CEM-Style Mixed Mock 4
CEM-Style Mixed Mock 4 continues the CEM-style blended English and reasoning format, focusing on odd-one-out vocabulary questions, where pupils must identify which word in a group does not share the meaning the others have in common, alongside straightforward synonym and antonym questions drawn from a wide vocabulary.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- For an odd-one-out vocabulary question, define the meaning shared by as many of the words as possible before deciding which single word breaks that shared meaning.
- Do not assume the odd one out is simply the least familiar word; check the actual meaning of every word in the group, since an unfamiliar word can still share the group's meaning.
- For a synonym question, look for the option that matches most closely in strength and shade of meaning, not just a loosely related word, since CEM-style distractors are often related but not truly equivalent.
- For an antonym question, check that the option you choose is a true opposite, not simply a different or unrelated word, since a word can be different from the target without being its opposite.
- Where several options seem plausible, eliminate any that are only related by topic, such as both words being about weather, rather than by actual meaning, since topic-based distractors are common in this format.
- Keep a broad vocabulary sharp by reading widely in the weeks before the test, since odd-one-out and synonym questions in this format reward recognising many words rather than a single trick.
Worked example
Three of these words are close in meaning to 'huge' and one is not: enormous, immense, minute, colossal. Identify the odd one out and explain your reasoning.
- Check the meaning of each word: 'enormous' means very large, 'immense' means very large, 'colossal' means very large.
- Check 'minute': this word means extremely small, which is the opposite of huge.
- Compare all four against 'huge': three words share the meaning 'very large', while 'minute' means the opposite.
- Final answer: 'minute' is the odd one out, because it means extremely small, while 'enormous', 'immense' and 'colossal' all mean very large, like 'huge'.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Three of these words are close in meaning to 'quick' and one is not: rapid, swift, sluggish, speedy. Identify the odd one out.Show answer
Answer: sluggish (it means slow, the opposite of quick, while the others mean fast).
Q2Which word is closest in meaning to 'abundant': (a) scarce (b) plentiful (c) expensive (d) hidden?Show answer
Answer: (b) plentiful.
Q3Which word is the opposite of 'genuine': (a) honest (b) fake (c) rare (d) simple?Show answer
Answer: (b) fake.
Q4Three of these words are close in meaning to 'brave' and one is not: courageous, timid, fearless, daring. Identify the odd one out.Show answer
Answer: timid (it means easily frightened, the opposite of brave, while the others mean brave).
Q5Which word is closest in meaning to 'concise': (a) lengthy (b) brief (c) confusing (d) loud?Show answer
Answer: (b) brief.
Q6Three of these words are close in meaning to 'stern' and one is not: strict, severe, lenient, harsh. Identify the odd one out.Show answer
Answer: lenient (it means mild or not strict, the opposite of stern, while the others mean strict or harsh).
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Three of these words are close in meaning to 'transparent', when used to mean easy to see through or understand, and one is not: clear, obvious, opaque, evident. Identify the odd one out and explain your reasoning.
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Which word is the opposite of 'meticulous': (a) careful (b) careless (c) slow (d) thorough? Explain your reasoning using the meaning of 'meticulous'.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the cem-style mixed mock 4 worksheet pack - 19 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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