Create the Middle Word
Create the Middle Word is an 11+ verbal reasoning question type, closely related to Compound Words, where a word before a bracket and a word after it must be joined by a single missing word that completes the first word and begins the second, forming two real compound words or, occasionally, a word plus a common two-word phrase. It appears on GL Assessment papers.
Method
- Read the word before the bracket and the word after it, and think of a linking word that could complete the first and start the second.
- Test candidate words by joining them to the front word and separately to the back word.
- Remember the answer is sometimes a word plus a very common two-word phrase, such as an object name, not just two single compound words.
- Reject options that only work in one direction.
- If stuck, think of the front word's most common compound partners first, then check which of those also starts the back word.
- Confirm your final choice reads naturally both ways before moving to the next question.
Worked example
NOTE ( ) CASE. Choose the missing word from: A) Book B) Pad C) Paper D) Diary E) Page.
- Try each option after NOTE: notebook is a real, everyday word, and notepad also works, so more than one option seems possible after NOTE alone.
- Now try each option before CASE: bookcase is a real word, a piece of furniture for books, but padcase, papercase, diarycase and pagecase are not real words.
- Only BOOK makes a genuine word both after NOTE (notebook) and before CASE (bookcase).
- Final answer: A) Book.
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.
Choose the one word that completes the first word and begins the second, making two real words. a) EYE ( ) POINT - A) Lash B) Brow C) Ball D) Sight E) Lid. b) NECK ( ) WORK - A) Tie B) Collar C) Chain D) Lace E) Scarf. c) HAIR ( ) STRIPE - A) Cut B) Line C) Band D) Style E) Pin.
Choose the one word that completes the first word and begins the second, making two real words. d) UNDER ( ) POINT - A) Ground B) Stand C) Line D) Cover E) Neath. e) HIGH ( ) SIDE - A) Land B) Light C) Way D) Chair E) Rise. f) BACK ( ) AGE - A) Bone B) Ground C) Yard D) Pack E) Fire. g) GREEN ( ) WIFE - A) Land B) Field C) Grass D) Horn E) House.
Choose the one word that completes the first word and begins the second, making two real words. h) FRAME ( ) FORCE - A) Build B) Work C) House D) Air E) Rack. i) MASTER ( ) MEAL - A) Class B) Mind C) Piece D) Craft E) Plan.
Free printable worksheet
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