11+ Verbal Reasoning: Question Types, Examples and Tips

Verbal Reasoning (VR) is an important part of many UK 11+ (11 plus) entrance exams. It tests a child's ability to understand words, recognise patterns, solve problems and think logically.

Unlike other parts of the exam, VR often uses unfamiliar puzzle formats. The good news is that these question types can be learned and improved with regular practice. This guide explains the main types with simple examples and practical tips.

Remember: 11+ formats vary between regions and schools, and not every school tests Verbal Reasoning. Check what your target schools use with our school finder.

Alphabet knowledge

Many VR questions rely on knowing the alphabet and the position of each letter. For example: what letter is four places after K? Counting on gives L, M, N, O, so the answer is O. Some questions count backwards or ask how far apart two letters are.

Practice tip: write the alphabet with its numbers (A=1 to Z=26) on a card. Practise until your child can recall letter positions without counting each time.

Codes and letter patterns

In a code question, a word or set of letters is changed by a rule. Your child works out the rule and applies it to another word. For example, if CAT becomes DBU, each letter has moved forward one place in the alphabet. Using the same rule, DOG becomes EPH.

Harder questions move different letters by different amounts, or turn letters into numbers.

Practice tip: compare the first letter of the original word with its code, then check that the same rule works for the second and third letters before choosing an answer.

Try our letter codes lesson, which uses a sliding alphabet, or our word-number codes lesson.

Sequences and patterns

Sequence questions ask your child to spot a pattern and say what comes next. The pattern might use numbers, letters or words.

For example, in 3, 6, 12, 24 each number doubles, so the next number is 48. Letter sequences work in the same way: in A, C, E, G each letter moves on two places, so the next letter is I. Some sequences alternate, with two different rules taking turns.

Practice tip: check whether the pattern adds, subtracts, multiplies, skips letters or alternates between two rules.

Logical reasoning and deduction

These questions give a few clues and ask for a conclusion. For example: Sam is taller than Priya, and Priya is taller than Leo. Who is the shortest? The answer is Leo. Harder questions involve more people, objects or conditions to weigh together.

Practice tip: draw a quick diagram, or write the names in order, rather than trying to remember every clue.

Vocabulary and word relationships

Vocabulary is a big part of VR. Common formats include:

• Synonyms (similar meanings): which word is closest in meaning to "rapid": slow, quick, quiet or late? Answer: quick.
• Antonyms (opposites): which word is the opposite of "ancient": modern, old, historic or traditional? Answer: modern.
• Odd one out: in "apple, pear, carrot, plum", carrot is the odd one out because the others are fruit.
• Word analogies: bird is to nest as bee is to ___. Answer: hive.

Practice tip: vocabulary grows through reading and conversation. Ask your child to explain unfamiliar words in their own words, use them in sentences and explore synonyms and antonyms, rather than just memorising definitions.

Word construction and word puzzles

These questions ask your child to build, change or find words by following instructions. Common formats are hidden words, anagrams, adding, removing or moving a letter, and word morphs.

In a word morph, you change one letter at a time to turn one word into another, making a real word at every step. For example, CAT to DOG: CAT, COT, DOT, DOG.

Practice tip: check that every step is a valid word. It is easy to focus on reaching the final word and overlook the rules on the way.

Try our word morph lesson to practise this type.

These are the main types, but papers can include others, such as compound words or missing letters. Your target school's practice papers show what to expect.

How to practise 11+ Verbal Reasoning at home

1. Mix question types, so your child learns to recognise the type before solving it.
2. Ask "what is the rule?" and have your child explain how they reached an answer, not just whether it was right.
3. Keep a list of unfamiliar words and revisit it a few days later.
4. Talk through mistakes until the correct answer makes sense.
5. Keep sessions short and regular; they usually work better than occasional long ones.
6. Start with simpler questions and add harder puzzles as your child improves.

Practising Verbal Reasoning with Onze+

Onze+ has GL-style interactive Verbal Reasoning lessons covering alphabet positions, codes, sequences, logic problems, synonyms, antonyms, anagrams and word ladders, plus practice questions with written explanations, and progress tracking. You can try a free lesson first and, if Onze+ suits your child, start a 7-day free trial.