Question 1Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is closest in meaning to “happy”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, content
How to work it out
“content” has a similar meaning to “happy”.
Synonyms: 11 Plus verbal reasoning practice
Words with similar meanings.
CoreIn almost every paper that tests this subjectAbout 35 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
Synonym questions ask for the word closest in meaning. Try each option in a sentence using the original word.
Tips that save marks
- Watch for antonyms placed as traps.
- Think about the word class: a synonym for a verb will be a verb.
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
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are closest in meaning?
( meadow, table, sly ) ( blanket, bucket, cunning )
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, sly and cunning
How to work it out
- “sly” and “cunning” are synonyms: they mean nearly the same.
- Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
- B (table and blanket): These two words are not linked in meaning.
- C (meadow and bucket): These two words are not linked in meaning.
- D (meadow and cunning): “cunning” is right, but “meadow” is not linked to it.
- E (sly and bucket): “sly” is right, but “bucket” is not linked to it.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is closest in meaning to “vacant”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, empty
How to work it out
“empty” has a similar meaning to “vacant”.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are closest in meaning?
( button, pebble, loyal ) ( castle, faithful, marble )
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, loyal and faithful
How to work it out
- “loyal” and “faithful” are synonyms: they mean nearly the same.
- Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
- A (button and marble): These two words are not linked in meaning.
- B (loyal and castle): “loyal” is right, but “castle” is not linked to it.
- C (pebble and faithful): “faithful” is right, but “pebble” is not linked to it.
- D (pebble and castle): These two words are not linked in meaning.
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is closest in meaning to “huge”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, enormous
How to work it out
“enormous” has a similar meaning to “huge”.
More verbal reasoning topics
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