The Exam Coach 11 CEM English & Verbal Reasoning Paper 3

11+ CEM English and Verbal
Reasoning Paper 3
● To receive free 11+ practice papers/answers and preparation workshops

every week subscribe to our email newsletter.
Just visit www.theexamcoach.tv
● Our youthful super-tutors deliver the best 11 Plus exam preparation

courses on the internet. Use us to prepare your child for grammar and
independent school entrance in the UK.
Visit www.theexamcoach.tv/courses to book!
● If you're searching for information on your target school, visit our school
guide pages.
https://www.theexamcoach.tv/grammar-school-guides
● Want to expand your child’s vocabulary? Listen to The Exam Coach

Podcast on Amazon Alexa, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and
YouTube. New episodes are released every day.
© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

Book an 11 Plus exam preparation course: www.theexamcoach.tv/courses
Page 1
11+ CEM English and Verbal Reasoning Paper 4
Instructions:
● You have 50 minutes to answer 56 questions.
● There are 3 sections in this paper. The time allowed for each section is stated below.
1. Comprehension - 20 minutes
2. Vocabulary - 15 minutes
3. Missing Words - 15 minutes
● Read the instructions given at the beginning of each section before answering the questions.
● Each question is worth 1 mark.
● Answer each set of questions as instructed to at the beginning of the section.
Example:
The Correct way to mark your The Incorrect way to mark your
answers on the answer sheet: answers on the answer sheet:
Correct Incorrect
Use a pencil to mark your answers. Rub out any errors, do not cross them out.
Please take care when marking your answers on your answer sheets.
Make sure you mark your answer on the line that matches the question number and
mark only one answer per line.
Information about the test papers:

● The page number is in the top right corner of each page.
● The timings for the different sections are shown on the example pages.
Instructions at the bottom of the pages inform you:
● If you can continue to the next page
● When you should wait for instructions before you turn the page
● When you have reached the end of a section.
The following symbols and phrases are used on the test papers.
Symbol Description: Symbol Description: Symbol Description: Symbol Description:

Time allowed for the Go to the next page. Do not turn the page STOP WORKING. You
section. until you are told to may check your work
do so. from this section only.

Page 2
Section 1 - Comprehension
Instructions
Carefully read through the passage of writing, then answer the questions that follow.
Mark your chosen answer for each question on the answering sheet. You will have four
options (A - D) for each question.
Example Passage
The apathetic boy walked home from school. It started to rain.
Example i.
i) Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “apathetic”
A. Uninterested
B. Amazed
C. Agitated
D. Pitiful
The answer here is A as apathetic means “showing or feeling no interest or enthusiasm.

Therefore, “uninterested” is closest in meaning to the word “apathetic”.
The answer A has been marked for you on your answer sheet
Example ii.
ii) What happened as the boy walked home?
E. It got dark
F. It began to rain
G. He felt happy
H. He got lost
The correct answer is B.

Mark the letter B on your answering sheet.
You have 20 minutes to answer 20 questions.

Page 3
Sharks
by David Schiffman
Sharks aren’t as scary as you might think...
There are more than 500 species of sharks swimming in the world’s ocean. Yet when most
people think of these cartilaginous fish, a single image comes to mind: a large,
sharp-toothed and scary beast. That generalisation does sharks a huge disservice, as they
have far more variety than that. They range in size from the length of a human hand to
more than 39 feet (12 meters) long; half of all shark species are less than one metre (or 5
about 3 feet) long. They come in a variety of colours (including bubble gum pink), and
some feed on tiny plankton, while others prefer larger fish and squids. They are found in
just about every kind of ocean habitat, including the deep sea, open ocean, coral reefs,
and under the Arctic ice.
Wherever they live, sharks play an important role in ocean ecosystems—especially the 10
larger species that are more “scary” to people. Sharks and their relatives were the first
vertebrate predators, and their prowess, honed over millions of years of evolution, allows
them to hunt as top predators and keep ecosystems in balance.
But sharks are in trouble around the world. Rising demand for shark fins to make shark fin
soup, an Asian delicacy, has resulted in increased shark fishing worldwide; an estimated 15
100 million sharks are killed by fisheries every year. Sharks are accidentally caught in nets
or on long line fishing gear. And because of needless fear spurred on by films such as Jaws,
the instinct for some is to hurt or kill sharks that come near—such as the controversial
shark culling in Australia. (This is despite the fact that you are more likely to be killed by a
lightning strike than bitten by a shark, and more likely to be killed by a dog attack than a 20
shark attack.) Combined, these actions have decreased many shark populations by 90
percent since large-scale fishing began.
All of this puts these incredible animals—and the ecosystems in which they play a role—in
jeopardy. To protect them, communities and companies around the world are enacting
science-based fisheries management policies, setting up shark sanctuaries, and banning 25
the practice of shark finning and the trade of shark fins.

Page 4
No matter their size, all sharks have similar anatomy. Like other elasmobranchs (a
subclass of animals that also includes rays and skates), sharks have skeletons made of
cartilage—the hard but flexible material that makes up human noses and ears. This is a
defining feature of elasmobranchs, as most fish have skeletons made of bone. Cartilage is 30
much lighter than bone, which allows sharks to stay afloat and swim long distances while
using less energy.
Every shark also has several rows of teeth lining its jaws. Unlike people, which have a
limited number of teeth in their lifetime, sharks are constantly shedding their teeth and
replacing them with new ones. A shark can lose and replace thousands of teeth in its 35
lifetime! Not all shark teeth are the same, however. Some have pointed teeth for grabbing
fish out of the water. Others have razor-sharp teeth for biting off chunks of prey, allowing
them to attack and eat larger animals than bony fishes of the same size.
Sharks that eat shellfish have flatter teeth for breaking shells. Filter-feeding sharks that sift
tiny plankton from the water still have teeth, but they are very small and aren’t used for 40
feeding.

Page 5
1) Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “species” (line 1)?
A. Similarities
B. Genres
C. Varieties
D. Families
2) According to the author, how do most people feel about sharks?

A. Frightened
B. Unbothered
C. Interested
D. Angered
3) What “generalisation does sharks a huge disservice” (line 3)?

A. That sharks are friendly
B. That sharks are large
C. That sharks are terrifying
D. That sharks make good pets
4) “Sharp-toothed and scary” (line 3). Which literary technique is used in this sentence?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Personification
C. A metaphor
D. Alliteration
5) “Half of all shark species are less than one meter (or about 3 feet) long” (lines 5-6). What
can we infer from this line?
Option 1: All sharks are tiny.

Option 2: Most sharks are not as big as people think.
Option 3: Most sharks are not dangerous.
Option 4: Most sharks are not as dangerous as we’re taught.
A. Options 1 and 2 only
B. Options 2 and 3 only
C. Options 1 and 3 only
D. Options 2 and 4 only

Page 6
6) “They are found in just about every kind of ocean habitat, including the deep sea, open
ocean, coral reefs, and under the Arctic ice” (lines 7-9). Which literary technique is used in
this sentence?
A. Simile
B. Listing
C. Hyperbole
D. Rhetorical question
7) What “important role” do sharks play in ocean ecosystems (line 10)?

A. They eat all the other animals
B. They hunt the top predators
C. They attack humans
D. They are the top predators
8) “Sharks … were the first vertebrate predators” (lines 11-12). What does this mean?
A. They were the first predators to have a backbone

B. They were the first predators to not have a backbone
C. They are big predators
D. They were the first predators to vibrate as they moved
9) Why are sharks in trouble across the world?
Option 1: Sharks are caught in fishing nets.

Option 2: Sharks are killed to make soup.
Option 3: Sharks are killed in films.
Option 4: Sharks don’t like dogs.
C. Options 1 and 3 only
D. Options 2 and 4 only
10) What type of word is “needless” (line 17)?

A. Adverb
B. Noun
C. Adjective
D. Conjunction

Page 7
11) What is meant by the phrase “needless fear” in line 17?
A. Sharks are scared of themselves

B. Being scared of sharks is unnecessary
C. Sharks are not essential
D. Being scared of sharks is understandable
12) Why does the author tell us that you are “more likely to be killed by a dog attack than a
shark” (lines 20-21)?
A. Because dogs are very dangerous
B. To make people scared of dogs
C. To show that sharks pose little threat to humans
D. Because sharks are often attacked by dogs
13) Where is the evidence to suggest that sharks are being protected around the word?
A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 3
D. Paragraph 4
14) How are sharks being protected?
Option 1: Breeding more sharks

Option 2: Banning shark fishing
Option 3: Shark sanctuaries
Option 4: Banning shark finning
C. All of the above
D. None of the above
15) Which of the following are classed as “elasmobranchs” (line 27)?
A. Sharks
B. Skates
C. Rays
D. All of the above

Page 8
16) What does the word “flexible” mean (line 29)?

A. Bendable
B. Bent
C. Lightweight
D. Rigid
17) Why is cartilage useful to sharks?

A. It makes them lighter
B. It makes them faster
C. It makes them stronger
D. It makes them ferocious
18) Why are there so many types of sharks’ teeth?
A. Because sharks have lots of teeth

B. Because there are many species of shark
C. Because sharks constantly lose and regrow their teeth
D. Because sharks eat lots of different organisms
19) Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word "limited" (line 34)?
A. Restricted
B. Ample
C. Amount
D. Some
20) Overall, how does the author feel about sharks?

A. They admire them
B. They fear them
C. They dislike them
D. They are unbothered by them
End of Section 1. Remember to check your work.

Page 9
Section 2 - Vocabulary
Instructions
For questions 1-8, find and write down two synonyms for each question.
For questions 9-16, find and write down two antonyms for each question.
Write all answers for this section in the exam paper.
All answers must be chosen from the 25 words provided at the beginning of each section.
Each word can only be used once.
Example i & ii.
Look at the words below, then answer the questions that follow:
bewilder irked wild average hysterical
abandoned tragic happy hot sickened
furious crazy fast unhappy concerned
dark lost cheerful cold baffle
chronic black anxious worried bad-tempered
i) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘sad’.
A) Tragic
B) Unhappy
The answers are filled in for you.
ii) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘confuse’.
A) ____________________________________
B) ____________________________________
The answers are ‘bewilder’ and ‘baffle’. Write these words in the spaces provided above.

Page 10
Synonyms
tremble dissimilar zealous speedy dirtiness
wobble grumpy controversial unlike similar
confusing torment hopeful quiver close
sanguine changeable poverty race pain
temporary bad-tempered wriggle nearby spirited
1) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘anguish’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
2) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘squalor’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
3) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘shiver’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
4) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘near’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________

Page 11
5) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘passionate’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
6) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘surly’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
7) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘optimistic’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
8) Find two words that are synonyms for the word ‘different’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________

Page 12
Antonyms
tardy repel wonderful sensible aged
young delicious intact sociable winner
crowded victor elderly ruthless repulse
reasonable gregarious late succulent compassionate
narrow smooth understandable sudden perfect
9) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘loser’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
10) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘early’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
11) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘broken’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
12) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘revolting’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________

Page 13
13) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘absurd’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
14) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘allure’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
15) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘reclusive’.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________
16) Find two words that are antonyms for the word ‘youthful”.
a) ____________________________________
b) ____________________________________

Page 14
Section 3 - Missing Words

Instructions
In each of the following sentences, there are words missing. Select the word that finishes
each sentence correctly.
Mark your answer in the answering booklet by choosing one of the options A - D.
There is only one correct answer for each question.
Example i.
i) The ??? waves were as tall as buildings.
A B C D
gigantic obscure tiny dry
Answer i.
The correct answer is A.
The answer A has been marked for you on your answer sheet.
Example ii.
ii) The eagle ??? through the air.
A B C D
fly walked flying flew
Answer ii.
The correct answer is D.
Mark the box with the letter D on your answer sheet.

Page 15
1) The magician performed a very ??? trick.
A B C D
dangerous interested suddenly shocked
2) We were ??? by the amazing documentary.
A B C D
enthralled uncovered informative disgusted
3) After the ??? boat trip, she vowed never to go on a yacht again.
A B C D
amazing terrifying scared pleasant
4) He felt ??? when he could not find the answer to the maths problem.
A B C D
crazy obnoxious exasperated victorious
5) She worked long hours and found her job ???.
A B C D
complexity inert tiresome knowledgable
6) The weather is ??? hot today.
A B C D
exceptionally exceeding dreadful often

Page 16
7) In summer, he puts sunscreen on as a ??? precaution before leaving the house.

A B C D
wonderful necessary varied option
8) Dancing can be a ??? activity because it involves a lot of movement.

A B C D
strenuous boring safe easy
9) The princess was ??? in the tower for twenty years.
A B C D
trapped within lived life
10) Moving abroad can be a very ??? occasion.
A B C D
catastrophic changeable stressful elderly
11) My brother is always being ??? - pulling faces and misbehaving.

A B C D
entertained rude angry kind
12) He hated public speaking, so when he stepped out on stage he felt ???.
A B C D
nauseous concerning nimble average

Page 17
13) Police officers must be both brave and ??? to help the community.
A B C D
unfair selfless arrogant boring
14) The old castle had been ??? with graffiti.
A B C D
fixed broken vandalised repaired
15) The ??? river seemed to go on for miles.
A B C D
torrential faulted endless dim
16) The ??? explorers travelled across entire continents by foot.

A B C D
intrepid aged cryptic modern
17) On my first day of school, I was given a ??? amount of homework.

A B C D
ridiculous exhausted wonderful needed
18) The chemist used dangerous ??? chemicals in her experiment.

A B C D
safe noxious pleasant aromatic

Page 18
19) The hailstorm in the middle of summer was ???.

A B C D
suspect unexpected anomaly often
20) The mayor delivered an ??? speech about climate change.

A B C D
inspiring divine widespread crazy


The Exam Coach 11 CEM English & Verbal Reasoning Paper 3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Exam Coach 11 CEM English & Verbal Reasoning Paper 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

11+ CEM English and Verbal

● To receive free 11+ practice papers/answers and preparation workshops

● Our youthful super-tutors deliver the best 11 Plus exam preparation

● Want to expand your child’s vocabulary? Listen to The Exam Coach

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

11+ CEM English and Verbal Reasoning Paper 4

Information about the test papers:

Symbol Description: Symbol Description: Symbol Description: Symbol Description:

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

i) Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “apathetic”

The answer here is A as apathetic means “showing or feeling no interest or enthusiasm.

ii) What happened as the boy walked home?

The correct answer is B.

You have 20 minutes to answer 20 questions.

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

2) According to the author, how do most people feel about sharks?

3) What “generalisation does sharks a huge disservice” (line 3)?

Option 1: All sharks are tiny.

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

7) What “important role” do sharks play in ocean ecosystems (line 10)?

A. They were the first predators to have a backbone

9) Why are sharks in trouble across the world?

Option 1: Sharks are caught in fishing nets.

10) What type of word is “needless” (line 17)?

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

11) What is meant by the phrase “needless fear” in line 17?

A. Sharks are scared of themselves

14) How are sharks being protected?

Option 1: Breeding more sharks

15) Which of the following are classed as “elasmobranchs” (line 27)?

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

16) What does the word “flexible” mean (line 29)?

17) Why is cartilage useful to sharks?

18) Why are there so many types of sharks’ teeth?

A. Because sharks have lots of teeth

20) Overall, how does the author feel about sharks?

End of Section 1. Remember to check your work.

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

Write all answers for this section in the exam paper.

Example i & ii.

abandoned tragic happy hot sickened

furious crazy fast unhappy concerned

dark lost cheerful cold baffle

chronic black anxious worried bad-tempered

You have 15 minutes to answer 16 questions.

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

wobble grumpy controversial unlike similar

confusing torment hopeful quiver close

sanguine changeable poverty race pain

temporary bad-tempered wriggle nearby spirited

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

young delicious intact sociable winner

crowded victor elderly ruthless repulse

reasonable gregarious late succulent compassionate

narrow smooth understandable sudden perfect

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

End of Section 2. Remember to check your work.

© The Exam Coach | teamkeen@theexamcoach.tv

Section 3 - Missing Words

i) The ??? waves were as tall as buildings.