Verbal Reasoning aims to evaluate the ability of a pupil to think constructively rather than just recognise vocabulary. It covers a whole range of question types, however predominantly it is how letters, words or numbers can be used to complete a task. VR is not taught in schools, and puts pupils who do not practice these questions at a disadvantage.
Our blog series on how to answer the Verbal Reasoning (VR) questions in the 11+ continues with the next types of questions pupils may be asked for the VR section of the 11+; Creating Words. These require pupils to create words by looking at incomplete words and either adding, removing or moving a letter to create new words.
We will be looking at one of the main question types in the creating words category; move a letter.
Move A Letter
In these questions, one letter can be moved from the first word to the second word to make two new words. The letters must not be rearranged and both new words must make sense.
In this example the answer is U. When removed from the word ‘pound’, we get the word ‘pond’, and when added to the word ‘or’, we get ‘our’. The letters have not be rearranged and both new words make sense.
Your turn (answers are at the bottom of the page)
Answers:
Q1. T – the new words become ‘meal’ and ‘thought’.
Q2. R – the new words become ‘line’ and ‘brother’.
Q3. I – the new words become ‘based’ and ‘paint’.
Q4. M – the new words become ‘chop’ and ‘team’.
Please note that these are really simplified examples of the questions pupils will receive on the 11+. We have a wealth of experience of assisting pupils prepare for all aspects of the secondary transfer test (11+), including Verbal Reasoning.
For more information about how we can help your child as they prepare to take the 11+ in Buckinghamshire please contact us at headstart11plus@yahoo.com, or call us on 01296 931078.