Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A report states: 'Employees in open-plan offices report lower job satisfaction than those with private offices.' A manager concludes open-plan offices cause dissatisfaction. What UNDERMINES this?
- Lower-paid employees may be more likely to work in open-plan offices (Correct answer)
- Open-plan offices save money
- Noise levels vary between offices
- The report surveyed 500 employees
Correct answer: Lower-paid employees may be more likely to work in open-plan offices
If lower-paid employees tend to work in open-plan offices, their dissatisfaction could be due to pay and conditions rather than the office layout. This is a confounding variable.
Question 2: No one can be convicted without evidence. There is evidence against the suspect. Which MUST follow?
- The suspect may be convicted (Correct answer)
- The suspect will be convicted
- The suspect is guilty
- No other suspects exist
Correct answer: The suspect may be convicted
Having evidence is a necessary condition for conviction, but it does not guarantee conviction. Other factors (quality of evidence, defence, jury) also matter.
Question 3: Whenever there is heavy snowfall, schools close. Schools are closed today. Which conclusion is VALID?
- There may be heavy snowfall today, or there may be another reason for closure (Correct answer)
- It is definitely snowing heavily today
- Schools always close in winter
- Heavy snowfall always causes disruption
Correct answer: There may be heavy snowfall today, or there may be another reason for closure
The rule says snow causes closure, but schools could close for other reasons too (e.g. a staff strike). Heavy snowfall is sufficient but not necessary for closure.
Question 4: The majority of prize-winning novels are over 300 pages. This novel is over 300 pages. Which conclusion is VALID?
- This novel may or may not win a prize (Correct answer)
- This novel will win a prize
- Short novels never win prizes
- The novel's length makes it prize-worthy
Correct answer: This novel may or may not win a prize
Most prize-winners are long, but not all long books win prizes. Length is associated with winning but does not guarantee it.
Question 5: A company's profits rose by £2m after they hired a new CEO. The board concluded the CEO caused the increase. Which STRENGTHENS their conclusion?
- Detailed analysis shows the increase came from decisions made by the new CEO (Correct answer)
- Profits in the industry generally fell during the same period
- The CEO was highly paid
- Two million pounds is significant for this size of company
Correct answer: Detailed analysis shows the increase came from decisions made by the new CEO
If detailed analysis directly links the CEO's decisions to the profit increase, this strengthens the causal claim. Especially if the industry fell, this rules out a sector-wide trend.
Question 6: If I exercise regularly, I will feel healthier. I do not exercise regularly. Which MUST follow?
- Nothing can be concluded about whether I feel healthy (Correct answer)
- I definitely do not feel healthy
- I am unhealthy
- I feel less healthy than people who exercise
Correct answer: Nothing can be concluded about whether I feel healthy
The rule says exercise leads to feeling healthier, but not exercising doesn't automatically mean feeling unhealthy. Other factors (diet, genetics) can affect health.
Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 3
A report states: 'Employees in open-plan offices report lower job satisfaction than those with private offices.' A manager concludes open-plan offices cause dissatisfaction.
What UNDERMINES this?