11-Plus Five-a-Day Vocabulary – Why It Worked for Us

For years, I’ve spoken about our ‘Five a Day’ approach to vocabulary. I used it with my son, who wasn’t a natural reader – and it worked.

How We Used ‘Five a Day’ to Boost 11+ Vocabulary

There are so many ways to build vocabulary, but this one really helped us. We chose five words – usually from a workbook like CGP – and wrote them down each day. Then we took those words everywhere: on dog walks, in the car, even at dinner. We tried to use them in as many sentences as we could. Some were serious, some were silly. Everyone got involved.

One of the best examples? Teaching the difference between veto and sanction using screen time as the backdrop. The words stuck – because they meant something in context. That’s the trick – real context, repeated often.

You don’t have to stick to five words. Any number will help, so long as they’re used repeatedly in context. Reading them helps – but saying them aloud helps even more.

Teaching Tricky 11+ Words – Veto and Sanction Explained

Let’s take those tricky words: veto and sanction. They come up in law and politics and can be confusing because they have multiple meanings – sometimes even complete opposites (contronyms – words with opposing meanings depending on context, like sanction). That’s what makes them interesting – and ideal for practice.

Here’s how we broke them down at home:
Veto can be used as a verb or a noun, but in these examples, we used it as a verb meaning to ban or reject something officially.

Examples from our home –
• If you don’t do your homework, I will veto your Xbox. (verb)
• All screen time will be vetoed until your homework is finished. (verb)
• Please tidy your room now lest I veto your screen time. (verb)

All these use veto as a verb – including one in the passive voice.
See how these examples link meaning to a clear consequence?

What Are Contronyms? Help Your Child Master Confusing Words

What Does ‘Sanction’ Mean?
This one’s tricky – it can mean penalty or permission, depending on how it’s used (it’s a contronym – a word with opposing meanings).

Home examples –
• There will be sanctions on your screen time if you’re rude again. (noun)
• Your sweet allowance will be sanctioned if you keep leaving clothes on the floor. (verb)
• Xbox sanctions are lifted. I now sanction your screen time once more. (noun and verb)
These examples show sanction as both a noun and a verb – including in the passive.

Real-Life Examples to Teach Veto and Sanction for the 11+

Sanction in context –
1. The conference gave its official sanction to the change of policy.
2. We received sanction to proceed with our plans.
3. He may now be ready to sanction the use of force.
4. The book was translated without the sanction of the author.
5. Prison is the best sanction against a crime like this.
6. The fear of ridicule is a very effective sanction.
7. We now have an effective sanction against the killing of whales.
8. They won’t sanction our spending on this scale.
Veto in context –
1. Mother put a veto on our staying out late.
2. Father put a veto on my screen time.
3. The chairman has the power of veto over all decisions.
4. The White House says the president would veto the bill.

Final Thought
Words like these are tough to teach by definition alone. But use them naturally – and playfully – and they’ll stick. Vocabulary learned in context is remembered. That’s why our ‘Five a Day’ worked so well. It was simple. It was consistent. And it was fun.
You can try it too. No rules – just a habit.
Want more help with vocabulary?

11+ Vocabulary Help for Children Who Don’t Love Reading

My Vocabulary Novels – The Cadwaladr Chronicles and The Cadwaladr Quests – are original stories designed to build vocabulary in context, one story at a time. Each 11+ reading book includes built-in footnotes with synonyms, antonyms, SPaG tips and literary device explanations (I call these Knowledge Nuggets).