This is a 40-minute mixed-format Verbal Reasoning practice test (Set B), styled on GL Assessment 11+ multiple-choice papers. There are 45 questions in 10 timed sections, covering: word analogies, two odd ones out, compound words, hidden four-letter words, letter series, number series, letter codes, closest in meaning, move a letter and insert a letter. Every question is worth 1 mark, for 45 marks in total. For each question, choose the ONE best answer from the options A to E. No calculator is allowed. Work through the sections in order and try to keep to the suggested time shown at the start of each section. If you are unsure of an answer, mark your best guess and move on, then return to it at the end if there is time left.
Worked example. Worked example (Insert a letter): SPOR ( ? ) ORE - find the one letter that completes the word before the brackets and begins the word after the brackets. Answer: T. SPOR + T = SPORT (a real word), and T + ORE = TORE (a real word). T is the only letter that works for both halves, so it is the answer. Always test each option in both gaps before choosing your final answer.
1
SECTION 1: WORD ANALOGIES (4 minutes, 5 questions)
Choose the word that completes the second pair in the same way as the first pair.
Q1. SPIDER is to WEB as BIRD is to ?
A) Nest
B) Sky
C) Wing
D) Beak
E) Feather
(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)
2
(Word Analogies) Q2. KEY is to LOCK as SWITCH is to ?
A) Light
B) Wall
C) Plug
D) Wire
E) Room
(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)
3
(Word Analogies) Q3. RUNG is to LADDER as LINK is to ?
A) Chain
B) Fence
C) Rope
D) Belt
E) Wall
(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)
4
(Word Analogies) Q4. OASIS is to DESERT as ISLAND is to ?
A) Ocean
B) Beach
C) Volcano
D) Continent
E) Lake
(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)
5
(Word Analogies) Q5. APPRENTICE is to EXPERT as SAPLING is to ?
A) Tree
B) Forest
C) Seed
D) Root
E) Branch
(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)
6
SECTION 2: TWO ODD ONES OUT (4 minutes, 5 questions)
Here are five words. Three of them share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
SECTION 3: COMPOUND WORDS (4 minutes, 4 questions)
Find the one word that can be joined onto the end of the first word and the front of the second word to make two new real words.
Q1. HEAD ( .... ) POST
A) Light
B) Lamp
C) Ache
D) Board
E) Line
(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)
12
(Compound Words) Q2. HAND ( .... ) POINT
A) Shake
B) Bag
C) Stand
D) Cuff
E) Rail
(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)
13
(Compound Words) Q3. SAW ( .... ) POND
A) Dust
B) Tooth
C) Pit
D) Mill
E) Off
(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)
14
(Compound Words) Q4. LIVE ( .... ) ROOM
A) Wire
B) Bait
C) Style
D) Stock
E) Hood
(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)
15
SECTION 4: HIDDEN FOUR-LETTER WORD (4 minutes, 5 questions)
A four-letter word is hidden between two words that are next to each other in this sentence. Which word is hidden?
Q1. "Priya also applied a fresh coat of varnish to the shed door."
A) SOAP
B) ALSO
C) SHED
D) VARY
E) DOOR
(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)
16
(Hidden Four-Letter Word) Q2. "Daniel keeps his pantry stocked with tins and jars of pickles."
A) SPAN
B) HISS
C) PANT
D) TINS
E) JARS
(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)
17
(Hidden Four-Letter Word) Q3. "A fish inspector checked every crate at the market for freshness."
A) DISH
B) SHIN
C) FISH
D) CRATE
E) MARK
(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)
18
(Hidden Four-Letter Word) Q4. "The removal van was carrying furniture to the new flat."
A) SCAR
B) VANS
C) WASP
D) CARRY
E) FLAT
(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)
19
(Hidden Four-Letter Word) Q5. "Noah lost this pin somewhere in the garden shed."
A) THIS
B) SPIN
C) PINS
D) GARDEN
E) SHED
(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)
20
SECTION 5: LETTER SERIES (4 minutes, 4 questions)
Find the letter that continues the series.
Q1. C, F, I, L, ( ? )
A) N
B) O
C) P
D) M
E) Q
(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)
21
(Letter Series) Q2. A, C, F, J, ( ? )
A) N
B) O
C) P
D) M
E) Q
(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)
22
(Letter Series) Q3. W, T, Q, N, ( ? )
A) L
B) J
C) K
D) M
E) I
(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)
23
(Letter Series) Q4. B, E, I, N, ( ? )
A) S
B) T
C) U
D) R
E) V
(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)
24
SECTION 6: NUMBER SERIES (4 minutes, 5 questions)
Find the next number in this series.
Q1. 5, 10, 15, 20, ?
A) 22
B) 24
C) 25
D) 30
E) 35
(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)
25
(Number Series) Q2. 3, 6, 12, 24, ?
A) 36
B) 42
C) 46
D) 48
E) 50
(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)
26
(Number Series) Q3. 1, 3, 7, 15, ?
A) 29
B) 30
C) 31
D) 32
E) 33
(Total for Question 26 is 1 mark)
27
(Number Series) Q4. 80, 77, 72, 65, ?
A) 54
B) 55
C) 56
D) 57
E) 58
(Total for Question 27 is 1 mark)
28
(Number Series) Q5. 1, 4, 9, 16, ?
A) 20
B) 21
C) 23
D) 25
E) 27
(Total for Question 28 is 1 mark)
29
SECTION 7: LETTER CODES (4 minutes, 4 questions)
Work out the rule used to make the code, then apply it to find the answer.
Q1. If the code for BAT is DCV, what is the code for PIT, using the same rule?
A) RKV
B) RJV
C) QKV
D) RKU
E) TMX
(Total for Question 29 is 1 mark)
30
(Letter Codes) Q2. If the code for PEN is ODM, what is the code for BOX, using the same rule?
A) ANW
B) ANX
C) AOW
D) BNW
E) ANV
(Total for Question 30 is 1 mark)
31
(Letter Codes) Q3. If the code for CLOCK is FORFN, what is the code for RIVER, using the same rule?
A) ULYHU
B) ULXHU
C) UKYHU
D) TLYHU
E) ULYGU
(Total for Question 31 is 1 mark)
32
(Letter Codes) Q4. In this code, A=Z, B=Y, C=X and so on through the alphabet in reverse. If the code for TIN is GRM, what is the code for BRICK, using the same rule?
A) YIRXP
B) ZIRXP
C) YRIXP
D) YIRWP
E) YIRXO
(Total for Question 32 is 1 mark)
33
SECTION 8: CLOSEST IN MEANING (4 minutes, 5 questions)
Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in capitals.
Q1. TIDY
A) Messy
B) Neat
C) Large
D) Heavy
E) Fast
(Total for Question 33 is 1 mark)
34
(Closest in Meaning) Q2. PECULIAR
A) Normal
B) Strange
C) Friendly
D) Boring
E) Careful
(Total for Question 34 is 1 mark)
35
(Closest in Meaning) Q3. WEARY
A) Energetic
B) Exhausted
C) Worried
D) Confused
E) Excited
(Total for Question 35 is 1 mark)
36
(Closest in Meaning) Q4. PLACID
A) Calm
B) Angry
C) Nervous
D) Noisy
E) Sudden
(Total for Question 36 is 1 mark)
37
(Closest in Meaning) Q5. INTRANSIGENT
A) Flexible
B) Uncompromising
C) Generous
D) Forgetful
E) Talkative
(Total for Question 37 is 1 mark)
38
SECTION 9: MOVE A LETTER (4 minutes, 4 questions)
One letter can move from the first word to the second word to make two new, correctly spelled words. Which letter moves?
Q1. (GATE) (OLD)
A) A
B) T
C) G
D) E
E) D
(Total for Question 38 is 1 mark)
39
(Move a Letter) Q2. (CRANE) (AGE)
A) N
B) E
C) R
D) C
E) A
(Total for Question 39 is 1 mark)
40
(Move a Letter) Q3. (SPARK) (ODE)
A) P
B) K
C) A
D) R
E) S
(Total for Question 40 is 1 mark)
41
(Move a Letter) Q4. (SCARE) (PIT)
A) C
B) A
C) R
D) E
E) S
(Total for Question 41 is 1 mark)
42
SECTION 10: INSERT A LETTER (4 minutes, 4 questions)
Find the one letter that completes the word before the brackets and begins the word after the brackets.
Q1. CLIM ( ? ) OAT
A) C
B) B
C) D
D) T
E) N
(Total for Question 42 is 1 mark)
43
(Insert a Letter) Q2. THUM ( ? ) ANK
A) P
B) N
C) B
D) M
E) K
(Total for Question 43 is 1 mark)
44
(Insert a Letter) Q3. SCOR ( ? ) ASE
A) N
B) E
C) A
D) I
E) O
(Total for Question 44 is 1 mark)
45
(Insert a Letter) Q4. SWOR ( ? ) ITCH
A) E
B) N
C) D
D) I
E) T
(Total for Question 45 is 1 mark)
Mark scheme · EP.V23 Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set B
Question 1
B1 A) Nest - a spider makes a web to live in, just as a bird makes a nest to live in
Answer: A) Nest
Question 2
B1 A) Light - a key is used to operate a lock, just as a switch is used to operate a light
Answer: A) Light
Question 3
B1 A) Chain - a rung is one step of a ladder, just as a link is one unit of a chain
Answer: A) Chain
Question 4
B1 A) Ocean - an oasis is a fertile spot surrounded by desert, just as an island is a piece of land surrounded by ocean
Answer: A) Ocean
Question 5
B1 A) Tree - an apprentice develops into an expert, just as a sapling develops into a full tree
Answer: A) Tree
Question 6
B1 B) HAMMER and SPANNER - LION, TIGER and LEOPARD are all big cats; HAMMER and SPANNER are tools, so they are the two odd ones out
Answer: B) HAMMER and SPANNER
Question 7
B1 B) ANCHOR and BICYCLE - SHOUT, WHISPER and MURMUR are all ways of speaking; ANCHOR and BICYCLE are unrelated objects, so they are the two odd ones out
Answer: B) ANCHOR and BICYCLE
Question 8
B1 B) ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE - TRIANGLE, HEXAGON and PENTAGON are all polygons (flat shapes); ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE are animals, so they are the two odd ones out
Answer: B) ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE
Question 9
B1 B) VIOLIN and KETTLE - OBOE, CLARINET and SAXOPHONE are all wind instruments played by blowing; VIOLIN is a string instrument and KETTLE is unrelated, so they are the two odd ones out
Answer: B) VIOLIN and KETTLE
Question 10
B1 B) DOLPHIN and OCTOPUS - SALMON, TROUT and HERRING are all true fish; DOLPHIN is a mammal and OCTOPUS is a mollusc, so they are the two odd ones out
Answer: B) DOLPHIN and OCTOPUS
Question 11
B1 B) Lamp - HEAD + LAMP = HEADLAMP and LAMP + POST = LAMPPOST, both real words
Answer: B) Lamp
Question 12
B1 C) Stand - HAND + STAND = HANDSTAND and STAND + POINT = STANDPOINT, both real words
Answer: C) Stand
Question 13
B1 D) Mill - SAW + MILL = SAWMILL and MILL + POND = MILLPOND, both real words
Answer: D) Mill
Question 14
B1 D) Stock - LIVE + STOCK = LIVESTOCK and STOCK + ROOM = STOCKROOM, both real words
Answer: D) Stock
Question 15
B1 A) SOAP - hidden across 'also applied': the last two letters of ALSO ('so') plus the first two letters of APPLIED ('ap') spell SOAP
Answer: A) SOAP
Question 16
B1 A) SPAN - hidden across 'his pantry': the last letter of HIS ('s') plus the first three letters of PANTRY ('pan') spell SPAN
Answer: A) SPAN
Question 17
B1 B) SHIN - hidden across 'fish inspector': the last two letters of FISH ('sh') plus the first two letters of INSPECTOR ('in') spell SHIN
Answer: B) SHIN
Question 18
B1 A) SCAR - hidden across 'was carrying': the last letter of WAS ('s') plus the first three letters of CARRYING ('car') spell SCAR
Answer: A) SCAR
Question 19
B1 B) SPIN - hidden across 'this pin': the last letter of THIS ('s') plus the whole of PIN spell SPIN
Answer: B) SPIN
Question 20
B1 B) O - each letter is 3 places after the one before (C=3, F=6, I=9, L=12, O=15)
Answer: B) O
Question 21
B1 B) O - the gaps between letters increase by one each time (+2, +3, +4, so the next gap is +5): A=1, C=3, F=6, J=10, O=15
Answer: B) O
Question 22
B1 C) K - each letter is 3 places before the one before (W=23, T=20, Q=17, N=14, K=11)
Answer: C) K
Question 23
B1 B) T - the gaps between letters increase by one each time (+3, +4, +5, so the next gap is +6): B=2, E=5, I=9, N=14, T=20
Answer: B) T
Question 24
B1 C) 25 - each term increases by 5 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25)
Answer: C) 25
Question 25
B1 D) 48 - each term doubles the one before (3, 6, 12, 24, 48)
Answer: D) 48
Question 26
B1 C) 31 - each term doubles the one before and adds 1 (1x2+1=3, 3x2+1=7, 7x2+1=15, 15x2+1=31)
Answer: C) 31
Question 27
B1 C) 56 - the amount subtracted increases by 2 each time (-3, -5, -7, so next is -9): 80, 77, 72, 65, 56
Answer: C) 56
Question 28
B1 D) 25 - these are square numbers (1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5 = 1, 4, 9, 16, 25)
Answer: D) 25
Question 29
B1 A) RKV - each letter moves 2 places forward in the alphabet (B->D, A->C, T->V), so P->R, I->K, T->V
Answer: A) RKV
Question 30
B1 A) ANW - each letter moves 1 place back in the alphabet (P->O, E->D, N->M), so B->A, O->N, X->W
Answer: A) ANW
Question 31
B1 A) ULYHU - each letter moves 3 places forward in the alphabet (C->F, L->O, O->R, C->F, K->N), so R->U, I->L, V->Y, E->H, R->U
Answer: A) ULYHU
Question 32
B1 A) YIRXP - each letter is replaced by the letter the same distance from the other end of the alphabet (T->G, I->R, N->M), so B->Y, R->I, I->R, C->X, K->P
Answer: A) YIRXP
Question 33
B1 B) Neat - TIDY and NEAT both describe something kept in good order
Answer: B) Neat
Question 34
B1 B) Strange - PECULIAR and STRANGE both describe something unusual or odd
Answer: B) Strange
Question 35
B1 B) Exhausted - WEARY and EXHAUSTED both describe being very tired
Answer: B) Exhausted
Question 36
B1 A) Calm - PLACID and CALM both describe someone or something peaceful and untroubled
Answer: A) Calm
Question 37
B1 B) Uncompromising - INTRANSIGENT and UNCOMPROMISING both describe someone who refuses to change their position
Answer: B) Uncompromising
Question 38
B1 C) G - GATE loses G to become ATE, and OLD gains G at the front to become GOLD
Answer: C) G
Question 39
B1 C) R - CRANE loses R to become CANE, and AGE gains R at the front to become RAGE
Answer: C) R
Question 40
B1 E) S - SPARK loses S to become PARK, and ODE gains S at the end to become ODES
Answer: E) S
Question 41
B1 E) S - SCARE loses S to become CARE, and PIT gains S at the front to become SPIT
Answer: E) S
Question 42
B1 B) B - CLIM + B = CLIMB and B + OAT = BOAT, so B completes both words
Answer: B) B
Question 43
B1 C) B - THUM + B = THUMB and B + ANK = BANK, so B completes both words
Answer: C) B
Question 44
B1 B) E - SCOR + E = SCORE and E + ASE = EASE, so E completes both words
Answer: B) E
Question 45
B1 C) D - SWOR + D = SWORD and D + ITCH = DITCH, so D completes both words