The reading texts: 96 texts, 44 kinds of writing
Comprehension in the 11 Plus is not only stories. Prism's texts run from poems and classic fiction to news reports, science, letters, adverts, rules, logs and case files with more than one source, so a child learns to read anything the paper might set. The questions move from finding and inferring to weighing evidence: what must be true, which two statements hold, how far a source can be trusted, and what else you would need to know.
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.
Foundation where a child in Year 3 or 4 starts
The Keeper’s Daughter
Fiction · 6 questions
understanding
Why Bees Matter
Non fiction · 6 questions
understanding
Saturday Market
Poetry · 5 questions
understanding
The Accidental Inventor
Biography · 6 questions
understanding
The Snow Fox
Fiction · 6 questions
understanding
Life on the Space Station
Non fiction · 6 questions
understanding
A Letter Home, 1939
Letter · 6 questions
understanding
The Kite
Poetry · 5 questions
understanding
First Week
diary · 8 questions
read between the lines, find it in the text, another point of view, which line proves it, how the writer does it, what must be true
The Wallet
dilemma · 6 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, what could be true, another point of view, word meaning
Museum Panel: Medicine in Ancient Egypt
museum panel · 6 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, why it is there, what must be true
How Anansi Bought the Stories
myth · 6 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, why it is there, what must be true
The Monkey and the Crocodile
folktale · 6 questions
read between the lines, find it in the text, how the writer does it, another point of view, what must be true
Gingerbread, and Where It Came From
recipe · 6 questions
order of events, find it in the text, read between the lines, why it is there
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
The Missing Painting
mystery · 9 questions
which line proves it, read between the lines, what must be true, what could be true, how far to trust it, word meaning, what else you would need, how the writer does it, which two statements
After the Storm
survival · 9 questions
order of events, read between the lines, which line proves it, how far to trust it, the strongest counterargument, word meaning, how the writer does it, what could be true
Interview: The Young Inventor
interview · 8 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, word meaning, spot the slant, what must be true, why it is there, what else you would need
Experiment Log: Cress in Three Places
experiment · 9 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, what must be true, the strongest counterargument, what else you would need, why it is there, which two statements, word meaning
Leaflet: Save Our Library
campaign · 8 questions
why it is there, how the writer does it, spot the slant, find it in the text, the strongest counterargument, read between the lines, which line proves it, what cannot be true
A Letter Home, 1916
primary source · 8 questions
read between the lines, which line proves it, another point of view, how far to trust it, find it in the text, how the writer does it, what could be true
Three Views on the Village Well
viewpoints · 9 questions
where the sources disagree, which line proves it, read between the lines, another point of view, what must be true, how far to trust it, which two statements, the strongest counterargument, what else you would need
Instructions: Make a Simple Water Filter
instructions · 8 questions
where the sources disagree, read between the lines, order of events, what must be true, why it is there, word meaning, what could be true, find it in the text
Sol 412
science fiction · 8 questions
read between the lines, which line proves it, how the writer does it, find it in the text, word meaning, another point of view, what could be true
Planning the Trip
messages · 9 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, what must be true, what else you would need, what could be true, spot the slant
Debate: Should Phones Be Banned in Schools?
debate · 8 questions
the strongest counterargument, which line proves it, how the writer does it, read between the lines, spot the slant, which two statements, what else you would need, what must be true
Three Emails About the Project
email · 8 questions
find it in the text, where the sources disagree, read between the lines, order of events, what must be true, another point of view
Advertisement: The EverBottle
advert · 8 questions
why it is there, read between the lines, spot the slant, how the writer does it, which line proves it, what must be true, the strongest counterargument, word meaning
Travel Guide: Three Days Across Britain
travel guide · 8 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, what must be true, order of events, what else you would need, word meaning
Article and Chart: How Much Screen Time?
chart article · 8 questions
find it in the text, which line proves it, what must be true, how far to trust it, read between the lines, the strongest counterargument, which two statements, what else you would need
The Theft of the Hammer
myth · 8 questions
read between the lines, how the writer does it, which line proves it, another point of view, what must be true, word meaning
Review: Two Bikes for Year 6
review · 8 questions
find it in the text, which line proves it, read between the lines, spot the slant, the strongest counterargument, what must be true, another point of view, why it is there
Rules and a Visit
rules · 8 questions
what must be true, read between the lines, find it in the text, what could be true, what else you would need, which two statements, another point of view
Maintenance Log: Unit R-7
robot log · 8 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, order of events, what must be true, what else you would need, what could be true
Weather Station Log, Hill Farm
observations · 8 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, what must be true, what else you would need, what could be true, another point of view
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
The Glass Orchard
Fiction · 12 questions
understanding
The Penny Black
Non fiction · 12 questions
understanding
Mary Anning, Fossil Hunter
Non fiction (biography) · 12 questions
understanding
Daffodils William Wordsworth (1807)
Poetry · 12 questions
understanding
From a Railway Carriage Robert Louis Stevenson (1885)
Poetry · 12 questions
understanding
Spring Cleaning Adapted from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)
Fiction · 12 questions
understanding
My Early Home Adapted from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (1877)
Fiction · 12 questions
understanding
Lost on the Fell
Fiction · 12 questions
understanding
Why Leaves Change Colour
Non fiction · 12 questions
understanding
A Skate Park for Millbrook
Non fiction (persuasive letter) · 12 questions
understanding
A Diary from 1939
Fiction (diary) · 12 questions
understanding
Mary Seacole
Non fiction (biography) · 12 questions
understanding
Down the Rabbit-Hole Lewis Carroll, 1865, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Mole Finds the River Kenneth Grahame, 1908, from The Wind in the Willows. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Dickon and the Pipe Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911, from The Secret Garden. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
My Early Home Anna Sewell, 1877, from Black Beauty. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Something Red E. Nesbit, 1906, from The Railway Children. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Wolves’ Cave Rudyard Kipling, 1894, from The Jungle Book. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Sand-fairy E. Nesbit, 1902, from Five Children and It
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Cyclone L. Frank Baum, 1900, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Please, Sir, I Want Some More Charles Dickens, 1838, from Oliver Twist
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Heidi’s First Morning Johanna Spyri (translated by Elisabeth Stork), 1880, from Heidi
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter, 1902, from The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Anne at the Station L. M. Montgomery, 1908, from Anne of Green Gables. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
How the Camel Got His Hump Rudyard Kipling, 1902, from Just So Stories
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Pollyanna on the Roof Eleanor H. Porter, 1913, from Pollyanna. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Stair in the Dark Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886, from Kidnapped
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Rikki-Tikki Meets Nag Rudyard Kipling, 1894, from The Jungle Book. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Sara and the Six Buns Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1905, from A Little Princess. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Broken Bridge Anna Sewell, 1877, from Black Beauty
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
A Mad Tea-Party Lewis Carroll, 1865, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Doctor Learns to Talk Hugh Lofting, 1920, from The Story of Doctor Dolittle. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Christmas Without Presents Louisa May Alcott, 1868, from Little Women. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Selfish Giant Oscar Wilde, 1888, from The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Dorothy Meets the Scarecrow L. Frank Baum, 1900, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture Jerome K. Jerome, 1889, from Three Men in a Boat. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Fallen Fortunes of the Bastables E. Nesbit, 1899, from The Story of the Treasure Seekers. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Old Lady at the Top of the Stairs George MacDonald, 1872, from The Princess and the Goblin. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Katy and the Swing Susan Coolidge, 1872, from What Katy Did. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
How the Whale Got His Throat Rudyard Kipling, 1902, from Just So Stories. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin Rudyard Kipling, 1902, from Just So Stories
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Anne and the Slate L. M. Montgomery, 1908, from Anne of Green Gables. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Toad and the Motor-Car Kenneth Grahame, 1908, from The Wind in the Willows. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Cratchits’ Christmas Dinner Charles Dickens, 1843, from A Christmas Carol. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Cowardly Lion L. Frank Baum, 1900, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Messing About in Boats Kenneth Grahame, 1908, from The Wind in the Willows. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
My Breaking In Anna Sewell, 1877, from Black Beauty
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Peter’s Engine E. Nesbit, 1906, from The Railway Children. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Gravel-Pit E. Nesbit, 1902, from Five Children and It
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Jo and the Boy Next Door Louisa May Alcott, 1868, from Little Women
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Glad Game Eleanor H. Porter, 1913, from Pollyanna. Punctuation lightly modernised.
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
The Little Door Lewis Carroll, 1865, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Fiction (classic) · 12 questions
understanding
Why Do Some Birds Migrate?
science · 9 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, what must be true, where the sources disagree, word meaning, the strongest counterargument, why it is there, what else you would need
Is Ferry Park Unsafe?
news · 10 questions
which two statements, find it in the text, how far to trust it, spot the slant, read between the lines, where the sources disagree, what must be true, what cannot be true, understanding, what else you would need
From the Lanchester Herald, 12 May 1910
historical source · 8 questions
find it in the text, how far to trust it, spot the slant, read between the lines, word meaning, what must be true, another point of view, what else you would need
Who Decides the Lights?
future scenario · 8 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, spot the slant, the strongest counterargument, what must be true, another point of view, what else you would need
The Case of the Missing Trophy
case file · 10 questions
what cannot be true, which line proves it, where the sources disagree, read between the lines, what could be true, find it in the text, how far to trust it, what else you would need, what must be true, which two statements
Two Letters About the Railway, 1842
letters · 10 questions
where the sources disagree, how the writer does it, which line proves it, spot the slant, read between the lines, how far to trust it, what must be true, the strongest counterargument, another point of view, what else you would need
What Is Fair?
dialogue · 10 questions
order of events, read between the lines, which line proves it, the strongest counterargument, what must be true, another point of view, which two statements, word meaning, what else you would need
The Accident on Mill Lane
courtroom · 10 questions
where the sources disagree, which line proves it, read between the lines, how far to trust it, what could be true, what must be true, the strongest counterargument, what else you would need, which two statements, another point of view
The Damaged Diary
damaged text · 10 questions
read between the lines, what must be true, what else you would need, what could be true, how far to trust it, another point of view, which line proves it, word meaning, where the sources disagree
Incident Report: Cargo Vessel Meridian
incident report · 10 questions
find it in the text, read between the lines, which line proves it, what must be true, the strongest counterargument, how far to trust it, what else you would need, which two statements, another point of view
Reading is where most 11 Plus marks are won or lost
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.
Start the free assessment