If you’re supporting your child through 11+ preparation, you’ve probably heard lots about verbal reasoning. It’s a mix of language skills, problem-solving and pattern-spotting that many adults have never formally encountered themselves. So if you’ve ever wondered, “What even is a word code?” or “How can I help them practise for that?”, you’re absolutely not alone.
Verbal reasoning can feel like a mystery at first—but with the right approach, it’s a puzzle your child can learn to solve (and yes, even enjoy!). And in many ways, it’s a skill that goes beyond exams. Verbal Reasoning builds attention to detail, flexible thinking and language confidence. So it’s worthwhile sticking with it.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what verbal reasoning is, the types of questions your child might face (especially in the GL Assessment question types), and how you can help your child prepare with empathy, structure and a touch of fun.
What is verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning is all about how well your child can think using words. It sits somewhere in between English and non-verbal reasoning. It tests their ability to understand language, spot relationships between words and solve problems based on word patterns, meanings or letter sequences. It’s a form of logic, but one that works through language rather than numbers or diagrams.
In many GL Assessment 11+ exams (a key part of grammar school entry), verbal reasoning is a core paper. But it may be the one that feels most unfamiliar to parents.
Unlike comprehension (based on reading a passage) or grammar (which focuses on sentence structure), verbal reasoning tasks are like mini language puzzles. They check whether a child can:
- Understand and manipulate words and letters
- Spot patterns in the alphabet or in the structure of words
- Use reasoning to solve vocabulary and logic problems
- Work quickly and accurately under pressure
It’s less about rote learning and more about flexible thinking. And although it’s challenging, many children grow to enjoy it once they start spotting the patterns.
What is an example of verbal reasoning?
The best way to understand verbal reasoning is to look at example questions. These aren’t your standard SPaG or comprehension questions. They require a bit more thinking and often involve patterns or connections.
For example, “odd one out” questions are a staple of verbal reasoning papers:
Q: Which word is different from the others?
- A. Cat
- B. Dog
- C. Hamster
- E. Lizard
- D.Table
Answer: E) Table – The rest are all animals. This type of question checks your child’s ability to spot groupings or categories.
Another common question type is “letter codes”. For instance:
Q: If the code for CAT is DBU, what is the code for DOG?
When approaching questions like this, your child needs to work out what the rule is: CAT → DBU means each letter moves forward by one in the alphabet (C→D, A→B, T→U).
So:
- D → E
- O → P
- G → H
Answer: EPH
These types of “letter code” questions test both logic and letter knowledge. They’re not about knowing what the words mean—but understanding how letters behave in patterns.
What are the topics in verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning questions may seem varied, but they fall into four broad categories. These are word meanings and vocabulary, spelling and word structure, logic and sequences, and word relationships. Understanding these themes can help you organise revision, spot areas where your child is struggling, and target practice effectively.
Here’s more detail on each.
1. Word meanings and vocabulary
This includes any question that asks your child to identify meanings, find synonyms or antonyms, or choose a word that fits a sentence. Vocabulary is a major part of verbal reasoning—and strong readers have a head start here.
- Choose the word that means the same (synonym)
- Pick the word that means the opposite (antonym)
- Fill in the blank with the correct word based on meaning
2. Spelling and word structure
These questions focus on how words are built. Children might be asked to manipulate parts of words, spot common letter patterns, or rearrange letters to create new words.
- Find the prefix or suffix
- Spot a hidden word inside another word
- Move letters around to create a real word
3. Logic and sequences
This is where things start to feel more like classic reasoning puzzles. Your child might need to use a letter or number code, follow a sequence, or crack a pattern.
- What letter comes next in a sequence?
- What does this letter code represent?
- Which number code matches the word?
4. Word relationships
These questions look at how words connect to each other. Analogies are a common format—for example, “kitten is to cat as puppy is to…?” (dog). Other tasks include choosing pairs of related words or spotting the odd one out.
- Complete the analogy
- Match two related words
- Find the unrelated word in a group
Most verbal reasoning papers include a mix of these four types. So balanced preparation is key.
Within these broad themes, there are dozens of specific question types children might encounter. That’s why most children benefit from focused, repeated exposure—and lots of reassurance that it gets easier with practice.
What are the types of questions for verbal reasoning?
If you’ve investigated GL Assessment 11+ papers (or discussed them on 11+ forums), you’ve probably come across the idea of “the 21 types” of verbal reasoning questions. These form the structure behind GL-style tests, and getting to know them can make a huge difference.
Once children are familiar with each type, they’re not just guessing—they’re using strategies. And that makes the whole process a lot less stressful.
Here are the 21 types explained, with insights into what each question is testing and how to practise.
1. Insert a Letter: In these questions, children are shown two words with a missing letter in the same position, and they need to work out which single letter completes both words correctly. For example, F_OG and S_OG are completed by the letter L to make FLOG and SLOG.
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- It’s a quick way to test spelling patterns and word structure. Saying the words aloud can help children “hear” which letters sound right.
2. Move a Letter: Here, one letter is moved from one word to another to form two new real words. For example: Remove the “r” from “crane” and add it to “ace” to make “cane” and “race.”
- This type rewards flexible thinking and trial and error. Encourage your child to write both words out—it’s easier to spot what works that way.
3. Word Codes (Alphabet Codes): This is where each letter in a word is replaced by its position in the alphabet (A = 1, B = 2, and so on). For instance, DOG becomes 4, 15, 7.
- These questions are great for testing memory and pattern recognition. If children are slow with the alphabet, using flashcards or a number-letter grid can speed things up.
4. Complete the Sum: This is a straight maths-based reasoning question: children are given a partial number sentence and must fill in the missing number to make both sides equal. For example: 26 + 7 = 18 + ? (Answer: 15)
- It reinforces balance and number sense. Encourage your child to “solve it like a scale” — what would make both sides weigh the same? Practising inverse operations (like 33 – 18 = ?) can help.
5. Synonyms (Closest Meaning): Children are asked to find two words with the same or very similar meanings, often choosing one from each of two lists. Matching “small” and “tiny” would be a typical example.
- This is a vocabulary-based question, so regular reading and talking about new words makes a big difference.
6. Antonyms (Opposite Meaning): The opposite of synonyms—literally. Children are given two groups of words and asked to match up a pair with opposite meanings. “Kind” and “cruel” is a classic example.
- This again relies on strong vocabulary. Regular chats about opposites in everyday life can help your child feel more confident.
7. Hidden Word: In this type, a word (which can be different lengths) is tucked away across two or more words in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “She can help fulfil the order if needed,” the word helpful is hidden across “help fulfil.”
- These questions are all about careful observation. Reading the sentence aloud slowly and looking closely at where two words join can help you spot what’s hidden.
8. Compound Words (Match Halves): Children are given one part of a compound word and need to find another part to complete it. So if the word is “___ball,” answers might include “football,” “baseball” or “handball.” Children might also be given two groups of words and match one from each group to create a real compound word. For example, “sun” from one list and “light” from the other makes “sunlight.”
- It’s a test of everyday vocabulary. Practising common compound words at home can be a quick and easy win. Saying the combinations aloud usually helps spot which pair works.
9. Reading and Logic Problems: A short paragraph of information, followed by a multiple-choice question. It’s not just about reading—it’s about working out who did what, when, or how long something took. For example: Emily left the house at 8:00am. She arrived at school 15 minutes later than Max, who arrived at 8:20am. Lucy arrived 5 minutes after Emily. Who arrived last? (Answer: Lucy).
- This boosts real-world comprehension and logic skills. Encourage your child to draw simple timelines or note down what each person does. Reading puzzles, logic grid games and story-based maths problems are great practice.
10. One or Two Odd Ones Out: Here, your child will see five words and must choose the one that doesn’t belong. For example: Monday, Friday, Sunday, banana, Saturday—the odd one is clearly “banana.” Alternatively, your child may need to find two words that don’t fit with the rest. Naturally, this is a little trickier!
- This question type tests how well children can categorise and make connections. A good approach is to ask what all the others have in common and work backwards from there.
11. Related Numbers: These questions show number relationships in small groups or brackets. For example, in (4 [10] 6), what links the outside numbers to the one in the middle? You might spot: 4 + 6 = 10. Next: (13 [27] 14), and then (16 [ ? ] 8)
- This one’s all about logical thinking with a maths twist. Practise using number triangles or inventing your own puzzles using addition, subtraction, or doubling between outer numbers and the middle one.
12. Analogies: These are classic “A is to B as C is to…?” questions. Children identify a relationship between a pair of words, then apply that same logic to a second pair. For example: “Kitten is to cat as puppy is to… dog.”
- When approaching these questions, encourage your child to explain the first relationship before they try to finish the second. Familiarity with similes and metaphors also helps.
13. Word Pairs (Relationship Matching): This is another variation on analogies. Children are given one pair of related words—such as “brush” and “teeth”—and asked to find another pair that follows the same pattern, like “comb” and “hair.”
- Spotting part-whole or function-based relationships is the key skill here.
14. Alphabet Sequences: This type involves recognising patterns in the alphabet. If the letters go A, C, E, G, what comes next? (Answer: I.) This builds on alphabet knowledge and pattern recognition.
- It helps to recite the alphabet aloud while tracking each step.
15. Letter Connections: These questions test whether children can spot a shared feature between several words—usually the first and last letters. For example, the words “deed,” “level,” and “civic” all start and end with the same letter.
- Underlining the first and last letters of each word can help reveal the pattern more easily.
16. Insert Missing Letters: In these questions, a longer word hides a smaller word inside it—but the three letters have been removed. Children need to work out which consecutive letters fit into the word and also form a real word themselves. For example, if the sentence is: “The children GATED in the hall,” the missing word could be HER (gathered).
- This type boosts spelling, vocabulary, and reading fluency. Encourage your child to try inserting common three-letter words (like “her”, “and”, “the”, “out”) into unfamiliar words and see what happens.
17. Number Series: Children are given a sequence of numbers that follow a particular pattern—like going up in 2s, 3s or doubling each time—and have to figure out what comes next. For example: 3, 6, 9, 12, ? (Answer: 15)
- These questions build confidence in patterns and mental maths. Use counting games, sequences with coins or Lego bricks, or quick-fire pattern spotting at home or in the car. Quick times tables, especially trickier numbers like 6s or 9s will also help.
18. Same Meaning (One Word Fits Both): This question type asks your child to find one word that fits both pairs of words. It’s like a double synonym task. For example, your child might see: (smart, clever) and (lamp, torch). Answer options: bright, bulb, shine, flash, neat. The answer is “bright,” as it fits both: a bright person and a bright light.
- These questions test not just vocabulary, but the ability to think about words in more than one context. To practise, explore words with multiple meanings, or ask your child to describe how one word could mean different things.
19. Make a Word (Pattern Recognition): In these questions, your child will see two pairs of words. The first pair shows a connection — perhaps a shared set of letters, a spelling shift, or a meaningful transformation. The second pair is incomplete. For example: deer/dear and beer/? (answer: bear).
- This type encourages children to think flexibly about how words can change while still making sense. Short spelling transformation games can help build this skill.
20. Complete the Word (Pattern Matching): In these questions, you’re shown two pairs of words that link through a shared structure or internal word. You need to find the word that fits with the third pair in the same way. For example: priced (dice), toned (done) and fined (?). Answer: dine.
- This type relies on spelling and recognising hidden structures in words. It helps to write the words vertically and underline or circle shared letter patterns to spot overlaps.
21. Letter Maths (Letters for Numbers): Each letter is matched to a number. Children then solve a sum using the numbers and work out what letter the answer corresponds to. For example, if A = 5, B = 10, and C = 15, then A + B = 15 → which equals C.
- It’s great for combining mental maths with letter awareness. Try giving your child a few letters and values and make up “quick-fire” sums using a written alphabet-number grid to help visualise it.
While these 21 types form the foundation of GL verbal reasoning, it’s worth knowing that a few newer question types have appeared in recent years. These aren’t covered in the official GL practice materials or many older workbooks, but they’ve been popping up in certain schools’ exams—including well-known ones like Henrietta Barnett.
For example, a “Related Words” question was seen recently for the first time. It involves spotting patterns and connections between words arranged in a grid, which can feel unfamiliar if your child hasn’t seen anything like it before. Other newer types include “Shuffled Sentences”, “Rhyming Synonyms” (practising homophones could also be handy here) and “Anagrams”—so there’s always the chance something unexpected might appear.
That’s why it’s a good idea to mix in past papers and mock tests from different schools and providers. The more variety your child sees, the more confident they’ll feel—even if a question doesn’t fit the usual mould.
How long should each verbal reasoning question take?
Most GL verbal reasoning papers are structured as 80 questions in 50-60 minutes (which can change depending on the school and local authority area), which gives children around 37-45 seconds per question.
That’s not a lot of time! So speed matters.
But so does pacing. It’s easy for children to get stuck on a tricky code and lose precious minutes. Helping them practise quick decision-making, and knowing when to move on and come back later, can make a big difference to their final score.
Timed practice papers, short bursts of daily revision, and getting used to the ‘feel’ of how long 35–40 seconds is will all help. Some children also benefit from doing 5-minute drills where they try to complete as many short questions as possible.
How to teach verbal reasoning: quick tips and advice
Verbal reasoning isn’t something children are taught as part of the national curriculum. That means parents often try teaching it themselves (especially if homeschooling), or work with a specialist 11+ tutor. But either way, your approach doesn’t have to be stressful or overly formal.
Here are a few quick tips to help your child improve their verbal reasoning,:
- Turn it into a game: Word-based games like Boggle, Scrabble, or even Hangman can build pattern recognition and vocabulary without it feeling like “study time.”
- Break questions down together: If your child gets stuck, talk through your thinking process. Show them how you spot patterns or eliminate options. Model how to approach each step calmly and logically.
- Use everyday moments: See a word on a sign? Ask your child if they can think of a synonym. Waiting in a queue? Try to find an odd-one-out among nearby objects. Learning doesn’t always have to be a workbook.
- Create vocabulary flashcards together: Let your child help choose tricky words from books or papers. You can test each other in both directions—definition to word and word to definition.
- Build confidence with speed practice: Try timed drills—ten questions in ten minutes. Or even shorter, like five in three minutes. Gradually build stamina and speed without pressure.
- Celebrate progress: Verbal reasoning improves with effort and familiarity. So praise your child for trying tricky questions—even if they don’t always get them right. Confidence is key.
With consistent support, verbal reasoning becomes less of a mystery and more of a skill your child can master. And once it clicks, many children enjoy the puzzle-solving challenge it brings. So good luck, and happy reasoning!
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