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

The passage explicitly states that all public sector employees would receive a 2% pay rise effective from April, making option A directly supported by the text.

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

The passage says 'some routes remained operational,' which directly supports the statement that some train services continued to run.

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

'Has not yet decided' means a decision is still pending — neither approved nor rejected. Option A accurately reflects this.

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

Absence of evidence linking the suspect to the scene does not prove innocence or guilt — the suspect may or may not be guilty.

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

A 30% increase means more people cycle now than five years ago. The passage only references London, not the whole UK.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension