11+ Verbal Reasoning  

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In this question type you are asked to choose one small word from each of two sets of brackets that will join together to make one larger word.
This new word is known as a compound word.

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Look at this first example and then we can work our way through the question until we get the answer: -

In each question below a word from the first set of brackets joins one word from the second set of brackets to make a new word.
The left hand word always comes first.
Select two words each time.

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( late   farm   time )           ( over   field   yard )

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(For ease of learning we have marked the important parts of this explanation in RED.)

As in Question Type 4, when you are asked to select one word from each of two sets of brackets that contain three words each you will have nine possible combinations of two words:-
(You should start with the first word in the left hand set of brackets and join it to the first word in the second set of brackets.)

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lateover        No new word has been made.
latefield        No new word has been made.
lateyard        No new word has been made.
farmover      No new word has been made.
farmfield      No new word has been made.
farmyard      Yes we have a new compound word FARMYARD.
timeover       No new word has been made.
timefield       No new word has been made.
timeyard       No new word has been made.

FARM and YARD go together to make the new word FARMYARD.
Sometimes you can spot the answer very quickly and other times you will need to work systemically.

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THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR!!!!

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Always start with the first word in the left-hand set of brackets and join it with the first word in the right-hand set of brackets.
If you do not get a compound word then take the first word again and join it with the second word in the right-hand set of brackets.
If you still do not get a compound word then take the first word again and join it with the third word in the right-hand set of brackets.
If you still do not get a compound word then take the second word in the left-hand set of brackets and join it with the first word in the right-hand set of brackets.
Repeat this process until you create your new compound word.
Remember to select two words each time.
Make sure that the first word comes from the left-hand set of brackets.
Make sure that the new word is spelt correctly.
Avoid guessing the answer.
Your child must be able to recognise the compound word when they have created it.
This question type requires a good vocabulary. Your child must be able to recognise the compound word when they have created it. (A good literary and reading background will introduce your child to a more demanding vocabulary.)
There are large numbers of compound words.

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NB When you are completing a Verbal Reasoning test in Multiple-Choice format the correct answer will always be one of the choices that you are given on your answer sheet. If your answer does not match one of the answers that you are given then your answer is wrong.