Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set J
Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set J is a timed drill built around the vocabulary and word-construction half of an 11+ verbal reasoning paper: closest and opposite meaning, hidden and compound words, word analogies, two-odd-ones-out and double-meaning questions. These sections reward a wide reading vocabulary and precise elimination of near-miss options, and typically carry as many marks as the numerical sections despite using no numbers at all, so a pupil who revises only codes and sequences under-prepares for this half of the paper.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read every option before choosing, even once you think you have found the answer, since word questions are built with at least one deliberately close but wrong option.
- For a synonym or antonym question, put the given word's meaning into your own words first, then match that meaning to an option, rather than scanning for a vaguely similar-sounding word.
- For a hidden or compound word, check the answer both ways, does it complete the first word and does it correctly start the second, since a word that only works one way is not the answer.
- For an analogy, name the relationship between the first pair in a short phrase, for example 'is the young form of' or 'is used to cut', before applying it to the second pair, so you are matching a relationship, not just a topic.
- Do not linger on a single unfamiliar word: rule out the options you are certain about first, then make your best-informed guess among what remains, since every question in this set is worth the same one mark.
- Keep a similar rough pace to the numerical sections, around one minute per question, since vocabulary questions can otherwise eat disproportionate time through re-reading.
Worked example
Choose the word closest in meaning to DILIGENT. A) lazy B) hardworking C) clever D) friendly E) quiet
- DILIGENT means showing steady, careful effort in your work or duties.
- LAZY is the opposite of diligent, so rule it out immediately.
- CLEVER, FRIENDLY and QUIET all describe traits unrelated to effort or work ethic.
- HARDWORKING matches the core meaning of diligent most closely.
- Final answer: B) hardworking.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to STURDY. A) strong B) flimsy C) heavy D) tall E) plainShow answer
Answer: B) flimsy - sturdy means strong and well-built, so its opposite is flimsy; strong is a synonym, not an opposite.
Q2A four-letter word is hidden between two words that are next to each other in this sentence. Which word is hidden? 'Her costume attracted lots of attention.' A) COST B) MEAT C) READ D) ALCO E) TUMEShow answer
Answer: B) MEAT - the last two letters of COSTUME (ME) join with the first two letters of ATTRACTED (AT) to spell MEAT.
Q3FIRE ( ??? ) SHOP. Choose the missing word from: A) Place B) Work C) House D) Side E) ManShow answer
Answer: B) Work - FIRE + WORK = FIREWORK, and WORK + SHOP = WORKSHOP; the other options make a real word after FIRE but not before SHOP.
Q4PUPPY is to DOG as KITTEN is to ? A) Cat B) Mouse C) Bird D) Fish E) HorseShow answer
Answer: A) Cat - a puppy is a young dog, and a kitten is a young cat.
Q5Here are five words: OAK, ROSE, MAPLE, TULIP, BIRCH. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?Show answer
Answer: ROSE and TULIP - OAK, MAPLE and BIRCH are all trees, while ROSE and TULIP are flowers.
Q6Which ONE word means both 'a fitting that controls the flow of water' and 'a style of dance performed in shoes with metal soles'? A) Jig B) Tap C) Step D) Flow E) BeatShow answer
Answer: B) Tap - a water tap, and tap dancing, both use the same word.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
(WHISPER, QUIET) (SHOUT, LOUD) (MURMUR, ?) A) Soft B) Angry C) Sudden D) Clear E) Deep.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
AUTHOR is to BOOK as COMPOSER is to ? A) Orchestra B) Music C) Symphony D) Piano E) Note.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning mixed practice set j worksheet pack - 17 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 10 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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