The note
How schools teach it now
KS2 English covers homonyms (words spelled the same with different meanings). The 11+ strategy: work out what links the first pair, then the second pair, and find one word that fits both. Each wrong option usually fits only one pair.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Play "two meanings" with things around the kitchen: a watch on your wrist and to watch TV; a bat for cricket and a bat that flies. Take turns finding a word, then giving two clues for the other person to guess.
Worked example
Choose the word that goes equally well with both pairs: (growl, howl) (trunk, branch)
- Growl and howl are noises a dog might make.
- Trunk and branch are parts of a tree.
- Bark is a dog's noise and the outside of a tree.
Answer: bark
Common mistakes to watch for
- Choosing a word that fits only one pair.
- Not thinking of a word's less common meaning.
- Trying to make the word fit both pairs with the same meaning.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Two meanings, one word. Your vocabulary is getting really clever.”
- Rather than
- “You should have known that one.”