Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning is a type of assessment that evaluates a person's ability to understand and analyse written information. It assesses your comprehension, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills based on passages of text.

The skills needed for verbal reasoning include:

1. Reading Comprehension: The ability to understand and extract information from written passages. This involves identifying main ideas, supporting details, and the overall tone or purpose of the text.

2. Vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is essential for understanding the meaning of words and phrases used in the passages. It includes knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and word usage in context.

3. Inference: The skill to draw logical conclusions and make educated guesses based on the information provided in the passage. This requires the ability to read between the lines and understand implicit meanings.

4. Critical Thinking: The capacity to analyse and evaluate arguments and ideas presented in the passage. This involves identifying assumptions, recognising biases, and assessing the validity and reliability of the information.

5. Logic and Reasoning: The ability to understand and follow the logical flow of ideas in the text. This includes identifying cause-and-effect relationships, recognising patterns, and making logical deductions.

6. Attention to Detail: Being able to pay close attention to the details presented in the passage. This involves noticing specific facts, figures, dates, and other relevant information that may be necessary to answer questions accurately.

7. Time Management: Verbal reasoning tests are usually timed, so it's important to manage your time effectively. This includes budgeting your time for reading and understanding the passage, as well as answering the questions within the given time frame.

It's important to practice and develop these skills by regularly reading a variety of texts, practicing comprehension exercises, and attempting verbal reasoning practice tests. This will help you become more familiar with the format and improve your performance in verbal reasoning assessments.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Non-verbal reasoning is a type of assessment that evaluates a person's ability to understand and analyse visual information. It assesses your problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and pattern recognition skills using non-verbal elements such as shapes, figures, and diagrams.

The skills needed for non-verbal reasoning include:

1. Spatial Awareness: The ability to mentally manipulate and visualise objects in space. This involves understanding the position, orientation, and movement of shapes or figures.

2. Pattern Recognition: The skill to identify and analyse patterns, sequences, and relationships between shapes or figures. This includes identifying similarities, differences, and transformations within a series of visual elements.

3. Logical Reasoning: The capacity to apply logical thinking and deductive reasoning to solve problems. This involves recognising and applying rules or principles that govern the relationships between shapes or figures.

4. Visual Analysis: The ability to analyse and interpret visual information accurately. This includes identifying and understanding the properties, attributes, and characteristics of shapes or figures.

5. Problem-Solving: The skill to approach and solve problems systematically. This involves breaking down complex visual problems into simpler components, identifying strategies, and applying logical steps to arrive at a solution.

6. Attention to Detail: Being able to observe and notice small details within shapes or figures. This includes recognising subtle changes, variations, or patterns that may be important for solving the problem.

7. Mental Flexibility: The capacity to think creatively and consider multiple perspectives or approaches to solve problems. This involves thinking outside the box and being open to different possibilities and solutions.

It's important to practice and develop these skills by regularly engaging in activities that involve spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and visual analysis. This can include solving puzzles, playing strategy games, and practicing non-verbal reasoning exercises or tests. By doing so, you can improve your performance in non-verbal reasoning assessments.

Creative Writing

A great piece of creative writing is characterised by several key elements that captivate the reader and demonstrate the writer's skill and imagination. 

Firstly, a strong and compelling narrative is essential. This involves creating a well-structured plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and developing interesting and relatable characters. The writer should also incorporate vivid descriptions that engage the reader's senses and bring the story to life.

Additionally, creativity and originality are crucial in creative writing. Examiners are looking for unique ideas and perspectives that showcase the writer's ability to think outside the box. This could involve creating imaginative settings, inventing new worlds or characters, or approaching a common theme or topic in a fresh and innovative way.

Another important aspect of great creative writing is the effective use of language and literary devices. Skillful writers employ a variety of techniques such as similes, metaphors, personification, and symbolism to enhance their writing and create a deeper impact on the reader. They also demonstrate a strong command of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary to ensure clarity and coherence in their writing.

When children sit the eleven plus exam, examiners are specifically looking for certain writing skills. These include the ability to generate and develop ideas fluently and coherently, to use a wide range of vocabulary appropriately, and to structure their writing effectively. Examiners also assess the writer's ability to engage the reader through descriptive and imaginative language, as well as their understanding of narrative structure and the ability to create tension and suspense.

Furthermore, examiners look for evidence of originality, creativity, and the writer's unique voice in their writing. They want to see that the child can think critically and analytically, and that they can express their ideas and emotions with clarity and depth. 

Finally, attention to detail and a strong grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important to ensure the overall quality of the piece.

In summary, a great piece of creative writing is characterised by a compelling narrative, originality, effective use of language and literary devices, and strong technical skills. 

When sitting the eleven plus exam, children should focus on generating ideas, using a wide vocabulary, structuring their writing effectively, and showcasing their creativity and unique voice.