Understand the rule first
Find a word repeated across two examples and match it to the repeated code. Use those secure matches to decode the remaining words without guessing from meaning.
Word & number codes 11+ practice
Use repeated words and symbols to decode word–number relationships.
RED BLUE = 4 7 and BLUE GREEN = 7 2. What codes RED GREEN?
- BLUE repeats and is matched by 7 in both examples.
- RED must be 4 and GREEN must be 2.
- Keep the requested word order: RED GREEN = 4 2.
A common misconception
Assuming codes follow the order or meaning of words without checking repeated evidence.
Reusable method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.Question 1 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreRED BLUE = 4 7 and BLUE GREEN = 7 2. How is RED GREEN coded?
- A7 4
- B4 2
- C2 7
- D4 7
Need a hint?
Match the repeated word BLUE to the repeated number.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 4 2
BLUE is 7, leaving RED = 4 and GREEN = 2, so RED GREEN is 4 2.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 2 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreSUN MOON STAR = 3 8 5 and MOON CLOUD = 8 1. How is CLOUD STAR coded?
- A8 5
- B3 1
- C1 5
- D5 1
Need a hint?
MOON confirms the code 8; then read the unmatched codes.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 1 5
CLOUD is 1 and STAR is 5, so the code is 1 5.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 3 of 8 Verbal ReasoningcoreIf a word’s code is the sum of its letters’ alphabet positions, what is the code for CAT?
- A21
- B22
- C23
- D24
Need a hint?
Use C = 3, A = 1 and T = 20.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 24
3 + 1 + 20 = 24.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 4 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleCOLD TEA = 6 4 and HOT TEA = 2 4. What is the code for HOT?
- A2
- B4
- C6
- D8
Need a hint?
TEA is the repeated word and 4 is the repeated code.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 2
TEA = 4, so HOT = 2.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 5 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleOAK ASH PINE = 9 3 6 and ASH ELM = 3 8. How is OAK ELM coded?
- A3 8
- B9 8
- C9 6
- D8 9
Need a hint?
Use ASH = 3 to anchor both examples.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 9 8
OAK = 9 and ELM = 8, so OAK ELM is 9 8.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 6 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-stylePEAR PLUM = 5 8 and PLUM FIG = 8 2. How is PEAR FIG coded?
- A8 2
- B5 2
- C2 5
- D5 8
Need a hint?
PLUM anchors the repeated code 8.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 5 2
PEAR = 5 and FIG = 2, so the code is 5 2.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 7 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleIf a word’s code is the sum of its letters’ alphabet positions, what is DOG?
- A22
- B24
- C26
- D28
Need a hint?
Use D = 4, O = 15 and G = 7.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 26
4 + 15 + 7 = 26.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.
Question 8 of 8 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleA two-digit code gives number of letters, then number of vowels. What is the code for PLANE?
- A25
- B51
- C53
- D52
Need a hint?
Count all letters, then A and E.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 52
PLANE has five letters and two vowels, so its code is 52.
Quick method: Find the repeated word and repeated code first.