Verbal Reasoning

Reasoning with words and patterns

Verbal reasoning means using meaning, relationships and stated rules to solve problems with words. First identify the task: it might ask for a synonym, an opposite, an alphabetical order or a code. Read every option before choosing. A familiar-looking word is not enough; it must satisfy the whole rule.

Synonyms have similar meanings, such as tiny and small. Antonyms express contrasts, such as arrive and depart. Meaning depends on context: light can mean not heavy or not dark, so the correct opposite changes with the sentence. In alphabetical order, compare letters from left to right until the first difference. For a code, test a proposed rule against every supplied example. Never assume a rule from just one matching letter.

Worked example

Arrange cart, care and cat. The first two letters are ca in each word. At the third letter, r comes before t, so cat is last. Compare care and cart at their fourth letters: e comes before t. The order is care, cart, cat. If a code shifts every letter one place forward, CAT becomes DBU; checking all three letters confirms the rule.

Try it

Give the opposite of light in 'The empty bag was light.' Put stone, star and stick in alphabetical order. Using a one-letter forward shift, code DOG.