Vocabulary is one of the most important aspects of the 11 plus English and Verbal Reasoning tests. Reading is the best way to learn new words and add to your vocabulary. It should begin early and as is often said- the earlier the better. Read every day with your child and read from a variety of genres. Try to incorporate new words in conversations.
In addition to reading, you may utilise a few other ways to strengthen children’s vocabulary. This could be applications, websites, specific books and resources. We have compiled a few of these resources so that they may be useful for you in your quest to enrich your child’s vocabulary. If you have any more to add, please leave them in the comments below.
Links to the products and websites can be accessed by clicking on the text in bold. Links are visible when you hover over these texts.
GAMES
Games are a great way to learn new words and retain them in your memory. They add the fun element. There are many games available to buy. You can even make your own like we did at The 11 Plus Journey. It is called ‘What’s my Word?’
‘What’s my word’ Game
Books
11 Plus Vocabulary available on Amazon is popular with students learning 11 Plus vocabulary.
Vocab Builder Bumper Pack is a 15-week book filled with vocabulary-related exercises. Available to download from our website, in partnership with EPRB- Eleven Plus Revision Books. It includes
- Comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, partial words, compound words, odd one out, SPAG, Cloze exercises
- Carefully designed to help your child learn and retain tricky words
The 11+ Journey Vocabulary, Comprehension and Reading Bundle
is a set of workbooks filled with techniques and strategies for parents to help transform their child’s reading vocabulary and comprehension skills.
The bundle includes
1. A reading booklet with activities to make reading worthwhile and provide the skills needed for vocabulary and comprehension
2. A Vocabulary Challenge pack that will help your child to learn and retain new words
3. A Comprehension pack that will show your child how to think beyond the text and answer questions effectively
11+ Vocabulary Antonyms & Synonyms is a book created by a mother of two children who prepared her own children for entry into super-selective schools. It is hugely popular with parents.
11 plus Vocabulary 500 essential words– a slightly challenging book, that includes Synonyms, Antonyms, how to use words and word origin.
Cadwaladr Quests series– a unique series of 11-plus vocabulary novels. The relevant words have a corresponding footnote with synonyms and antonyms. It is written by an author and parent Sheena Ager who used this fun way of to help her son learn new words. Also, read her ‘Five a Day’ method to improve vocabulary.
Vocab Booster– a book packed with 2,000 words, it provides a comprehensive weekly programme to boost your child’s vocabulary.
Wordier Online- An eclectic and unique place offering various resources to improve children’s vocabulary with no fuss and in record time. The Vocabulary book is illustrated featuring over 200 challenging words. It comes with a FREE BONUS which includes free online revision games and flashcards. You can find more products on their website.
Classics explained for young readers– These ‘explained’ versions of classic literature books offer young readers vocabulary and comprehension support as footnotes on the same page. These books have original text, provide full context and make classic texts enjoyable and comprehensible.
The 11+ Journal– A fun way for children to record new words learnt every day in their very own journal. The little book is designed to help children express themselves through words and art, build resilience, nurture goal-setting and encourage life skills such as gratitude and self-regulation.
Flashcards
Vocabulary Builder is a set of downloadable flashcards and related vocabulary activities in book format. Available on our website from our EPRB- Eleven Plus Revision Books partnership.
Eleven Plus: Vocabulary Flash Cards is a popular flashcard pack used by both tutors and students.
Wordier Online– 75 double-sided vocabulary flashcards. Each card introduces a new word with a photo illustration, example sentence and definition. They also have a Fish! The Vocabulary Game features 52 different words. Definitely, an upcoming company to watch out for, they seem to know how to win the vocabulary game!
WOW words of the week are a set of words by Jemma of The Education Hotel in our The 11plus Journey Facebook group. These are uploaded in the Album- WOW words. which may be accessed and downloaded in separate files for free. If you would like to get this as a pack to be downloaded in one go, you can purchase them from their website.
Applications and Websites
Freericeis an online game which generates money to save and change lives around the world. When you answer questions, advertisements appear on your screen. When you see one of these advertisements, you trigger a financial payment to the World Food Programme.
ChatterStars is both an app and a website that provides fun, personalised activities to rapidly develop vocabulary.
Quizletis an app and a website that trains students via flashcards and various games and tests. This is a place to generate your own flashcard sets and can be used for a variety of subjects, not just English vocabulary.
Scrabble is a word game that many will be familiar with. It is a fun way to learn and consolidate new words with friends and family.
Bananagramsis a family-run board games company. They have many educational resources that can help with building a strong vocabulary. Just be cautious that this is an American company, so spellings may differ.
Vocabulary Ninja is a collection of resources on vocabulary, comprehension and many other subjects. Basically designed by teachers for teachers, few parents have used it and recommend it.
Vocabulary Builder – Test Prepby Maghoosh is another app, the company is US-based, so please be careful about spelling and other minor grammatical differences.
Wordscapes is a game available on the App Store, Google Play and on Facebook.
Vocabulary.com is a website, whose ‘’mission is to close the word gap so that students can achieve at higher levels.’’ Again, a US-based company, so please be careful about differences in spelling and grammar.
Mrs Wordsmithis a website that sells a variety of card games, workbooks and so on. Some of these resources are highly recommended by parents and tutors alike.
Sightwordgames is a website with a list of synonyms and free, printable worksheets. US-based.
Word lists
S L Ager’s word list
11plus guide Vocabulary list
Some of the links to resources may be affiliate links.