Question 1Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
pentagon, square, circle
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, rectangle
How to work it out
pentagon, square, circle are all shapes, and so is rectangle.
Word classification: 11 Plus verbal reasoning practice
Odd one out and words that belong together.
CoreIn almost every paper that tests this subjectAbout 35 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
Find the category linking most of the words (living things, materials, instruments, feelings) and spot the one that does not fit.
Tips that save marks
- Be as specific as possible about the category.
- Consider meaning, not spelling or length.
Now try five
Try each one before you look at the answer: answering from memory is what makes it stick. Tap an option to check it. Most children get three or four right at first; five out of five means move on to the next topic.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Three of these words go together. Which two words do not belong with them?
cherry, lemon, thunder, hail, peach
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, thunder and hail
How to work it out
cherry, peach, lemon are all fruits. hail and thunder are kinds of weather.
Why the other options are wrong
- A (cherry and peach): These are both fruits, like lemon.
- B (cherry and hail): cherry belongs with the fruits; only hail and thunder do not.
- C (lemon and hail): lemon belongs with the fruits.
- E (thunder and peach): peach belongs with the fruits; only hail and thunder do not.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
dresser, wardrobe, bench
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, chair
How to work it out
dresser, wardrobe, bench are all furniture, and so is chair.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Three of these words go together. Which two words do not belong with them?
pear, banana, mango, cabbage, pea
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, cabbage and pea
How to work it out
mango, pear, banana are all fruits. cabbage and pea are vegetables.
Why the other options are wrong
- A (pear and mango): These are both fruits, like banana.
- B (mango and cabbage): mango belongs with the fruits; only cabbage and pea do not.
- C (pear and pea): pear belongs with the fruits; only cabbage and pea do not.
- E (banana and cabbage): banana belongs with the fruits.
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
peach, pear, banana
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, cherry
How to work it out
peach, pear, banana are all fruits, and so is cherry.
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