What a thing always has, and putting words in their natural order.
OftenIn many papers, especially GL AssessmentAbout 35 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
Some questions ask what you know about the world through words: what a thing cannot be without, or where words fall in a natural order such as size or time.
The trap is to pick what is usual. A bicycle usually has a bell, but it is still a bicycle without one; it is not a bicycle without wheels.
Tips that save marks
Always has: for each option ask “could it still be one without this?”
Natural order: find the two ends first, then work inwards.
Say the order out loud from smallest to largest, or earliest to latest, to check it.
A worked example
Put in order and find the middle: hour, second, week, day, minute.
From shortest to longest: second, minute, hour, day, week.
Five words, so the middle is the third.
Answer: hour.
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
Put these five words in order. Which word is in the middle?
second week day minute hour
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, hour
How to work it out
In order from shortest to longest time: second, minute, hour, day, week.
The middle word is hour.
Why the other options are wrong
B (day): Day is second from one end of the order (shortest to longest time), not in the middle.
C (minute): Minute is second from one end of the order (shortest to longest time), not in the middle.
D (second): Second is at one end of the order (shortest to longest time), not in the middle.
E (week): Week is at one end of the order (shortest to longest time), not in the middle.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a kite ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, a string
How to work it out
Without a string it would not be a kite at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a kite can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (a bow): A kite can be without a bow and still be a kite.
B (a tail): A kite can be without a tail and still be a kite.
D (a pattern): A kite can be without a pattern and still be a kite.
E (bright colours): A kite can be without bright colours and still be a kite.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Put these five words in order. Which word is in the middle?
lake ocean sea puddle pond
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, lake
How to work it out
In order from smallest to largest: puddle, pond, lake, sea, ocean.
The middle word is lake.
Why the other options are wrong
A (sea): Sea is second from one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
B (puddle): Puddle is at one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
C (ocean): Ocean is at one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
E (pond): Pond is second from one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a mountain ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, a summit
How to work it out
Without a summit it would not be a mountain at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a mountain can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
B (trees): A mountain can be without trees and still be a mountain.
C (a cable car): A mountain can be without a cable car and still be a mountain.
D (a path): A mountain can be without a path and still be a mountain.
E (snow): A mountain can be without snow and still be a mountain.
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a book ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, pages
How to work it out
Without pages it would not be a book at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a book can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (pictures): A book can be without pictures and still be a book.
B (an index): A book can be without an index and still be a book.
C (a dust jacket): A book can be without a dust jacket and still be a book.
E (chapters): A book can be without chapters and still be a book.
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