Insert a Letter

In this lesson, you will learn how to solve insert-a-letter questions — a distinctive question type that appears in CEM 11+ Verbal Reasoning. These questions test your vocabulary and spelling under time pressure.

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What Is an Insert-a-Letter Question?

In an insert-a-letter question, you are given two words with a letter missing from each. You must find a single letter that, when inserted into the correct position in both words, completes both of them.

Example:

_and and _ose

Insert the letter h to make hand and hose.

Sometimes the letter goes at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, and sometimes at the end of the word.

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Why CEM Tests This Skill

Insert-a-letter questions test:

• Spelling knowledge — can you spell common words?
• Vocabulary breadth — do you know a wide range of words?
• Mental flexibility — can you try different letters quickly?
• Pattern recognition — can you spot what works?

These questions are particularly common in CEM exams because they are quick to answer but require strong vocabulary. CEM exams are known for interleaving different question types, so you might encounter these alongside comprehension or maths questions.

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