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 means the same as “comply”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, obey
How to work it out
“comply” means to do what you are asked or told, so “obey” is closest.
“defy” is the opposite: a common trap.
Why the other options are wrong
A (defy): “defy” is the opposite of “comply”, not a word with the same meaning. Read the question for same or opposite.
B (muster): “muster” means “to gather together, especially courage or people”, which is a different idea from “comply” (“to do what you are asked or told”).
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word means the same as “notice”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, spot
How to work it out
“notice” means to see or become aware of, so “spot” is closest.
“overlook” is the opposite: a common trap.
Why the other options are wrong
B (taint): “taint” means “to spoil with something bad”, which is a different idea from “notice” (“to see or become aware of”).
C (overlook): “overlook” is the opposite of “notice”, not a word with the same meaning. Read the question for same or opposite.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are closest in meaning?
“difficult” and “arduous” are synonyms: they mean nearly the same.
Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
A (basket and ladder): “basket” and “ladder” are both everyday objects, so neither is close in meaning to the other. Look for the two words that really are synonyms, one from each group.
B (marble and arduous): “arduous” is half of the right pair, but “marble” is an everyday object and is not close in meaning to “arduous”. The partner is “difficult”.
C (marble and kettle): “marble” and “kettle” are both everyday objects, so neither is close in meaning to the other. The real pair is “difficult” and “arduous”.
D (difficult and kettle): “difficult” is half of the right pair, but “kettle” is an everyday object and is not close in meaning to “difficult”. The partner is “arduous”.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is closest in meaning to “hide”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, conceal
How to work it out
“conceal” has a similar meaning to “hide”.
Why the other options are wrong
B (ripple): “hide” and “conceal” mean the same. “ripple” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
C (carpet): “hide” and “conceal” mean the same. “carpet” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
D (glossy): “hide” and “conceal” mean the same. “glossy” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
E (steady): “hide” and “conceal” mean the same. “steady” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word means the same as “mischief”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, trouble
How to work it out
“mischief” means playful naughtiness, so “trouble” is closest.
“good behaviour” is the opposite: a common trap.
Why the other options are wrong
A (hubbub): “hubbub” means “a noisy confusion of voices”, which is a different idea from “mischief” (“playful naughtiness”).
B (abode): “abode” means “the place where someone lives”, which is a different idea from “mischief” (“playful naughtiness”).
C (solace): “solace” means “comfort in sadness”, which is a different idea from “mischief” (“playful naughtiness”).
E (good behaviour): “good behaviour” is the opposite of “mischief”, not a word with the same meaning. Read the question for same or opposite.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
In this sentence, what does “cascade” most nearly mean?
A cascade of leaves fell when the wind blew.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, A waterfall, or anything pouring down like one
How to work it out
Read the whole sentence for clues to the meaning.
Here “cascade” means a waterfall, or anything pouring down like one.
Why the other options are wrong
B (Honesty and strong moral principles): “Honesty and strong moral principles” is what “integrity” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
C (A sudden disaster): “A sudden disaster” is what “calamity” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
D (A journey made for a purpose): “A journey made for a purpose” is what “expedition” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
E (Great enjoyment and energy): “Great enjoyment and energy” is what “gusto” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
The kinds of question in this topic
Each kind asks something different of a child, even when the numbers or shapes look alike.
Words in context
The meaning of a word as it is used in a sentence.
Standard
Question 7Aim for about 35 seconds
In this sentence, what does “smug” most nearly mean?
He gave a smug smile when his answer was right.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, Too pleased with yourself
How to work it out
Read the whole sentence for clues to the meaning.
Here “smug” means too pleased with yourself.
Why the other options are wrong
B (Having little flavour or interest): “Having little flavour or interest” is what “bland” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
C (Clear and making sense): “Clear and making sense” is what “coherent” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
D (Very bright; or extremely clever): “Very bright; or extremely clever” is what “brilliant” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
E (Not certain or confident): “Not certain or confident” is what “tentative” means, and it does not fit the sentence.
One from each group
Pick the pair that mean the same, one word from each bracket.
Standard
Question 8Aim for about 35 seconds
Choose one word from each group. Which two words are closest in meaning?
“keen” and “eager” are synonyms: they mean nearly the same.
Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.
Why the other options are wrong
A (keen and marble): “keen” is half of the right pair, but “marble” is an everyday object and is not close in meaning to “keen”. The partner is “eager”.
B (helmet and candle): “helmet” and “candle” are both everyday objects, so neither is close in meaning to the other. Look for the two words that really are synonyms, one from each group.
C (meadow and eager): “eager” is half of the right pair, but “meadow” is an everyday object and is not close in meaning to “eager”. The partner is “keen”.
D (meadow and marble): “meadow” and “marble” are both everyday objects, so neither is close in meaning to the other. The real pair is “keen” and “eager”.
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.