Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Lower-paid employees may be more likely to work in open-plan offices

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The suspect may be convicted

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

There may be heavy snowfall today, or there may be another reason for closure

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

This novel may or may not win a prize

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Detailed analysis shows the increase came from decisions made by the new CEO

Answer

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.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 3