Topics / Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning: hidden words
A hidden word is spelled out across, or inside, the words of a sentence. Ignore spaces and read letter by letter: the hidden word can span the join between two words.
What is tested
- A word hidden inside one word
- A word spanning the boundary between two words
- Choosing from a list of candidate words
Worked example
Find the hidden 3-letter word: 'The fire alarm rang loudly.' (arm / owl / bat / fox)
- Look inside 'alarm': a-l-a-r-m.
- The letters a-r-m appear at the end: arm.
Answer: arm
Exam-day checklist
- Ignore spaces and punctuation.
- Check across word boundaries.
- Test each candidate word letter by letter.
- The word must be spelled exactly.
Common mistakes
- Picking a word that fits the meaning, not the letters.
- Missing words that cross a word boundary.
- Skipping letters.
Try it yourself
1. Find the hidden word: 'Please open the box for me.' (pen / map / sun)
Show answer
pen
'open' contains p-e-n.
2. Find the hidden word: 'The price is very good for this item.' (ice / map / sun)
Show answer
ice
'price' contains i-c-e at its end.
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