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CogAT Kindergarten study materials
CogAT Kindergarten study resources

CogAT Kindergarten practice questions

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Question 1Verbal reasoning

A puppy is to a dog as a kitten is to a what?

  1. cat Correct answer.
  2. cow
  3. bird
  4. fish

Explanation

A puppy is a young dog, so the pair links a baby animal to its grown-up form. The young form of a cat is a kitten, so cat completes the same relationship.

Question 2Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'hot'?

  1. bright
  2. warm
  3. cold Correct answer.
  4. loud

Explanation

An opposite word must mean the reverse of hot on the same scale of temperature. Cold sits at the other end of that temperature scale.

Question 3Verbal reasoning

Sun is to day as moon is to what?

  1. night Correct answer.
  2. cloud
  3. sky
  4. star

Explanation

The sun is the light we see during the day, so the pair links a light source to the time it belongs to. The moon is the light we see at night, so night completes the pair.

Question 4Verbal reasoning

Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. round Correct answer.
  2. blue
  3. green
  4. red

Explanation

Three of the words name colors, which belong to one category. Round names a shape, so it is the word that does not fit the color group.

Question 5Verbal reasoning

Which pair of words goes together in the same way as 'shoe and foot'?

  1. pencil and paper
  2. chair and table
  3. spoon and fork
  4. hat and head Correct answer.

Explanation

A shoe is worn on a foot, so the link is an item worn on a body part. A hat is worn on a head, which matches that same link.

Question 6Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'happy'?

  1. angry
  2. glad Correct answer.
  3. hungry
  4. tired

Explanation

A synonym carries nearly the same meaning as the target word. Glad describes the same cheerful feeling as happy.

Question 7Verbal reasoning

Bird is to nest as bee is to what?

  1. pond
  2. den
  3. web
  4. hive Correct answer.

Explanation

A nest is the home a bird builds and lives in, so the pair links an animal to its home. A hive is the home of a bee, so it completes the pair.

Question 8Verbal reasoning

If 'big' means large, then a 'tiny' bug is what?

  1. very fast
  2. very old
  3. very loud
  4. very small Correct answer.

Explanation

Tiny is a word that describes size, and it means extremely small. So a tiny bug is a bug that is very small in size.

Question 9Verbal reasoning

Hand is to glove as foot is to what?

  1. sock Correct answer.
  2. hat
  3. belt
  4. scarf

Explanation

A glove is the covering worn on a hand, so the pair links a body part to the clothing worn on it. A sock is worn on a foot, matching that link.

Question 10Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'begin'?

  1. finish Correct answer.
  2. open
  3. start
  4. continue

Explanation

An opposite must reverse the meaning of the target word. Begin means to start something, so finish, meaning to bring it to an end, is its opposite.

Question 11Verbal reasoning

Which three words all name something you can read?

  1. chair, bench, stool
  2. book, poem, sign Correct answer.
  3. rain, snow, wind
  4. spoon, plate, cup

Explanation

A group must share one clear feature. A book, a poem, and a sign all carry words that a person can read.

Question 12Verbal reasoning

Seed is to plant as egg is to what?

  1. soil
  2. rock
  3. bird Correct answer.
  4. leaf

Explanation

A seed grows into a plant, so the pair links a starting form to what it develops into. An egg hatches into a bird, which matches that growth link.

Question 13Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'quick'?

  1. heavy
  2. quiet
  3. fast Correct answer.
  4. slow

Explanation

A synonym shares nearly the same meaning as the target word. Fast describes the same high speed as quick.

Question 14Verbal reasoning

Teacher is to school as doctor is to what?

  1. garden
  2. hospital Correct answer.
  3. garage
  4. kitchen

Explanation

A teacher works in a school, so the pair links a worker to the place of work. A doctor works in a hospital, which matches that link.

Question 15Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'empty'?

  1. small
  2. open
  3. clean
  4. full Correct answer.

Explanation

An opposite must reverse the meaning of the target word. Empty means holding nothing, so full, meaning holding as much as possible, is its opposite.

Question 16Verbal reasoning

Ice is to cold as fire is to what?

  1. hot Correct answer.
  2. dark
  3. wet
  4. soft

Explanation

Ice is known for being cold, so the pair links an object to the quality it always has. Fire is known for being hot, which matches that link.

Question 17Verbal reasoning

A 'gigantic' elephant is what?

  1. very clean
  2. very shy
  3. very young
  4. very large Correct answer.

Explanation

Gigantic is a describing word that means extremely big in size. So a gigantic elephant is one that is very large compared with others.

Question 18Verbal reasoning

Pen is to write as scissors are to what?

  1. cut Correct answer.
  2. read
  3. sing
  4. draw

Explanation

A pen is a tool used to do the action of writing, so the pair links a tool to its job. Scissors are a tool used to cut, matching that tool-and-job link.

Question 19Verbal reasoning

Which pair of words are opposites?

  1. fast and quick
  2. above and below Correct answer.
  3. happy and glad
  4. big and huge

Explanation

An opposite pair must have meanings that reverse each other. Above means higher than something, while below means lower than it, so they are opposites.

Question 20Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair in the same way as 'library and books'?

  1. cup and drink
  2. shoe and sock
  3. pencil and paper
  4. bakery and bread Correct answer.

Explanation

A library is a place that holds and offers books, so the pair links a place to what it sells or lends. A bakery is a place that makes and sells bread, matching that place-and-product link.

Question 21Verbal reasoning

'The thirsty plant drooped in the dry soil.' Which word best tells why the plant drooped?

  1. drooped
  2. plant
  3. thirsty Correct answer.
  4. soil

Explanation

The sentence gives a cause for the drooping. Thirsty tells us the plant needed water, which explains why it drooped in the dry soil.

Question 22Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'brave'?

  1. careful
  2. quiet
  3. afraid
  4. fearless Correct answer.

Explanation

A synonym shares nearly the same meaning as the target word. Fearless means showing no fear, just as brave means facing danger without giving in.

Question 23Verbal reasoning

Kitten is to cat as puppy is to what?

  1. bone
  2. bark
  3. dog Correct answer.
  4. tail

Explanation

A kitten grows into a cat, so the pair links a baby animal to its adult form. A puppy grows into a dog, which keeps the same relationship. The other choices name things a puppy might have or do, not the grown-up animal it becomes.

Question 24Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'sleepy'?

  1. wet
  2. tired Correct answer.
  3. loud
  4. hungry

Explanation

A word that means almost the same is a synonym. 'Sleepy' describes someone who needs rest, and 'tired' carries that same meaning. The other words describe completely different conditions, such as sound, appetite, or moisture.

Question 25Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'noisy'?

  1. quiet Correct answer.
  2. busy
  3. bright
  4. rough

Explanation

An opposite word is an antonym. 'Noisy' means full of loud sound, so its opposite describes a place with very little sound, which is 'quiet'. The other words describe activity, light, or texture rather than sound.

Question 26Verbal reasoning

Boot is to foot as hat is to what?

  1. coat
  2. head Correct answer.
  3. shoe
  4. hand

Explanation

The first pair links a piece of clothing to the body part it covers. A boot is worn on a foot, so the matching pair puts a hat on the head. The other choices are body parts or clothing that do not match where a hat goes.

Question 27Verbal reasoning

Which three words all name something that can fly?

  1. airplane, table, kite
  2. airplane, robin, rock
  3. apple, robin, kite
  4. airplane, robin, kite Correct answer.

Explanation

Each word in the correct group must name something able to move through the air. An airplane, a robin, and a kite all travel above the ground. Every other group includes an object that stays on the ground or cannot leave it.

Question 28Verbal reasoning

Cup is to drink as spoon is to what?

  1. food
  2. fork
  3. plate
  4. stir Correct answer.

Explanation

A cup is a tool used to do the action of drinking, so the pair links an object to what you do with it. A spoon is used to stir, which keeps the same object-and-action link. The other choices name other dishes or items rather than the action.

Question 29Verbal reasoning

'The puppy wagged its tail when the children came home.' Which word best tells why the puppy wagged its tail?

  1. tail
  2. children
  3. home
  4. happy Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence shows the puppy reacting to the children arriving. A wagging tail is a sign of a glad feeling, so 'happy' best explains the reason. The other choices name people, a place, or a body part, not the feeling behind the action.

Question 30Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair the same way as 'kitchen and cooking'?

  1. garden and singing
  2. garden and reading
  3. garden and sleeping
  4. garden and planting Correct answer.

Explanation

A kitchen is a room set aside for cooking, so the pair links a place to the activity done there. A garden is a place for planting, which matches that same place-and-activity link. The other choices pair a garden with activities that do not happen there.

Question 31Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'shy'?

  1. strong
  2. bashful Correct answer.
  3. sleepy
  4. silly

Explanation

A synonym carries nearly the same meaning as another word. 'Shy' describes someone who feels uneasy around others, and 'bashful' means much the same. The other choices describe humor, strength, or tiredness instead.

Question 32Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'early'?

  1. first
  2. late Correct answer.
  3. soon
  4. fast

Explanation

'Early' means before the expected time, so its antonym means after the expected time, which is 'late'. The other choices tell about speed, nearness in time, or order, not about being behind schedule.

Question 33Verbal reasoning

Leaf is to tree as petal is to what?

  1. grass
  2. flower Correct answer.
  3. stem
  4. root

Explanation

A leaf is a part that grows on a tree, so the pair links a part to the whole plant. A petal is a part that grows on a flower, which keeps the same part-to-whole link. The other choices name plant parts or plants that do not hold petals.

Question 34Verbal reasoning

'The ice cream melted quickly in the hot sun.' Which word best tells why the ice cream melted?

  1. hot Correct answer.
  2. ice
  3. quickly
  4. melted

Explanation

The sentence gives a cause for the melting: the sun was hot. Heat is what turns ice cream soft, so 'hot' best explains the change. The other choices tell about speed, the food itself, or the action, not the cause.

Question 35Verbal reasoning

Which three words all name something that lives in water?

  1. fish, camel, turtle
  2. camel, whale, turtle
  3. fish, whale, turtle Correct answer.
  4. fish, whale, camel

Explanation

Every word in the correct group must name an animal that spends its life in water. Fish, whales, and sea turtles all swim in oceans or rivers. Each other group includes a camel, which lives on dry land.

Question 36Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair the same way as 'zoo and animals'?

  1. library and oceans
  2. library and lions
  3. library and books Correct answer.
  4. library and engines

Explanation

A zoo is a place that keeps animals for people to see, so the pair links a place to what it holds. A library is a place that keeps books, which matches that same place-and-contents link. The other choices name things a library does not hold.

Question 37Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'enormous'?

  1. narrow
  2. empty
  3. huge Correct answer.
  4. shiny

Explanation

A synonym means nearly the same as another word. 'Enormous' describes something very large, and 'huge' describes the same great size. The other choices tell about shine, emptiness, or width rather than overall size.

Question 38Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'gather'?

  1. count
  2. carry
  3. collect
  4. scatter Correct answer.

Explanation

'Gather' means to bring things together into one place, so its antonym means to spread them apart, which is 'scatter'. The other choices describe collecting, numbering, or moving items without reversing the idea of bringing together.

Question 39Verbal reasoning

Pencil is to write as brush is to what?

  1. measure
  2. erase
  3. cut
  4. paint Correct answer.

Explanation

A pencil is a tool used to do the action of writing, so the pair links an object to its use. A brush is a tool used to paint, which keeps the same tool-and-action link. The other choices name actions done with different tools.

Question 40Verbal reasoning

'Mia put on her raincoat before she stepped outside.' Which word best tells why Mia put on her raincoat?

  1. rain Correct answer.
  2. outside
  3. stepped
  4. coat

Explanation

A raincoat is worn to stay dry, so the word 'rain' inside it points to the reason she put it on. The other choices tell about a place, an action, or the clothing itself, not the cause.

Question 41Verbal reasoning

Which word means almost the same as 'weary'?

  1. curious
  2. careful
  3. cheerful
  4. tired Correct answer.

Explanation

'Weary' describes someone worn out and needing rest, and 'tired' carries that same meaning. The other choices describe moods of happiness, caution, or interest, not exhaustion.

Question 42Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'ancient'?

  1. old
  2. modern Correct answer.
  3. heavy
  4. dusty

Explanation

'Ancient' describes something from long ago, so its antonym describes something from the present day, which is 'modern'. The other choices repeat the idea of age or describe texture and weight instead.

Question 43Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair the same way as 'doctor and hospital'?

  1. chef and garden
  2. chef and kitchen Correct answer.
  3. chef and airport
  4. chef and library

Explanation

A doctor works in a hospital, so the pair links a worker to the place where the job is done. A chef works in a kitchen, which matches that same worker-and-workplace link. The other choices name places where a chef does not cook.

Question 44Verbal reasoning

'The sidewalk was icy, so Ben walked slowly and held the railing.' Which word best tells why Ben walked slowly?

  1. walked
  2. slowly
  3. railing
  4. icy Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence gives a cause for Ben's careful walking: the sidewalk was icy and slippery. The word 'icy' names that condition, so it best explains his slow steps. The other choices name an object, the speed, or the action itself.

Question 45Verbal reasoning

Which three words all name something that gives off light?

  1. rock, candle, star
  2. lamp, rock, star
  3. lamp, candle, star Correct answer.
  4. lamp, candle, rock

Explanation

Each word in the correct group must name something that shines or glows. A lamp, a candle flame, and a star all give off light. Every other group includes a rock, which does not make its own light.

Question 46Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair the same way as 'bird and nest'?

  1. bee and hive Correct answer.
  2. horse and saddle
  3. fish and water
  4. cow and milk

Explanation

A bird lives in a nest, so the pair names an animal and the home it lives in. A bee lives in a hive, which matches that same animal-to-home relationship. The other pairs name an animal with something it uses, swims in, or gives, not the place it lives.

Question 47Verbal reasoning

Which word means the opposite of 'open'?

  1. wide
  2. empty
  3. round
  4. shut Correct answer.

Explanation

An antonym is a word that means the opposite. The opposite of 'open' is 'shut', because a shut door is closed and cannot be walked through. The other words describe size or what is inside, not whether something is closed.

Question 48Verbal reasoning

Which three words all name something that a person can wear on their feet?

  1. shoe, hat, coat
  2. sock, mitten, scarf
  3. glove, belt, cap
  4. boot, sandal, slipper Correct answer.

Explanation

The question asks for three things worn on the feet. A boot, a sandal, and a slipper are all footwear, so all three fit the group. Each other list mixes in items worn on the hands, head, or body instead.

Question 49Verbal reasoning

'Nora put on her glasses so she could read the small print.' Which word best tells why Nora put on her glasses?

  1. put
  2. glasses
  3. read Correct answer.
  4. print

Explanation

The word 'so' points to the reason for an action. Nora put on her glasses in order to read the small print, so 'read' names the reason. The other words name the object or the action itself rather than the purpose.

Question 50Verbal reasoning

Which word completes the pair the same way as 'library and books'?

  1. school and teacher
  2. garden and flowers Correct answer.
  3. store and money
  4. kitchen and plate

Explanation

A library is a place that holds and lends books, so the pair names a place and what fills it. A garden is a place filled with flowers, which matches that same place-and-contents relationship. The other pairs name a place with a person, a payment, or a single object rather than what fills it.