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VR techniques 5 min read · 2026-07-12

11+ Verbal Reasoning: Word connections (analogies) — method, example and traps

How to solve word connections (analogies) questions in the 11+: a fixed method, a worked example, the classic traps, and free practice worksheets.

Word connections (analogies) questions appear in almost every GL-style verbal-reasoning paper. A is to B as C is to ? — word version. Like every VR type, they stop being hard the moment your child has a fixed method — here it is.

What the question looks like

A is to B as C is to ? — word version. Papers typically include 3–5 of these per test, worth the same marks as any other question — which makes fast, reliable technique on the common types the highest-value preparation there is.

The method

Name the exact relationship in a sentence ('X is the young of Y', 'X is used to do Y') before reading the options; then apply that sentence to C. The more precise your sentence, the fewer traps survive.

Worked example

Kitten is to cat as puppy is to dog.

The traps

Settling for a vague relationship ('they're both animals'); reversing the direction of the analogy.

How to practise this type

Little and often wins: five questions of this type daily for a week beats fifty in one sitting. Our free verbal-reasoning worksheets are organised by exact question type, and the Arena's VR mode gives instant feedback with XP. When the type feels automatic, fold it back into full timed mock papers so pacing develops alongside accuracy. For the full landscape, see the 21 VR types overview.

Practise word connections (analogies) free →