Verbal Reasoning: Codes, Sequences and Logic Depth
Verbal Reasoning: Codes, Sequences and Logic Depth brings together the harder end of three related GL Assessment verbal reasoning families: letter and number codes, letter and number sequences, and logic deduction, all resting on tracking a hidden rule accurately and applying it a second time. At this depth the rules stack, two-step codes, sequences with growing gaps, and deduction problems that mix several statements or cannot be resolved from the information given, building the discipline of testing a rule fully before trusting it.
Method
- For codes, compare every letter of the demonstration word with its coded version, not just the first pair, since a rule that only fits the first letter by coincidence is the wrong rule.
- For sequences, list the gaps between consecutive terms in a row before deciding on a rule; a changing row of gaps means you need to find the pattern in the gaps themselves.
- For two-step or combined rules, isolate one operation at a time, for example undo an addition before checking a multiplication, rather than guessing the whole rule at once.
- For logic deduction, turn every statement into a simple order or a chain, and only link statements that share a common person, item or condition.
- Before answering a deduction question, check whether the statements given actually connect all the people or items involved; if two groups are never linked, the honest answer is that it cannot be determined.
- For 'if...then' statements, work out only what must logically follow, and be careful not to assume the reverse of a statement is also true.
Worked example
If the code for SILVER is XNQAJW, what is the code for PENCIL, using the same rule?
- Compare SILVER with XNQAJW letter by letter: S+5=X, I+5=N, L+5=Q, V+5=A (wrapping past Z), E+5=J, R+5=W.
- Every letter has moved exactly 5 places forward in the alphabet, wrapping round after Z where needed, so the rule is add 5 places to each letter.
- Apply the same rule to PENCIL: P+5=U, E+5=J, N+5=S, C+5=H, I+5=N, L+5=Q.
- Write the coded letters in order: U, J, S, H, N, Q.
- Final answer: UJSHNQ.
Practice questions
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Q1In this code, each letter's alphabet position is doubled. If the code for CLOCK is 6-24-30-6-22, what is the code for TRAIN, using the same rule? A) 20-18-1-9-14 B) 40-36-2-18-28 C) 40-18-2-18-14 D) 20-36-1-9-28 E) 40-36-1-18-14Show answer
Answer: B) 40-36-2-18-28 - T=20 doubled is 40, R=18 doubled is 36, A=1 doubled is 2, I=9 doubled is 18, N=14 doubled is 28
Q2Using the key L=5, M=6, N=11, P=30, Q=1, work out (N - M) x M. Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: P (N-M = 11-6 = 5, then 5 x M = 5 x 6 = 30, and P=30)
Q3Find the next number in the series: 3, 9, 27, 81, ( ? )Show answer
Answer: 243 (each number is multiplied by 3 to get the next)
Q4Freya has more books than Grace. Hassan has more books than Ibrahim. Who has the most books?Show answer
Answer: Cannot tell - the two statements are separate pairs that are never linked, so Freya and Hassan cannot be compared
Q5AC is to BF as DG is to ( ? ). Work out how each letter shifts, then apply the same shifts to the second pair. A) EH B) EJ C) FJ D) EK E) DJShow answer
Answer: B) EJ - A shifts +1 to B and C shifts +3 to F, so D shifts +1 to E and G shifts +3 to J
Q65 (28) 9 | 7 (?) 4. The two outside numbers are added together, then the total is doubled. Work out the missing number. A) 20 B) 22 C) 24 D) 18 E) 26Show answer
Answer: B) 22 - 7+4=11, then 11 x 2 = 22
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Statement 1: If an animal is a mammal, it has fur or hair. Statement 2: A newt does not have fur or hair. Which conclusion must be true, and why?
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Find the next number in this series and explain the rule: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ( ? ) A) 30 B) 36 C) 32 D) 49 E) 35
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning: codes, sequences and logic depth worksheet pack - 16 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.
This topic is chapter 35 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 2, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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