11+ Verbal Reasoning  

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In this question type you are given five words. One of these words is connected in some way to the words in both sets of brackets. You must select one word from the five that you are given.

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Look at this first example and then we can work our way through the question until we get the answer: -

(For ease of learning we have marked the important parts of this explanation in RED.)

Choose one word from those printed below that would fit equally well with both sets of words in the brackets. They may have a similar meaning or be connected in some other way. Type the correct word in the brackets.

( STY,   FOLD )         ( PENCIL,   BIRO )

HOUSE           BRUSH           PEN          HOME         PIG

We are looking for one word that would fit equally well into both sets of brackets.
Another way to look at this question is to look for a word with at least two different meanings.

We will start with the word HOUSE. Does it fit into the first set of brackets?
Do HOUSE + STY + FOLD go together in any way?
Yes because people can live in a HOUSE, pigs can live in a STY and sheep can live in a FOLD.
 

Staying with the word HOUSE. Does it fit into the second set of brackets?
Do HOUSE + PENCIL + BIRO go together in any way?

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The answer is NO so HOUSE is NOT our answer.

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Now we move to the second word BRUSH. Does it fit into the first set of brackets?
Do BRUSH + STY + FOLD go together in any way?

The answer is NO so BRUSH is NOT our answer.
 

 

Now we move to the third word PEN. Does it fit into the first set of brackets?
Do PEN + STY + FOLD go together in any way?
Yes because chickens can live in a PEN, pigs can live in a STY and sheep can live in a FOLD.

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Staying with the word PEN. Does it fit into the second set of brackets?
Do PEN + PENCIL + BIRO go together in any way?
Yes because you can write with a PEN, a PENCIL and a BIRO.

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So our answer is

( STY,   FOLD )         ( PENCIL,   BIRO )

HOUSE           BRUSH           PEN          HOME         PIG

Because a PEN is where animals are kept, animals are also kept in a STY or a FOLD. A PEN is also like a PENCIL or a BIRO because you can write with all these things.

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THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR!!!!

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Make sure that you have selected ONE word and not TWO or THREE words.
(Children sometimes select the wrong number of words and so get the question wrong even though they may know the correct answer.)
Make sure that the word you have chosen is connected to both sets of brackets and not just one set.
Make sure that the connections make sense.
Work systemically through the question starting with the first of the five words and looking for connections between it and the first set of brackets, if there is a connection then look for a connection to the second set of brackets.
If you cannot find a connection then move to the second word.
Avoid guessing the answer.
This question type requires a good vocabulary. Your child must recognise the connections. (A good literary and reading background will introduce your child to a more demanding vocabulary.)
There are other question types that are similar to this one such as type 2 where you are asked to find words that do not go with other words.

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NB When you are completing a Verbal Reasoning test in Multiple-Choice format the correct answer will always be one of the choices that you are given on your answer sheet. If your answer does not match one of the answers that you are given then your answer is wrong.