Every question here is written by Prism in the style of the tests. None is copied from a real paper, and a fresh one is drawn each time a child practises.
From foundation to exam standard
Two questions at each level. Tap an option to check it.
Foundation where a child in Year 3 or 4 starts
Question 1Aim for about 45 seconds
This is a solid seen from directly above. Which solid is it?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
From above, a pentagonal prism looks like a pentagon.
Picture looking straight down on each solid: flat tops show their own shape, and a point in the middle means the sides slope up to a tip.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This is a cone. From above it looks like a circle with a point in the centre, not the shape shown.
B: This is a triangular-based pyramid. From above it looks like a triangle with lines from each corner to the centre, not the shape shown.
D: This is a triangular prism (standing up). From above it looks like a triangle, not the shape shown.
E: This is a hexagonal-based pyramid. From above it looks like a hexagon with lines from each corner to the centre, not the shape shown.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
This is a solid seen from directly above. Which solid is it?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
From above, a triangular prism (lying down) looks like a rectangle with a line down the middle (the ridge).
Picture looking straight down on each solid: flat tops show their own shape, and a point in the middle means the sides slope up to a tip.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This is a triangular prism (standing up). From above it looks like a triangle, not the shape shown.
B: This is a hexagonal prism. From above it looks like a hexagon, not the shape shown.
D: This is a hexagonal-based pyramid. From above it looks like a hexagon with lines from each corner to the centre, not the shape shown.
E: This is a triangular-based pyramid. From above it looks like a triangle with lines from each corner to the centre, not the shape shown.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds
This is a solid seen from directly above. Which solid is it?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
From above, a triangular prism (lying down) looks like a rectangle with a line down the middle (the ridge).
Picture looking straight down on each solid: flat tops show their own shape, and a point in the middle means the sides slope up to a tip.
Why the other options are wrong
B: This is a square-based pyramid. From above it looks like a square with lines from each corner to the centre, not the shape shown.
C: This is a cone. From above it looks like a circle with a point in the centre, not the shape shown.
D: This is a cube. From above it looks like a square, not the shape shown.
E: This is a pentagonal prism. From above it looks like a pentagon, not the shape shown.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which picture shows this solid seen from directly above?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
The solid is a hexagonal prism.
Seen from directly above it looks like a hexagon.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This is the view from above of a triangular-based pyramid (a triangle with lines from each corner to the centre).
C: This is the view from above of a cylinder (a plain circle).
D: This is the view from above of a square-based pyramid (a square with lines from each corner to the centre).
E: This is the view from above of a triangular prism (standing up) (a triangle).
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 45 seconds
Which picture shows this solid seen from directly above?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D
How to work it out
The solid is a hexagonal prism.
Seen from directly above it looks like a hexagon.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This is the view from above of a cylinder (a plain circle).
B: This is the view from above of a cone (a circle with a point in the centre).
C: This is the view from above of a cube (a square).
E: This is the view from above of a square-based pyramid (a square with lines from each corner to the centre).
Question 6Aim for about 45 seconds
Which picture shows this solid seen from directly above?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D
How to work it out
The solid is a triangular prism (standing up).
Seen from directly above it looks like a triangle.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This is the view from above of a cone (a circle with a point in the centre).
B: This is the view from above of a hexagonal prism (a hexagon).
C: This is the view from above of a cylinder (a plain circle).
E: This is the view from above of a hexagonal-based pyramid (a hexagon with lines from each corner to the centre).
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