Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: All the applicants who were shortlisted had more than five years' experience. Which of the following MUST be true?
- Anyone without five years' experience was not shortlisted (Correct answer)
- Everyone with five years' experience was shortlisted
- Shortlisting was fair
- Experience is the only criterion for shortlisting
Correct answer: Anyone without five years' experience was not shortlisted
If all shortlisted applicants had more than 5 years' experience, then anyone without that experience could not have been shortlisted. The contrapositive is valid.
Question 2: The crime rate in City A fell by 15% last year. During the same year, the city increased its police budget by 20%. The mayor concludes more funding reduces crime. Which WEAKENS this?
- City B reduced its police budget but also saw crime fall by 15% (Correct answer)
- City A spent the extra budget on patrol cars
- 15% is a significant reduction
- The police are well-respected in City A
Correct answer: City B reduced its police budget but also saw crime fall by 15%
If City B reduced its budget but crime also fell, the link between police funding and crime reduction is weakened. Other factors must be driving the decline.
Question 3: Either the report was filed late, or the system was down. The report was filed on time. Which MUST be true?
- The system was down (Correct answer)
- The report was filed late
- Both conditions are false
- The system was working normally
Correct answer: The system was down
If either A or B is true, and A (late filing) is false, then B (system down) must be true to satisfy the 'either...or' condition.
Question 4: A school's exam results improved significantly after introducing a homework ban. The headteacher concludes homework was harming results. What WEAKENS this?
- The school also hired several new specialist teachers that year (Correct answer)
- Homework was unpopular with students
- The improvements were in all subjects
- Results had been declining for three years
Correct answer: The school also hired several new specialist teachers that year
If new specialist teachers were also hired, the improvement could be due to teaching quality rather than the homework ban. This is an alternative explanation.
Question 5: Most people who eat breakfast perform better at work. Priya performs well at work. Which MUST be true?
- Nothing can be concluded about whether Priya eats breakfast (Correct answer)
- Priya eats breakfast
- Priya never skips breakfast
- Eating breakfast caused Priya's performance
Correct answer: Nothing can be concluded about whether Priya eats breakfast
Most breakfast-eaters perform well, but not all high performers eat breakfast. We cannot conclude Priya eats breakfast from her performance alone.
Question 6: The new drug is effective if taken within 24 hours of symptoms appearing. A patient took it after 36 hours. Which MUST follow?
- The drug may not be effective for this patient (Correct answer)
- The drug will definitely be effective
- The patient will recover fully
- The drug is generally ineffective
Correct answer: The drug may not be effective for this patient
The drug's effectiveness requires use within 24 hours. The patient waited 36 hours — beyond the window. The drug may not be effective in this case.
Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 4
All the applicants who were shortlisted had more than five years' experience.
Which of the following MUST be true?