11+ Verbal ReasoningPractice Paper 1 · MathedUp
Instructions
- Do not begin until you are told to start. You have 50 minutes for 80 questions.
- Mark every answer on the separate answer sheet, not on this paper.
- Most questions want one answer (A–E): shade the matching lozenge in pencil.
- Some blocks ask you to find two words, one from each group. Those questions want TWO marks: one from A–C and one from X–Z.
- Others show five words and ask for the TWO that do not belong: fill two lozenges from A–E. Both must be right to score the mark.
- Work quickly and carefully. If a question is hard, move on and come back.
- Rub out any answer you want to change. Do not leave two marks for one question.
Example: to choose answer C, shade it like this:
ABCDE
Section 1Three-Letter Words
In these sentences, the word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. These three letters will make one correctly-spelt word without changing their order. Mark the correct three-letter word.
Worked example
She was the GREST runner in the county.
jarA
hubB
dinC
eatD
witE
Answer D — Putting EAT back into GREST makes GREATEST.
1
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
She was SWEEING the sauce with honey.
seaA
tenB
gotC
teaD
menE
2
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
They spent Saturday PLING bulbs.
payA
letB
antC
arcD
hemE
3
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
The long wait was pure BDOM.
oddA
setB
rotC
arcD
oreE
4
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
The noise DNED out his voice.
wigA
gymB
rowC
copD
oatE
5
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
A green CRPILLAR crawled along the leaf.
ateA
tenB
notC
axeD
donE
6
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
The pond is the perfect frog HAAT.
tipA
tenB
bitC
itsD
artE
7
The word in capitals has had three letters next to each other taken out. Those three letters make a word. Find it.
His boots were made of thick LHER.
eatA
cryB
styC
rayD
wetE
Section 2Synonym Pairs
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning. Mark BOTH words.
Worked example
(pretty polite neat) (frightened smart dirty)
prettyA
politeB
neatC
frightenedX
smartY
dirtyZ
Answer C Y — mark one word in each group. “neat” and “smart” mean the same.
8
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(adjust jump descend) (defend correct dissipate)
adjustA
jumpB
descendC
defendX
correctY
dissipateZ
9
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(thin famous polite) (lean cursory cross)
thinA
famousB
politeC
leanX
cursoryY
crossZ
10
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(pretty affluent erratic) (precious mercurial selfish)
prettyA
affluentB
erraticC
preciousX
mercurialY
selfishZ
11
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(flavoursome dirty clean) (hazardous gleaming wild)
flavoursomeA
dirtyB
cleanC
hazardousX
gleamingY
wildZ
12
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(flood begin end) (commence retort notify)
floodA
beginB
endC
commenceX
retortY
notifyZ
13
Find the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
(kind giant cruel) (gentle tiny polite)
kindA
giantB
cruelC
gentleX
tinyY
politeZ
Section 3Letter in Two Brackets
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
Worked example
pu [ ? ] urse salo [ ? ] ip
rA
xB
bC
cD
nE
Answer E — n makes pun, nurse, salon, nip.
14
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
foa [ ? ] et tri [ ? ] ourn
mA
rB
eC
lD
nE
15
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
spel [ ? ] it craw [ ? ] aser
lA
cB
sC
gD
mE
16
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
magi [ ? ] hamp logi [ ? ] laim
cA
yB
pC
rD
wE
17
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
vo [ ? ] here gro [ ? ] ink
lA
oB
tC
wD
qE
18
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
scra [ ? ] ad stoo [ ? ] enny
rA
iB
mC
pD
xE
19
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
jaz [ ? ] eal qui [ ? ] ebra
zA
fB
rC
lD
xE
20
The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets, to complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after. Find that letter.
spec [ ? ] iss soa [ ? ] ept
kA
sB
bC
dD
gE
Section 4Antonym Pairs
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning. Mark BOTH words.
Worked example
(dry hilarious roomy) (big wet courteous)
dryA
hilariousB
roomyC
bigX
wetY
courteousZ
Answer A Y — mark one word in each group. “dry” and “wet” are opposites.
21
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(minute true wide) (false hushed bustling)
minuteA
trueB
wideC
falseX
hushedY
bustlingZ
22
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(alter scatter aid) (gather lock cover)
alterA
scatterB
aidC
gatherX
lockY
coverZ
23
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(kind major giant) (minor diffident prized)
kindA
majorB
giantC
minorX
diffidentY
prizedZ
24
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(build descend shrink) (borrow ascend cease)
buildA
descendB
shrinkC
borrowX
ascendY
ceaseZ
25
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(private narrow considerate) (expansive public happy)
privateA
narrowB
considerateC
expansiveX
publicY
happyZ
26
Find the two words, one from each group, that are most opposite in meaning.
(simple lively sleepy) (complex dark dim)
simpleA
livelyB
sleepyC
complexX
darkY
dimZ
Section 5Verbal Logic
Read the information, then find the answer that must be true.
Worked example
Anna is stronger than Kai. Ruby is stronger than Anna. Max is stronger than Ben. Kai is stronger than Max. Who is the strongest?
KaiA
MaxB
RubyC
BenD
AnnaE
Answer C — Chain the comparisons in order: Ruby is the strongest.
27
Read the information, then answer the question.
Sam is faster than Ruby. Ruby is faster than Anna. Leo is faster than Sam. Finn is faster than Leo. Who is the fastest?
LeoA
SamB
AnnaC
RubyD
FinnE
Section 6Hidden Words
In these sentences, a word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains the hidden word.
Worked example
Another captain checked rough tankards methodically.
Another captainA
captain checkedB
checked roughC
rough tankardsD
tankards methodically.E
Answer B — The hidden word is INCH, across "captain checked".
28
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
That weaver balanced tidy baskets steadily.
That weaverA
weaver balancedB
balanced tidyC
tidy basketsD
baskets steadily.E
29
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Sailors crept calmly near narrow watermills.
Sailors creptA
crept calmlyB
calmly nearC
near narrowD
narrow watermills.E
30
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Her explorer carried ancient lockets firmly.
Her explorerA
explorer carriedB
carried ancientC
ancient locketsD
lockets firmly.E
31
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Her weaver bundled polished lanterns calmly.
Her weaverA
weaver bundledB
bundled polishedC
polished lanternsD
lanterns calmly.E
32
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Jugglers roamed again towards steep farmyards.
Jugglers roamedA
roamed againB
again towardsC
towards steepD
steep farmyards.E
33
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Foresters scurried again towards shabby orchards.
Foresters scurriedA
scurried againB
again towardsC
towards shabbyD
shabby orchards.E
34
A word of four letters is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next. Find the pair of words that contains it.
Another traveller mended hollow crates twice.
Another travellerA
traveller mendedB
mended hollowC
hollow cratesD
crates twice.E
Section 7Compound Words
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first. Mark BOTH words.
Worked example
(snow rail on) (way butter day)
snowA
railB
onC
wayX
butterY
dayZ
Answer B X — mark one word in each group. rail + way = railway.
35
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(shop work par) (fire light king)
shopA
workB
parC
fireX
lightY
kingZ
36
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(fire man shop) (place walk port)
fireA
manB
shopC
placeX
walkY
portZ
37
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(port back foot) (snow out ball)
portA
backB
footC
snowX
outY
ballZ
38
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(some yard foot) (where car fire)
someA
yardB
footC
whereX
carY
fireZ
39
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(back way butter) (shop fly car)
backA
wayB
butterC
shopX
flyY
carZ
40
Find the two words, one from each group, that together make one correctly spelt word. The word from the first group always comes first.
(day green tooth) (foot house under)
dayA
greenB
toothC
footX
houseY
underZ
Section 8Move a Letter
In these questions, one letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
Worked example
replay soil
rA
eB
pC
lD
yE
Answer C — Move p: replay becomes RELAY, and soil becomes SPOIL.
41
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
scored anger
cA
oB
rC
eD
dE
42
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
stair head
sA
tB
aC
iD
rE
43
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
closer weave
cA
lB
oC
eD
rE
44
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
lawyer ink
lA
aB
wC
yD
rE
45
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
suite car
sA
uB
iC
tD
eE
46
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
mortal ask
mA
oB
rC
tD
aE
47
One letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not otherwise be rearranged and both new words must make sense. Find the letter that moves.
ideal roe
iA
dB
eC
aD
lE
Section 9Odd Two Out
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong and mark BOTH.
Worked example
brass · bus · tractor · car · silver
brassA
busB
tractorC
carD
silverE
Answer A E — mark TWO answers. Three are vehicles; “brass” and “silver” are metals.
48
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
poppy · golf · cricket · orchid · rugby
poppyA
golfB
cricketC
orchidD
rugbyE
49
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
coach · clarinet · drum · ferry · bus
coachA
clarinetB
drumC
ferryD
busE
50
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
skirt · scarf · goat · dog · coat
skirtA
scarfB
goatC
dogD
coatE
51
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
cello · apricot · tuba · banana · flute
celloA
apricotB
tubaC
bananaD
fluteE
52
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
fox · lemon · cat · apple · pear
foxA
lemonB
catC
appleD
pearE
53
Three of these five words go together. Find the TWO words that do not belong.
beech · cedar · chair · birch · couch
beechA
cedarB
chairC
birchD
couchE
Section 10Letters by Position
The three words in the second group should go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the word that is missing in the second group.
Worked example
(stock [pot] adopt) (tenth [ ? ] event)
theA
vetB
eveC
netD
henE
Answer D — pot is the 4th letter of adopt, the 3rd letter of adopt and the 5th letter of adopt. The same positions of tenth and event give net.
54
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(agenda [gel] tumble) (powder [ ? ] skiing)
dogA
ownB
kinC
pipD
oreE
55
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(praise [pat] packet) (folder [ ? ] honour)
forA
donB
urnC
hoeD
redE
56
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(wagons [are] thread) (tribal [ ? ] climax)
taxA
rimB
bitC
illD
camE
57
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(lease [fee] fried) (crime [ ? ] widow)
ireA
codB
woeC
wedD
dewE
58
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(spend [spa] royal) (burnt [ ? ] cross)
cutA
busB
cubC
urnD
rutE
59
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(batch [big] tight) (nasty [ ? ] meter)
netA
anyB
areC
menD
yesE
60
The three words in the second group go together in the same way as the three in the first group. Find the missing word.
(organ [rat] steam) (mango [ ? ] orbit)
barA
antB
manC
mobD
airE
Section 11Verbal Logic
Read the information, then find the answer that must be true.
Worked example
Anna is stronger than Kai. Ruby is stronger than Anna. Max is stronger than Ben. Kai is stronger than Max. Who is the strongest?
KaiA
MaxB
RubyC
BenD
AnnaE
Answer C — Chain the comparisons in order: Ruby is the strongest.
61
Read the information, then choose the statement that must be true.
Zoe is older than Mia. Mia is older than Jack. Sam is older than Beth. Beth is older than Zoe. Which statement is true?
Mia is older than Beth.A
Zoe is older than Beth.B
Beth is older than Mia.C
Beth is older than Sam.D
Jack is older than Zoe.E
Section 12Odd One Out
Four of these words go together. Find the one that does not belong.
Worked example
cow · frog · deer · wolf · bluebell
cowA
frogB
deerC
wolfD
bluebellE
Answer E — Four are animals; “bluebell” is not.
62
Which word does not belong with the others?
leg · hip · wrist · knee · deer
legA
kneeB
deerC
wristD
hipE
63
Which word does not belong with the others?
jumper · jacket · glove · dress · yacht
gloveA
jacketB
dressC
jumperD
yachtE
64
Which word does not belong with the others?
mouse · lion · rabbit · dog · hand
lionA
handB
rabbitC
dogD
mouseE
65
Which word does not belong with the others?
guitar · tuba · knee · drum · violin
kneeA
drumB
tubaC
violinD
guitarE
66
Which word does not belong with the others?
flute · oboe · cello · shirt · piano
pianoA
oboeB
shirtC
celloD
fluteE
67
Which word does not belong with the others?
chestnut · rowan · violet · willow · oak
chestnutA
violetB
oakC
willowD
rowanE
Section 13Letter Series
Find the letters that continue the series and mark them on the answer sheet.
AlphabetA1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J10K11L12M13N14O15P16Q17R18S19T20U21V22W23X24Y25Z26
Worked example
M O Q S U ?
VA
XB
WC
SD
UE
Answer C — Letter series — each letter moves by a fixed step.
68
Which letters continue the series?
UQ XO ZN AN AO ?
ARA
AOB
APC
BMD
ZQE
69
Which letters continue the series?
PD EQ MZ AN JV WK ?
WKA
MRB
GRC
SHD
HSE
70
Which letters continue the series?
QC NE JE EC YY ?
YYA
FEB
SUC
RSD
STE
71
Which letters continue the series?
CL BK GI WF KF RA ?
RAA
PDB
MVC
OCD
GCE
72
Which letters continue the series?
PQ RN UM YN DQ ?
ITA
KWB
DQC
JVD
XLE
73
Which letters continue the series?
HH KL MN NN NL ?
NIA
NLB
OPC
NJD
MHE
74
Which letters continue the series?
OC CQ RZ YM UW UI ?
XTA
UIB
YUC
QED
RTE
Section 14Letters for Numbers
In these questions letters stand for numbers. Work out the answer, then find its letter.
Worked example
B=4 C=5 A=3 D=12 | A + C − B = ?
DA
AB
BC
ED
CE
Answer C — A + C − B = 4, and B = 4.
75
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
D=3 B=2 E=4 C=12 A=10 | C + B − E = ?
AA
EB
CC
BD
DE
76
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
D=2 C=12 E=6 B=10 A=3 | C − E = ?
EA
AB
CC
BD
DE
77
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
A=3 E=6 D=12 B=8 C=2 | B − E = ?
DA
EB
AC
BD
CE
78
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
A=6 E=10 B=2 D=3 C=8 | A − D = ?
EA
DB
BC
AD
CE
79
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
E=6 A=3 D=10 C=12 B=2 | E − A = ?
DA
BB
AC
ED
CE
80
Use the letter values to work out the answer as a letter.
D=12 C=2 A=6 B=10 E=4 | A + B − E = ?
BA
CB
AC
ED
DE