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Our three papers in each covered subject contain 50 original MCQs. English and Maths use 45 minutes, and verbal reasoning uses 40 minutes. These are our independent subject-practice timings, not Quest’s combined-paper schedule. Non-verbal reasoning is excluded. We do not claim Quest endorsement, an exact test replica or an official Bexley standardised score.
An enormous sign outside the village hall promised AN EVENING OF SILENCE. Inside, folding chairs scraped across the floor, teacups chattered on their trays and a volunteer called out ticket numbers. Lila examined the sign once more. Perhaps, she thought, someone had left out an important word. She took a seat beside the piano, carefully folding her ticket so that its printed title, A Festival of Silent Films, faced inwards.
At seven, the lights dimmed. A man appeared on the screen, trying to carry a ladder through a revolving door. The pianist struck a brisk tune as the ladder trapped the man, released him and then caught his hat. Lila laughed so suddenly that she startled herself. Soon the whole room was laughing with her. The films might be silent; the audience had no intention of being so.
What makes the final sentence humorous?
Choose one answer.
AIt reveals that the pianist has forgotten how to play.
BIt proves that the film contains no movement.
CIt shows that Lila has bought a ticket for the wrong day.
DIt contrasts the silent films with the audience’s noisy enjoyment.
EIt explains that the sign forbids everyone from laughing.
Show answer and explanation
D: It contrasts the silent films with the audience’s noisy enjoyment.
The final sentence separates the silence of the films from the laughter of the audience. That playful contrast also answers the apparently puzzling promise on the sign. There is no evidence of a wrong date, forgotten music or a rule against laughter.
English · Vocabulary: figurative meaning in context
An evening of silence
An enormous sign outside the village hall promised AN EVENING OF SILENCE. Inside, folding chairs scraped across the floor, teacups chattered on their trays and a volunteer called out ticket numbers. Lila examined the sign once more. Perhaps, she thought, someone had left out an important word. She took a seat beside the piano, carefully folding her ticket so that its printed title, A Festival of Silent Films, faced inwards.
At seven, the lights dimmed. A man appeared on the screen, trying to carry a ladder through a revolving door. The pianist struck a brisk tune as the ladder trapped the man, released him and then caught his hat. Lila laughed so suddenly that she startled herself. Soon the whole room was laughing with her. The films might be silent; the audience had no intention of being so.
What does “teacups chattered on their trays” suggest about the cups?
Choose one answer.
AThey were discussing the film.
BThey were completely empty.
CThey were making repeated light clattering sounds.
DThey were breaking into pieces.
EThey were hidden beneath cloths.
Show answer and explanation
C: They were making repeated light clattering sounds.
“Chattered” gives the cups a human action to suggest their repeated clattering sounds. It contributes to the noisy scene; the passage does not say that the cups break, are empty or are covered.
Maths samples
Maths · Maths: changing a proportion
The diagram shows 20 seats. The shaded seats are reserved. Two of those reservations are then cancelled, so those two seats become unreserved. What percentage of all 20 seats is now unreserved?
Twenty seats in four rows of five. Eight seats are shaded as reserved; twelve are initially unreserved.
Choose one answer.
A60%
B70%
C30%
D50%
E90%
Show answer and explanation
B: 70%
Initially 8 seats are reserved and 12 are not. Cancelling two reservations leaves 6 reserved and 14 unreserved. Since 20 seats represent 100%, each seat is 5%; 14 × 5% = 70%.
Maths · Maths: comparing fractions and decimals
Select THREE numbers that are greater than 1/2 but less than 2/3.
Choose exactly 3 answers. All must be correct for the mark.
A3/5
B2/3
C0.5
D0.62
E5/8
Show answer and explanation
A: 3/5 · D: 0.62 · E: 5/8
3/5 = 0.6 and 0.62 are both above 0.5 and below 2/3 (0.666…). Also, 5/8 = 15/24 lies between 1/2 = 12/24 and 2/3 = 16/24. The endpoints 0.5 and 2/3 are excluded because the question says greater than and less than, not equal to.
Group 1 (A–C): VIGILANT, FRUGAL, TIMID. Group 2 (D–F): WASTEFUL, WATCHFUL, RECKLESS. Select TWO words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
Choose exactly 2 answers. All must be correct for the mark.
AVIGILANT
BFRUGAL
CTIMID
DWASTEFUL
EWATCHFUL
FRECKLESS
Show answer and explanation
A: VIGILANT · E: WATCHFUL
Vigilant and watchful both mean alert and paying close attention to possible danger or difficulty. Frugal means careful with resources, which contrasts with wasteful. Timid means shy or lacking confidence; reckless means acting without enough thought for danger, not timid.
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