Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension

Question 1

A passage states: 'The government announced that all public sector employees would receive a 2% pay rise effective from April.' Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?

Accepted Answer

All public sector employees will receive a 2% pay rise from April

Answer

All public sector employees received a 2% pay rise last April

Answer

Private sector employees will receive a 2% pay rise from April

Answer

All employees will receive a pay rise of more than 2%

Question 2

A passage states: 'Most train services were cancelled due to engineering works, though some routes remained operational.' Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Some train services continued to run

Answer

All train services were cancelled

Answer

Engineering works had no impact on services

Answer

Train services were delayed but not cancelled

Question 3

A passage states: 'The council has not yet decided whether to approve the new housing development.' Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The council's decision on the housing development is still pending

Answer

The council has approved the housing development

Answer

The council has rejected the housing development

Answer

The council approved the development last month

Question 4

Passage: 'No evidence has been found linking the suspect to the crime scene.' Which statement can be TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The suspect may or may not be guilty

Answer

The suspect is definitely innocent

Answer

The suspect is definitely guilty

Answer

The investigation has concluded

Question 5

Passage: 'Cycling to work has increased by 30% in London over the past five years.' Which is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

More people cycle to work in London now than five years ago

Answer

Cycling has increased by 30% across the UK

Answer

Cycling to work has decreased in London

Answer

30% of Londoners cycle to work

Question 6

Passage: 'The report recommends that further research should be conducted before any policy changes are implemented.' Which is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Policy changes should wait until more research is done

Answer

Policy changes have already been implemented

Answer

The report opposes all policy changes

Answer

Further research is unnecessary