Free printable PDF · Vocabulary
11+ vocabulary flashcards
The words every 11+ child should know, as cut-out cards: the word on the front; its meaning, word class and an example sentence on the back. 10 sets of 48 words, 480 words in all, from Year 4 up to scholarship level. Try each set on screen first, then print it.
How the fold-over cards work
1. Print
Print the set on A4, single-sided. There are 6 cards on each page, 8 pages a set. Thin card works best, but paper is fine.
2. Cut and fold
Cut round each card along the solid lines, then fold it in half along the dashed line, so the word is on the front and its meaning is on the back.
3. Glue and play
A dab of glue or a bit of tape holds the halves together. No double-sided printing to line up, so the meanings are always on the back of the right word.
Foundation words · Year 4
Everyday words used well: the base every 11+ child needs before the harder lists.
Core words · Year 5
Richer words for stories and reading, the bulk of what 11+ synonym and antonym questions test.
Advanced words · 11+ exam standard
Precise, less common words that lift scores in GL and CEM papers.
Stretch words · Top grammar & independent schools
Challenging words for the most selective grammar and independent school papers.
Getting the most from the cards
- Do ten cards a day rather than a whole set at once. Little and often is what makes words stick.
- Sort the cards into three piles: “I know it”, “nearly” and “not yet”. Go over the “not yet” pile every day and the others once a week.
- Ask your child to use the word in a sentence of their own, not just say the meaning. That’s what helps in creative writing.
- For quizzes, word lists and every word’s own page, see our 11+ vocabulary hub.