EDUCATION
CGP BOOKS’ SAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM A TYPICAL 11+ STYLE EXAM English:
1. “Scientists believe that a huge asteroid collided with Earth.” Which word in this sentence is a preposition? Answer: “with” is a preposition because it shows how the asteroid is related in relation to the earth. 2. What type of words are these? terrible wondrous colossal fossilized A Common nouns B Verbs C Pronouns D Adjectives E Collective nouns Answer: These words are examples of adjectives because they are used to describe nouns
Maths:
1. Which of the following calculations gives the answer 13.5? A (17 ÷ 2) + (3 + 3) B (1 + 8) x (6 – 4) C (4 x 5) – (3.5 x 2) D (13 + 6) – (11÷ 2) E 4.5 + 3 + 1.5 + 4 Answer: D (13=6) – (11÷2) = 19 – 5.5 = 13.5
2. A taxi charges £3.00 for the first 2 minutes of a journey, then 20p for every 30 seconds after that. How much would a 6.5 minute journey cost? Answer: £4.80
3. Give another word or phrase that means the same as these words as they are used in the text: “bizarre” (line 13) “ecstatic” (line 42) Answer: Various answers possible Eg. “bizarre” means ‘unusual’ or extraordinary’ Eg. “ecstatic” means ‘delighted,’ ‘very happy’ or ‘joyful’
senior schools will have access to the results and be able to offer places accordingly. “Pre-testing is very unfair on prep schools and young candidates,” says Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College. “It means prep schools are having to prepare young people for all manner of tests at Years Six and Seven and it is destabilizing to continuity of learning.”
revealing part of the whole process,” says Paul Green, Deputy Head of Admissions at Epsom College. “We are trying to find out whether the child will fit the school, what they are like and whether they think out of the box.”
Preparation and individuality
Usually held just after the pre-test, the interview format varies from school to school. Some schools, like Wellington, ask children to bring a meaningful object in to talk about while Epsom College ask boys to describe a picture or poem as an ice-breaker. Preparation is key says Woody Webster, co-director of Bright Young Things, who tutor for Common Entrance. “Interviews are really trying to find out about the intelligence, inquisitiveness and curiosity of a child, not just what they know. For example, you can be sure you will be asked about the last book you’ve read, but the child needs to be able to explain not just that he liked it, but why he liked it. Preparing ahead can turn a 2D answer into a 3D one. There’s a lot at stake here.” But Paul Green cautions against over-preparation. “We want to see individuality, not children reading from a prepared script. My most important tip is for children to be themselves.”
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Left to right, Sherborne School for Girls, Dorset, and Stonyhurst College, Lancashire
Interviews and the art of conversation But for some parents, the interview is the most dreaded part of the process. After all, most parents feel more responsible for their child’s social graces than they do their long multiplication. “The worst thing is you don’t know what to expect,” says one mother, whose son was successfully interviewed for Reed’s School, Surrey. “Most 11-yearolds are not used to talking formally to adults.” “The interview is the most helpful and www.independentschoolparent.com
AUTUMN 2013 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 37