Why Some 11+ Comprehension Papers Feel Harder Than Others

During my free weekly comprehension, vocabulary and SPaG sessions, many parents mention that their child’s comprehension results – especially in mock tests – swing from one extreme to another. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This short blog explores a few common reasons, so you can feel more in control and support your child at home.

Comprehension Isn’t 'One Thing'

Comprehension papers vary – a lot. Some are fiction, others non-fiction or poetry. Each comes with its own challenges. It’s perfectly normal for a child to feel more confident with one than another, and their results can reflect that.

Topic Matters

It’s not just the type of text that matters, but the topic too. If the passage is about something your child enjoys or understands – football, pets, history – they’ll likely connect more easily. A less familiar topic might feel harder to follow, even for strong readers.

Poetry Can Feel Different

Poetry sometimes appears in comprehension and can feel unfamiliar. Its structure, rhythm or lack of full sentences might initially throw children off. The questions are still rooted in meaning – so even if the format feels unusual, the same core skills apply: spotting feelings, picking out clues and thinking about tone. Reassure your child it’s another kind of writing – not a trick.

Vocabulary Is Unpredictable

Some texts use simple, familiar language. Others contain tricky words that can trip children up. A child might do well one week, then stumble the next – simply because of the vocabulary. That’s why regular reading and word exposure make such a difference.

Old-Fashioned Texts Can Be Tougher

Classic texts often include trickier vocabulary, long, winding sentences, unusual phrasing and different punctuation styles. Older styles can feel much harder to process if your child mostly reads modern stories. That’s completely normal – and not a sign of weakness. You can read more about classic texts in my blog.

Confidence Plays a Part

Children can sense when something feels difficult. If they open a paper and feel unsure, that wobble in confidence can affect how they approach everything else. Reassure them this happens to everyone – and it doesn’t mean they’re doing badly.

What Can You Do?

Spotting these patterns means you can offer the right kind of support. Try building variety into your child’s reading – include different genres, topics and styles. Review any question types they’ve found tricky and discuss how to approach them. Most importantly, please remind your child that it’s normal to find some papers harder than others. A little context, calm and encouragement can go a long way.

11+ Reading Books

If your child finds comprehension challenging, The Cadwaladr Chronicles and The Cadwaladr Quests, 11+ reading books, can help. Our Knowledge Nuggets appear throughout the stories, flagging inference-style questions in real time. They also explain key literary devices and SPaG features as they arise, building skills naturally through engaging, vocabulary-rich fiction.
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