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 35 seconds
The words in the first pair go together in a certain way. Which word goes with the third word in the same way?
calf → cow piglet → ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, pig
How to work it out
In the first pair, a “calf” is a young “cow”.
In the same way, a “piglet” is a young “pig”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (dog): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a “puppy” is a young “dog”, not piglet.
B (frog): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a “tadpole” is a young “frog”, not piglet.
C (buzz): “buzz” has no link to “piglet” like the one in the first pair.
D (cow): “cow” is copied from the first pair. It does not fit with “piglet”.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
The words in the first pair go together in a certain way. Which word goes with the third word in the same way?
dog → kennel spider → ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, web
How to work it out
In the first pair, a “dog” lives in a “kennel”.
In the same way, a “spider” lives in a “web”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (kennel): “kennel” is copied from the first pair. It does not fit with “spider”.
C (nest): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a “bird” lives in a “nest”, not spider.
D (burrow): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a “rabbit” lives in a “burrow”, not spider.
E (flower): “flower” has no link to “spider” like the one in the first pair.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Complete the analogy.
eye is to see as ear is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, hear
How to work it out
Say the link between “eye” and “see” as a sentence.
The same sentence links “ear” and “hear”.
Why the other options are wrong
B (ear): “ear” is already in the question. The missing word must go with “ear” as “see” goes with “eye”.
C (mason): “mason” does not go with “ear” the way “see” goes with “eye”. The word that does is “hear”.
D (hospital): “hospital” does not go with “ear” the way “see” goes with “eye”. The word that does is “hear”.
E (ice): “ice” does not go with “ear” the way “see” goes with “eye”. The word that does is “hear”.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Complete the analogy.
captain is to ship as pilot is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, aeroplane
How to work it out
Say the link between “captain” and “ship” as a sentence.
The same sentence links “pilot” and “aeroplane”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (pilot): “pilot” is already in the question. The missing word must go with “pilot” as “ship” goes with “captain”.
B (kitten): “kitten” does not go with “pilot” the way “ship” goes with “captain”. The word that does is “aeroplane”.
C (bee): “bee” does not go with “pilot” the way “ship” goes with “captain”. The word that does is “aeroplane”.
E (bird): “bird” does not go with “pilot” the way “ship” goes with “captain”. The word that does is “aeroplane”.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
What is the relationship between these two words?
brick : wall
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, Part to whole
How to work it out
Say the link as a sentence: a brick is to a wall as part is to whole.
The relationship is part to whole.
Why the other options are wrong
A (Animal to its home): "animal to its home" fits a pair like bird : nest, not brick : wall.
B (Tool to its user): "tool to its user" fits a pair like hammer : carpenter, not brick : wall.
C (Action to the thing it is done to): "action to the thing it is done to" fits a pair like edit : manuscript, not brick : wall.
E (Object to its material): "object to its material" fits a pair like window : glass, not brick : wall.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
The words in the first pair go together in a certain way. Which word goes with the third word in the same way?
finger → hand verse → ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, poem
How to work it out
In the first pair, a finger is part of a hand.
In the same way, a verse is part of a poem.
Why the other options are wrong
A (hand): “hand” is copied from the first pair. It does not fit with “verse”.
B (shoal): “shoal” has no link to “verse” like the one in the first pair.
C (wheel): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a spoke is part of a wheel, not verse.
D (flower): The right kind of link, but the wrong word: a petal is part of a flower, not verse.
The kinds of question in this topic
Each kind asks something different of a child, even when the numbers or shapes look alike.
Analogies by relationship
Part to whole, cause to effect, tool to job: finish the pair the same way.
Standard
Question 7Aim for about 35 seconds
What is the relationship between these two words?
lion : lair
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, Animal to its home
How to work it out
Say the link as a sentence: a lion is to a lair as animal is to its home.
The relationship is animal to its home.
Why the other options are wrong
A (Young to adult): "young to adult" fits a pair like puppy : dog, not lion : lair.
C (Tool to its user): "tool to its user" fits a pair like hammer : carpenter, not lion : lair.
D (Instrument to what it measures): "instrument to what it measures" fits a pair like thermometer : temperature, not lion : lair.
E (Object to its material): "object to its material" fits a pair like window : glass, not lion : lair.
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.