English 11+ Tips and Tests

To start, here are links to a large number of English 11+ tips and tests to meet all your 11 Plus English exams needs.

English 11+ Tips

11 Plus English and Verbal Reasoning Test Tips

Read Each Verbal Reasoning Question Very Carefully

Note this might sound like obvious advice. However, many verbal items may have one crucial word that’s easy to misinterpret. So, do look for words such as all, some, most.

Word Meanings

Also, you must remember that easier verbal reasoning test formats ask test takers to interpret individual word meanings.

11 Plus English Exams bookcase

Argument Interpretation

This might seem tricky. Find the different positions making up a written argument. Also, if any assumptions and inferences have been made.

Statement Evaluation

Evaluating whether statements are supported, contradicted, or implied by the information in the passage.

Passage summaries

Summarising the main points that the passage makes.

11+ English Test Type 1

Practice examples of four different types of verbal reasoning tests are provided below. The first type consists of a single sentence containing a word in brackets. Replace this word with the most viable alternative. Select the multiple-choice option closest in meaning to the word in italics.

1) My brother’s complacency has always irritated his friends, neighbours and colleagues.

A) nosiness
B) ostentation
C) neglect
D) cockiness
E) smugness

2) The ascetic hermit dwelled in a hut on the mountain top.

A) austere
B) religious
C) penitent
D) reclusive
E) indigent

3) The foreign tourists found the locals to be extremely amiable.

A) gracious
B) friendly
C) curious
D) suspicious
E) polite

4) Parents of pupils complained because they felt that the teacher was too lenient.

A) demanding
B) strict
C) tolerant
D) negligent
E) informal

5) The King filled his Court with sycophants and fops.

A) courtiers
B) flatterers
C) loyalists
D) advisers
E) dandies

6) On the flight to New York, he sat next to a very garrulous woman.

A) sullen
B) attractive
C) convivial
D) loud
E) talkative

7) The Tutor praised his students’ perspicacious comments.

A) intelligent
B) insightful
C) critical
D) scholarly
E) technical

8) At the school assembly, the Headmaster sternly declared “Honesty is a tenet of this institution”.

A) rule
B) principle
C) tradition
D) anathema
E) virtue

9) The initiates participated in esoteric rituals at the midnight ceremony.

A) ancient
B) religious
C) traditional
D) secret
E) solemn

10) Investing in the nuclear power industry proved to be the entrepreneur’s most astute decision.

A) calculated
B) risky
C) controversial
D) lucrative
E) shrewd

11+ English Test Type 2

Verbal reasoning tests may also take the form of analogies. Here the respondent’s vocabulary and knowledge of simple verbal relationships are being tested. Some examples of this type of verbal reasoning test practice are given below. Interpret the meaning that connects the word shown in large type on the left-hand side.

11) SPIDER web

DUCK

water
egg
feathers
burrow
barn

12) BOOK library

PAINTING

gallery
frame
easel
canvas
shop

13) PAPER ream

PAINT

tin
brush
tray
litre
acrylic

14) BOAT water

CAR

petrol
road
convertible
engine
tyres

15) ANIMALS hybrid

METALS

mixture
alloy
compound
blend
element

16) ENTER lathe

BLACKSMITH

forge
metal
iron
anvil
plinth

17) FATHOMLESS deep

INFINITESIMAL

short
large
small
long
narrow

18) LETTER envelope

SWORD

hilt
sheath
weapon
blade
dagger

19) DECLINE ascent

CONVICT

liberate
acquit
innocent
prisoner
release

20) WORDS sentence

SENTENCES

paragraph
chapter
phrases
letters
book

21) INTRODUCTION conclusion

PROLOGUE

preface
monologue
epilogue
eulogy
finale

22) DROUGHT rain

STALEMATE

draw
progress
hindrance
cessation
inequality

23) WORD abbreviate

BOOK

edit
abridge
shorten
amend
compress

24) PROXY vote

SCAPEGOAT

punishment
blame
trouble
criticism
censure

25) PEANUT shell

MAIZE

skin
husk
rind
pith
pod

26) BICYCLE tandem

SOLILOQUY

speech
monologue
dialogue
duet
sequel

27) WAX wane

AMELIORATE

diminish
improve
provoke
exacerbate
irritate

28) CHESS board

FOOTBALL

arena
kit
pitch
grass
sport

29) BIBLIOPHILE book

PHILATELIST

coins
wine
stamps
dolls
art

30) FLAX linen

WHEAT

grain
cereal
flour
bread
sheaf

11+ English Test Type 3

Verbal tests may also take the form of antonyms. Some examples of this type of verbal reasoning test practice are given below. Select the multiple-choice option that is the opposite in meaning to the word shown in bold print.

31) mean: A B C D E

generous average miser median good

32) sincere: A B C D E

faithful hypocritical genuine suspicious unkind

33) evergreen: A B C D E

myrtle flower deciduous fern yellow

34) irresponsible: A B C D E

mischievous independent diplomatic dependable manager

35) nationalisation: A B C D E

democracy oligopoly coalition trains privatisation

36) inauspicious: A B C D E

lucky auspices bachelor mutinous inarticulate

37) pessimism: A B C D E

pesticide optimism prototype positive socialism

38) innocuous: A B C D E

vaccinate amicable harmful ostensible effusive

39) benevolent: A B C D E

kind empirical demagogue uncharitable eminent

40) altruistic: A B C D E

bird helpful unhelpful altitude selfish

11+ English Test Type 4

Verbal tests may also take the form of selecting the odd word out from a group of words. Some examples of this type of verbal reasoning test practice are given below. Identify the common connection between four of the five words. Choose the multiple-choice option corresponding to the odd word out.

41) magenta cyan cerise turpentine turquoise

42) sole haddock salmon trout frog

43) damp wet water moist saturated

44) staff personnel employees workforce managers

45) jester comedian comedy clown comedian

46) fax computer letter memo email

47) hexagon polygon pentagon octagon square

48) squid cockle mussel crab winkle

49) trophy medal prize gift reward

50) cask beer bottle can barrel