Understand the rule first
For anagrams, count and cross off every letter. For compound words, test whether the joined parts form an established word and preserve the required order.
Anagrams & compound words 11+ practice
Build anagrams and compound words using every required letter or word exactly.
Rearrange LISTEN to make another word.
- List the letters L, I, S, T, E, N.
- SILENT uses S, I, L, E, N, T.
- Every letter is used once.
A common misconception
Accepting a plausible word that adds, removes or repeats a letter.
Reusable method: Cross off letters as they are used.Question 1 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich word is an anagram of LISTEN?
- ASILKEN
- BLISTED
- CENLISTS
- DSILENT
Need a hint?
Count all six letters exactly once.
Show worked answer
Answer D: SILENT
SILENT uses precisely the letters in LISTEN.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 2 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich word completes the compound RAIN___?
- ABOW
- BSHIP
- CLIGHT
- DSIDE
Need a hint?
Think of a common weather-related compound.
Show worked answer
Answer A: BOW
RAIN + BOW forms RAINBOW.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 3 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich word is an anagram of BELOW?
- ABLOWN
- BELBOW
- CBLOW
- DBELOWER
Need a hint?
Use B, E, L, O and W once each.
Show worked answer
Answer B: ELBOW
ELBOW contains exactly the same five letters as BELOW.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 4 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich word completes both SNOW___ and ___ROOM?
- Astorm
- Bclass
- Cball
- Dboard
Need a hint?
Both joined forms must be recognised compound words.
Show worked answer
Answer C: ball
SNOWBALL and BALLROOM are both established words.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 5 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich word is an anagram of CHEAT?
- ACHASE
- BCHEST
- CHEART
- DTEACH
Need a hint?
Check C, H, E, A and T one by one.
Show worked answer
Answer D: TEACH
TEACH uses exactly the letters of CHEAT.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 6 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich word is an anagram of STATE?
- ATENTS
- BSTART
- CSTARE
- DTASTE
Need a hint?
Use S, T, A, T and E exactly once.
Show worked answer
Answer D: TASTE
TASTE uses exactly the letters of STATE.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 7 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich word completes the compound DOOR___?
- AWAY
- BLIGHT
- CSIDE
- DCASE
Need a hint?
Think of an entrance or opening.
Show worked answer
Answer A: WAY
DOOR + WAY forms DOORWAY.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.
Question 8 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich word completes both BED___ and ___MATE?
- Aside
- Broom
- Ctime
- Dcover
Need a hint?
Both joined forms must be established words.
Show worked answer
Answer B: room
BEDROOM and ROOMMATE are both established words.
Quick method: Cross off letters as they are used.