FREE GMA Syllogisms Questions and Answers

Question 1

Statements: 1. All roses are flowers. 2. Some flowers fade quickly. Conclusion:

Accepted Answer

No conclusion can be drawn.

Answer

The middle term 'flowers' is not distributed in the first premise ('All roses are flowers'). We know some flowers fade quickly, but we don't know if those flowers include the roses. Therefore, no definite conclusion can be drawn about roses fading quickly.

Question 2

Statements: 1. No manager is a leader. 2. All leaders are charismatic. Conclusion:

Accepted Answer

Some charismatic people are not managers.

Answer

From the premises, we can deduce the relationship between managers and charismatic people. Since all leaders are charismatic, but no manager is a leader, it logically follows that some charismatic people (the ones who are leaders) are not managers. This is the most certain conclusion.

Question 3

Statements: 1. All computers are machines. 2. All machines require energy. Conclusion:

Accepted Answer

All computers require energy.

Answer

This is a classic transitive syllogism. If the set of 'computers' is entirely within the set of 'machines', and the set of 'machines' is entirely within the set of 'things that require energy', then the set of 'computers' must also be entirely within the set of 'things that require energy'.

Question 4

Statements: 1. Some artists are painters. 2. All painters are creative. Conclusion:

Accepted Answer

Some artists are creative.

Answer

We know that there is an overlap between 'artists' and 'painters'. Since every single painter is creative, the artists who are in that overlapping group (the painters) must also be creative. Therefore, we can conclude that at least 'some' artists are creative.

Question 5

Statements: 1. No dogs are cats. 2. No cats are birds. Conclusion:

Accepted Answer

No conclusion can be drawn.

Answer

Both premises are negative statements ('No...'). When you have two negative premises, you cannot draw a valid logical conclusion about the relationship between the end terms (dogs and birds). Dogs are not cats, and birds are not cats, but this tells us nothing about whether dogs are or are not birds.

(GMA) General Mental Ability Practice Test

(GMA) General Mental Ability Practice Test

FREE GMA Syllogisms Questions and Answers