Eleven-Plus questions from yesteryear

Introduced in the 1940s the Eleven-Plus is perhaps the most controversial exam in the history of education in the UK.

The Eleven-Plus Book includes genuine exam questions from yesteryear. Here are six questions from the book to test whether you are as smart as 11-year-olds used to be...

The Eleven-Plus Book, £6.99, published by Michael O'Mara Books Limited (www.mombooks.com)  

Arithmetic

1) A train leaves London at 11.30 a.m and arrives at Bristol at 1.30 p.m, after stopping from 12.10 p.m to 12.20 p.m at Reading, which is 36 miles from London. It travelled both parts of the journey at the same rate. Find the distance from London to Bristol.

2) Subtract two-thirds of eight hundred and thirty four from 23 times 185.

3) Simplify:
a) 15 x 20
b) ½+⅓
c) 0.75 x 3

General English

4) Write down a word opposite in meaning to each of the following:
a) clean
b) advance
c) useful
d) moisture
e) possible
f) weakness
g) shapeless h) allow
i) absence
j) foolishness

5) Rewrite the following sentences, putting in all the punctuation marks and capitals required:
a) hurry shouted john the train is in. we have another minute his friend replied
b) is the honey good asked mr lion it is delicious replied the jackal

6) Give the feminine of all the following:
a) brother
b) nephew
c) monk
d) wizard
e) gander
f) merman
g) waiter
h) hero
i) fox
j) cousin

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Answers

1) 99 miles

2) 3,699

3) a) 300 b)5/6 c)2.25

4) a) dirty b) Retreat c) useless d)dryness e) impossible f) strength g) structured h) forbid i) presence j) wisdom

5) a) ‘Hurry!’ shouted John, ‘the train is in.’ ‘We have another minute,’ his friend replied. b) ‘Is the honey good?’ asked Mr Lion. ‘It is delicious,’ replied the jackal.

6) a) sister b) niece c) nun d) witch e) goose f) mermaid g) waitress h) heroine i) vixen j) cousin