Verbal Reasoning practice questions
10 topics and 200 questions, each with a worked explanation. Tap an answer to check it, or open “Show answer & explanation”.
Verbal reasoning tests logical thinking using words and letters rather than numbers or shapes — it rewards children who are methodical and check their working, more than children who are naturally fast at spotting patterns. Because verbal reasoning questions are unfamiliar to most children (schools don't usually teach this style of puzzle directly), the biggest gains come from simple exposure: once a child understands the handful of question types that come up again and again — letter codes, analogies, hidden words, sequences — the questions stop feeling like a mystery and start feeling like a routine to follow. For any question involving a code or a rule, writing it down on paper rather than working it out purely in your head massively reduces careless errors, since these questions are designed to be solvable methodically, not guessed. Each topic below explains the specific method for that question type before moving into practice.
Letter Codes
Work out how a coding system shifts letters of the alphabet, then apply the same rule to a new word.
How to approach this
Letter code questions give you one word translated into a code, and ask you to code a different word using the same rule — almost always a fixed shift through the alphabet (each letter moves forward or backward by the same number of places).
The method is to work out the shift using the example given: compare the first letters of the word and its code, count how many places apart they are in the alphabet, and note the direction. Apply that exact same shift to every letter of the new word — writing the alphabet out on paper if needed makes this far more reliable than trying to count in your head.
If CAT is coded as FDW, how is LION coded?
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Correct answer: D. OLRQ
Each letter shifts by 3 forward, so LION becomes OLRQ.
If CROW is coded as YNKS, how is HARE coded?
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Correct answer: B. DWNA
Each letter shifts by 4 back, so HARE becomes DWNA.
If FISH is coded as DGQF, how is MOLE coded?
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Correct answer: D. KMJC
Each letter shifts by 2 back, so MOLE becomes KMJC.
If WOLF is coded as SKHB, how is CROW coded?
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Correct answer: A. YNKS
Each letter shifts by 4 back, so CROW becomes YNKS.
If DEER is coded as FGGT, how is FROG coded?
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Correct answer: C. HTQI
Each letter shifts by 2 forward, so FROG becomes HTQI.
If GOAT is coded as EMYR, how is SEAL coded?
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Correct answer: C. QCYJ
Each letter shifts by 2 back, so SEAL becomes QCYJ.
If BIRD is coded as AHQC, how is MOLE coded?
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Correct answer: D. LNKD
Each letter shifts by 1 back, so MOLE becomes LNKD.
If HARE is coded as KDUH, how is LAMB coded?
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Correct answer: D. ODPE
Each letter shifts by 3 forward, so LAMB becomes ODPE.
If MOLE is coded as LNKD, how is GOAT coded?
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Correct answer: B. FNZS
Each letter shifts by 1 back, so GOAT becomes FNZS.
If MOLE is coded as LNKD, how is CROW coded?
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Correct answer: C. BQNV
Each letter shifts by 1 back, so CROW becomes BQNV.
If DEER is coded as FGGT, how is HARE coded?
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Correct answer: B. JCTG
Each letter shifts by 2 forward, so HARE becomes JCTG.
If BEAR is coded as YBXO, how is CAT coded?
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Correct answer: C. ZXQ
Each letter shifts by 3 back, so CAT becomes ZXQ.
If CROW is coded as YNKS, how is DEER coded?
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Correct answer: D. ZAAN
Each letter shifts by 4 back, so DEER becomes ZAAN.
If CROW is coded as BQNV, how is FISH coded?
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Correct answer: A. EHRG
Each letter shifts by 1 back, so FISH becomes EHRG.
If DOG is coded as BME, how is MOLE coded?
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Correct answer: B. KMJC
Each letter shifts by 2 back, so MOLE becomes KMJC.
If CAT is coded as ECV, how is HARE coded?
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Correct answer: D. JCTG
Each letter shifts by 2 forward, so HARE becomes JCTG.
If CAT is coded as DBU, how is DEER coded?
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Correct answer: C. EFFS
Each letter shifts by 1 forward, so DEER becomes EFFS.
If DEER is coded as BCCP, how is LION coded?
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Correct answer: B. JGML
Each letter shifts by 2 back, so LION becomes JGML.
If FROG is coded as COLD, how is CROW coded?
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Correct answer: D. ZOLT
Each letter shifts by 3 back, so CROW becomes ZOLT.
If CROW is coded as ZOLT, how is FROG coded?
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Correct answer: B. COLD
Each letter shifts by 3 back, so FROG becomes COLD.
Word Sequences
Put a set of words in alphabetical order — testing careful attention to letter-by-letter detail.
How to approach this
These questions ask which word comes first alphabetically from a short list, which tests careful, letter-by-letter comparison rather than general vocabulary. The method is to compare the first letters of all the words first; if there's a tie, move to the second letter, and so on, exactly like using a dictionary.
The trap to avoid is judging by 'which word looks shortest' or general impression — always work through the letters in order.
Which word comes first alphabetically: silent, polite, hostile, enormous?
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Correct answer: B. enormous
Sorting alphabetically, 'enormous' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: golden, clumsy, plentiful, notorious?
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Correct answer: B. clumsy
Sorting alphabetically, 'clumsy' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: hostile, tranquil, forest, generous?
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Correct answer: D. forest
Sorting alphabetically, 'forest' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: silent, copper, courageous, joyful?
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Correct answer: A. copper
Sorting alphabetically, 'copper' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: hostile, frequent, hollow, notorious?
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Correct answer: B. frequent
Sorting alphabetically, 'frequent' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: lenient, silent, narrow, clumsy?
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Correct answer: B. clumsy
Sorting alphabetically, 'clumsy' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: vivid, furious, hostile, exhausted?
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Correct answer: A. exhausted
Sorting alphabetically, 'exhausted' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: courageous, rigid, fragile, notorious?
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Correct answer: A. courageous
Sorting alphabetically, 'courageous' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: vivid, hostile, rigid, frozen?
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Correct answer: A. frozen
Sorting alphabetically, 'frozen' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: exhausted, rigid, fragile, clumsy?
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Correct answer: A. clumsy
Sorting alphabetically, 'clumsy' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: curious, keen, immense, frozen?
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Correct answer: C. curious
Sorting alphabetically, 'curious' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: sombre, silent, frozen, modern?
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Correct answer: B. frozen
Sorting alphabetically, 'frozen' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: keen, urgent, lenient, yellow?
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Correct answer: B. keen
Sorting alphabetically, 'keen' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: hostile, lenient, silent, fragile?
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Correct answer: A. fragile
Sorting alphabetically, 'fragile' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: narrow, quaint, hollow, obstinate?
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Correct answer: B. hollow
Sorting alphabetically, 'hollow' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: polite, notorious, urgent, yellow?
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Correct answer: B. notorious
Sorting alphabetically, 'notorious' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: river, fragile, peculiar, copper?
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Correct answer: A. copper
Sorting alphabetically, 'copper' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: generous, copper, golden, furious?
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Correct answer: B. copper
Sorting alphabetically, 'copper' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: wooden, yellow, joyful, window?
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Correct answer: B. joyful
Sorting alphabetically, 'joyful' comes first.
Which word comes first alphabetically: curious, polite, running, quaint?
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Correct answer: A. curious
Sorting alphabetically, 'curious' comes first.
Word Relationships
Complete analogies by working out the relationship between a pair of words and applying it to a new pair.
How to approach this
Word relationship (analogy) questions give a pair of words with a specific connection, then ask you to complete a second pair with the same connection. The first step is always to describe the relationship in your own words before looking at the options — for example, 'puppy is to dog' because a puppy is a baby dog.
Once you know the rule (baby animal → adult animal), apply it directly to the second word rather than guessing from the answer options first.
Foal is to horse as duckling is to ___?
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Correct answer: B. duck
foal grows into horse, just as duckling grows into duck.
Piglet is to pig as gosling is to ___?
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Correct answer: A. goose
piglet grows into pig, just as gosling grows into goose.
Foal is to horse as puppy is to ___?
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Correct answer: C. dog
foal grows into horse, just as puppy grows into dog.
Tadpole is to frog as puppy is to ___?
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Correct answer: A. dog
tadpole grows into frog, just as puppy grows into dog.
Puppy is to dog as lamb is to ___?
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Correct answer: C. sheep
puppy grows into dog, just as lamb grows into sheep.
Fawn is to deer as cub is to ___?
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Correct answer: B. lion
fawn grows into deer, just as cub grows into lion.
Gosling is to goose as lamb is to ___?
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Correct answer: D. sheep
gosling grows into goose, just as lamb grows into sheep.
Chick is to hen as tadpole is to ___?
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Correct answer: A. frog
chick grows into hen, just as tadpole grows into frog.
Joey is to kangaroo as calf is to ___?
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Correct answer: D. cow
joey grows into kangaroo, just as calf grows into cow.
Calf is to cow as kitten is to ___?
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Correct answer: D. cat
calf grows into cow, just as kitten grows into cat.
Joey is to kangaroo as chick is to ___?
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Correct answer: C. hen
joey grows into kangaroo, just as chick grows into hen.
Chick is to hen as kid is to ___?
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Correct answer: C. goat
chick grows into hen, just as kid grows into goat.
Duckling is to duck as kitten is to ___?
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Correct answer: D. cat
duckling grows into duck, just as kitten grows into cat.
Gosling is to goose as lamb is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. sheep
gosling grows into goose, just as lamb grows into sheep.
Fawn is to deer as chick is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. hen
fawn grows into deer, just as chick grows into hen.
Puppy is to dog as duckling is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. duck
puppy grows into dog, just as duckling grows into duck.
Fawn is to deer as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. cow
fawn grows into deer, just as calf grows into cow.
Cub is to lion as puppy is to ___?
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Correct answer: B. dog
cub grows into lion, just as puppy grows into dog.
Cygnet is to swan as joey is to ___?
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Correct answer: A. kangaroo
cygnet grows into swan, just as joey grows into kangaroo.
Foal is to horse as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. cow
foal grows into horse, just as calf grows into cow.
Compound Words
Combine two smaller words to build a correct compound word.
How to approach this
Compound word questions ask which word combines with a given word to make a real, familiar compound word (like 'sun' + 'flower' = 'sunflower'). The method is to try each option in turn, saying the combined word in your head, and trust whether it's a word you actually recognise.
11+ papers only use genuinely common compound words, not obscure combinations, so if a combination sounds unfamiliar, it's probably the wrong option.
Which word combines with 'sun' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: C. flower
'sun' + 'flower' = 'sunflower'.
Which word combines with 'rain' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: C. bow
'rain' + 'bow' = 'rainbow'.
Which word combines with 'butter' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: D. fly
'butter' + 'fly' = 'butterfly'.
Which word combines with 'foot' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: A. ball
'foot' + 'ball' = 'football'.
Which word combines with 'star' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: C. fish
'star' + 'fish' = 'starfish'.
Which word combines with 'snow' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: B. man
'snow' + 'man' = 'snowman'.
Which word combines with 'fire' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: A. fly
'fire' + 'fly' = 'firefly'.
Which word combines with 'water' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: B. fall
'water' + 'fall' = 'waterfall'.
Which word combines with 'moon' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: D. light
'moon' + 'light' = 'moonlight'.
Which word combines with 'black' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: C. board
'black' + 'board' = 'blackboard'.
Which word combines with 'news' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: B. paper
'news' + 'paper' = 'newspaper'.
Which word combines with 'basket' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: D. ball
'basket' + 'ball' = 'basketball'.
Which word combines with 'tooth' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: C. brush
'tooth' + 'brush' = 'toothbrush'.
Which word combines with 'book' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: D. shelf
'book' + 'shelf' = 'bookshelf'.
Which word combines with 'day' to make a compound word?
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Correct answer: D. light
'day' + 'light' = 'daylight'.
Which word combines with 'sun' to make a compound word?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. flower
'sun' + 'flower' = 'sunflower'.
Which word combines with 'rain' to make a compound word?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. bow
'rain' + 'bow' = 'rainbow'.
Which word combines with 'butter' to make a compound word?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. fly
'butter' + 'fly' = 'butterfly'.
Which word combines with 'foot' to make a compound word?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. ball
'foot' + 'ball' = 'football'.
Which word combines with 'star' to make a compound word?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. fish
'star' + 'fish' = 'starfish'.
Number Sequences
Identify the rule behind a sequence of numbers and predict the next term.
How to approach this
Within verbal reasoning papers, number sequence questions work exactly like the Maths sequences topic: check whether the sequence is adding the same amount each time or multiplying by the same amount each time, using the gap between the first two numbers, then confirm that pattern holds for the next pair.
Writing out the differences between each pair of numbers underneath the sequence makes the pattern much easier to spot than trying to hold it in your head.
Find the next number: 7, 14, 21, 28, ?
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Correct answer: C. 35
The sequence adds 7 each time, so the next number is 35.
Find the next number: 6, 12, 24, 48, ?
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Correct answer: D. 96
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 96.
Find the next number: 6, 11, 16, 21, ?
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Correct answer: C. 26
The sequence adds 5 each time, so the next number is 26.
Find the next number: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?
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Correct answer: A. 112
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 112.
Find the next number: 8, 14, 20, 26, ?
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Correct answer: A. 32
The sequence adds 6 each time, so the next number is 32.
Find the next number: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 32
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 32.
Find the next number: 7, 11, 15, 19, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 23
The sequence adds 4 each time, so the next number is 23.
Find the next number: 8, 16, 32, 64, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 128
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 128.
Find the next number: 2, 10, 18, 26, ?
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Correct answer: A. 34
The sequence adds 8 each time, so the next number is 34.
Find the next number: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 112
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 112.
Find the next number: 7, 12, 17, 22, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 27
The sequence adds 5 each time, so the next number is 27.
Find the next number: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 112
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 112.
Find the next number: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
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Correct answer: C. 10
The sequence adds 2 each time, so the next number is 10.
Find the next number: 5, 10, 20, 40, ?
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Correct answer: A. 80
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 80.
Find the next number: 2, 11, 20, 29, ?
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Correct answer: A. 38
The sequence adds 9 each time, so the next number is 38.
Find the next number: 6, 12, 24, 48, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 96
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 96.
Find the next number: 3, 11, 19, 27, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 35
The sequence adds 8 each time, so the next number is 35.
Find the next number: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 32
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 32.
Find the next number: 7, 15, 23, 31, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 39
The sequence adds 8 each time, so the next number is 39.
Find the next number: 6, 12, 24, 48, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 96
The sequence doubles each time, so the next number is 96.
Logical Deduction
Use given clues about three people or things to work out their correct order or ranking.
How to approach this
Logical deduction questions give two or three comparison clues (like 'Sam is taller than Priya') and ask you to work out an overall order. The most reliable method is to draw a simple line or list and place each person on it as you read each clue, updating the order as you go, rather than trying to hold the whole puzzle in your head.
Once all the clues are placed, reading the order from top to bottom answers most questions about who is tallest, oldest, or fastest directly.
Grace is taller than Omar. Omar is taller than Jack. Who is the tallest?
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Correct answer: C. Grace
Since Grace > Omar > Jack in this order, Grace is the tallest.
Zara is older than Ella. Ella is older than Ravi. Who is the youngest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Ravi
Since Zara > Ella > Ravi in this order, Ravi is the youngest.
Priya is faster than Amina. Amina is faster than Zara. Who is the fastest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Priya
Since Priya > Amina > Zara in this order, Priya is the fastest.
Jack is taller than Ravi. Ravi is taller than Sam. Who is the shortest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Sam
Since Jack > Ravi > Sam in this order, Sam is the shortest.
Amina is older than Ella. Ella is older than Zara. Who is the oldest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Amina
Since Amina > Ella > Zara in this order, Amina is the oldest.
Amina is faster than Omar. Omar is faster than Jack. Who is the slowest?
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Correct answer: D. Jack
Since Amina > Omar > Jack in this order, Jack is the slowest.
Sam is taller than Omar. Omar is taller than Leo. Who is the tallest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Sam
Since Sam > Omar > Leo in this order, Sam is the tallest.
Sam is older than Zara. Zara is older than Ella. Who is the youngest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Ella
Since Sam > Zara > Ella in this order, Ella is the youngest.
Priya is faster than Ravi. Ravi is faster than Sam. Who is the fastest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Priya
Since Priya > Ravi > Sam in this order, Priya is the fastest.
Ravi is taller than Zara. Zara is taller than Amina. Who is the shortest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Amina
Since Ravi > Zara > Amina in this order, Amina is the shortest.
Omar is older than Sam. Sam is older than Ella. Who is the oldest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Omar
Since Omar > Sam > Ella in this order, Omar is the oldest.
Jack is faster than Zara. Zara is faster than Amina. Who is the slowest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Amina
Since Jack > Zara > Amina in this order, Amina is the slowest.
Ravi is taller than Leo. Leo is taller than Jack. Who is the tallest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Ravi
Since Ravi > Leo > Jack in this order, Ravi is the tallest.
Ella is older than Omar. Omar is older than Ravi. Who is the youngest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Ravi
Since Ella > Omar > Ravi in this order, Ravi is the youngest.
Amina is faster than Priya. Priya is faster than Ella. Who is the fastest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Amina
Since Amina > Priya > Ella in this order, Amina is the fastest.
Jack is taller than Leo. Leo is taller than Ella. Who is the shortest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Ella
Since Jack > Leo > Ella in this order, Ella is the shortest.
Priya is older than Ravi. Ravi is older than Leo. Who is the oldest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Priya
Since Priya > Ravi > Leo in this order, Priya is the oldest.
Grace is faster than Leo. Leo is faster than Jack. Who is the slowest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Jack
Since Grace > Leo > Jack in this order, Jack is the slowest.
Ravi is taller than Leo. Leo is taller than Priya. Who is the tallest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Ravi
Since Ravi > Leo > Priya in this order, Ravi is the tallest.
Ella is older than Priya. Priya is older than Omar. Who is the youngest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Omar
Since Ella > Priya > Omar in this order, Omar is the youngest.
Odd One Out
Spot which item in a group of four doesn't share the same category as the other three.
How to approach this
Odd-one-out questions give four items where three share a category and one doesn't belong. The method is to test each possible category systematically — are they all colours? all fruit? all things found in a kitchen? — rather than guessing based on which one 'feels' different.
Once you've identified what connects three of the items, the odd one out is simply whichever item doesn't fit that specific category, even if it seems related in some other way.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. carrot
apple, banana and grape belong to the same group, while 'carrot' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. chair
red, blue and green belong to the same group, while 'chair' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hammer
violin, piano and flute belong to the same group, while 'hammer' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. river
circle, square and triangle belong to the same group, while 'river' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Tuesday
France, Spain and Italy belong to the same group, while 'Tuesday' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. shark
oak, pine and birch belong to the same group, while 'shark' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. pencil
cup, plate and bowl belong to the same group, while 'pencil' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Monday
summer, winter and autumn belong to the same group, while 'Monday' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. carrot
apple, banana and grape belong to the same group, while 'carrot' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. chair
red, blue and green belong to the same group, while 'chair' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hammer
violin, piano and flute belong to the same group, while 'hammer' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. river
circle, square and triangle belong to the same group, while 'river' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Tuesday
France, Spain and Italy belong to the same group, while 'Tuesday' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. shark
oak, pine and birch belong to the same group, while 'shark' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. pencil
cup, plate and bowl belong to the same group, while 'pencil' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Monday
summer, winter and autumn belong to the same group, while 'Monday' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. carrot
apple, banana and grape belong to the same group, while 'carrot' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. chair
red, blue and green belong to the same group, while 'chair' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hammer
violin, piano and flute belong to the same group, while 'hammer' does not.
Find the odd one out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. river
circle, square and triangle belong to the same group, while 'river' does not.
Analogies
Work out the relationship between a pair of words, such as baby-animal names, and apply it to a new example.
How to approach this
Analogies work the same way as word relationships — identify the precise connection between the first pair of words, then apply it to complete the second pair. The trap to avoid is choosing an answer that's merely 'related' in a general sense rather than sharing the exact same relationship.
If the first pair is 'kitten is to cat', an answer of 'dog' for the second pair is wrong even though dogs and cats are related — you need the specific baby-animal word, like 'puppy'.
Foal is to horse as duckling is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. duck
foal grows into horse, just as duckling grows into duck.
Chick is to hen as puppy is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. dog
chick grows into hen, just as puppy grows into dog.
Cub is to lion as foal is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. horse
cub grows into lion, just as foal grows into horse.
Kid is to goat as foal is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. horse
kid grows into goat, just as foal grows into horse.
Chick is to hen as cub is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. lion
chick grows into hen, just as cub grows into lion.
Piglet is to pig as gosling is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. goose
piglet grows into pig, just as gosling grows into goose.
Foal is to horse as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. cow
foal grows into horse, just as calf grows into cow.
Piglet is to pig as cygnet is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. swan
piglet grows into pig, just as cygnet grows into swan.
Joey is to kangaroo as fawn is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. deer
joey grows into kangaroo, just as fawn grows into deer.
Lamb is to sheep as chick is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. hen
lamb grows into sheep, just as chick grows into hen.
Cub is to lion as cygnet is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. swan
cub grows into lion, just as cygnet grows into swan.
Duckling is to duck as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. cow
duckling grows into duck, just as calf grows into cow.
Tadpole is to frog as gosling is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. goose
tadpole grows into frog, just as gosling grows into goose.
Chick is to hen as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. cow
chick grows into hen, just as calf grows into cow.
Foal is to horse as kitten is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. cat
foal grows into horse, just as kitten grows into cat.
Duckling is to duck as calf is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. cow
duckling grows into duck, just as calf grows into cow.
Cygnet is to swan as puppy is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. dog
cygnet grows into swan, just as puppy grows into dog.
Joey is to kangaroo as gosling is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. goose
joey grows into kangaroo, just as gosling grows into goose.
Calf is to cow as cygnet is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. swan
calf grows into cow, just as cygnet grows into swan.
Chick is to hen as lamb is to ___?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. sheep
chick grows into hen, just as lamb grows into sheep.
Alphabet Puzzles
Count forwards or backwards through the alphabet to find a letter a set number of places away.
How to approach this
Alphabet puzzles ask how many letters forward or backward a given letter is from another. The reliable method is to write out the relevant stretch of the alphabet on paper and count the positions directly, rather than counting in your head, where it's easy to lose track by one or two places.
It helps to know some fixed reference points by heart — for example, that M is the 13th letter, roughly the midpoint of the alphabet — as a quick way to sense-check an answer.
What letter comes 2 letters before 'R' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. P
Counting 2 letters before 'R' gives 'P'.
What letter comes 4 letters after 'N' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. R
Counting 4 letters after 'N' gives 'R'.
What letter comes 4 letters after 'L' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. P
Counting 4 letters after 'L' gives 'P'.
What letter comes 5 letters before 'D' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Y
Counting 5 letters before 'D' gives 'Y'.
What letter comes 2 letters before 'D' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. B
Counting 2 letters before 'D' gives 'B'.
What letter comes 3 letters after 'U' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. X
Counting 3 letters after 'U' gives 'X'.
What letter comes 2 letters after 'R' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. T
Counting 2 letters after 'R' gives 'T'.
What letter comes 2 letters after 'I' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. K
Counting 2 letters after 'I' gives 'K'.
What letter comes 4 letters after 'M' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Q
Counting 4 letters after 'M' gives 'Q'.
What letter comes 3 letters after 'C' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. F
Counting 3 letters after 'C' gives 'F'.
What letter comes 3 letters before 'O' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. L
Counting 3 letters before 'O' gives 'L'.
What letter comes 4 letters before 'S' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. O
Counting 4 letters before 'S' gives 'O'.
What letter comes 2 letters after 'N' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. P
Counting 2 letters after 'N' gives 'P'.
What letter comes 3 letters after 'F' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. I
Counting 3 letters after 'F' gives 'I'.
What letter comes 5 letters before 'E' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Z
Counting 5 letters before 'E' gives 'Z'.
What letter comes 2 letters after 'N' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. P
Counting 2 letters after 'N' gives 'P'.
What letter comes 6 letters before 'N' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. H
Counting 6 letters before 'N' gives 'H'.
What letter comes 3 letters before 'M' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. J
Counting 3 letters before 'M' gives 'J'.
What letter comes 4 letters before 'T' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. P
Counting 4 letters before 'T' gives 'P'.
What letter comes 5 letters before 'S' in the alphabet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. N
Counting 5 letters before 'S' gives 'N'.