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 one does a guitar ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, strings
How to work it out
Without strings it would not be a guitar at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a guitar can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (an amplifier): A guitar can be without an amplifier and still be a guitar.
C (a case): A guitar can be without a case and still be a guitar.
D (a strap): A guitar can be without a strap and still be a guitar.
E (a sticker): A guitar can be without a sticker and still be a guitar.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Put these five words in order. Which word is in the middle?
pond sea ocean puddle lake
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, lake
How to work it out
In order from smallest to largest: puddle, pond, lake, sea, ocean.
The middle word is lake.
Why the other options are wrong
A (ocean): Ocean is at one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
C (puddle): Puddle is at one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
D (pond): Pond is second from one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
E (sea): Sea is second from one end of the order (smallest to largest), not in the middle.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a guitar ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, strings
How to work it out
Without strings it would not be a guitar at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a guitar can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (an amplifier): A guitar can be without an amplifier and still be a guitar.
B (a case): A guitar can be without a case and still be a guitar.
C (a strap): A guitar can be without a strap and still be a guitar.
E (a sticker): A guitar can be without a sticker and still be a guitar.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
Put these five words in order from smallest to largest. Which word comes second?
elephant mouse cat ant horse
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, mouse
How to work it out
In order from smallest to largest: ant, mouse, cat, horse, elephant.
The second is mouse.
Why the other options are wrong
B (elephant): Elephant comes fifth in the order from smallest to largest.
C (ant): Ant comes first in the order from smallest to largest.
D (horse): Horse is second counting from the other end; the order starts from smallest.
E (cat): Cat comes third in the order from smallest to largest.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a clock ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, a way of showing the time
How to work it out
Without a way of showing the time it would not be a clock at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a clock can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (a pendulum): A clock can be without a pendulum and still be a clock.
C (an alarm): A clock can be without an alarm and still be a clock.
D (hands): A clock can be without hands and still be a clock.
E (numbers): A clock can be without numbers and still be a clock.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one does a desert ALWAYS have?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, very little rain
How to work it out
Without very little rain it would not be a desert at all.
Each of the others is often there, but a desert can be without it.
Why the other options are wrong
B (cactus plants): A desert can be without cactus plants and still be a desert.
C (sand): A desert can be without sand and still be a desert.
D (scorching heat): A desert can be without scorching heat and still be a desert.
E (camels): A desert can be without camels and still be a desert.
Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.