Answer key for adults. Keep it away from your child until the paper is finished.
Buckinghamshire original mock 1: adult answer key
Question keys independently reviewed on 24 September 2026. Timings and difficulty remain editorial estimates.
Keep this key separate from the student booklet. Practice and worked examples are unscored. Each correct assessed answer earns one practice point. A paired answer earns its point only when both marks are correct. These practice points are not a standardised score.
Paper 1: Verbal Skills: Get ready
Paper 1: Verbal Skills: English practice
Worked example: bucks-eng-017
Answer: D, He waits there while his sister has a music lesson.
1. The opening sentence tells us what his sister is doing. 2. His bakery visit fills that waiting time. 3. The answer is: He waits there while his sister has a music lesson.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “while his sister finished her music lesson”: He is waiting, not working.
B: “while his sister finished her music lesson”: No drawing teacher is mentioned.
C: “while his sister finished her music lesson”: Their meeting occurs for the first time in the story.
E: “while his sister finished her music lesson”: He does not repair this model.
Practice question 1: bucks-eng-057
Answer: E, had
1. The leaving happened before our arrival in the past. The past perfect is had left. 2. The answer is: had
Wrong-option traps:
A: Was already left would mean someone left the train. Use had left.
B: Arrived sets a past reference point, so use the past perfect had left.
C: Were is plural, but the train is singular. Use had left.
D: Did must be followed by leave, not left.
Practice question 2: bucks-eng-041
Answer: A, calm
1. The cheers might be distracting, yet the goalkeeper keeps control. 2. Put the meaning back into the sentence to check that it fits. 3. The answer is: calm
Wrong-option traps:
B: “Despite the crowd's cheers”: Remaining composed means keeping control, not losing it.
C: “Despite the crowd's cheers”: A composed person can speak; the word concerns calmness.
D: “Despite the crowd's cheers”: The crowd is nearby; composed describes the goalkeeper's manner.
E: “Despite the crowd's cheers”: Music can be composed, but the goalkeeper is not a written work.
Paper 1: Verbal Skills: English
Question 1: bucks-eng-001
Answer: A, The clock shows a time that does not match her watch.
1. Compare almost two on her watch with six minutes past twelve on the clock. 2. CORRECTED appears to promise a correct time. 3. The answer is: The clock shows a time that does not match her watch.
Wrong-option traps:
B: “six minutes past twelve”: The clock is stopped, not running quickly.
C: “six minutes past twelve”: The notice contains no name.
D: “six minutes past twelve”: The concert goes ahead; its cancellation is never suggested.
E: The passage says it has already “stopped three times that winter”.
Question 2: bucks-eng-002
Answer: A, Its broken mechanical part has been replaced.
1. Mr Bell points to a new tooth in the wheel. 2. He means the repair, rather than the time shown. 3. The answer is: Its broken mechanical part has been replaced.
Wrong-option traps:
B: “The broken part has been replaced”: No change in loudness is described.
C: “The broken part has been replaced”: He has not restarted it.
D: “The broken part has been replaced”: A repaired part does not support a promise that It will never fail.
E: “The broken part has been replaced”: There is no repainting in the passage.
Question 3: bucks-eng-003
Answer: D, They show that the notice can confuse people outside.
1. Leila says people outside cannot see the repaired tooth. 2. The watch comparison makes the communication problem visible. 3. The answer is: They show that the notice can confuse people outside.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “comparing their watches”: Neither their watches nor hers are said to be broken.
B: “comparing their watches”: He does not undo or cancel the repair.
C: “comparing their watches”: Their comparison suggests uncertainty rather than shared knowledge.
E: “comparing their watches”: Their role in the concert is not given.
Question 4: bucks-eng-004
Answer: E, He invites her to improve the notice.
1. He offers the pencil immediately after seeing the confused people. 2. Leila then adds an explanation to the notice. 3. The answer is: He invites her to improve the notice.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “offered it to her”: The conversation concerns the clock notice.
B: “offered it to her”: The tooth has already been replaced, and a pencil cannot replace it.
C: “offered it to her”: Offering a way to change the message shows that he listens.
D: “offered it to her”: She uses the pencil on the notice; no drawing is requested.
Question 5: bucks-eng-005
Answer: A, She recognises that the word accurately describes the repair.
1. The narrator explains that Mr Bell corrected the machinery. 2. Leila now sees a valid meaning of CORRECTED. 3. The answer is: She recognises that the word accurately describes the repair.
Wrong-option traps:
B: “corrected the machinery”: No broken or empty pencil is mentioned.
C: She has just written “NOT YET RUNNING”.
D: “corrected the machinery”: She explicitly considers crossing it out.
E: “corrected the machinery”: He gives no such order.
Question 6: bucks-eng-006
Answer: B, Observant and willing to reconsider her first judgement.
1. Leila notices the mismatch first. 2. After learning about the repair, she changes her view of the word CORRECTED. 3. The answer is: Observant and willing to reconsider her first judgement.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “Instead, she left it”: She does not claim or demonstrate repair skills.
C: “Instead, she left it”: She checks her watch, reads the notice and counts the strikes.
D: “Instead, she left it”: She notices how the message affects people in the square.
E: “Instead, she left it”: She directly challenges Mr Bell.
Question 7: bucks-eng-007
Answer: D, The faulty part is very small.
1. A thumbnail is small. 2. Scarcely longer means only a little longer than that small object. 3. The answer is: The faulty part is very small.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “scarcely longer than Leila's thumbnail”: Length tells us nothing about a difficult weight.
B: “scarcely longer than Leila's thumbnail”: The thumbnail is only a size comparison.
C: “scarcely longer than Leila's thumbnail”: The phrase measures size, not repair time.
E: “scarcely longer than Leila's thumbnail”: One small part does not describe every part of the clock.
Question 8: bucks-eng-008
Answer: C, Leila hears the clock strike as musicians arrive.
1. Trace the story from afternoon to evening. 2. The final paragraph ends with musicians arriving and the clock striking. 3. The answer is: Leila hears the clock strike as musicians arrive.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “That evening”: This begins the story.
B: “That evening”: The replacement happens before Leila sees the new part.
D: “That evening”: She does this before the evening arrival.
E: “That evening”: He offers it before she changes the notice.
Question 9: bucks-eng-009
Answer: E, To make the comparison of roofing materials fairer.
1. They are comparing materials. 2. Keeping size and slope equal reduces other explanations for different results. 3. The answer is: To make the comparison of roofing materials fairer.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Equal “size and slope” are not chosen to create a weight difference.
B: “same size”: The model does not establish how real roofs are built.
C: “same size”: The materials produce different release speeds.
D: “same size”: The children still measure water in the trays.
Question 10: bucks-eng-010
Answer: D, The smooth plastic roof.
1. Find the first observation after pouring begins. 2. Water rushes from the plastic while the other materials slow it. 3. The answer is: The smooth plastic roof.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Little happens at first “On the moss roof”.
B: “water rushed from the plastic”: Their early flow is described differently.
C: Water rushes “from the plastic” roof.
E: Its stream is broken “into smaller trickles”.
Question 11: bucks-eng-011
Answer: C, They need more observations and a clear meaning of success.
1. "Won what?" asks what they are judging. 2. "Only started watching" warns that the evidence is incomplete. 3. The answer is: They need more observations and a clear meaning of success.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “We have only started watching”: She never makes that claim.
B: “We have only started watching”: No measuring error is identified.
D: “We have only started watching”: The experiment compares different results.
E: “We have only started watching”: Moss is one of the materials she gives the groups.
Question 12: bucks-eng-012
Answer: C, It has retained some of the water.
1. Less water reaches its tray. 2. The extra weight supports the idea that some water remains in the moss and soil. 3. The answer is: It has retained some of the water.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “heavier than before”: The passage does not describe growth during the short test.
B: “heavier than before”: No attachment is described.
D: “heavier than before”: That would not account for extra weight.
E: “heavier than before”: The groups do not mix their materials.
Question 13: bucks-eng-013
Answer: D, To explain the limits of the conclusion.
1. It lists real-world conditions the model leaves out. 2. That prevents a small test being treated as proof of a much larger claim. 3. The answer is: To explain the limits of the conclusion.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “blocked drains, weeks of rain”: The paragraph then identifies a useful suggestion.
B: “blocked drains, weeks of rain”: It explicitly avoids a flood-proof claim.
C: “blocked drains, weeks of rain”: It gives no planting instructions.
E: “blocked drains, weeks of rain”: Nothing suggests invented measurements.
Question 14: bucks-eng-014
Answer: B, He has learned to describe exactly what the test supports.
1. The new heading names the measured feature and limits it to this test. 2. It replaces an unsupported overall judgement. 3. The answer is: He has learned to describe exactly what the test supports.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: The new title says SLOWEST RELEASE.
C: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: He removes the broad claim BEST ROOF.
D: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: He changes a heading, not the recorded results.
E: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: Choosing a more accurate title shows thought.
Question 15: bucks-eng-015
Answer: B, It keeps dripping after the other roofs have stopped.
1. Delayed release means water continues arriving later. 2. The continued dripping is direct evidence of that delay. 3. The answer is: It keeps dripping after the other roofs have stopped.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “even after the other roofs had stopped dripping”: This helps fairness but does not itself show delay.
C: “even after the other roofs had stopped dripping”: A jug is equipment, not evidence about release.
D: “even after the other roofs had stopped dripping”: His first opinion is not a measured result.
E: “even after the other roofs had stopped dripping”: The number of trays does not establish delayed release.
Question 16: bucks-eng-016
Answer: C, Gave a more accurate account of the findings.
1. The heading becomes precise rather than boastful. 2. Better refers to how faithfully it represents the evidence. 3. The answer is: Gave a more accurate account of the findings.
Wrong-option traps:
A: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: The chart records an experiment, not fiction.
B: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: The claim of winning has been replaced.
D: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: The new title is described as less exciting.
E: “SLOWEST RELEASE IN OUR TEST”: Changing words cannot change the measured result.
Question 17: bucks-eng-056
Answer: D, is
1. Neither means not one of the two, so use the singular verb is. 2. The answer is: is
Wrong-option traps:
A: Neither is singular here, even though two entrances are mentioned.
B: Neither is singular, so it needs is, not have.
C: Were does not agree with the singular subject neither.
E: A statement in the present needs is, not the base form be.
Question 18: bucks-eng-058
Answer: B, me
1. Remove Maya and: "addressed to me" sounds right because to takes an object pronoun. 2. The answer is: me
Wrong-option traps:
A: My needs a noun, such as my brother.
C: Mine shows possession and cannot name the second recipient here.
D: After the preposition to, use the object pronoun me.
E: Use myself only when I is the subject, as in I sent it to myself.
Question 19: bucks-eng-061
Answer: E, its
1. The tail belongs to the puppy. The possessive word is its, without an apostrophe. 2. The answer is: its
Wrong-option traps:
A: It's means it is or it has; neither fits before tail.
B: It is a pronoun, not the possessive word needed before tail.
C: The possessive pronoun its never takes a final apostrophe.
D: Itself is a reflexive pronoun, not the possessive word needed before tail.
Question 20: bucks-eng-064
Answer: D, we continued towards the lake
1. The although clause needs a complete main clause: we continued towards the lake. 2. The answer is: we continued towards the lake
Wrong-option traps:
A: Despite cannot introduce this finite clause directly.
B: This phrase has no main-clause subject and finite verb.
C: Although already introduces the contrast; do not add but to join the same two clauses.
E: This leaves two subordinate clauses without a main clause.
Question 21: bucks-eng-067
Answer: C, in a seperate folder
1. Join the four groups in order and check the whole sentence. 2. Seperate has the wrong middle vowel. The correct spelling is separate. 3. The answer is C: in a seperate folder.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Each, volunteer and placed are all spelled correctly.
B: The, completed and forms are all spelled correctly.
D: Before, leaving, the and office are all spelled correctly.
N: Seperate has the wrong middle vowel. The correct spelling is separate.
Question 22: bucks-eng-069
Answer: N, No mistake
1. Join the four groups in order and check the whole sentence. 2. Excellent, ancient, sheltered and sudden are all correctly spelled. The remaining words are correct too. 3. The answer is N: No mistake.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Excellent has xc and two l letters; this group is correct.
B: Ancient is correctly spelled with cient; this group is correct.
C: Sheltered has one l and is correctly spelled.
D: Sudden correctly has two d letters; this group is correct.
Question 23: bucks-eng-072
Answer: N, No mistake
1. Join the four groups in order and check the whole sentence. 2. Fallen, branch, obstacle, walkers and lifted are correctly spelled, as are the other words. 3. The answer is N: No mistake.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Fallen has two l letters; branch is also correct.
B: Obstacle ends in acle and is correctly spelled.
C: Until has one l and walkers is correct.
D: Lifted and aside are correctly spelled.
Question 24: bucks-eng-075
Answer: B, we packed socks boots, gloves and hats
1. Join the four groups in order and check the whole sentence. 2. There must be a comma between socks and boots in the list: socks, boots, gloves and hats. 3. The answer is B: we packed socks boots, gloves and hats.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The comma correctly ends the introductory phrase.
C: Into a large bag needs no internal punctuation.
D: The full stop correctly ends the sentence.
N: There must be a comma between socks and boots in the list: socks, boots, gloves and hats.
Question 25: bucks-eng-078
Answer: N, No mistake
1. Join the four groups in order and check the whole sentence. 2. The introductory comma, the colon announcing the tools and the comma in the list are correctly used. 3. The answer is N: No mistake.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The comma correctly ends the introductory phrase.
B: We gathered three tools is a complete introduction to the list, so the colon fits.
C: The comma separates the first two items, and and introduces the final item.
D: The full stop correctly ends the whole sentence.
Paper 1: Verbal Skills: Verbal reasoning practice
Worked example: bucks-vr-022
Answer: B and Y, temperature / direction
1. A thermometer shows temperature; a compass shows direction. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is temperature / direction.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: A heatwave is an event, not a measured property; Map is another navigation aid, not what a compass shows.
AY: A heatwave is an event, not a measured property.
AZ: A heatwave is an event, not a measured property; Needle is a component of the tool.
BX: Map is another navigation aid, not what a compass shows.
BZ: Needle is a component of the tool.
CX: Glass is a material, not what it measures; Map is another navigation aid, not what a compass shows.
CY: Glass is a material, not what it measures.
CZ: Glass is a material, not what it measures; Needle is a component of the tool.
Practice question 1: bucks-vr-032
Answer: D, W
1. W completes CROW and SWING. 2. Keep the letter in the marked position and check both words. 3. The answer is W.
Wrong-option traps:
A: D gives CROD and SDING; they are not both ordinary English words.
B: T gives CROT and STING; they are not both ordinary English words.
C: S gives CROS and SSING; they are not both ordinary English words.
E: P gives CROP and SPING; they are not both ordinary English words.
Practice question 2: bucks-vr-052
Answer: E, CZSJ
1. B moves to C and A moves backward to Z. 2. R moves to S and K moves backward to J. 3. The answer is CZSJ.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This moves every letter forward.
B: This moves every letter backward.
C: This leaves the final two letters unchanged.
D: The final K must move backward to J.
Paper 1: Verbal Skills: Verbal reasoning
Question 1: bucks-vr-021
Answer: B and X, flower / butterfly
1. A bud develops into a flower; a caterpillar develops into a butterfly. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is flower / butterfly.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: A leaf is not a flower bud’s mature form.
AY: A leaf is not a flower bud’s mature form; Egg comes before the caterpillar, reversing the direction.
AZ: A leaf is not a flower bud’s mature form; Wing is only part of the later animal.
BY: Egg comes before the caterpillar, reversing the direction.
BZ: Wing is only part of the later animal.
CX: Seed comes before the bud rather than after.
CY: Seed comes before the bud rather than after; Egg comes before the caterpillar, reversing the direction.
CZ: Seed comes before the bud rather than after; Wing is only part of the later animal.
Question 2: bucks-vr-023
Answer: C and X, novel / symphony
1. An author creates a novel; a composer creates a symphony. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is novel / symphony.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: Reader receives the work rather than being the created work.
AY: Reader receives the work rather than being the created work; An orchestra plays music rather than being a created piece.
AZ: Reader receives the work rather than being the created work; Baton is a conducting tool.
BX: Library stores works rather than being the work.
BY: Library stores works rather than being the work; An orchestra plays music rather than being a created piece.
BZ: Library stores works rather than being the work; Baton is a conducting tool.
CY: An orchestra plays music rather than being a created piece.
CZ: Baton is a conducting tool.
Question 3: bucks-vr-025
Answer: B and Z, shout / downpour
1. A shout is louder than a whisper; a downpour is heavier than drizzle. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is shout / downpour.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: Echo is a reflected sound, not a stronger version of a whisper; Cloud may produce drizzle, not be heavier rain.
AY: Echo is a reflected sound, not a stronger version of a whisper; Snow is a different form of precipitation.
AZ: Echo is a reflected sound, not a stronger version of a whisper.
BX: Cloud may produce drizzle, not be heavier rain.
BY: Snow is a different form of precipitation.
CX: Silence is no sound, so it reverses the strength change; Cloud may produce drizzle, not be heavier rain.
CY: Silence is no sound, so it reverses the strength change; Snow is a different form of precipitation.
CZ: Silence is no sound, so it reverses the strength change.
Question 4: bucks-vr-027
Answer: B and Z, sheep / fish
1. A flock is a group of sheep; a shoal is a group of fish. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is sheep / fish.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: Wool comes from sheep but is not the group members; Water is a location, not the group members.
AY: Wool comes from sheep but is not the group members; Boats form a fleet, not a shoal.
AZ: Wool comes from sheep but is not the group members.
BX: Water is a location, not the group members.
BY: Boats form a fleet, not a shoal.
CX: Bleat is a sheep sound, not the members of a flock; Water is a location, not the group members.
CY: Bleat is a sheep sound, not the members of a flock; Boats form a fleet, not a shoal.
CZ: Bleat is a sheep sound, not the members of a flock.
Question 5: bucks-vr-029
Answer: A and Z, records / water
1. An archive stores records; a reservoir stores water. 2. Check the same relationship runs from each given word to your selected word. 3. The answer is records / water.
Wrong-option traps:
AX: Dam can hold the water back.
AY: River may supply the water.
BX: Historian uses an archive; Dam can hold the water back.
BY: Historian uses an archive; River may supply the water.
BZ: Historian uses an archive.
CX: Shelf is storage furniture, not the information stored; Dam can hold the water back.
CY: Shelf is storage furniture, not the information stored; River may supply the water.
CZ: Shelf is storage furniture, not the information stored.
Question 6: bucks-vr-001
Answer: C, dangerous
1. Frost can make a path unsafe. Treacherous here means dangerous. 2. Check that the replacement keeps the meaning of the whole sentence. 3. The answer is dangerous.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Distance is unrelated to frost.
B: Crowded means full of people, not unsafe underfoot.
D: Bends do not explain the danger of frost.
E: The betrayal sense does not fit a frosty path.
Question 7: bucks-vr-005
Answer: C, calm
1. Composed here means keeping control of your feelings. 2. Check that the replacement keeps the meaning of the whole sentence. 3. The answer is calm.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Puzzled means confused.
B: Prepared means ready beforehand, not calm now.
D: A person can speak calmly.
E: Composing music is a different meaning.
Question 8: bucks-vr-009
Answer: B, genuine
1. A sincere apology expresses what the speaker really feels. 2. Check that the replacement keeps the meaning of the whole sentence. 3. The answer is genuine.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Sincere concerns honesty, not intelligence.
C: A formal apology may not be meant.
D: Repeating words does not show they are meant.
E: Loudness does not prove honesty.
Question 9: bucks-vr-013
Answer: E, permanent
1. Temporary means for a limited time. Permanent means intended to last. 2. Choose the opposite on the same scale, rather than a different quality. 3. The answer is permanent.
Wrong-option traps:
A: A recent decision can be temporary.
B: Unusual means uncommon.
C: Sudden concerns speed, not duration.
D: Certainty does not tell us duration.
Question 10: bucks-vr-017
Answer: E, chisel
1. A chisel cuts or shapes hard material. 2. Check every part of the question before choosing. 3. The answer is chisel.
Wrong-option traps:
A: A protractor measures angles.
B: A stopwatch measures elapsed time.
C: A ruler measures length.
D: A balance compares masses.
Question 11: bucks-vr-031
Answer: A, N
1. N completes PLAN and SNIPE. A snipe is a long-billed bird. 2. Keep the letter in the marked position and check both words. 3. The answer is N.
Wrong-option traps:
B: D gives PLAD and SDIPE; they are not both ordinary English words.
C: R gives PLAR and SRIPE; they are not both ordinary English words.
D: C gives PLAC and SCIPE; they are not both ordinary English words.
E: Q gives PLAQ and SQIPE; neither is an ordinary English word.
Question 12: bucks-vr-033
Answer: A, R
1. R completes FRAME and BRICK. 2. Keep the letter in the marked position and check both words. 3. The answer is R.
Wrong-option traps:
B: N gives FNAME and BNICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
C: S gives FSAME and BSICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
D: L gives FLAME and BLICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
E: T gives FTAME and BTICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
Question 13: bucks-vr-035
Answer: D, R
1. R completes GRAVE and TRICK. 2. Keep the letter in the marked position and check both words. 3. The answer is R.
Wrong-option traps:
A: S gives GSAVE and TSICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
B: L gives GLAVE and TLICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
C: N gives GNAVE and TNICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
E: H gives GHAVE and THICK; they are not both ordinary English words.
Question 14: bucks-vr-037
Answer: B, CHAR
1. The complete word is ORCHARD. 2. The missing letters in order are CHAR. 3. The answer is CHAR.
Wrong-option traps:
A: SHAR gives ORSHARD, which is not the correct spelling.
C: CARR gives ORCARRD, which is not the correct spelling.
D: CHER gives ORCHERD, which is not the correct spelling.
E: CHOR gives ORCHORD, which is not the correct spelling.
Question 15: bucks-vr-039
Answer: A, CELL
1. The complete word is EXCELLENT. 2. The missing letters in order are CELL. 3. The answer is CELL.
Wrong-option traps:
B: CIAL gives EXCIALENT, which is not the correct spelling.
C: CILL gives EXCILLENT, which is not the correct spelling.
D: SELL gives EXSELLENT, which is not the correct spelling.
E: CEAL gives EXCEALENT, which is not the correct spelling.
Question 16: bucks-vr-041
Answer: E, bow
1. RAIN + BOW gives rainbow. 2. BOW + STRING gives bowstring. 3. The answer is bow.
Wrong-option traps:
A: rainfall and fallstring do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
B: raindrop and dropstring do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
C: rainstorm and stormstring do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
D: raincoat and coatstring do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
Question 17: bucks-vr-043
Answer: E, ball
1. FOOT + BALL gives football. 2. BALL + ROOM gives ballroom. 3. The answer is ball.
Wrong-option traps:
A: footprint and printroom do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
B: footpath and pathroom do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
C: footstep and steproom do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
D: footwear and wearroom do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
Question 18: bucks-vr-045
Answer: C, brush
1. TOOTH + BRUSH gives toothbrush. 2. BRUSH + STROKE gives brushstroke. 3. The answer is brush.
Wrong-option traps:
A: toothpaste and pastestroke do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
B: toothpick and pickstroke do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
D: toothache and achestroke do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
E: toothfairy and fairystroke do not both form the required ordinary compound words.
Question 19: bucks-vr-047
Answer: A, MINK
1. The final m of calm followed by ink makes MINK. 2. Keep the letters in order; do not choose letters wholly on one side. 3. The answer is MINK.
Wrong-option traps:
B: LINK is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
C: MINT is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
D: CALM is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
E: MILE is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
Question 20: bucks-vr-049
Answer: A, ICON
1. The final ic of music followed by on makes ICON. 2. Keep the letters in order; do not choose letters wholly on one side. 3. The answer is ICON.
Wrong-option traps:
B: MICE is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
C: USIC is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
D: COIN is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
E: CONE is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
Question 21: bucks-vr-051
Answer: B, HTQI
1. F becomes H, R becomes T, O becomes Q and G becomes I. 2. Keep the four letters in their original order. 3. The answer is HTQI.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This swaps the coded middle letters.
C: The final G must move two places to I.
D: This moves each letter only one place forward.
E: This moves letters backwards by two.
Question 22: bucks-vr-053
Answer: D, NVMQ
1. Reverse PLUM to get MULP. 2. Move M, U, L, P forward one place to N, V, M, Q. 3. The answer is NVMQ.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This shifts without reversing first.
B: This reverses but does not shift.
C: This reverses then moves letters two places forward.
E: The reversed L must move to M.
Question 23: bucks-vr-055
Answer: E, 9742
1. POST = 4729 gives P = 4, O = 7, S = 2, T = 9. STOP checks the same assignments. 2. TOPS has digits 9, 7, 4, 2. 3. The answer is 9742.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This codes POTS rather than TOPS.
B: This swaps P and S.
C: This repeats the code for STOP.
D: This swaps O and P; O = 7 and P = 4.
Question 24: bucks-vr-057
Answer: C, IR
1. A, C, E, G advance two letters to I. 2. Z, X, V, T retreat two letters to R. 3. The answer is IR.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This changes the two-place movement to three places.
B: This reverses the two positions.
D: The second letter must move back two from T to R.
E: The first letters move forward two, not one.
Question 25: bucks-vr-059
Answer: D, NI
1. Z, W, T, Q retreat three places to N. 2. A, C, E, G advance two places to I. 3. The answer is NI.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This moves each letter only two or one places respectively.
B: The first letter retreats three from Q to N, not four.
C: The second letters advance two, not three.
E: This reverses the positions.
Question 26: bucks-vr-048
Answer: C, HAIR
1. The final h of fresh followed by air makes HAIR. 2. Keep the letters in order; do not choose letters wholly on one side. 3. The answer is HAIR.
Wrong-option traps:
A: FAIR is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
B: SAIL is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
D: HEAR is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
E: RESH is not four consecutive letters crossing the stated space.
Question 27: bucks-vr-058
Answer: E, ST
1. The first letters jump +3, +4, +5, so M moves +6 to S. 2. Each second letter is one after the first, so the pair ends in T. 3. The answer is ST.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This repeats a five-place jump instead of using six.
B: This jumps seven instead of six.
C: This treats the pair as consecutive but ignores the growing jump.
D: This reverses the letters inside the pair.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Get ready
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Visual series practice
Worked example: bucks-nvr-008
Answer: A, Arrow points up; dot is above.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn clockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a half-turn each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose A: Arrow points up; dot is above.
Wrong-option traps:
B: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
C: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
D: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
E: Both features are one quarter-turn clockwise beyond the required positions.
Practice question 1: bucks-nvr-009
Answer: B, Arrow points right; dot is above.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn clockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose B: Arrow points right; dot is above.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
C: The dot moves to the opposite side from the required position.
D: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
E: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
Practice question 2: bucks-nvr-010
Answer: A, Arrow points down; dot is above.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn clockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a half-turn each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose A: Arrow points down; dot is above.
Wrong-option traps:
B: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
C: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
D: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
E: Both features are one quarter-turn clockwise beyond the required positions.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Visual series
Question 1: bucks-nvr-011
Answer: E, Arrow points left; dot is above.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn clockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose E: Arrow points left; dot is above.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
B: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
C: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
D: The dot moves to the opposite side from the required position.
Question 2: bucks-nvr-012
Answer: D, Arrow points up; dot is right.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn clockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a half-turn each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose D: Arrow points up; dot is right.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
B: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
C: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
E: Both features are one quarter-turn clockwise beyond the required positions.
Question 3: bucks-nvr-013
Answer: D, Arrow points right; dot is right.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose D: Arrow points right; dot is right.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
B: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
C: The dot moves to the opposite side from the required position.
E: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
Question 4: bucks-nvr-015
Answer: B, Arrow points left; dot is right.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose B: Arrow points left; dot is right.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
C: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
D: The dot moves to the opposite side from the required position.
E: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
Question 5: bucks-nvr-016
Answer: C, Arrow points up; dot is below.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a half-turn each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose C: Arrow points up; dot is below.
Wrong-option traps:
A: Both features are one quarter-turn clockwise beyond the required positions.
B: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
D: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
E: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
Question 6: bucks-nvr-017
Answer: B, Arrow points right; dot is below.
1. The arrow makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. 2. The dot makes a quarter-turn anticlockwise each time. Move the arrow and dot separately before matching them. 3. Choose B: Arrow points right; dot is below.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot has moved, but the arrow stayed in its last direction.
C: The dot moves to the opposite side from the required position.
D: The arrow has moved, but the dot stayed in its last position.
E: The arrow turns the opposite way from its established pattern.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Visual classification practice
Worked example: bucks-nvr-026
Answer: D, Shaded 5-sided shape with 4 dots.
1. The number of dots is one less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose D: Shaded 5-sided shape with 4 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
B: The dot count would fit a shape with one fewer side; count this outline too.
C: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
E: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
Practice question 1: bucks-nvr-027
Answer: D, Unshaded 6-sided shape with 5 dots.
1. The number of dots is one less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are unshaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose D: Unshaded 6-sided shape with 5 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
B: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
C: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
E: The dot count would fit a shape with one fewer side; count this outline too.
Practice question 2: bucks-nvr-028
Answer: B, Shaded 7-sided shape with 6 dots.
1. The number of dots is one less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose B: Shaded 7-sided shape with 6 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
C: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
D: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
E: The dot count would fit a shape with one fewer side; count this outline too.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Visual classification
Question 1: bucks-nvr-029
Answer: B, Unshaded 6-sided shape with 5 dots.
1. The number of dots is one less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are unshaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose B: Unshaded 6-sided shape with 5 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
C: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
D: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
E: The dot count would fit a shape with one fewer side; count this outline too.
Question 2: bucks-nvr-030
Answer: B, Shaded 7-sided shape with 6 dots.
1. The number of dots is one less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose B: Shaded 7-sided shape with 6 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot count would fit a shape with one fewer side; count this outline too.
C: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
D: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
E: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
Question 3: bucks-nvr-031
Answer: C, Unshaded 8-sided shape with 6 dots.
1. The number of dots is two less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are unshaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose C: Unshaded 8-sided shape with 6 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
B: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
D: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
E: There are as many dots as sides; the examples have fewer dots than sides.
Question 4: bucks-nvr-032
Answer: D, Shaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
1. The number of dots is two less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose D: Shaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
B: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
C: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
E: There are as many dots as sides; the examples have fewer dots than sides.
Question 5: bucks-nvr-033
Answer: D, Unshaded 6-sided shape with 4 dots.
1. The number of dots is two less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are unshaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose D: Unshaded 6-sided shape with 4 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
B: There are as many dots as sides; the examples have fewer dots than sides.
C: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
E: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
Question 6: bucks-nvr-034
Answer: E, Shaded 7-sided shape with 5 dots.
1. The number of dots is two less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose E: Shaded 7-sided shape with 5 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
B: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
C: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
D: There are as many dots as sides; the examples have fewer dots than sides.
Question 7: bucks-nvr-036
Answer: C, Shaded 7-sided shape with 5 dots.
1. The number of dots is two less than the number of sides in both X and Y. 2. Both examples are shaded. The new shape must satisfy the dot rule and the shading rule together. 3. Choose C: Shaded 7-sided shape with 5 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: There are as many dots as sides; the examples have fewer dots than sides.
B: There is one extra dot for this number of sides.
D: The dot rule works, but the shading does not match both examples.
E: There is one dot too few for this number of sides.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Shape codes practice
Worked example: bucks-nvr-037
Answer: E, Shaded 4-sided shape with 2 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: L means 4 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 2 means 2 dots, and P means shaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose E: Shaded 4-sided shape with 2 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
B: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
C: This reverses the shading code.
D: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
Practice question 1: bucks-nvr-038
Answer: C, Unshaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: L means 5 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 4 means 3 dots, and P means unshaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose C: Unshaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This reverses the shading code.
B: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
D: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
E: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
Practice question 2: bucks-nvr-039
Answer: A, Shaded 5-sided shape with 2 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: L means 5 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 2 means 2 dots, and P means shaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose A: Shaded 5-sided shape with 2 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
B: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
C: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
D: This reverses the shading code.
E: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Shape codes
Question 1: bucks-nvr-040
Answer: A, Unshaded 4-sided shape with 3 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: K means 4 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 6 means 3 dots, and P means unshaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose A: Unshaded 4-sided shape with 3 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
B: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
C: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
D: This reverses the shading code.
E: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
Question 2: bucks-nvr-044
Answer: C, Unshaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: L means 5 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 2 means 3 dots, and Q means unshaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose C: Unshaded 5-sided shape with 3 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
B: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
D: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
E: This reverses the shading code.
Question 3: bucks-nvr-045
Answer: B, Shaded 4-sided shape with 2 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: K means 4 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 4 means 2 dots, and Q means shaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose B: Shaded 4-sided shape with 2 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This reverses the shading code.
C: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
D: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
E: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
Question 4: bucks-nvr-047
Answer: D, Shaded 5-sided shape with 2 dots.
1. Compare examples that change only their shape: K means 5 sides. 2. Compare examples with the same shape: 6 means 2 dots, and Q means shaded. Read all three code positions. 3. Choose D: Shaded 5-sided shape with 2 dots.
Wrong-option traps:
A: All three features must match; this changes the shape, dot count and shading.
B: This matches the dot and shading codes but chooses the wrong shape code.
C: This matches the shape and shading codes but chooses the wrong dot code.
E: This reverses the shading code.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Paper folding practice
Worked example: bucks-nvr-048
Answer: C, Figure C
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose C: Shaded cells (2,2), (2,5), (3,3), (3,4), (4,3), (4,4), (5,2), (5,5) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
A: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
B: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
D: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
E: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
Practice question 1: bucks-nvr-049
Answer: B, Figure B
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose B: Shaded cells (1,2), (1,5), (2,3), (2,4), (5,3), (5,4), (6,2), (6,5) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
A: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
C: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
D: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
E: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
Practice question 2: bucks-nvr-050
Answer: A, Figure A
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose A: Shaded cells (1,3), (1,4), (3,2), (3,5), (4,2), (4,5), (6,3), (6,4) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
B: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
C: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
D: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
E: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Paper folding
Question 1: bucks-nvr-051
Answer: A, Figure A
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose A: Shaded cells (2,1), (2,6), (3,2), (3,5), (4,2), (4,5), (5,1), (5,6) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
B: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
C: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
D: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
E: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
Question 2: bucks-nvr-052
Answer: C, Figure C
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose C: Shaded cells (1,1), (1,6), (2,2), (2,5), (5,2), (5,5), (6,1), (6,6) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
A: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
B: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
D: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
E: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
Question 3: bucks-nvr-054
Answer: D, Figure D
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose D: Shaded cells (2,3), (2,4), (3,1), (3,6), (4,1), (4,6), (5,3), (5,4) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
A: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
B: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
C: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
E: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
Question 4: bucks-nvr-055
Answer: E, Figure E
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose E: Shaded cells (1,3), (1,4), (2,1), (2,6), (5,1), (5,6), (6,3), (6,4) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
A: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
B: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
C: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
D: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
Question 5: bucks-nvr-058
Answer: A, Figure A
1. Undo the last fold first. Each punched cell gets a matching hole equally far above the horizontal centre line. 2. Undo the first fold. Reflect all four holes across the vertical centre line. There are eight holes, in four mirror pairs. 3. Choose A: Shaded cells (1,1), (1,6), (2,3), (2,4), (5,3), (5,4), (6,1), (6,6) (row, column).
Wrong-option traps:
B: This opens the horizontal fold only and forgets the vertical fold.
C: This adds diagonal partners but misses both side-by-side mirror partners.
D: This shows only the punched folded quarter; unfolding creates more holes.
E: This opens the vertical fold only and forgets the horizontal fold.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Mathematics practice
Worked example: bucks-mat-002
Answer: D, 1,200
1. Multiplying by 25 is the same as multiplying by 100 and dividing by 4. 2. 48 × 100 ÷ 4 = 4,800 ÷ 4 = 1,200.
Wrong-option traps:
A: This uses 40 instead of all 48.
B: This multiplies by 26 instead of 25.
C: This loses a zero: 25 is a quarter of 100, not a quarter of 10.
E: This multiplies by 40 instead of 25.
Practice question 1: bucks-mat-003
Answer: C, 39
1. 24 × 40 = 960. The target 936 is 24 less. 2. Remove one group of 24: 40 − 1 = 39.
Wrong-option traps:
A: 24 × 40 = 960, which is 24 too many.
B: 24 × 38 = 912, so one group of 24 is still left.
D: This divides by 3 rather than by 24.
E: This adds instead of subtracting: 40 + 1 = 41.
Practice question 2: bucks-mat-004
Answer: A, 51
1. Do the multiplication first: 6 × 7 = 42. 2. Then 18 + 42 − 9 = 51.
Wrong-option traps:
B: This calculates the multiplication minus nine but leaves out the initial eighteen.
C: This forgets to subtract 9.
D: This works left to right instead of doing multiplication first.
E: This gives just the multiplication, leaving out the other operations.
Paper 2: Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills: Mathematics