Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 4

Question 1

All the applicants who were shortlisted had more than five years' experience. Which of the following MUST be true?

Accepted Answer

Anyone without five years' experience was not shortlisted

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

City B reduced its police budget but also saw crime fall by 15%

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The system was down

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The school also hired several new specialist teachers that year

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Nothing can be concluded about whether Priya eats breakfast

Answer

Most breakfast-eaters perform well, but not all high performers eat breakfast. We cannot conclude Priya eats breakfast from her performance alone.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Critical Reasoning and Logical Inference 4