Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Argument Analysis

Question 1

Argument: 'We should ban smartphones in schools because studies show students who use phones in class get lower grades.' Which statement BEST identifies a flaw in this argument?

Accepted Answer

The argument confuses correlation with causation — lower grades could cause more phone use, not the other way round

Answer

Smartphones are useful learning tools

Answer

Banning items in school is difficult to enforce

Answer

Studies are not always reliable

Question 2

Argument: 'Vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters, so everyone should become vegetarian.' Which is the main weakness of this argument?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion does not follow — health difference alone does not mean everyone should change their diet

Answer

Vegetarianism is impractical for many people

Answer

Meat contains essential nutrients

Answer

Not all vegetarians are healthy

Question 3

An argument states: 'Our competitors have cut their prices. Therefore, we should too.' What BEST describes a flaw in this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes what works for competitors will work for this company without considering differences in costs or strategy

Answer

Price cutting is always risky

Answer

Competitors may be wrong

Answer

The market is unpredictable

Question 4

Argument: 'This politician was found to have lied about their expenses. Therefore, nothing they say on any subject can be trusted.' What logical flaw does this commit?

Accepted Answer

Ad hominem — attacking the person rather than evaluating their arguments on their merits

Answer

Straw man — misrepresenting the politician's position

Answer

False dichotomy — presenting only two options

Answer

Circular reasoning — using the conclusion as the premise

Question 5

Argument: 'Most people support the new policy in our survey. Therefore it is a good policy.' What is the main weakness?

Accepted Answer

Popular support does not make a policy good — it may still have harmful consequences

Answer

Surveys are unreliable

Answer

Most people are uninformed

Answer

Support may change over time

Question 6

A company argues: 'We have been making this product for 100 years. Therefore our product is the best on the market.' What fallacy does this commit?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to tradition — assuming that age or longevity guarantees quality

Answer

Appeal to authority

Answer

False dichotomy

Answer

Hasty generalisation