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 has both of these meanings?
the sharp sound a dog makes · the rough outer covering of a tree
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, bark
How to work it out
“bark” means the sharp sound a dog makes, and it also means the rough outer covering of a tree.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (trunk): “trunk” fits only one meaning (the rough outer covering of a tree). It is not the sharp sound a dog makes.
B (root): “root” fits only one meaning (the rough outer covering of a tree). It is not the sharp sound a dog makes.
C (howl): “howl” fits only one meaning (the sharp sound a dog makes). It is not the rough outer covering of a tree.
D (growl): “growl” fits only one meaning (the sharp sound a dog makes). It is not the rough outer covering of a tree.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
a deep hole dug to reach water · in good health
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, well
How to work it out
“well” means a deep hole dug to reach water, and it also means in good health.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (healthy): “healthy” fits only one meaning (in good health). It is not a deep hole dug to reach water.
B (pump): “pump” fits only one meaning (a deep hole dug to reach water). It is not in good health.
C (spring): “spring” fits only one meaning (a deep hole dug to reach water). It is not in good health.
D (fit): “fit” fits only one meaning (in good health). It is not a deep hole dug to reach water.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
a small stick that makes a flame · a game played between two teams
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, match
How to work it out
“match” means a small stick that makes a flame, and it also means a game played between two teams.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (lighter): “lighter” fits only one meaning (a small stick that makes a flame). It is not a game played between two teams.
C (candle): “candle” fits only one meaning (a small stick that makes a flame). It is not a game played between two teams.
D (final): “final” fits only one meaning (a game played between two teams). It is not a small stick that makes a flame.
E (contest): “contest” fits only one meaning (a game played between two teams). It is not a small stick that makes a flame.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
a journey to a place · to catch your foot and nearly fall
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, trip
How to work it out
“trip” means a journey to a place, and it also means to catch your foot and nearly fall.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (outing): “outing” fits only one meaning (a journey to a place). It is not to catch your foot and nearly fall.
B (stumble): “stumble” fits only one meaning (to catch your foot and nearly fall). It is not a journey to a place.
C (voyage): “voyage” fits only one meaning (a journey to a place). It is not to catch your foot and nearly fall.
E (tumble): “tumble” fits only one meaning (to catch your foot and nearly fall). It is not a journey to a place.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
a small locked room in a prison · the smallest part of a living thing
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, cell
How to work it out
“cell” means a small locked room in a prison, and it also means the smallest part of a living thing.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
A (tissue): “tissue” fits only one meaning (the smallest part of a living thing). It is not a small locked room in a prison.
B (dungeon): “dungeon” fits only one meaning (a small locked room in a prison). It is not the smallest part of a living thing.
D (jail): “jail” fits only one meaning (a small locked room in a prison). It is not the smallest part of a living thing.
E (organ): “organ” fits only one meaning (the smallest part of a living thing). It is not a small locked room in a prison.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word has both of these meanings?
the place where someone is buried · very serious
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, grave
How to work it out
“grave” means the place where someone is buried, and it also means very serious.
One word, two meanings: the wrong options each fit just one.
Why the other options are wrong
B (serious): “serious” fits only one meaning (very serious). It is not the place where someone is buried.
C (solemn): “solemn” fits only one meaning (very serious). It is not the place where someone is buried.
D (burial): “burial” fits only one meaning (the place where someone is buried). It is not very serious.
E (tomb): “tomb” fits only one meaning (the place where someone is buried). It is not very serious.
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.