
02 – RELATED WORDS B
03 – WORD-LETTER CODES C
04 – CLOSEST MEANING D
05 – HIDDEN WORD E
06 – MISSING WORD F
07 – LETTERS FOR NUMBERS G
08 – MOVE A LETTER J
09 – LETTER SERIES L
10 – WORD CONNECTIONS M
11 – NUMBER SERIES P
12 – COMPOUND WORDS Q
13 – MAKE A WORD R
14 – LETTER CONNECTIONS U
15 – READING INFORMATION Z
16 – OPPOSITE MEANING H
17 – COMPLETE THE SUM I
18 – RELATED NUMBERS K
19 – WORD-NUMBER CODES N
20 – COMPLETE THE WORD O
21 – SAME MEANING S
 What You Can Do

When tutoring your child at home it may help to link question types together rather than to go
through each of the 21 question types in order. This is because some question types can be
worked out by using similar methods & techniques. The following list takes into account these
similarities, grouping the types of question into families which should be studied together:

TYPE NUMBERS TYPES IPS LETTER TYPES

Types 3, 9 and 14 Types C, L and U
CODES
Type 19 Type N
Types 1 and 8 Types A and J
MAKING WORDS Types 5, 6 and 12 Types E, F and Q
Types 13 and 20 Types R and O
Types 2 and 10 Types B and M
WORD MEANING
Types 4, 16 and 21 Types D, H and S
Types 7 and 17 Types G and I
MATHS
Types 11 and 18 Types P and K
READING INFORMATION Type 15 Type Z
 Verbal Reasoning
Strategies For Each Question Type

In Summary:

Verbal reasoning is understanding and reasoning using concepts framed in

words. It aims at evaluating ability to think constructively, rather than at
simple fluency or vocabulary recognition.

 Timed but not broken into sections

 Time calls at half way through and a few minutes from the end

 You need to be able to pace yourselves!!!

 Order of questions can slow you down so don't get stuck -

keep moving and come back later to tricky questions
Verbal Reasoning Tests - Student FAQs
What will I be tested on?
The questions are tests of ability, not what you have learned elsewhere in school.
They require skills that are needed to succeed in secondary education, including
your ability to:
• understand and analyse tasks
• work quickly and carefully
• apply attention to detail
• solve problems
• discover and apply rules
• repeat a particular task at increasing levels of difficulty

How long does the test last?

The test will normally be 50 minutes long. But it can be 60 minutes or even 45.

The test includes examples of each type of question as part of the timed
assessment. Remember,there will be times when you need to sit and listen to
instructions, to make sure that your answer sheet has been handed in or to wait
for other pupils in the room to finish.

What kind of questions will be asked?

The verbal reasoning test asks you questions involving the manipulation of words,
letters and numbers. In some cases you are dealing with a relationship between
symbols (numbers, letters) and in others the relationship between the meanings
of words.
The answer sheet - sometimes you will answer in a special booklet. If that is the case:
Only the answers you fill in on the answer sheet will be marked . The sheet
is read by a special scanning machine so you need to mark it in a particular way
in order for your responses to be clear. You can get an adult to check that you are
doing it correctly.

The top of the answer sheet will show the name of the test and some information
about you, including your name and date of birth.
• Check that your name and date of birth are correct. Tell an invigilator if
you think there is a mistake

• If the boxes are blank, you will need to fill them out. Ask an invigilator to help.

The rest of the answer sheet contains spaces for you to submit your answers. Each
question has its own box containing the answer options. The question number is in
the top left hand corner.For example, question 1 might look like this:

1
A
B
C
D
E

• You answer each question by putting a thin horizontal line in the rectangle next
to your answer, like this:
 • If you make a mistake,rub it out as completely as you can and put in your new
answer.
• You must only use a pencil to mark the answer sheet.
• All the questions you do will be multiple choice.

That means that you are given a range of answers to choose from. The answer
options will be printed in the test booklet but you must submit your responses on
the answer sheet.

• Most verbal reasoning questions require only one answer but some require more
than one answer. Read the instructions for each questions carefully. Here is an
example of a question with two answers:

EXAMPLE
black
mouse
red
green
hut

• You may need to fillin answers on both sides of the answer sheet.
• You must make sure that you mark your answers in the right place on the answer
sheet. Mark your answer in the box that has the same number as the test question.
• You must make sure that all your answers are recorded on the answer sheet
before the end of the test.

The test booklet:

The test contains a number of different verbal reasoning question types. You need to
try to answer all of the questions.

Instructions are given before the start of each section along with an example
question.

You can do rough work in the booklet if you need to, or on a separate piece of
paper.But remember:
on the answer sheet.
Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Take a letter out of the first word one by one (the order of the first
word doesn’t change), does the word that is left still make sense?

 If it does, try putting it into the second word

 Try it out on scrap paper

 Look out for silent letters, sound changes

 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Remember that the answer is changed back into a letter

 Remember that the value of a,b,c,d,e changes in every question

 Use scrap paper for working out

 Write the values of the letters above

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 This question is designed to take a long time but still only worth one
mark
 Draw out a chart
 Look out for names with the same letter
 Guess and move on if the answer doesn’t show itself quickly!
 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Look at the answer sheet rather then the question booklet

 Rip two pieces of scrap paper to cover up the letters

 Watch out for silent letters, changes in sound etc

 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Use one word from each column

 Often opposites or synonyms

 Look for relationships between the words

 Some will be very close, guess and move on!

 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Two boxes shaded, one from each column

 Looking for closest – won’t be an exact match

 Often 2 that are similar, guess and move on!

 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Two words need to be marked

 Watch out for words with double meanings

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 This can take children a lot of time and slow them down

 Use scrap paper to try out different combinations

 Look out for tricky spellings e.g. double letter, changes in sound etc
 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Can be very tricky!

 Write on top of the alphabet strip

 Draw the sequence jumps on top

 Really struggling – guess and move on!

 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Must have one word from each column

 Has to be spelled correctly

 Word in the second column can’t come first in the new word
 Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Number the letters

 Look at the example for the rule

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Draw the sequence jumps

 If the sequence increases then decreases, look at every other number

 Use scrap paper for working out

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Can take a long time

 Work out rule for relationship between the letters

 Draw on alphabet strip

 Look at the answer sheet to help

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Often the last section

 Use list on answer sheet to help

Instructions

Example

Practise

Top tips!

 Look at the answer sheet to help

 Watch out for tricky spellings, new sounds etc.

 IMPORTANT WORDS for VERBAL REASONING

OPPOSE NOTED x2 WASTEFUL

CONTEST x2 FATIGUE LENIENT
CONCEAL FEEBLE RESTRAIN
REVEAL GRAVE x2 CONDEMN
COMMENCE SANITARY EMPLOY
ABANDON HOAX RELEASE
ABODE IMITATE APPROVE
ADHERE INSOLENT NEAT x2
AID INTENTION PROHIBIT
ALLY UNITE DILUTED
COMPREHEND LAMENT FORBID
AFFECTIONATE LEAN x2 PROMPT
ACCUSE LOFTY AVOWED
HYGIENIC LOYAL QUAINT
PECULIAR INSANE QUEER
ASSEMBLE SANE RAIMENT
ASUNDER MALADY RAMBLE
BROAD MARGIN RANK
BESIEGED MARINER DWELLING
CAUTION MAXIMUM ROAM
COARSE MINIMUM ROBUST
CONCENTRATED x2 DUMB[not stupid] SHRINE
CUNNING MEAGRE SLEEK
ARTFUL NIMBLE STERN
SLY ROWDY SCORE X4
CURB ODOUR OBSTINATE
CUSTOM OMEN STURDY
DECEIVE SCANTY YIELD
CALAMITY OPTION STUBBORN
TWILIGHT COAX SUSPEND x2
ELUDE PLUME THRUST
FOE PROFIT TRANQUIL
EXTENDED ECONOMICAL VACANT
EXTERIOR ABSURD CANDIDATE
INTERIOR DISPERSE WRETCHED
DEBATE SACRED QUENCH
DECLARE LIABLE PROVOKE
DECLINE INFLUENCE PROCLAIM
REFUSE x2 RESIDENCE CONCLUSION
DETERMINE GRATITUDE IMPUDENT
ACCUSTOM DESTITUTE REVIVE
CONFERRED DESPAIR RESOLVE
FRAGMENT DESPISE EXTRACT
PROPORTION FAMINE MODERATE
 IMPORTANT WORDS for VERBAL REASONING

TRAITOR DEPOSIT ESTIMATE

INSERT RESERVE PROMOTE
IMMERSE CONVERT ENTIRE
WHOLESOME CONVEY DISCONTENT
ENTERPRISE AMBITION EVIDENT
PROMINENT OBJECTION FREQUENT
DOMESTIC OBJECT x2 EXPEL
HEROIC ACQUIRE SATIN
MAJESTIC AQUAINTED SOBER
TEMPERATE OFFEND EXCLAIM
PUNCTURE OPPRESS PLUNGE
ABUNDANCE RESIGN ATTEMPT
PUNCTUAL BURDEN TEMPTATION
TENANT PRETENCE HARBOUR x2
VACANT TRIFLE x2 CONTRIBUTE
TYRANT VAPOUR CONSUME
PROSPEROUS INVALID x2 JUSTICE
PERCEIVE RETREAT CONTRAST
DECEIT COMMIT VEIL
CONSIDERATION SACRIFICE LABOUR
COMBINATION PURPOSE OBLIGE
VENTILATION DIGEST COMPEL
FRAGRANT POULTRY SUSPECT x2
ASSISTANCE COMRADE GARMENT
SEIZE ENDEAVOUR FOUNDATION
ORDEAL WHOLLY ERRAND
FATAL ORIGIN PLEDGE
BETRAY MORAL DIVINE
DIVINITY CSERMON PERMIT x2
ADOPT IDLE HUMBLE
PROMPT IDOL VAST
MERCY STOOP CONFINE
INSPIRE GRATE CONTRACT x2
ROGUE LINGER CONVICT x2
EXPENSE MERCHANT DEVOTE
EMBRACE CONSTANT INHABIT
RECITE EMPIRE PASTURE
FERTILE LIMIT LEA
BARREN PUBLIC COMPOSITION
ENTIRELY ADVANCE PERIL
WEARY HASTY PROFIT
AVOID FLEET x2 FLOURISH
ADMISSION LIBERTY CREDIT
UNION BANISH CULTIVATE
 IMPORTANT WORDS for VERBAL REASONING

CURIOUS PERISH ARTICLE

ANXIOUS CORRECT x2 DOSE
WORTHY DISTINCT LIMB
ABUNDANT DISTRESS ERECT
APPEAL STRESS ELECT
BRIEF OCCUR HALT
SUBMIT OCCUPY CEASE
AROUSE HOLLOW MERE
WITHER COMPANY x2 SINCERE
DENY COMPANION LATTER
LIBERAL GRIEVE MODEST
FUND RESTORE DISPUTE
PIONEER BOX x2 RURAL
REPENT VESSEL MORTAL
CONSENT RARE SELDOM
CONTEMPT LODGE x2 RETAIN
CONCLUDE DIN OATH
CONVINCE STOUT PROCURE
SOW x2 SCRIPTURE ENDURE
CONSIST EARNEST SECURE