Non-verbal Reasoning · Reflection
Through the Mirror
Which shape is the target reflected in the mirror line? Tap one and watch the ghost flip across.
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Why this works
A reflection in a vertical mirror swaps left and right and leaves top and bottom exactly as they were. That single rule kills every trap here. A rotation turns the shape round, so its top and bottom swap too. A translation slides the shape without changing which way it faces, so anything sticking out to the right still sticks out to the right. A flip in a horizontal mirror changes top and bottom instead of left and right. The safe method in the exam is to pick one distinctive corner, work out where the mirror sends it, and check the candidates against that single point before comparing the whole shape.
Helping a child through Through the Mirror
Hints, least revealing first
- A reflection swaps left and right but never turns the shape upside down.
- Pick one corner of the target, such as the step near the top, and ask which side of the shape it should end up on after the flip.
- Three of these are traps: one has been turned right round, one has simply slid sideways without flipping, and one has been flipped top to bottom instead of left to right.
When they finish it: “Perfect reflection!”
2 11+ skills this exercise practises
Each of these has its own page, with a worked example on it.
- Reflect a shapeIdentify the result of one reflection in a stated mirror line.
- Reflect a visual figureTrack all marked parts through one reflection.
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Embed this exercise
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One exercise is a start, not a plan
A free diagnostic across all four subjects shows which non-verbal reasoning skills to practise next, and in what order.