CEM-Style Mixed Mock 2
CEM-Style Mixed Mock 2 is a second practice sitting in the style CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University) used before it stopped supplying 11+ tests in 2021: English questions blended directly with verbal reasoning, interleaved on the live papers with maths and non-verbal reasoning sections rather than separated into clearly labelled papers. It covers only the English and vocabulary-reasoning content of that mixed format, testing a wide, sometimes unfamiliar vocabulary alongside not knowing in advance what kind of question is coming next.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Before answering, quickly check whether the question wants a definition, a closest-in-meaning choice, an opposite, or an inference, since CEM-style questions often blend these without labelling which one you are being asked for.
- Expect some genuinely unfamiliar words; break them down by any recognisable root, prefix or suffix, and use the surrounding sentence to narrow down a sensible meaning rather than leaving the question blank.
- For multiple-choice vocabulary questions, eliminate any option that is clearly the opposite of the intended meaning first, then any option that is unrelated, before choosing between the remaining close options.
- Because CEM-style papers historically did not always separate sections clearly, do not assume the next question matches the type you have just answered; read each question's instruction in full, every time.
- Practise reading a little every day in the weeks before the test, including non-fiction, since broad reading builds the kind of wide vocabulary this format rewards far more effectively than word lists alone.
- For inference questions, find the exact phrase in the source sentence that supports your answer before writing it down, since a supported inference scores where an unsupported guess, even a correct-sounding one, may not.
- Keep a steady pace through the section and do not let a single unfamiliar word stall you; mark your best guess and move on, since the format rewards overall accuracy across many questions over perfection on one.
Worked example
'The old beekeeper never wore gloves, and though the swarm rose and settled around his bare hands, not once did he flinch.' What does this sentence imply about the beekeeper's relationship with his bees, even though it is not stated directly?
- Note what is directly stated: he does not wear gloves, and he does not flinch even with bees settling on his bare hands.
- Consider what this behaviour would normally suggest: most people would be nervous or afraid with a swarm of bees on their bare skin.
- Infer the unstated meaning: since he shows no fear at all, this implies a deep familiarity, trust or confidence built up over a long time working with bees.
- Check the inference against the detail 'never wore gloves', which suggests this is his usual, practised habit, not a one-off moment of bravery.
- Final answer: the sentence implies that the beekeeper has an unusually close, trusting relationship with his bees, built from long experience, since his calm, bare-handed manner is described as entirely normal for him rather than as a single brave act.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1'The scientist remained ambiguous about the results, careful not to overstate what the data actually showed.' What does 'ambiguous' mean in this sentence?Show answer
Answer: Unclear or open to more than one interpretation, in this case deliberately, to avoid overstating the findings.
Q2Which word is closest in meaning to 'plausible': (a) impossible (b) believable (c) confusing (d) boring?Show answer
Answer: (b) believable (plausible means seeming reasonable or likely to be true).
Q3'Many islanders were sceptical when the surveyors announced the bridge could be finished within a year.' What does 'sceptical' suggest about the islanders' reaction?Show answer
Answer: That they doubted it or did not fully believe the claim.
Q4'The climb proved more arduous than the guidebook had suggested.' What does 'arduous' suggest about the climb?Show answer
Answer: That it was difficult, exhausting or demanding, more so than expected.
Q5Three of these words are close in meaning to 'careful': hasty, cautious, prudent, guarded. Which one does not belong, and why?Show answer
Answer: 'hasty' does not belong, because it means acting quickly without enough care or thought, which is close to the opposite of careful, while 'cautious', 'prudent' and 'guarded' all mean careful or watchful.
Q6'The word can mean either a young sheep or a gentle, easily led person.' Which word is being described?Show answer
Answer: lamb
Q7'The negotiator's tone remained level throughout, giving nothing away.' What does 'level' suggest about the negotiator's tone in this sentence?Show answer
Answer: That it was calm, steady and unchanging, revealing no strong emotion.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
'For years, the beekeeper had sold his honey at the same stall, yet this summer, for the first time, he brought only half his usual number of jars.' Explain what this sentence implies about the beekeeper's harvest this year, and explain the meaning of 'usual' as it is used here, using evidence from the text. (5 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
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Three of these words are synonyms for 'stubborn' and one is not: obstinate, headstrong, amiable, unyielding. Identify the odd one out and explain your reasoning using the meaning of each word. (4 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the cem-style mixed mock 2 worksheet pack - 21 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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