11+ Verbal Reasoning: Every Question Type Explained

Verbal Reasoning (VR) tests how well a child works with words and logic. It covers a wide range of question types, and familiarity with each is half the battle. Here are the main ones, with a quick example of each.

Synonyms and antonyms

Finding words that mean the same (synonyms) or the opposite (antonyms). Example: which word means the same as RAPID? (Answer: quick.) These reward a strong, wide vocabulary.

Analogies

Spotting the relationship in one pair and applying it to another. Example: PUPPY is to DOG as KITTEN is to ___ (Answer: cat). The link here is “young animal → adult animal”.

Odd one out

Finding the word that doesn’t belong. Example: rose, tulip, salmon, daisy — salmon is the odd one out (the rest are flowers).

Letter series

Continuing a pattern in the alphabet. Example: B, D, F, H, __ (Answer: J — each letter jumps forward two places).

Letter codes

Cracking a simple substitution code. Example: if CAT is written as DBU, then DOG is EPH (each letter moves forward one). These test careful, systematic thinking.

Word problems and logic

Short puzzles that need reasoning — completing sentences, hidden words, compound words, or working out an order from clues. They reward reading carefully and thinking step by step.

How to get better at Verbal Reasoning

Two things move VR scores most: a growing vocabulary (reading widely and learning new words deliberately) and lots of varied practice so every question type feels familiar under time pressure. Our word trainer and unlimited VR questions are built for exactly this.

Try a few real VR questions now in our free 11+ practice test.