11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Papers PDF with Answers
Verbal reasoning (often written verbal reasoning 11+) is one of the highest-impact areas of the exam — and one of the most learnable. ExamTutor's verbal reasoning 11 plus practice papers come as downloadable PDFs with full answers, and every single question is paired with a tutor video tutorial that walks through the method step by step.
Verbal Reasoning 11+ Papers You Can Download
That combination is what sets these verbal reasoning 11+ papers apart. A plain answer key tells your child what the answer is; our video walkthroughs show them how to reach it — which matters enormously for verbal reasoning, where each question type has its own method. You get the 11 plus verbal reasoning papers PDF with answers for offline practice, plus on-demand video tutorials that work like a tutor sitting beside your child.
Try before you buy: Download a free 11+ sample paper (the GL pack includes verbal reasoning) and watch the video walkthroughs to see the quality — no signup required.
Key Takeaways
- Verbal reasoning is problem-solving with words — codes, analogies, synonyms, antonyms and more — and isn't taught in most primary schools.
- GL Assessment publishes up to 21 VR question types; CEM weaves verbal skills into mixed papers; Independent/ISEB include a VR section.
- It's highly trainable — learn the method for each question type, then build vocabulary steadily.
- Vocabulary is the highest-yield investment for the word-meaning questions; wide daily reading drives it.
- Video walkthroughs beat answer keys for VR, because each question type needs a demonstrated method.
What Is Verbal Reasoning & How Is It Tested in the 11+
The verbal reasoning test assesses a child's ability to think logically and solve problems using words and language — rather than simply recalling facts. As tutors often put it, verbal reasoning is essentially problem-solving with words. It tests how well a child can spot patterns, apply rules, understand word relationships and work quickly under time pressure.
Crucially, verbal reasoning is not part of the standard primary school curriculum. Most children meet these question types for the first time when they begin 11+ preparation — which is exactly why dedicated practice makes such a difference. A child who has never seen a letter-code or move-a-letter question will struggle on the day, however bright; one who has practised each type recognises it instantly and applies the right method.
How the Verbal Reasoning Test 11 Plus Children Sit Is Structured
In the exam, the verbal reasoning test 11 plus children sit is usually one of several timed papers (alongside Maths, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning). Questions are typically multiple-choice, and the paper rewards both a wide vocabulary and a confident, methodical approach to each question type.
The Main 11+ Verbal Reasoning Question Types
GL Assessment bases its verbal reasoning around 21 standard question types. A typical GL VR paper has roughly 60–80 questions to answer in 50–60 minutes, drawing on a selection of those 21 types — and crucially, GL doesn't reveal in advance which types will appear. That's why familiarity with every type matters: a child who recognises each one instantly can spend their time solving rather than working out what's being asked.
The 21 types fall into four broad families, each rewarding a slightly different skill:
🔤 Vocabulary-based
Synonyms, antonyms, odd one out and word meanings. These reward a wide vocabulary above all — a child who knows more words will simply score higher, with no shortcut.
🔢 Codes & logic
Letter sequences, letter-to-number codes and logic/deduction problems. These reward learning a clear, repeatable method for cracking the pattern rather than vocabulary.
✂️ Word manipulation
Hidden words, move-a-letter, missing letters and the "complete & begin" letter type. Quick, methodical letter-spotting wins here.
🔗 Analogies & number logic
Word analogies (applying a relationship to a new pair) and number-logic questions (completing a sum). Pattern recognition combined with careful checking.
The Question Types in an ExamTutor VR Paper
To show exactly what your child will practise, here are the nine question types that appear in one of our GL-style verbal reasoning papers — each with a real example from the paper itself:
| Question type | What your child does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Word analogies | Find the relationship in one pair, apply it to another — picking one word from each group | Ferry is to (boat / water / engine) as car is to (travel / miles / road) |
| Move-a-letter | Move one letter from the first word to the second so both make new words | twitch our → witch + tour |
| Missing letters | Insert three consecutive letters to complete a word shown in capitals | HOOG owls → HOOTING |
| Number logic | Find the number that correctly completes the sum | 6 + 3 = 12 − [?] → 3 |
| Complete & begin | One letter ends the word before the bracket and begins the word after — across two pairs | brea[?]awn alou[?]eafen → d |
| Hidden word | Spot a four-letter word hidden across the end of one word and start of the next | She dipped the… → shed |
| Letter sequences | Continue a letter pattern, using the alphabet line to help | AZ BY CX DW [?] → EV |
| Letter-to-number codes | Match words to their number codes and work out the missing one | USER EARS RULE SORE → 8514 4918 1374… |
| Logic & deduction | Read a set of statements and work out what must be true | Five children visited different countries — who visited the fewest? |
Notice how varied these are: some test vocabulary, some test code-cracking, some test careful logic — and each has its own method. This is exactly why systematic, type-by-type practice (with the method demonstrated for each) is so effective, and why a child who has worked through every type walks into the verbal reasoning test with no surprises.
Example Verbal Reasoning Question (with Video Explanation)
Here's a typical 11+ verbal reasoning question. Have a go before revealing the answer — then imagine a tutor talking your child through the method on video, which is exactly what our papers provide.
Find the single letter that completes the word before each bracket and begins the word after it (the same letter for both pairs):
brea [?] awn · alou [?] eafen
Reveal the answer & method →
Answer: d → the four words are bread, dawn, aloud and deafen.
Method: the letter must finish the first word and start the next, in both pairs. Try a letter that completes "brea_" (d → bread) and check it also starts "awn" (dawn ✓), then confirm it works for the second pair (aloud ✓, deafen ✓). Working through the most likely completing letters quickly finds "d".
Verbal Reasoning in GL, CEM & Independent Exams
How verbal reasoning is tested depends on your child's exam board — so it's important to match your practice to the right one.
| Board | How VR is tested | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Structured, standalone VR paper with recognisable question types (up to 21) | Standalone VR practice across all question types is essential |
| CEM | No separate VR paper; verbal skills woven into mixed vocabulary & comprehension sections | Vocabulary breadth, reading and verbal logic under time pressure |
| Independent (ISEB) | A verbal reasoning section within the adaptive online Common Pre-Test | Familiarity with VR question types, practised online and timed |
ExamTutor's verbal reasoning practice is built into the packs that test it:
- GL Assessment practice papers — verbal reasoning is a core, standalone paper, with full coverage of all question types and a video walkthrough for each.
- CEM practice papers — develops the vocabulary and verbal logic that CEM's mixed papers rely on.
- Independent 11+ practice papers — covers the verbal reasoning element of ISEB and independent school assessments.
Not sure which board? Confirm with your target school first. If you're still getting oriented, read what is the 11 plus exam? for a full overview of the boards and formats.
Verbal Reasoning Test Tips from Expert 11+ Tutors
Verbal reasoning is one of the most trainable parts of the 11+. Here's how our tutors recommend approaching it:
- Learn the question types one at a time. Use worked examples until your child recognises each type instantly and knows its method.
- Build vocabulary every day. Wide reading plus a vocabulary notebook of synonyms and antonyms is the single best investment — aim for a handful of new words each week. A child who knows 3,000 words will beat one who knows 1,500 on word-meaning questions, every time.
- Practise little and often. Short, regular VR sessions build pattern recognition far better than occasional long ones.
- Categorise every mistake. Was it "didn't know the rule" (needs more worked examples) or "applied the rule wrong" (needs a checking habit)? Targeting the right fix accelerates progress.
- Build up to timed papers. In the final months, sit full VR papers under timed conditions and track which question-type categories are weakest, then allocate extra practice there.
- Use video walkthroughs. Seeing the method demonstrated — especially for codes and analogies — is far more powerful than checking an answer key.
With consistent, methodical practice across the question types and a steadily growing vocabulary, most children make rapid progress on the verbal reasoning 11 plus test — often turning it from a weak area into one of their strongest. For a complete week-by-week plan, see our 11 plus preparation guide.