Words with two meanings: 11 Plus verbal reasoning practice
One word that fits two different meanings.
OftenIn many papers, especially GL AssessmentAbout 35 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
Some words have two quite different meanings: a bat flies at night, and a bat hits a cricket ball. The question gives both meanings and asks for the one word that fits them both.
Every wrong option fits one of the meanings perfectly, which is what makes it tempting. Only the answer fits both.
Tips that save marks
Test each option against the second meaning first; most wrong answers fit only the first.
Say a short sentence for each meaning with the word in it.
If two options seem to fit, one of them fits a meaning that is close but not the same.
A worked example
Which word means both “the sharp sound a dog makes” and “the rough outer covering of a tree”? growl, trunk, bark, howl, root
Growl and howl are sounds a dog makes, but not tree coverings.
Trunk and root are parts of a tree, but not sounds.
Bark fits both. Answer: bark.
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 1Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
the place where someone is buried · very serious
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, grave
How to work it out
“grave” means the place where someone is buried, and it also means very serious.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
B (serious): “serious” fits only one meaning (very serious). It is not the place where someone is buried.
C (solemn): “solemn” fits only one meaning (very serious). It is not the place where someone is buried.
D (tomb): “tomb” fits only one meaning (the place where someone is buried). It is not very serious.
E (burial): “burial” fits only one meaning (the place where someone is buried). It is not very serious.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
having a low temperature · an illness that makes you sneeze
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, cold
How to work it out
“cold” means having a low temperature, and it also means an illness that makes you sneeze.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (flu): “flu” fits only one meaning (an illness that makes you sneeze). It is not having a low temperature.
B (frosty): “frosty” fits only one meaning (having a low temperature). It is not an illness that makes you sneeze.
D (chilly): “chilly” fits only one meaning (having a low temperature). It is not an illness that makes you sneeze.
E (cough): “cough” fits only one meaning (an illness that makes you sneeze). It is not having a low temperature.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
not heavy · the brightness that lets us see
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, light
How to work it out
“light” means not heavy, and it also means the brightness that lets us see.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (glow): “glow” fits only one meaning (the brightness that lets us see). It is not not heavy.
B (weightless): “weightless” fits only one meaning (not heavy). It is not the brightness that lets us see.
C (flimsy): “flimsy” fits only one meaning (not heavy). It is not the brightness that lets us see.
D (lamp): “lamp” fits only one meaning (the brightness that lets us see). It is not not heavy.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
a particular day of the month · a sweet brown fruit
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, date
How to work it out
“date” means a particular day of the month, and it also means a sweet brown fruit.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
B (calendar): “calendar” fits only one meaning (a particular day of the month). It is not a sweet brown fruit.
C (fig): “fig” fits only one meaning (a sweet brown fruit). It is not a particular day of the month.
D (raisin): “raisin” fits only one meaning (a sweet brown fruit). It is not a particular day of the month.
E (day): “day” fits only one meaning (a particular day of the month). It is not a sweet brown fruit.
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
treating everyone the same · an outdoor event with rides and stalls
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, fair
How to work it out
“fair” means treating everyone the same, and it also means an outdoor event with rides and stalls.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (honest): “honest” fits only one meaning (treating everyone the same). It is not an outdoor event with rides and stalls.
B (carnival): “carnival” fits only one meaning (an outdoor event with rides and stalls). It is not treating everyone the same.
C (equal): “equal” fits only one meaning (treating everyone the same). It is not an outdoor event with rides and stalls.
D (circus): “circus” fits only one meaning (an outdoor event with rides and stalls). It is not treating everyone the same.
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