Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set N
Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set N steps up the difficulty of Sets I to M with two-step and less familiar versions of the same question families: codes with a different shift on odd and even letters, sequences built from two alternating operations, letters-for-numbers calculations that need brackets, and deductions with an extra negative clue. It suits a pupil who is already scoring well on the standard versions of each type and needs the harder variations that separate the top marks on a selective paper.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Confirm the basic version of the rule does not fit before assuming a two-step rule is needed, comparing letter by letter or term by term exactly as with a single-step question, since jumping straight to a complicated explanation can overcomplicate a simple question.
- Once you can see the basic rule genuinely does not fit every letter or term, look specifically for an alternating pattern between odd and even positions, a pattern that itself changes by a fixed amount, or an extra step such as a bracket.
- Write out both parts of a two-step rule separately before applying either to the new example, for instance the shift for odd positions and the shift for even positions, so you do not mix the two up partway through.
- For a deduction with a negative clue, 'does not', 'is not', work out the possible arrangements from the positive statements first, then use the negative clue specifically to rule out whichever of those arrangements it contradicts.
- Expect these questions to take longer than the equivalent single-step version, and budget your time accordingly rather than panicking if a two-step question is not solved in under a minute.
- Double-check a finished two-step answer by working back through both steps in order, since the most common mistake is applying the two steps in the wrong order or forgetting to apply the second step at all.
Worked example
In this code, odd-position letters move 3 places forward in the alphabet and even-position letters move 2 places back. If the code for MELON is PCOMQ, what is the code for GRAPE, using the same rule?
- Confirm the rule from MELON: M(odd)+3=P, E(even)-2=C, L(odd)+3=O, O(even)-2=M, N(odd)+3=Q, giving PCOMQ.
- Apply the rule to the first two letters of GRAPE, G and R: G(odd)+3=J, R(even)-2=P.
- Apply the rule to the middle letter, A: A(odd)+3=D.
- Apply the rule to the last two letters, P and E: P(even)-2=N, E(odd)+3=H.
- Final answer: JPDNH.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q13, 6, 7, 14, 15, 30, ( ? )Show answer
Answer: 31 - the sequence alternates multiplying by 2 and adding 1 (3x2=6, 6+1=7, 7x2=14, 14+1=15, 15x2=30, 30+1=31).
Q2Which ONE word means both 'a piece of paper money' and 'a short written message'? A) Bill B) Note C) Cash D) Letter E) TicketShow answer
Answer: B) Note - a bank note, and a written note, both use the same word.
Q3(SPIDER, WEB) (BEE, HIVE) (BIRD, ?) A) Nest B) Cage C) Branch D) Egg E) FeatherShow answer
Answer: A) Nest - each animal is paired with the home it builds or lives in; a spider builds a web, a bee lives in a hive, and a bird builds a nest.
Q4A=6, B=9, C=2, D=30, E=90. Work out (A + B) x C. Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: D (value 30) - the bracket first, A + B = 6 + 9 = 15, then x C = 15 x 2 = 30, matching D.
Q5(9 + 3) x 2 = [ ] - 4. Find the missing number.Show answer
Answer: 28 - the left-hand side is (9+3) x 2 = 24, so [ ] - 4 = 24, meaning [ ] = 28.
Q6Four competitors, Zane, Yasmin, Xavier and Wren, finish a race with no ties. Xavier finishes first. Zane finishes immediately after Yasmin. Wren does not finish last. What is the finishing order?Show answer
Answer: Xavier, Wren, Yasmin, Zane - Xavier must be first; testing the remaining slots, Yasmin then Zane must be third and fourth (since placing them second and third would force Wren into last place, which is not allowed), leaving Wren in second.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
In this code, odd-position letters move 2 places forward in the alphabet and even-position letters move 3 places back. If the code for VIOLET is XFQIGQ, what is the code for CRIMSON, using the same rule?
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Five sprinters race: Theo, Rory, Priti, Quinn and Suki. Theo finishes immediately before Rory. Rory finishes immediately before Priti. Priti finishes immediately before Quinn. Suki does not finish first. Work out the finishing order from first to last, and state who finishes third.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning mixed practice set n 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 14 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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