11+ Verbal Reasoning  

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In this question type you are asked to choose two words, one from each set of brackets that will complete the sentence in the most sensible way.

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Look at this example and then we can work our way through the question until we get the answer: - (REMEMBER that you must select two words each time – one word form each set of brackets.)

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

Choose two words, one from each set of brackets that will complete the sentence in the most sensible way.

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finger is to ( point   hand   nail )  as toe is to ( big   foot   heel ) 

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The first step is to look at the word “finger” and see if you can find a link or connection between this word and any of the three words ( point   hand   nail ) that are in the first set of brackets. Start with the finger and the first word in the brackets.

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finger and point – yes this is a connection since you could use your finger to point at something.

Is there a similar connection between toe and any of the three words
( scratch   foot   heel )  that are in the second set of brackets?

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toe and big              there is not a similar connection as in finger and point
toe and foot             there is not a similar connection as in finger and point
toe and heel             there is not a similar connection as in finger and point

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The second step is to look at the word “finger” and the second word in the first set of brackets.

finger and hand - yes this is a connection since you have a finger on your hand.
Is there a similar connection between toe and any of the three words
( big   foot   heel ) that are in the second set of brackets?

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toe and big              there is not a similar connection as in finger and hand
toe and foot             yes this is a connection since you have a toe on your foot.
toe and heel             there is not a similar connection as in finger and hand

 

So the words that we select for our answers will be “hand” and “foot.”
The reason we choose these words is because you have a finger on your hand and a toe on your foot and this is the connection or link between the words and choosing these words will complete the sentence in the most sensible way.

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THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR!!!!

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Make sure that you have selected TWO words, one from each set of brackets. (Children sometimes select the wrong number of words and so get the question wrong even though they may know the correct answer.)
Make sure that the two words you chose are connected in the same way.
Work systemically through the question starting with the first word and looking for connections between it and the first word in the first set of brackets.
If there is NOT a connection then look for a connection between the first word and the second word in the first set of brackets and so on.
Avoid guessing the answer.
This question type requires a good vocabulary. Your child must recognise the connections. (A good literary and reading background will introduce your child to a more demanding vocabulary.)
There are other question types that are similar to this one such as type 2 where you are asked to select two words that do not go with three other words.

There is a huge selection of “connections” possible in this question type.
Some possible connections that might be used in this question type are:-