11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained
Missing letters
Which one letter can finish one word and start the next?
The big idea
The letter must end the first word and start the second, in both pairs.
Picture it
A link in a chain: one letter holds two words together.
Key words
- pair
- two half-words with a gap between them
- end and start
- the letter finishes the first word and begins the second
- both pairs
- the same letter has to work in all four words
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
han ( ? ) oor
- Try letters that could end 'han': hand!
- Does D start 'oor'? door. Yes: d
- 211+ standard
kin ( ? ) rey lon ( ? ) ulp
- G: king, grey
- G: long, gulp
- The letter is g.
- 311+ standard
pla ( ? ) ext the ( ? ) eed
- N: plan, next
- N: then, need
- The letter is n.
- 411+ standard
shap ( ? ) nter flam ( ? ) rror
- E: shape, enter
- E: flame, error
- The letter is e.
The common mistake
The mistake
Stop as soon as a letter works for the first pair.
Instead
Test it on both pairs, all four words, before you choose.
Why: The wrong options are chosen to fit one pair only, to catch anyone who rushes.
Where it comes up in the 11+
A standard GL question with two pairs and one letter. Try each option in all four places.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains missing letters step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Missing letters worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. wais ( ? ) eeth shu ( ? ) eam
- t
- l
- g
- n
Show the answerHide the answer
t
waist, teeth, shut, team
2. mis ( ? ) oil new ( ? ) low
- s
- t
- k
- e
Show the answerHide the answer
s
miss, soil, news, slow
3. chi ( ? ) eat daw ( ? ) est
- n
- b
- g
- y
Show the answerHide the answer
n
chin, neat, dawn, nest