Learn 11+ Online

English & Applied Verbal Reasoning

Revision Guide

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Table of contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
2 Developing Comprehension Skills ........................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Grammar ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
4 Punctuation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
5 Spelling and Vocabulary........................................................................................................................................................ 13
6 Continuous Writing ............................................................................................................................................................... 16
7 Applied Verbal Reasoning (AVR) ........................................................................................................................................... 20
7.1 ANALOGIES .................................................................................................................................................................... 20
7.2 CODES............................................................................................................................................................................ 22
7.3 REASONING ................................................................................................................................................................... 24
7.4 SEQUENCING ................................................................................................................................................................. 31
7.5 WORD PATTERNS .......................................................................................................................................................... 38
8 Appendix 1 – Reading List ..................................................................................................................................................... 43

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1 Introduction
This English Revision Guide has been written for children following the 11+ Online programme. This is a highly useful
resource, which should be understood and absorbed, as it will undoubtedly assist in doing well in the 11+ practice
tests and mock exams.

Many children are often stressed by the prospect of English revision and simply do not know where to start. This
guide is a good place to commence building your knowledge around the major areas of English that is tested in
exams, SATS and 11+ exams.

The English revision guide is a process through which you can broaden your knowledge of the principles required to
do well in this subject area. By following this guide, you can ‘Learn’ and subsequently achieve success in the 11+
online practice and testing programme.

The 11+ online programme will provide ample practice in applying the principles set out in this guide and drive you to
success.

It is a fact that the best way you can hone your learning skills is to attempt as many past papers as possible and cover
all areas of the 11+ syllabus extensively. The 11+ online programme will provide daily practice to raise your
confidence and prepare you to tackle 11+ Exam, with 12 Full Mock Exams to help build your knowledge, skill and
confidence.

The English 11+ CSSE Exam marks are allocated as follows:

• Comprehension = 66.67%
• Continuous Writing = 33.33%

The guide which follows shall address the above areas in the following order:

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2 Developing Comprehension Skills
It is no secret that reading regularly, develops the skills required to deal effectively with comprehension and verbal
reasoning tests and exams. This guide will prepare the child for the ‘Practice Tests’ and ‘Mock Exams’.

Reading exposes children to the use of grammar (adjectives, adverbs, colloquialism, similes, metaphors, verbs etc),
punctuation (commas, full stops, quotations, etc), and spelling and vocabulary. They will become aware of how
sentences can be constructed in different ways and be able to apply the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling
and vocabulary more effectively and correctly.

Wide reading of many different types of literature is very important. Literature, such as fiction and non-fiction,
letters, poetry, short stories, magazines and newspaper articles. All assist in improving comprehension understanding
and continuous writing skills.

As stated above, a very good understanding of grammar, punctuation and spelling and vocabulary is required to
develop good comprehension skills and continuous writing skills. These will be dealt with separately, under their own
headings.

We have included a reading List of appropriate books (163) for the 11+ at Appendix 1.

We have tabulated below, the skills a child will require to tackle the comprehension text effectively.

DEVELOPING COMPREHENSION SKILLS

Skill Tested Description Sample Text

The child needs to:

Grasp what is the passage about. This will be in a variety of places: Southend High School for Girls has
the highest number of places
• The Title; available in year 7 with 180. This is
• The first sentence; followed by Colchester County
• The first paragraph; High School for Girls with 160
• In the solution or problem; places. Third, is Colchester Royal
• Concluding paragraph Grammar School for Boys with 120
places.

The passage is about Schools and

the number of places available in
year 7.

Identify cause and effect (He Recognised by the use of certain I was late (effect) for school due to
slipped on a banana skin and fell words: sleeping in (cause).
backwards).
accordingly; also; as a result of;
because; but; consequently; for
this reason; if; in order to; may be
due to; not only; this led to; since.

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 A statement of fact expresses only Westcliffe Grammar School is in
what actually happened, or what Essex (fact).
Distinguish between fact and could be proven by objective data.
opinion. I am convinced that the demand
A statement of opinion expresses for grammar school places, will
an attitude toward something – it result in the opening of a new
makes a judgment, view, or grammar school in our area
conclusion, or gives an opinion that (opinion).
cannot be proven true or false.

Understand when an inference is An inference is an idea or She grabbed her swimsuit and
made within the passage e.g. some conclusion that's drawn from drove off to the leisure centre.
text is not stated but implied. evidence and reasoning. An
inference is an educated guess. Inference is she is going swimming.

Differentiate between comparing Comparing focuses on similarities Both Amy and Caron have blue
and contrasting in the passage. and Contrasting on differences. eyes (comparison).

Comparing words: both; compared Ben loves to jog every morning but
with; like; same as; similarly. Kevin hates all forms of exercise
(contrasting).
Contrasting words: although; but;
however, instead, on the other
hand.

Follow the sequencing of events in Words that help to clarify the It was exam day and first to arrive
the passage sequence of the events are: was Sue, followed by Ali, then Gill
and finally Kim. (sequence shows
first; second…, not long after, next, the order of arrivals for the exam).
then, initially, before, after etc.

Summarise the passage and be The child is expected to consider Cuddles watched the robin
able to draw conclusions and state and interpret the passage and attentively from the closed
their own opinion about the possibly form his or her own window. Had it not been shut, she
passage opinions. would surely have pounced
straight out at the robin. Cuddles
will have to make do, hunting mice
in the basement.

Who is Cuddles?

From the information provided, we

can form an opinion.

(Conclusion: Cuddles is a Cat)

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3 Grammar
The Grammar Guide that follows covers the areas of questioning that will be assessed in the ‘Practice Tests’ and
‘Mock Exams’. This has been complied to give the child an understanding of the different types of Grammar the child
will need to understand in order to score well in comprehension and to also act as an aid in developing the skills
required for continuous writing.

The eight parts of speech are detailed below, and followed by other grammar, which is tabulated:

Noun

Verb Pronoun

The Eight
Interjection Parts of Adjective
Speech

Conjunction Adverb

Preposition

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Type Description Example

Abbreviations Words or phrases shortened, E.g. (“exempli gratia”) which is Latin “for example”
often to initials, which may be
pronounced individually
A.S.A.P = As soon as possible

Rd = Road

Adjectives (One of the Descriptive words that He lives in an enormous, white mansion.
Eight Parts of Speech) normally appear before nouns
and pronouns. Adjectives
make the writing a lot more
imaginative and interesting for
the reader.

Adverbs (One of the Used to qualify, change or The cat hurriedly chased the mouse.
Eight Parts of Speech) clarify the meaning of an
adjective, verb or adverb etc.

Alliteration The occurrence of the same The Swan was Swimming Silently on a Sunny Spring
letter or sound at the day.
beginning of adjacent or
closely connected words. My Citroen was completely crushed in a car crash.

Daddy did a duet with Doris at the dance party.

The baby with bouncing bright blue eyes.

Analogies A comparison to show a Fire is to hot as ice is to cold.

similarity.
Good is to bad as happy is to sad.

Antonyms Words that are opposite in Good and Bad

meaning.
Quiet and Loud

Hot and Cold

Rich and Poor

Clichés A phrase or opinion that is In the nick of time.

overused and shows a lack of
original thought. Only time will tell.

Lost track of time.

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Colloquialisms A word or phrase that is not A bunch of numpties; meaning a group of idiots.
formal or literary and is used
in ordinary or familiar He went bananas; meaning he is angry.
conversation.
Buzz off; meaning go away.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat; meaning lots

of ways to get it done.

Conjunction (One of the A part of speech used to And, as, because, but, for, just as, or, neither, nor, not
Eight Parts of Speech) connect words, phrases, only, so, whether, yet
clauses and sentences.
I am working harder at Maths but I am still struggling
to receive an A grade.

Homonyms Words that are spelled and Address (home address or someone addresses the
pronounced the same but house)
have different meanings.
Bat (cricket bat or bat in a cave)

Can (I can do and I’ll pick up a can of beans)

Dear (Dear Sir, I am afraid the shopping was dear and

not cheap)

Homophones Words that have the same Knew and New

pronunciation but have
different meanings To and Two

So and Sew

Eight and Ate

Idioms Common phrases or terms It’s raining cats and dogs.

whose meaning is not real, but
can be understood by their A piece of cake.
popular use.
Give it a shot

Interjection (One of the A word solely designed to Aha, fiddlesticks, hurray, oh dear, phew, shoo, yuck
Eight Parts of Speech) convey emotion. It expresses
meaning or feeling.

Irony A situation in which something The irony is that her mistake will actually improve the
which was intended to have a situation.
particular result has the
opposite or a very different The biggest dog in Britain is called Tiny.
result.

Metaphor A figure of speech in which a Fishing in troubled waters.

word or phrase is applied to
an object or action to which it Broken heart.
is not literally applicable.
Apple of my eye.

Bubbly personality.

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Noun (One of the Eight Can be defined as a person, My father looks a lot like my grandfather, and I look
Parts of Speech) place, animal or thing. like both of them.

Let’s go to the school.

The cat chased the mouse.

Onomatopoeia A word that mimics the sound Bang

of the object or action it refers
to. Crash

Pop

Personification A figure of speech in which The wind howled.

human characteristics are
given to an animal or an The kettle whistled.
object.
The flowers were dancing in the breeze.

Prefix Pair of letters at the beginning Arrange to Rearrange (re)

of a word that changes the
meaning of the word. Convenient to Inconvenient (in)

Cast to forecast (fore)

Prepositions (One of the Words that link nouns and Send the dog with her.
Eight Parts of Speech) pronouns in a sentence.

Pronouns (One of the They are very short and can He

Eight Parts of Speech) replace a noun to allow better
speech and writing flow. She

They

It

We

Who

He chased me all the way to the school.

Proverbs A saying, stating the truth or A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
offering advice.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single

step.

Rhetorical Questions A question asked in order to Are you stupid?

create a dramatic effect or to
make a point rather than to Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?
get an answer.

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Simile A figure of speech involving As brave as a lion.
the comparison of one thing
with another thing of a It fits like a glove.
different kind, used to make a
As cold as ice.
description more emphatic or
vivid. They fought like cats and dogs.

Synonyms Words that are similar or have Beautiful: Attractive, Pretty, Lovely, Stunning.
related meanings.

Tenses A form taken by a verb to Present - She is running to the shop

show the time of an action.
Past – She had ran to the shop

Future – She will run to the shop

Verb (One of the Eight Words that describe an action, Example of verb expressing physical action:
Parts of Speech) state or occurrence.
I hear the airplane flying over the house.

Examples of verbs expressing mental action:

I know who did it?

Examples of verbs expressing a state of being:

I am a child.

Examples of verbs expressing an occurrence:

Where did the accident happen?

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4 Punctuation
The Punctuation Guide that follows covers the areas of questioning that will be assessed in the ‘Practice Tests’ and
‘Mock Exams’. This has been complied to give the child an understanding of the different types of Punctuation the
child will need to understand in order to score well in comprehension and to also act as an aid in developing the skills
required for continuous writing.

Type Description Example

Apostrophe (common) Apostrophes are used to Examples include:

indicate possession or the
omission of letters. Jack’s bag

can’t meaning cannot

Brackets Brackets (parentheses) are An example includes:

used to enclose words or
figures to separate them from I am going to a shopping centre today (even though I
the context. have no money).

Capital Letters Capital letters are placed at An example includes:

(common) the beginning of the first word
of a sentence, a fragment, a The boy saw Jane walk into the University of Essex,
title, and a proper noun. reading Lord of the Rings.

Colon Colons are used to introduce Examples include:

that something follows like a
list or quotation. They also We knew who would win: Katherine.
join a main clause with a
She kept shouting: “Give me my chocolate!”
noun.
I bought a lot of fruit from the supermarket: apples,
bananas, mangoes, grapes, kiwis, blueberries and
apricots.

Comma (common) Commas indicate a pause in a Examples include:

sentence or separates items in
a list. She walked into the room, which was empty.

I bought drinks, bread, butter and eggs.

Dash Dashes are used to separate An example includes:

groups of words. It is a mark
of separation stronger than a She is only afraid of one thing – snakes.
comma, less formal than a
colon and more relaxed than
brackets (parentheses).

Direct Speech Direct Speech is actual words Examples include:

spoken by someone with
speech marks or inverted “I am going to the store,” said Billy.
commas enclosing the words
“Ellie is very clumsy,” says Lucy.
spoken.

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Double Quotation Double Quotations are used to Examples include:
(common) indicate the exact words that
someone else said or used “Why is she running?” he asked.
within single quotation marks.
“Do you know what ‘fluorescent’ means?” she asked.

Ellipsis An ellipsis is used to show that Examples include:

words have been left out from “So … what happened?”
a quotation or they are used
to create a pause for effect. “Um … I think that is a lie.”

“I don’t know what to do…”

Exclamation Mark Exclamation marks are used at Examples include:
(common) the end of a sentence (instead
of full stops) to express I won the lottery!
excitement, surprise,
She fell off the cliff!
astonishment, shock, dismay
or any other strong emotion.

Full Stop (common) Full stops are used at the end Examples include:
of a sentence to show it has
finished. She climbed the ladder.

He ran a race.

Hyphen Hyphens are used to connect An example includes:

the parts of a compound
word, There are twenty-seven cupcakes on the table.

Question Mark Question marks are used to Examples include:

(common) indicate the end of a question.
Have you seen that film yet?

When is dinner?

Can I come over?

Reported Speech Reported Speech does not Examples include:

contain speech marks. It is
used to communicate what Billy said that he was going to the store.
someone else said, but
Lucy says that Ellie is very clumsy.
without using the exact words.

Semicolon Semicolons mark a break Examples include:

between two clauses. It is
stronger than a comma but My dad is going bald; his hair is falling out.
not as final as a full stop.
Katie likes Cats; Anna likes dogs.

Single Quotation Single Quotations are used to Examples include:

indicate the exact words that
someone else said or used ‘He is late!’ she said.
within double quotation
“The book is called ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It is very
marks.
good!” she said.

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5 Spelling and Vocabulary
Spelling & Vocabulary will be assessed in the ‘Practice Tests’ and ‘Mock Exams’. This has been complied to give the
child an understanding of the different types of spelling and vocabulary, the child will need to know in order to score
well in comprehension and to also act as an aid in developing the skills required for continuous writing.

No. Sample Question Types

1 Select from 1 to 5 to complete the sentence?

1 = daylight; 2 = suspicion; 3 = religious; 4 = opportunity; 5 = tests

The 11+ (A) are now more competitive because of the increased demand in the number of students
wanting to gain entry to grammar schools.

2 Select the word that is correctly using double letters?

A = balloon

B = accidentaly

C = accepttable

D = vaccum

3 The police arrived first at the crime ________________.

Select the correct homophone from the two choices below?

A = scene

B = seen

4 Which one word in the group below, has been spelt incorrectly?

A = anceint

B = counterfeit

C = believe

D = eight

5 During musical chairs at the party, I past the parcel just as the music stopped.

A B C D

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6 Which two letters, in order, are missing from –e-th?

A = pa

B = te

C = la

D = be

E = None

7 Which word is correctly spelt below?

A = cemetary

B = cemitary

C = cemetery

D =cemitery

8 Which one prefix is a correct match for the word stated below:

A = de; B = fore; C = dis; D = super; E = un

Word

Approve

9 Which one suffix is a correct match for the word stated below:

A = dom; B = al; C = en; D = er; E = ship

Word

Magic

10 Sasha did not receive any ---------- in the post.

Select the correct missing word ------------ from the choices below:

A= mail

B = lots

C = male

D = sent

E = None

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 11 Which word below is the plural of aircraft?

A = aircraft

B = aeroplanes

C = airplane

D = aircarfts

12 Which one of the following words contains a silent letter?

A = Whistle

B = Flute

C = Music

D = Piano

E = Drums

The links below provide a very comprehensive list of words that are most difficult to spell. The child should be
familiar with the spellings of the words contained in the links below:

[Link] (Total 100 words)

[Link] (Total 23 words)

[Link] (Total 567 words)

[Link] (Free 1800 words for downloading)

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6 Continuous Writing
Continuous writing for the 11+ Exam may takes several forms. A point of note is that there are no model answers
available for continuous writing exam questions. However, we are aware of the types of questions that have been
written for previous 11+ students. We have analysed the continuous writing questions for the familiarisation paper
and the last 3-year entry papers written by the CSSE.

Hence, in the last 3 years the form of questioning has focussed on a small number of sentences and writing
instructions. However, the child should also be prepared for other forms, such as letter writing or even one longer
continuous writing task worth 30 marks, appearing in future papers.

The current 11+ continuous writing tasks have a time allocation of a total of 20 minutes for both tasks. Therefore,
time is very short and the child has to work quickly and accurately to complete both tasks.

The 11+ past papers state that the continuous writing section will be assessed on appropriate style (sentences and
paragraphs or Instruction piece of work), grammar, punctuation, spelling and originality.

Effective continuous writing skills for the examiner will include:

• Creativity, imagination, planning and structured;

• A free-flowing and engaging writing style;
• Clever use of punctuation and different types;
• Correct use and good range of grammar;
• Correct spellings and a good range of vocabulary displayed;

The child can significantly develop and improve the continuous writing skills required for the 11+ by:

• Reading a wide range of books (see reading list included at Appendix 1) to increase creativity, imagination
and to help with planning and structured writing for the 11+ exam;
• The wide reading will also assist with writing in a free-flowing manner that engages the examiner;
• Punctuation, grammar and spelling and vocabulary will be developed on our Online 11+ programme.

I would further add that the child should ensure that their handwriting is legible and easy to read, and practice
writing in paragraphs.

In terms of reading materials, it is strongly recommended that the child reads material covering a wide a range as
possible: This may include reading about:

• Activities;
• Animals;
• Autobiography;
• Buildings;
• Emotions & feelings;
• Fantasy;
• Hobbies;
• Instruction writing;
• Letter writing;
• Newspaper articles;
• Science;
• The natural world; and
• Trips and holidays.

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We have prepared answers for continuous writing below. Please note that the illustration is to indicate what can be
achieved in 5 sentences. However, we do not believe that the vast majority of 11+ children can or be expected to
deliver an answer of this type. Nevertheless, it’s a very useful example to help the child prepare for future Exam
questions on continuous writing.

We have developed similar type questions and response to give your child ideas on how to respond and tackle future
continuous writing exam questions.

You will note that paramount and a good grasp of grammar, punctuation, spelling and originality is required to
present a very good answer to an Exam question of this type.

Question: Write 5 or 6 sentences describing your holiday home in Cyprus and a member of your family to a friend.

Answer

Well, well…! My home is a breath of fresh air, where the flowers dance from side-to-side, placed at the corner of the
slightly ajar window in the living room. The home has: luxurious furniture; old wooden cutlery; a giant study desk;
flashy shower cubicles and a state of the art bath; fans shaped like pelican beaks; and an alarm clock stuck to the
ceiling. The spick and span study desk, placed well away from my bedroom, is a relief, so I cannot hear my dad (Mr
Short who is ironically over 6 feet tall) working late into the night, signing punctually on to his computer at 9pm
sharp. We daren’t play or make noises after 9pm as dad is working; he has eyes like a hawk on the back of his head
and would readily explode like a volcano if we misbehaved. I say to Ben (my friend), “Is this a good description of my
holiday home? Penny for your thoughts?”

Please see table below for a sample of grammar captured in 5 sentences from the above response.

Grammar & Punctuation Sample of what has been written in 5 sentences

Adjective Giant, ajar, luxurious, old, wooden, flashy, spick and span,

Alliteration spick and span

Adverb Punctually, readily, slightly, late, ironically

Apostrophe daren’t

Bracket (my friend), (Mr Short who is ironically over 6 feet tall)

Capital Capital letter use – The, Well, My, Mr, Short, I, Ben, Is, Penny, We

Colon has:

Comma The spick and span study desk, placed well away from my bedroom, is a relief,
so I cannot hear my dad

There are 8 commas in total in the passage.

Complex and simple sentences A good range and level of sentences have been used in the above example

Conjunction If, and, or, so, etc

Ellipsis well…

Exclamation mark well…!

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Full stop room. ceiling. sharp. misbehaved.

Hyphen side-to-side

Idiom “Penny for your thoughts?”

Interjection Well, well

Inverted Comma “Is this a good description of my classroom? Penny for your thoughts?”

Irony Mr Short, who is ironically over 6ft tall

Metaphor My holiday home is a breath of fresh air

Noun home, breath, air, flowers, corner, window, living room, furniture, cutlery,
study desk, shower cubicles, bath, fans, pelican, beaks, alarm clock, ceiling,
bedroom, dad, Mr Short, computer, noises, eyes, hawk, back, head, volcano,
Ben, friend, description, holiday, home, penny, thoughts

Personification flowers dance

Preposition On, at, from, in, into, after

Present tense Care needs to be taken to ensure the right tense is used throughout

Pronoun he, his, I, we

Question mark thoughts? home?

Semicolon luxurious furniture; old wooden cutlery; a giant study desk;

Simile explode like a volcano, eyes like a hawk, fan shaped like pelican beaks

Spelling & Vocabulary Spelling is accurate and good range of vocabulary used

Verb Hear, dance, placed, has, shaped, stuck, working, signing, play, make, explode,
misbehaved, say

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Question

Write down, in 5 or 6 sentences or as instructions for a younger brother, on how to iron trousers straight from the
dryer.

Answer as (Instructions)

There are five steps to follow to iron trousers correctly:

• Step 1 – Take the iron, hold it at 45 degrees under the tap and fill with water to generate steam for ironing;
• Step 2 – Ensure the iron is placed safely on the ironing board and then plug into electrical socket;
• Step 3 – Straighten the trousers as so (demonstrating how to straighten) and place on the ironing board;
• Step 4 – Take the hot iron and press trousers on both sides and inside legs, removing all creases as necessary;
• Step 5 – Remove ironed trouser, place in hanger and switch off iron and place on board to let it cool down.

Answer as (Sentences)

First, take the iron, hold it at 45 degrees under the tap and fill with water to generate steam for ironing. Second,
ensure the iron is placed safely on the ironing board and then plug into electrical socket. Then, straighten the
trousers as so (demonstrating how to straighten) and place on the ironing board. Next, take hot iron and press
trousers on both sides and inside legs, removing all creases where necessary. Finally, remove ironed trouser, place in
hanger and switch off iron and place on board to let it cool down.

You will note that originality coupled with good grammar, punctuation and spelling and vocabulary are key in
delivering a good answer for continuous writing. We will focus from week 1 to 52 on developing these skills and
testing them in the practice test. From week 29 we will have continuous writing questions included within our Mock
Exams.

All our marking in the Practice Tests and Mock Exams will be system generated, except continuous writing, which will
be marked by Learn 11+ Online. Therefore it is very important that you complete and deliver your Mock Exams on
time.

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7 Applied Verbal Reasoning (AVR)
The AVR Guide that follows covers the areas of questioning that will be assessed in the ‘Practice Tests’ and ‘Mock
Exams’. This has been complied to give the child an understanding of the different types of AVR questions so that
the child may tackle any AVR question with complete confidence.

7.1 ANALOGIES

• COMPARISONS

In these questions, find one word from each group that will complete the analogy in the best way. Choose
both words from the options provided.

Example

chair is to (sit crawl write) = sit

as bed is to (drink run sleep) = sleep

• SIMILAR MEANINGS

In these questions it is necessary to find two words, one from each group, which are most similar in meaning.

Example

What two words are similar in meaning?

(hide empty disclose)

(express conceal begin)

Answer: hide and conceal

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 • OPPOSITE MEANINGS

In these questions you need to find two words, one from each group, which are most opposite in meaning.

Example

What two words from each bracketed group are opposite in meaning?

(loud noise sound) ………………

(hear quiet drums) ………………

Answer: loud and quiet

• ODD ONES OUT

In these questions three of the five words are related in some way. Two words are not related to the other
three and are odd ones out and must be identified.

Example

Which two words are the odd ones out?

Happy, elated, distressed, joyful, sorrowful

Answer: distressed and sorrowful

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7.2 CODES

• ALPHABET CODES (I)

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

The above alphabet is there to help you with these questions. Work out the letters that complete each
question in the best way.

Example

FG is to GH as RS is to ……… Answer: ST

• ALPHABET CODES (II)

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

The above alphabet is there to help you with these questions. Each question has a different code. Work out
the correct answer by using the code provided.

Example

The code for GIRL is HJSM. Work out the code for FARM. ……………… Answer: GBSN

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 • SECRET CODES

In these questions there are four words. Three of the words have been given a code. The codes are not written
in the same order as the words. Work out the code for the given word.

Example

TAP EAT APE TOP

125 354 135

Work out the code for TOE. Answer: 124

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7.3 REASONING

MATHEMATICAL REASONING

Substitution

These questions employ a simple form of algebra, where letters stand for numbers. Substitute the numbers for
the letters and do the calculation. When the answer is obtained, it must be converted back to a letter.

Example

If A = 4, B = 11, C = 12, D = 2, E = 3

What is the answer to this sum written as a letter?

Substitute the numbers for the letters:

D×A+E

2×4+3 = 11 (B)

The answer is: B

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Arithmetic equations

It is important to understand the relationship between the four rules of number. Inverse means opposite.

+ and – are a pair of operations.

2 + 3 = 5; 5 – 2 = 3; 5–3=2

× and ÷ are a pair of operations.

4 x 5 = 20; 20 ÷ 5 = 4; 20 ÷ 4 = 5

Equations are mathematical sentences. The numbers on the left side are balanced or equal to what is on
the right side. This is signified by an equal sign (=). The equal sign means a missing number can be found.
Inverse operations can be used to solve the equations.

Remember: + is inverse to – and × is inverse to ÷

Example

Find the missing number in this equation.

7 × 8 = 224 ÷ [?]

7 × 8 = 56

56 = 224 ÷ [?]

56 = 224 ÷ 4 (This number is found by doing 224 ÷ 56)

The answer is: 4

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 • POSITIONAL REASONING

Positional reasoning questions appear in many forms. They can relate to age, time, direction, size and order.
All positional reasoning questions are best solved with diagrams. This allows precise organisation of the given
information and avoids confusion.

A. Basic types

Most positional reasoning questions are straightforward and can be solved with a
simple diagram.

Example

In a hotel, Nicole is staying two floors above Ben and one floor below Alex. Holly is
staying one floor below Nicole. Olivia is staying a floor above Ben.

Who lives on the same floor?

a) Holly and Nicole

b) Holly and Olivia
c) Olivia and Ben
d) Alex and Olivia
e) Nicole and Ben

Draw a grid that represents the floors of the hotel:

1 Alex

2 Nicole

3 Holly, Olivia

4 Ben

Answer: Holly and Olivia

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 B. Complex types

Some positional reasoning questions are more complex. They can still be solved using diagrams, but it may not
be quite so obvious which one to use.

Example

Ethan, George, Jane, Jill and Mary are 15, 14, 13, 13 and 12 years old, but not respectively in this order. Ethan
is 2 years younger than Jill. George is 2 years younger than Jane. Mary is older than Ethan.

Which two children are twins?

a) Ethan and Mary

b) Jane and Jill
c) George and Ethan
d) Mary and George
e) Jill and Mary

Hints:

• The twins must be 13 years old.

• There is only a 3-year age gap between all the children.
• Ethan is 2 years younger than Jill.
• George is 2 years younger than Jane.
• Mary is older than Ethan.
• Set out the ages and fit the children into them according to the statements given.

15 Jane

14 Jill

13 George Mary

12 Ethan

Answer: Mary and George

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 • RELATIONAL REASONING

Relational reasoning questions appear in two forms:

A. Relative information
B. Relative meaning

A. Relative information
This type involves sorting out and reordering statements that relate to each other.

Example

Train 1 leaves the train station at 7.00 a.m. Train 2 leaves at 6.45 a.m. Train 2 takes twice as long as Train 3 to
make the same journey. Train 3 leaves 15 minutes after Train 1 and arrives at 8.00 a.m.

What times does Train 2 arrive?

a) 9.15 a.m.
b) 8.45 a.m.
c) 8.15 a.m.
d) 9.00 a.m.
e) 8.30 a.m.

Answer: 8.15 a.m.

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 B. Relative meaning
Some questions involve selecting a statement from the possible answers that relates most closely to the
meaning in the given statement.

Example

A cucumber is green. Cucumbers are vegetables.

If these statements are true, only one of the sentences must be true. Which one?

Vegetables come in many different colours.

All vegetables are green.

Everything green is a vegetable.

A cucumber is a green vegetable.

Answer: A cucumber is a green vegetable.

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 • TABULAR REASONING

These questions involve the processing of a large amount of information and are solved by creating a grid or
table.

Example

Amanda, Ben, Charlotte and Dean all like ice cream. Ben, Charlotte and Dean like chocolate and vanilla. Ben
likes chocolate, vanilla, mint and strawberry. Dean and Amanda like lemon and mint. All the boys like lemon.

Set out the information on a grid like this. Take care you have noted all information from each of the
statements.

Chocolate Vanilla Mint Strawberry Lemon

Amanda ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓

Ben ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Charlotte ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗

Dean ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓

a) Who likes the most flavours? ……………… Answer: Ben

b) Who likes the least flavours? ……………… ……………… Answer: Amanda & Charlotte
c) How many people like 4 flavours? ……………… Answer: 1
d) Who likes both strawberry and lemon ice cream? ……………… Answer: Ben
e) Which girl likes chocolate ice cream? ……………… Answer: Charlotte

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7.4 SEQUENCING

• LETTER SEQUENCING

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

The above alphabet is there to help you with these questions. Study the patterns in the sequence and write
the next two letters.

Example

JK KL LM MN ……… Answer: NO

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 • NUMBER SEQUENCING

Adding and subtracting

i. Basic sequences

Basic adding and subtracting sequences comprise:

A. Arithmetic progressions
(Add/subtract a constant number)

2, +2 4, +2 6, +2 8, +2 10, +2 12, +2 [?] Add 2 to the previous number.

The next number will be: 14

B. Increasing or decreasing gaps

(Add/subtract an increasing or decreasing number)

0, +1 1, +2 3, +3 6, +4 10, +5 15, +6 [?] Add 1, then add 2, then 3 etc.

The next number will be: 21

C. Alternating gaps
(Add/subtract numbers on an alternating basis)

+7
3, 10, -3 7, +6 13, -4 9, +5 14, -5 [?] Add 7, subtract 3. Add 6, subtract 4 etc.

The next number will be: 9

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 ii. Complex sequences

Complex adding and subtracting sequences comprise:

D. Leapfrogging
(Add/subtract, then leapfrog over to the next but one number)

43 25 47 29 51 [?]

Þ 43 +4
47 +4
51
Þ 25 +4
29 +4
[?]

The next number will be: 33

E. Repeating patterns
(Add/subtract numbers in a repeating pattern of operations)

5, +2 7, +3 10, -4 6, +2 8, +3 11, -4 [?]

The next number will be: 7

F. Adding the previous terms

(Add the previous two terms to find the next term)

4, 5, 4+5 9, 5+9 14, 9+14 23, 14+23 [?] Add the previous two terms to get the next.

The next number will be: 37

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Multiplying and dividing

i. Basic sequences

Basic multiplying and dividing sequences comprise:

A. Multiply or divide by the same number

(Multiply/divide repeatedly)

3, ×2 6, ×2 12, ×2 24, ×2 48, ×2 [?] Multiply by 2 on a repeated basis.

The next number will be: 96

B. Geometric progressions
(Multiply/divide repeatedly by an increasing number)

2, ×1 2, ×2 4, ×3 12, ×4 48, ×5 [?] Multiply by 1, then by 2, then by 3 etc.

The next number will be: 240

C. Multiplying the gaps

(Multiply/divide the gap by the same number)

(2×2) (4×2) (8×2) (16×2)

0, +2 2, +4 6, +8 14, +16 30, +32 [?] Multiply the gap by 2 repeatedly etc.

The next number will be: 62

D. Double operations
(Two operations, e.g. multiply, then subtract for the next number)

0, x2 +2 2, x2 +2 6, x2 +2 14, x2 +2 30, x2 +2 [?] Multiply by 2, then add 2 etc.

The next number will be: 62

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 ii. Complex sequences

Complex multiplying and dividing sequences comprise:

E. Square numbers
(Multiply the number by itself once)

1, 4, 9, 16, 25, [?] Multiply 1 by itself, then 2 etc.

The next number will be: 36

F. Cube numbers
(Multiply the number by itself twice)

1, 8, 27, 64, [?] Multiply 1 by itself twice etc.

The next number will be: 125

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 • NUMBER LINKS

i. Single Operation

Perform one mathematical calculation to two numbers, linking to a third:

Example

Find the missing number:

(14 [42] 3) (15 [60] 4)

(16 [x] 5)

In the above example the two outer numbers are multiplied together to derive at the middle number e.g. 16 x
5 = 80.

Hence x = 80

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 ii. Double Operation

Perform two mathematical calculations (+ - x ÷) to produce the third number:

Example

Find the missing number:

(15 [36] 3) (12 [32] 4)

(21 [x] 9)

In the above example the two outer numbers are added together, then multiplied by two to produce the
middle number e.g. 21+9 = 30 x 2 = 60.

Hence x = 60

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7.5 WORD PATTERNS

• ONE WORD PATTERNS

In these questions there are three pairs of words. The last pair of words is made up in the same way as the
first two pairs. Work out the missing word.

Example

(rink ink) (raid aid) (rage ? ) ……………… Answer: age

• TWO WORD PATTERNS

In these questions, the word in the middle of the second group is made in the same way as the word in the
middle of the first group. Fill in the word that is missing in the second group.

Example

(tap [tab] bin) (fan [………] tea) Answer: fat

• LETTER SHIFTS

In these questions, one letter can be moved from the first word to the second word making two new words.
The order of the letters must not be changed and the new words must make sense. Write the two new words.

Example

FLAKE and IT become FAKE and LIT

Answer = L

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 • COMPOUND WORDS

In these questions find one word from each group that makes one correctly spelt compound word when
joined together. The word from the first group always comes first. Choose both words from the options
provided and write the new word.

Example

(lot cat car)

(ten tip pet)

car and pet Answer = carpet

For a comprehensive list of compound words (100), you may download the web link provided below:

[Link]

Page 39 of 46
 • HIDDEN WORDS

In these sentences, a hidden four-letter word can be found at the end of one word and the beginning of the
next word. Choose the two words from the sentence provided and write the hidden word.

Example

I can’t swim anymore.

Two Words: swim anymore Answer: many

• MISSING LETTERS

In these questions the same letter will it into both sets of brackets to end the word in front of the brackets and
start the word after the brackets. Write the correct letter that completes all four words.

Example

san [?] own

kin [?] amp

Answer: d

(The four words are sand, down, kind and damp.)

Page 40 of 46
 • MISSING WORDS

In these questions, the word in capitals has three consecutive letters removed. These three letters will make
one correctly spelt word without changing their order.

Example

What is the missing three-letter expression?

I could PIBLY finish all of my work today.

Five possibilities are given in the answers section:

OSS ALL IDD RAN EGG

Answer: OSS (POSSIBLY)

Page 41 of 46
 • WORD LINKS

In these questions two pairs of words are given. A choice between five words is given in the answers. Only one
of these words will go equally well with both of these pairs.

Example

What one word in the answers section will link the two pairs of bracketed words?

(earth world)

(sphere ball)

Possible answers: round, ground, ring, globe, and galaxy

Answer: globe

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8 Appendix 1 – Reading List
TITLE AUTHOR
A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS SERIES OF BOOKS SNICKET, LEMONY
A CHRISTMAS CAROL CHARLES DICKENS
A LITTLE PRINCESS FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
A LONG WAY HOME ANN TURNBULL
A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA URSULA LE GUIN
A WORLD OF POETRY MICHAEL ROSEN
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL JAMES HERRIOT
ALICE IN WONDERLAND LEWIS CARROLL
ANIMAL FARM GEORGE ORWELL
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES L. MONTGOMERY
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS JULES VERNE
ARTEMIS FOWL EOIN COLFER
ARTHUR HIGH KING OF BRITAIN MICHAEL MORPURGO
BALLET SHOES NOEL STRETFORD
BECKY BANANAS JEAN URE
BEOWULF: DRAGON SLAYER ROSEMARY SUTCLIFFE
BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS PAUL STEWARD AND CHRIS RIDDEL
BILLY THE KID MICHAEL MORPURGO
BLACK BEAUTY ANNA SEWELL
BOY ROALD DAHL
BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS JOHN BOYNE
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA KATHERINE PATERSON
BUG MULDOON AND THE GARDEN OF FEAR PAUL SHIPTON
CARRIE’S WAR NINA BAWDEN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY ROALD DAHL
CHARLOTTE’S WEB E B WHITE
CHILDHOOD’S END ARTHUR C CLARKE
CHILDREN OF THE RED KING SERIES OF BOOKS JENNY NIMMO
CLASSIC POEMS TO READ ALOUD JAMES BERRY
CLOCKWORK PHILIP PULLMAN
CORAL ISLAND R.M. BALLANTYE
DANNY CHAMPION OF THE WORLD ROALD DAHL
DOUBLE IMAGE PAT MOON
DR DOLITTLE HUGH LOFTING
EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES ERICH KÄSTNER
FIREWEED JILL PATON WALSH
FIVE CHILDREN AND IT E. NESBIT
FLOUR BABIES ANNE FINE
FOREVER X GERALDINE MCCAUGHREAN
FOXSPELL GILLIAN RUBINSTEIN
FROM HEREABOUT HILL MICHAEL MORPURGO

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TITLE AUTHOR
GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM MICHELLE MAGORIAN
GOOSEBUMPS COLLECTION R.L STINE
GRANNY ANTHONY HOROWITZ
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS JONATHAN SWIFT
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE J K ROWLING
HA TCHET GARY PAULSEN
HEIDI JOHANA SPYRI
HITLER’S CANARY SANDI TOKSVIG
HOLES LOIS SACHER
HOW THE WHALE BECAME TED HUGHES
HURRINCANE SUMMER ROBERT SWINDELLS
I AM DAVID ANNE HOLM
I LIKE THIS POEM KAYE WEBB
IN DEEP WATER MICHELLE MAGORIAN
INGO ADVENTURES SERIES OF BOOKS HELEN DUNMORE
JANE EYRE CHARLOTTE BRONTE
JOHNNIE'S BLITZ BERNARD ASHLEY
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE ODF THE EARTH JULES VERNE
JUNGLE BOOK RUDYARD KIPLING
JUST WILLIAM BOOKS RICHMAL CROMPTON
KENSUKE’S KINGDOM MICHAEL MORPURGO
LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS LAURA INGALLS WILDER
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE LAURA INGALLS WILDER
LITTLE WOMEN LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
LORD OF THE FLIES WILLIAM GOLDING
LORD OF THE RINGS J.R.R TOLKEIN
MADAME DOUBTFIRE ANNE FINE
MATILDA ROALD DAHL
MIDNIGHT OVER SANCTAPHRAX PAUL STEWARD AND CHRIS RIDDEL
MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH ROBERT O'BRIEN
MUDDLE EARTH PAUL STEWART
MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMAL GERALD DURRELL
NANCY DREW MYSTERIES CAROLYN KEENE
NO FRIEND OF MINE ANN TURNBULL
NOTHERN LIGHTS TRILOGY PHILIP PULLMAN
NOUGHTS & CROSSES MALORIE BLACKMAN
OVER SEA, UNDER STONE SUSAN COOPER
PARVANA’S JOURNEY DEBORAH ELLIS
PETER PAN J.M. BARRIE
PIG HEART BOY MALORIE BLACKMAN
POLLANNA ELEANOR [Link]
REDWALL SERIES BRIAN JACQUES
RED, WHITE AND BLUE: FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY ROBERT LEESON
ROBINSON CRUSOE DANIEL DEFOE

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TITLE AUTHOR
SCRIBBLEBOY PHILLIP RIDLEY
SCRUFFY PAUL GALLICO
SHERLOCK HOLMES SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
SILVER SWORD IAN SERRAILLIER
SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT MICHAEL MORPURGO
SKELLIG DAVID ALMOND
SOMEONE CAME KNOCKING ANNE MERRICK
STIG OF THE DUMP CLIVE KING
STORMBREAKER ANTHONY HOROWITZ
STORMCHASES PAUL STEWART & CHRIS RIDDEL
STREET CHILD BERLIE DOHERTY
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS ARTHUR RANSOME
TALKING TURKEYS BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH
TELL ME NO LIES MALORIE BLACKMAN
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FIN MARK TWAIN
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER MARK TWAIN
THE BFG ROALD DAHL
THE BOLPHIN CROSSING JILL PATON WALSH
THE BORROWERS MARY NORTON
THE BREADWINNER DEBORAH ELLIS
THE BUTTERFLY LION MICHAEL MORPURGO
THE CALL OF THE WILD JACK LONDON
THE CROWSTARVER DICK-KING SMITH
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGH TIME MARK HADDON
THE ENDLESS STEPPE ESTHER HAUTZIG
THE FIRE THIEF FIGHT BACK TERRY DEARY
THE GHOST OF THOMAS KEMPE PENELOPE LIVELY
THE GIANT PEACH ROALD DAHL
THE GREAT ELEPHANT CHASE GILLIAN CROSS
THE HAUNTING MARGARET MAHY
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY D ADAMS
THE HOBBIT J R R TOLKIEN
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY SHEILA BURNFORD
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE C S LEWIS
THE LOST WORLD SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
THE LIFE OF PI YAN MARTEL
THE LITTLE WHITE HORSE ELIZABETH GOUDGE
THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE KATE DICAMILLO
THE MIDNIGHT FOX BETSY BYARS
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS
LEE TRENTON STEWART
JOURNEY
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA ERNEST HEMINGWAY
THE PENDERWICKS JEANNE BIRDSALL

Page 45 of 46
TITLE AUTHOR
THE PHOENIX AND THE CARPET E NESBIT
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN E NESBIT
THE SECRET GARDEN FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
THE SHEEP PIG DICK-KING SMITH
THE SNOW GOOSE PAUL GALLICO
THE STAR OF KAZAN EVA IBBOTSON
THE STORY OF THOMAS ALVA EDISON MARGARET COUSINS
THE SWORD IN THE STONE T H WHITE
THE TIME MACHINE H.G. WELLS
THE TREASURE SEEKERS E. NESBIT
THE WATER BABIES CHARLES KINGSLEY
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS KENNETH GRAHAME
THE WIZARD OF OZ L. FRANK BAUM
THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE JOAN AIKEN
THE WOULDBEGOODS [Link]
THIEF MALORIE BLACKMAN
THIS POEM DOESN'T RHYME GERARD BENSON
THUNDER AND LIGHTNINGS JAN MARK
TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN PHILIPPA PEARCE
TOM'S PRIVATE WAR ROBERT LEESON
TOM'S WAR PATROL ROBERT LEESON
TREASURE ISLAND ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
TRUCKERS TERRY PRATCHETT
TRUTH, LIES AND HOMEWORK JOSEPHINE FEENEY
VERSE V ARIOUS
WALKABOUT JAMES VANCE MARSHALL
WAR HORSE MICHAEL MORPURGO
WATERSHIP DOWN RICHARD ADAMS
WHAT KATY DID SUSAN COOLIDGE
WHAT KATY DID NEXT SUSAN COOLIDGE
WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT JUDITH KERR
WHITE BOOTS NOEL STRETFORD
WHITE FANG JACK LONDON
WHY THE WHALES CAME MICHAEL MORPURGO
WOLF BROTHER (CHRONICLES OF ANCIENT DARKNESS) MICHELLE PAVER
YOUNG BOND SERIES CHARLIE HIGSON

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