Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Passage: 'The government aims to plant 30 million trees by 2030. So far, 8 million have been planted.' Which is TRUE?

22 million trees remain to be planted (Correct answer)
More trees need to be planted to reach the target
The 2030 target has been met
The government has exceeded its tree-planting target

Correct answer: 22 million trees remain to be planted

30 million minus 8 million equals 22 million trees remaining. Both options A and D are correct in meaning, but D is the most precise and directly calculable statement.

Question 2: Either the report was filed late, or the system was down. The report was filed on time. Which MUST be true?

The system was working normally
Both conditions are false
The system was down (Correct answer)
The report was filed late

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 3: Select the word that correctly completes the sentence: 'The results were ______ than expected.'

most good
more good
better (Correct answer)
gooder

Correct answer: better

'Better' is the comparative form of 'good.' 'More good,' 'gooder,' and 'most good' are all grammatically incorrect.

Question 4: Which sentence is punctuated correctly when introducing a list?

We need to consider the following issues: staffing, budget and timeline. (Correct answer)
We need to consider the following issues, staffing: budget, and timeline.
We need to consider the following issues; staffing, budget and timeline.
We need to consider the following issues staffing, budget, and timeline.

Correct answer: We need to consider the following issues: staffing, budget and timeline.

A colon is used after 'issues' to introduce the list; a semicolon would be incorrect as it joins independent clauses.

Question 5: The policy was described as 'contentious'. What does this mean?

Recently introduced
Causing disagreement or controversy (Correct answer)
Widely accepted
Legally binding

Correct answer: Causing disagreement or controversy

'Contentious' means causing or likely to cause an argument. A contentious policy is one that divides opinion.

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 is generally ineffective
The patient will recover fully
The drug may not be effective for this patient (Correct answer)
The drug will definitely be effective

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.

Question 7: 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?

Ten
Seven
Nine (Correct answer)
Eight

Correct answer: Nine

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 8: Two positions on public sector pay: Position A: 'Civil service pay should match private sector rates to attract the best talent.' Position B: 'Civil servants accept lower pay in exchange for greater job security, pension benefits, and public service motivation.' Which statement best evaluates these positions?

Position A is correct because pay is the only factor in recruitment
Both positions contain valid elements — the total reward package (pay, pension, security, purpose) and competitive pay rates are both relevant to talent attraction and retention (Correct answer)
Neither position matters because civil service recruitment is not competitive
Position B is correct because civil servants are not motivated by money

Correct answer: Both positions contain valid elements — the total reward package (pay, pension, security, purpose) and competitive pay rates are both relevant to talent attraction and retention

Both positions capture part of the truth. Pay competitiveness matters for attraction (Position A), but the total reward package — including pension, job security, and purpose — also has significant value (Position B). Effective workforce planning must consider all of these factors together rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.

Question 9: A politician argues: 'Cutting taxes will increase government revenue because people will spend more, generating more VAT income.' What BEST describes this argument?

It is a logical argument that could be valid but rests on an uncertain economic assumption (Correct answer)
It is a logical fallacy
It is completely illogical
It is supported by universal economic evidence

Correct answer: It is a logical argument that could be valid but rests on an uncertain economic assumption

The argument has a logical structure (tax cuts → more spending → more VAT) but the assumption that this effect is large enough to offset lost tax revenue is uncertain and contested.

Question 10: Which sentence is grammatically correct?

I looked forward to hearing from you soon.
I look forward to hear from you.
I am looking forward to hear from you.
I look forward to hearing from you. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I look forward to hearing from you.

'Look forward to' is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). 'To' here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. 'Hearing' is correct.

Question 11: Statement: 'HM Prison and Probation Service has introduced educational tablets in 50 prisons, providing inmates with access to approved educational content and job application tools.' What is the key assumption behind this initiative?

Tablets are cheaper than employing prison educators
Providing educational access in prison reduces reoffending upon release (Correct answer)
All prisoners want to pursue education
Prisoners currently have no access to any educational resources

Correct answer: Providing educational access in prison reduces reoffending upon release

The initiative provides educational content and job application tools in prisons. The key assumption is that this access helps prisoners develop skills and employment prospects, thereby reducing their likelihood of reoffending — which is the primary policy objective of prison education programmes.

Question 12: Statement: 'Following the introduction of mandatory cyber security training, the number of successful phishing attacks on government systems decreased by 60% within six months.' What can be most safely inferred?

Government employees are now fully protected against all cyber threats
Phishing attacks against government systems have stopped entirely
Cyber security training is the sole reason for the decrease in phishing attacks
The training appears to have contributed to improved staff awareness of phishing threats (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The training appears to have contributed to improved staff awareness of phishing threats

The most cautious and well-supported inference is that the training contributed to improvement. While the correlation is strong, we cannot definitively say it is the sole cause (other measures may have been implemented simultaneously), nor that staff are fully protected or attacks have ceased.

Question 13: Which sentence contains no spelling or word-choice errors?

The principal reason for the delay were poor weather.
The principal reason for the delay was poor weather. (Correct answer)
The principle reason for the delay was poor weather.
The principle reason for the delay were poor weather.

Correct answer: The principal reason for the delay was poor weather.

'Principal' means main or primary (adjective), and 'was' correctly agrees with the singular subject 'reason'.

Question 14: Statement: 'The introduction of body-worn cameras for police officers has been associated with a 25% reduction in complaints against officers and a 40% reduction in use-of-force incidents in pilot areas.' Which conclusion is the statement UNABLE to support?

There is a correlation between camera use and reduced complaints
Pilot areas experienced measurable changes after camera introduction
Body-worn cameras definitively caused the reduction in use-of-force incidents (Correct answer)
Body-worn cameras may influence the behaviour of both officers and the public

Correct answer: Body-worn cameras definitively caused the reduction in use-of-force incidents

The statement uses 'associated with,' which indicates correlation, not causation. It cannot support the conclusion that cameras definitively caused the reduction because other factors may have contributed (e.g., additional training, selection bias in pilot areas, seasonal variation). The other conclusions are appropriately cautious.

Question 15: Select the word that best completes the sentence: 'The new legislation will ______ all public bodies.'

impact on
affect (Correct answer)
effect on
effect

Correct answer: affect

'Affect' is the verb meaning to have an impact on. 'Effect' is usually a noun. 'Impact on' is less formal. 'Affect' is the clearest correct choice.

Question 16: CHAPTER is to BOOK as ACT is to:

Play (Correct answer)
Curtain
Theatre
Scene

Correct answer: Play

A chapter is a subdivision of a book. An act is a subdivision of a play. Both are part-to-whole relationships within written works.

Question 17: Whenever there is heavy snowfall, schools close. Schools are closed today. Which conclusion is VALID?

Schools always close in winter
There may be heavy snowfall today, or there may be another reason for closure (Correct answer)
Heavy snowfall always causes disruption
It is definitely snowing heavily today

Correct answer: There may be heavy snowfall today, or there may be another reason for closure

The rule says snow causes closure, but schools could close for other reasons too (e.g. a staff strike). Heavy snowfall is sufficient but not necessary for closure.

Question 18: The report was described as 'comprehensive'. What does this mean?

Highly technical
Difficult to understand
Brief and to the point
Covering all aspects thoroughly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Covering all aspects thoroughly

'Comprehensive' means covering all elements of something completely. A comprehensive report leaves nothing important out.

Question 19: Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'Please ensure that all forms ______ by 5pm.'

are submitted (Correct answer)
submit
have submit
submitting

Correct answer: are submitted

The passive construction 'are submitted' is correct — the forms are the object receiving the action. 'Submit' would need a different subject. 'Submitting' is a participle, not a full verb form.

Question 20: All civil servants who handle classified material must complete security clearance vetting. James is a civil servant who handles classified material. Which of the following must be true?

James must complete security clearance vetting (Correct answer)
James handles classified material because he has security clearance
James should apply for security clearance at his discretion
James may or may not need security clearance

Correct answer: James must complete security clearance vetting

This is a straightforward syllogism: All X must do Y. James is X. Therefore, James must do Y. The premise states that ALL civil servants handling classified material must complete vetting, and James falls into this category.

Question 21: Statement: 'The Diplomatic Service has increased the number of Mandarin-speaking officers by 35% over the past three years and opened two new posts in the Indo-Pacific region.' What can be most reasonably inferred?

The UK is reducing its diplomatic presence in Europe
The UK government considers the Indo-Pacific region to be of increasing strategic importance (Correct answer)
All new diplomatic recruits must now speak Mandarin
The UK has poor diplomatic relations with China

Correct answer: The UK government considers the Indo-Pacific region to be of increasing strategic importance

Increasing Mandarin-speaking capacity and opening new Indo-Pacific posts together strongly suggest the government views this region as strategically important and is investing resources accordingly. The other inferences are not supported by the statement.

Question 22: Which word is the OPPOSITE of VOLATILE?

Unpredictable
Explosive
Dangerous
Stable (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stable

Volatile means liable to change rapidly and unpredictably. Its antonym is stable — steady and not prone to sudden change.

Question 23: Statement: 'The Cabinet Office now requires all government departments to publish their single departmental plans, including performance metrics and spending breakdowns, on GOV.UK.' What assumption underlies this requirement?

Departmental plans were previously kept secret from ministers
All members of the public regularly check GOV.UK for departmental information
Public transparency about departmental plans and spending improves accountability (Correct answer)
Government departments cannot be trusted to manage their own performance

Correct answer: Public transparency about departmental plans and spending improves accountability

Mandating publication of plans and performance data assumes that making this information publicly available serves a purpose — specifically, it improves accountability. Without this assumption, there would be no reason to require public disclosure rather than internal reporting alone.

Question 24: Which word is closest in meaning to BENEVOLENT?

Cruel
Greedy
Kind (Correct answer)
Indifferent

Correct answer: Kind

Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly — generous and charitable. Kind is the closest synonym.

Question 25: PAINTER is to CANVAS as SCULPTOR is to:

Museum
Brush
Paint
Clay (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clay

A painter works on a canvas. A sculptor works with clay (or stone). Both identify the primary material or surface the artist works on or with.

Question 26: Statement: 'The Department for Transport has commissioned a feasibility study into expanding railway services in the North of England, following years of campaigning by northern MPs and business groups.' Which inference is most justified?

The railway expansion will definitely proceed
Northern railway services are currently adequate
The government is responding to sustained political and economic pressure regarding northern transport (Correct answer)
The feasibility study will recommend expansion

Correct answer: The government is responding to sustained political and economic pressure regarding northern transport

Commissioning a study 'following years of campaigning' directly suggests the government is responding to that sustained pressure. A feasibility study does not guarantee the project will proceed or that expansion will be recommended — it is an investigatory step.

Question 27: A report described a claim as 'substantiated'. What does this mean?

Supported by evidence (Correct answer)
Under investigation
Officially denied
Disproved by evidence

Correct answer: Supported by evidence

'Substantiated' means supported with evidence or proof. A substantiated claim has been backed up by facts.

Question 28: A survey found that people who drink coffee daily score higher on alertness tests. The survey concludes coffee improves alertness. Which WEAKENS this conclusion?

Survey participants were volunteers
Alert people may be more likely to drink coffee, not the other way round (Correct answer)
Coffee is widely consumed worldwide
The alertness tests were conducted in the morning

Correct answer: Alert people may be more likely to drink coffee, not the other way round

The conclusion assumes coffee causes alertness, but the relationship could be reversed — alert people may choose to drink coffee. This is the reverse causation flaw.

Question 29: Argument: 'This politician was found to have lied about their expenses. Therefore, nothing they say on any subject can be trusted.' What logical flaw does this commit?

Circular reasoning — using the conclusion as the premise
False dichotomy — presenting only two options
Ad hominem — attacking the person rather than evaluating their arguments on their merits (Correct answer)
Straw man — misrepresenting the politician's position

Correct answer: Ad hominem — attacking the person rather than evaluating their arguments on their merits

The argument dismisses all of the politician's statements based on a personal failing rather than evaluating each argument on its own merits. This is the ad hominem fallacy.

Question 30: A think tank argues: 'Countries with higher income tax rates have better public services. Therefore, raising income tax improves public services.' Which WEAKENS this?

Other countries have good services with low taxes
Higher taxes are unpopular with voters
The study covered 40 countries
Both high taxes and good services may result from a strong underlying economy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Both high taxes and good services may result from a strong underlying economy

If a strong economy independently produces both higher tax revenues and better services, the correlation between taxes and services could be spurious — driven by a third factor.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test

The Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test assesses candidates' ability to understand written information, evaluate arguments, draw logical inferences, and apply grammar and vocabulary skills required for government roles.

Questions

25 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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