Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages

Question 1

Read the following passage: 'The Civil Service Code requires all civil servants to carry out their duties with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality. These values are enshrined in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, which placed the Code on a statutory footing for the first time.' According to the passage, when were the core values given a statutory basis?

Accepted Answer

In 2010 through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act

Answer

The passage explicitly states that the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 'placed the Code on a statutory footing for the first time,' meaning this was when the values gained their legal/statutory basis.

Question 2

Read the following passage: 'The Government Digital Service (GDS) was established to lead the digital transformation of government. Its remit includes setting standards for digital services, operating shared platforms such as GOV.UK, and advising departments on technology procurement. However, individual departments retain responsibility for their own digital strategies and service delivery.' Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?

Accepted Answer

GDS operates shared platforms whilst departments manage their own strategies

Answer

The passage states that GDS operates shared platforms like GOV.UK, whilst also clarifying that 'individual departments retain responsibility for their own digital strategies and service delivery.' This makes option C the only fully supported statement.

Question 3

Read the following passage: 'The Equality Act 2010 consolidated and replaced previous anti-discrimination legislation in Great Britain. It introduced the concept of protected characteristics, covering age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Public bodies are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires them to have due regard to eliminating discrimination and advancing equality of opportunity.' How many protected characteristics are listed in the passage?

Accepted Answer

Nine

Answer

The passage lists nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Question 4

Read the following passage: 'Flexible working arrangements have become increasingly common across the Civil Service. A 2023 survey found that 72% of civil servants worked from home at least one day per week, compared with 38% before the pandemic. However, some roles — particularly those in operational delivery — require a greater on-site presence. Senior leaders have emphasised that flexibility must be balanced against the need for effective collaboration and service delivery.' What can be concluded from the passage?

Accepted Answer

Flexible working has increased but is not uniformly applied across all roles

Answer

The passage shows a significant increase in home working (from 38% to 72%) but qualifies this by noting that operational roles need more on-site presence and that flexibility must be balanced. This supports option B as the most accurate conclusion.

Question 5

Read the following passage: 'The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives any person the right to request information held by public authorities. Authorities must respond within 20 working days, either providing the information or explaining why an exemption applies. Some exemptions are absolute, such as information relating to security matters, whilst others are qualified and require a public interest test to determine whether disclosure is appropriate.' According to the passage, what determines whether a qualified exemption prevents disclosure?

Accepted Answer

A public interest test

Answer

The passage directly states that qualified exemptions 'require a public interest test to determine whether disclosure is appropriate.' This is distinct from absolute exemptions, which do not require such a test.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages