Verbal reasoning
CAT4 verbal classification
Three words belong to a group. Pick the word that belongs with them.
What the questions look like
Your child reads three words that have something in common and chooses, from five options, the word that belongs to the same group.
In the digital CAT4 (Levels A–G) this section is timed at 8 minutes.
Worked example
Example 1 · easier
Which word goes best with these three?
Show answer
Answer: D They are all things you put on a bed.
What it measures
Understanding how words and ideas are related: categories, meanings and shared features. It draws on vocabulary, but mostly on precise thinking about meaning.
Tips for your child
- Name the group out loud: "they're all metals", not just "things".
- Make the group as precise as possible. The more exact the rule, the easier the choice.
- Watch for words that are connected to the group but not part of it (a nail is used with a hammer, but isn't a tool).
- Some words have two meanings. Check which meaning fits the group.
Watch out for: Options that are linked to the topic ("farm" for cow, horse, goat) but aren't another member of the group.
A harder example
Example 2 · harder
Which word goes best with these three?
Show answer
Answer: B They are all kinds of violent storm.
Practise with fresh questions every time
Our verbal classification questions are generated new on every visit, so your child can practise as much as they like without memorising answers. Choose a level:
Questions parents ask
Does my child need a big vocabulary?
It helps, but the words are mostly everyday ones. What matters more is being precise about how words are related. Reading together and talking about word meanings is the best long-term preparation.
Is English as a second language a disadvantage?
It can be in the verbal section, which is exactly why CAT4 also has non-verbal and spatial sections. Schools look at the whole profile, not one score.
Questions on this page are original Edzuno practice items in the CAT4 style, not real CAT4 questions. CAT4 is a trademark of GL Education. Timing source: GL Assessment.