Verbal Reasoning (VR) is used to test a child's potential - not just how well a child can learn.
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 best way to improve vocabulary is to read lots - preferably out loud to an adult. Pay particular attention to unknown words and ensure that your child understands the meaning of all the words - dont presume - ask. Maybe make a list of unknown words and have them look them up in a good childrens dictionary/thesaurus (see links on the right). Pay particular attention to words that have more than one meaning - such as 'contract' and 'suspend'.
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.
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.
There are typically 21 different types of Verbal Reasoning question types and they are commonly identified by a letter (type L,C,N etc). Not all question types are included in 11 Plus tests in all areas.
Type |
Description |
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In the following question, find the one letter that will complete the word in front of the brackets and begin the word after the brackets. The same letter must fit into both sets of brackets. |
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In the following questions, find the two words that are different from the other three. |
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In the following question, words have been written in code. The first word and it's code has been given to you. You must find the second word or code. |
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In the following questions, find two words, one from each group that are most similar in meaning. |
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In the following question, you are given a sentence in which a four letter word is hidden at the end of one word and the beginning of the next word. Find the pair of words that contain a real four letter word and write the four letter word in the answer. |
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In the following question, one word, which is in capitals, has had three OR four consecutive letters taken out. These 3 or 4 letters will make one correctly spelt word without changing the order. Find the appropriate 3 or 4 letter word. |
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For the following question, numbers have been allocated to letters. Work out the answer to the calculation and mark the appropriate letter on the answer sheet or in the space provided. |
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In the following questions, find two words, one from each group that are most opposite in meaning. |
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In the following questions, find the number that best completes the calculation. |
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In the following question, you are given two words. Choose one letter that can be moved from the word on the left to the word on the right, making two new words. You cannot rearrange any letters, but the letter that you move can fit anywhere in the second word. |
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In the following question, the numbers in the last group must be related to each other in the same way as the numbers in previous group(s). Find the missing number. |
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In the following question, find the letters that best complete the series. |
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In the following questions you must chose two words, one from each group in brackets that best complete the sentence. |
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You have been given four words and three codes. The codes are not necessarily written in the same order as the words and one code is missing. Once you have figured out which code belongs to which word, answer the question below. |
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In the following question there are three pairs of words. You must complete the third pair in the same way as the first two pairs. |
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For the following question, find the number that best completes the series. |
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In the following question, find the two words, one from each group, that together make a new, real word. The word from the first group always comes first. |
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In each of the following question, the word in brackets in the second group must be made from the words outside the brackets in the same way as the word in brackets in the first group is made from the words outside the brackets in the first group. Find the missing word. |
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In the question below there are two pairs of words. Choose the word from the 5 possible answers which goes equally well with both the pairs. |
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In the question below, the pairs of letters are related in some way. Write the letters which complete the second relationship. The alphabet has been provided to assist you. |
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Generally includes Logic questions where the student has to read the question and comprehend the logic before answering. |
