Understand the rule first
Imagine folding the shape along a proposed line. Every point, edge and shaded mark must match at the same distance on the other side.
Symmetry 11+ practice
Identify and count lines that divide figures into reflected halves.
How many lines of symmetry does a non-square rectangle have?
- A vertical fold matches left and right.
- A horizontal fold matches top and bottom.
- Diagonal folds do not match unequal side lengths.
A common misconception
Counting rotational positions or diagonals that do not produce matching reflected halves.
Reusable method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.Question 1 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreHow many lines of symmetry does a non-square rectangle have?
- A2
- B1
- C4
- D0
Need a hint?
Test vertical, horizontal and diagonal folds.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 2
Only the vertical and horizontal centre lines work, giving 2.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 2 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreHow many lines of symmetry does an equilateral triangle have?
- A1
- B3
- C2
- D6
Need a hint?
Each line can run from a vertex to the opposite side’s midpoint.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 3
An equilateral triangle has one symmetry line from each of its three vertices.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 3 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreHow many lines of symmetry does a regular hexagon have?
- A3
- B4
- C6
- D8
Need a hint?
Count vertex-to-vertex and side-midpoint lines.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 6
There are three of each type, making 6.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 4 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleIn a simple block font, how many lines of symmetry does the capital letter H have?
- A0
- B1
- C4
- D2
Need a hint?
Test a vertical fold and a horizontal fold.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 2
A balanced block H has vertical and horizontal symmetry, giving 2 lines.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 5 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleHow many lines of symmetry does a square have?
- A4
- B2
- C6
- D8
Need a hint?
Include both diagonals as well as vertical and horizontal lines.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 4
A square has 4 lines of symmetry.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 6 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleHow many lines of symmetry does a regular pentagon have?
- A5
- B1
- C4
- D10
Need a hint?
A regular polygon has one line associated with each vertex.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 5
A regular pentagon has 5 lines of symmetry.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 7 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleHow many lines of symmetry does a perfect circle have?
- A4
- Binfinitely many
- C8
- Dnone
Need a hint?
Any diameter can act as a mirror line.
Show worked answer
Answer B: infinitely many
Every diameter is a line of symmetry, so there are infinitely many.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.
Question 8 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleIn a simple block font, how many lines of symmetry does capital T have?
- A0
- B2
- C1
- D4
Need a hint?
Test a vertical and horizontal fold.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 1
A balanced block T has one vertical line of symmetry.
Quick method: Imagine folding on the proposed line.