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
Which word is the opposite of “teem”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, lack
How to work it out
“teem” means to be full of.
Its opposite is “lack”.
“swarm” means the same, not the opposite.
Why the other options are wrong
A (exhume): “exhume” means “to dig up something buried”. That is neither the same as “teem” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
B (swarm): “swarm” means the same as “teem”, so it is a synonym. The question asks for the opposite.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is the opposite of “coarse”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, smooth
How to work it out
“coarse” means rough in texture; or rude.
Its opposite is “smooth”.
“rough” means the same, not the opposite.
Why the other options are wrong
A (rough): “rough” means the same as “coarse”, so it is a synonym. The question asks for the opposite.
C (lustrous): “lustrous” means “shining softly”. That is neither the same as “coarse” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are most opposite in meaning?
“ascend” and “descend” are antonyms: they mean the opposite.
Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
A (bucket and descend): “descend” is half of the right pair, but “bucket” is an everyday object and is not the opposite of “descend”. The partner is “ascend”.
B (ascend and blanket): “ascend” is half of the right pair, but “blanket” is an everyday object and is not the opposite of “ascend”. The partner is “descend”.
C (window and meadow): “window” and “meadow” are both everyday objects, so neither is the opposite of the other. Look for the two words that really are opposites, one from each group.
D (bucket and blanket): “bucket” and “blanket” are both everyday objects, so neither is the opposite of the other. The real pair is “ascend” and “descend”.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is most opposite in meaning to “vertical”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, horizontal
How to work it out
“horizontal” is the opposite of “vertical”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (clumsy): “clumsy” is neither the same as “vertical” nor its opposite: it is unrelated, while “horizontal” is the true opposite.
B (narrow): “narrow” is neither the same as “vertical” nor its opposite: it is unrelated, while “horizontal” is the true opposite.
D (meadow): “meadow” is neither the same as “vertical” nor its opposite: it is unrelated, while “horizontal” is the true opposite.
E (polite): “polite” means “having good manners”. That is neither the same as “vertical” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is the opposite of “impromptu”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, planned
How to work it out
“impromptu” means done without planning.
Its opposite is “planned”.
“unplanned” means the same, not the opposite.
Why the other options are wrong
B (jubilant): “jubilant” means “full of joy because of success”. That is neither the same as “impromptu” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
C (gratuitous): “gratuitous” means “unnecessary and uncalled for”. That is neither the same as “impromptu” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
D (unplanned): “unplanned” means the same as “impromptu”, so it is a synonym. The question asks for the opposite.
E (bizarre): “bizarre” means “very strange or unusual”. That is neither the same as “impromptu” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is the opposite of “equitable”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, unfair
How to work it out
“equitable” means fair to everyone.
Its opposite is “unfair”.
“fair” means the same, not the opposite.
Why the other options are wrong
A (upright): “upright” means “standing straight; or honest”. That is neither the same as “equitable” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
C (polite): “polite” means “having good manners”. That is neither the same as “equitable” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
D (ecstatic): “ecstatic” means “extremely happy”. That is neither the same as “equitable” nor its opposite, so it is unrelated.
E (fair): “fair” means the same as “equitable”, so it is a synonym. The question asks for the opposite.
The kinds of question in this topic
Each kind asks something different of a child, even when the numbers or shapes look alike.
Opposites, one from each group
Pick the pair that are opposites, one word from each bracket.
Standard
Question 7Aim for about 35 seconds
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are most opposite in meaning?
“ascend” and “descend” are antonyms: they mean the opposite.
Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
A (window and button): “window” and “button” are both everyday objects, so neither is the opposite of the other. The real pair is “ascend” and “descend”.
B (ascend and button): “ascend” is half of the right pair, but “button” is an everyday object and is not the opposite of “ascend”. The partner is “descend”.
D (window and descend): “descend” is half of the right pair, but “window” is an everyday object and is not the opposite of “descend”. The partner is “ascend”.
E (lantern and kettle): “lantern” and “kettle” are both everyday objects, so neither is the opposite of the other. Look for the two words that really are opposites, one from each group.
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