11-Plus Verbal Reasoning: Word Codes - Letter Shifts

Word Codes - Letter Shifts

In the realm of 11-plus Verbal Reasoning, understanding word codes through letter shifts is a crucial skill. This topic involves deciphering coded words where each letter has been shifted a specific number of places in the alphabet.

Understanding Letter Shifts

A letter shift is a method of encoding where each letter in a word is replaced by another letter that is a fixed number of positions down the alphabet. For instance, if we apply a shift of +2, the letter A becomes C, B becomes D, and so forth.

Decoding Examples

To decode a word, students must first identify the shift pattern. Let's consider the example where A=C and B=D, indicating a shift of +2:

Worked Example

Problem: Decode the word CAT using the shift of +2.

Solution:

• C becomes E (C + 2 = E)
• A becomes C (A + 2 = C)
• T becomes V (T + 2 = V)

Thus, CAT is coded as ECV.

Encoding New Words

Students can also practice encoding new words by applying the same shift. For example, if we want to encode the word DOG using the same +2 shift:

Worked Example

Problem: Encode the word DOG using the shift of +2.

Solution:

• D becomes F (D + 2 = F)
• O becomes Q (O + 2 = Q)
• G becomes I (G + 2 = I)

Therefore, DOG is encoded as FQI.

Practice Makes Perfect

To excel in this area, students should practice with various words and different shift patterns. This will enhance their ability to quickly identify shifts and apply them accurately, which is essential for success in the 11-plus examination.