Insert a Letter
Insert a Letter is a verbal reasoning topic where pupils find the one letter that completes the word before a bracket and also starts the word after it, given a pair of word fragments such as CAR ( ? ) ON. Both words formed must be genuine, complete English words, and only one letter usually completes both fragments at once.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Read the fragment before the bracket and try adding letters onto the end of it to see which makes a real word.
- Read the fragment after the bracket and try adding letters onto the front of it to see which makes a real word.
- Narrow down to a letter that works for both fragments at once; usually only one letter completes both words.
- If more than one letter seems to work for the first word, use the second word, after the bracket, as the deciding test.
- Say both completed words in your head to check they are genuine English words, not just plausible-looking letter strings.
- Watch out for silent letters, such as the K in knee or the K in knit; these are often used to make a question harder.
Worked example
Find the letter which completes the word before the bracket and begins the word after the bracket: SEA ( ? ) ORN
- Try endings on SEA: SEAT works (a place to sit), SEAL works (an animal), SEAR works (to burn quickly).
- Try each of those letters at the start of ORN: T + ORN = TORN (ripped); the other combinations do not form real words.
- Compare the results: SEAT and TORN are both genuine, common English words, so T is the letter that works both ways.
- Final answer: T (SEAT and TORN).
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Find the letter that completes the word before the bracket and begins the word after the bracket, and give both resulting words: BLEN ( ? ) OSE (2 marks)
Find the letter that completes the word before the bracket and begins the word after the bracket, then explain how you checked your answer: GLO ( ? ) ORM (3 marks)
Find the letter that completes the word before the bracket and begins the word after the bracket in STIC ( ? ) NEE, then explain why this question is harder than most because of a silent letter. (4 marks)
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the insert a letter worksheet pack - 9 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
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