The 8 Verbal Reasoning Question Types (and how to practise each)

Verbal reasoning rewards pattern recognition in language. The best prep isn’t “do loads of random questions”. It’s learning the common types, then training each one until it feels familiar.

When the types feel familiar, children stop freezing — and speed rises naturally.

Related guides: English & Verbal Reasoning · 11+ Prep · Study Skills & Focus · All blog posts

Why VR feels hard (and how to make it easier)

VR feels “random” when a child hasn’t learned the categories yet.

Once they can say, “Oh, this is a code question” or “This is an analogy,” their brain knows which method to use — and the panic drops.

The 8 common types (with plain-English examples)

• Synonyms / antonyms: find a word with the same (or opposite) meaning.
  Example: “Brave” is closest to… (bold / quiet / tiny / lazy)
• Letter sequences: spot the pattern in letters (skip, reverse, alternate, shift).
  Example: A, C, E, G, __
• Word codes: a rule changes words or letters; you decode the rule and apply it.
  Example: If CAT becomes DBU, what does DOG become?
• Analogies: “A is to B as C is to ____” (same relationship, different words).
  Example: Knife : cut :: pen : ____
• Hidden words: a word is concealed inside a longer phrase (across word boundaries).
  Example: Find a hidden animal in: “togeTHERONly”
• Logic statements: short statements + conclusions; decide what must be true.
  Example: “All glips are blops. Some blops are zibs.” What must be true?
• Cloze passages: choose the word that best completes a sentence or short paragraph.
  Example: “She was so ____ that she couldn’t stop smiling.”
• Classification (odd one out): three belong together, one doesn’t — explain why.
  Example: apple / carrot / banana / grape

How to practise efficiently

Here’s the routine I recommend because it builds speed and understanding without burnout:

• One type per day. Don’t mix everything until the basics feel solid.
• Timed mini set (5–8 questions). Small dose of pressure — enough to train pace, not enough to stress.
• Review properly: don’t just mark it. Ask: “Why was the right answer right?” (and what trap did the wrong option set?)

The “trap-spotting” question that boosts scores

After every mistake, ask:

“What trick did the wrong option use?”

• looked similar
• same letters, wrong order
• almost the right meaning
• pattern breaks at the last step

This is how children get faster without rushing.

Try this next

Choose your weakest type and repeat it for 5 days.

• Day 1–2: slow + accurate (learn the method)
• Day 3–4: timed mini sets + review (train calm pace)
• Day 5: mixed set (include 2–3 other types) to check transfer

Repetition is how patterns become automatic — and automatic is what creates speed.

If timed work makes your child anxious, pair this with: Timed Practice Without Stress.