Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set U
Verbal Reasoning Mixed Practice Set U is a timed drill of 20 questions blending four GL Assessment-style verbal reasoning question types in mixed order: number codes, completing a third pair, a compound-word middle link and closest in meaning. Real 11+ verbal reasoning papers mix question types with no warning of what comes next, so a set like this trains recognising a question's type within seconds and switching method immediately.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Skim each question's format first (a series, a code, a pair of words, a statement) before reading the detail, since the format tells you immediately which of the four skills in this set to apply.
- Budget roughly 40 to 45 seconds per question on your first pass through the set; if a question is not falling into place within that time, mark your best guess and move on rather than losing time you need elsewhere.
- For the number code question in this set, write down the given word and its code side by side and check the rule against every letter, not just the first one, before applying it to the new word.
- For the compound-word question, remember the missing word must be different from both of the words you are given, since it sits between them rather than repeating one of them.
- Keep a mental note of which question types in this set you find slowest, and on a second pass through anything you skipped, attempt those types first while time remains.
- Before handing in, check your answers line up with the correct question numbers, since mixed sets change format often and a transcription slip is the most common way to lose a mark that had nothing to do with reasoning.
Worked example
In this code, each letter's alphabet position has 3 added to it. If the code for FOX is 9-18-27, what is the code for CAT, using the same rule?
- Compare FOX to its code: F=6, O=15, X=24, matching the code 9, 18, 27, so each number is 3 more than the letter's position.
- Confirm the rule is add 3 to every letter's alphabet position.
- Apply the rule to CAT: C=3+3=6, A=1+3=4, T=20+3=23.
- Write the numbers in the same order as the letters: 6, 4, 23.
- Final answer: 6-4-23.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1In this code, each letter's alphabet position has 4 subtracted from it. If the code for JULY is 6-17-8-21, what is the code for SILK, using the same rule?Show answer
Answer: 15-5-8-7 (S=19-4=15, I=9-4=5, L=12-4=8, K=11-4=7)
Q2Complete the third pair using the same pattern as the first two: (CAT, KITTEN) (DOG, PUPPY) (HORSE, ? ) A) Foal B) Calf C) Cub D) Lamb E) KidShow answer
Answer: A) Foal - each pair links an adult animal to its baby
Q3Find the word that completes both compound words: DOOR____ and ____BOY.Show answer
Answer: BELL (DOORBELL, BELLBOY)
Q4Which word is closest in meaning to ANCIENT? A) Modern B) Ageless C) Old D) Young E) NewShow answer
Answer: C) Old
Q5In this code, each letter's alphabet position is halved. If the code for BJT is 1-5-10, what is the code for FDH, using the same rule?Show answer
Answer: 3-2-4 (F=6/2=3, D=4/2=2, H=8/2=4)
Q6Find the word that completes both compound words: NOTE____ and ____MARK.Show answer
Answer: BOOK (NOTEBOOK, BOOKMARK)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
In this code, each letter's alphabet position is doubled, then 5 is subtracted. If the code for GYM is 9-45-21, what is the code for FOX, using the same rule? Show your working.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Move one letter from TRAIN to OWN to form two new valid words. Which letter moved, and what are the two new words? Show how you checked there was only one letter that could move.
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 u worksheet pack - 12 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 21 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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