GAT Verbal Reasoning 3 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Choose the word that best completes the analogy: Author is to Book as Composer is to ___

Orchestra
Symphony (Correct answer)
Musician
Concert

Correct answer: Symphony

An author creates a book, just as a composer creates a symphony. Both describe the relationship between a creator and their work.

This analogy tests the creator-to-creation relationship. An author writes a book (their creative output), and a composer writes a symphony (their creative output). Orchestra is the group that performs, musician is a general term, and concert is an event — none of these are the direct creation of a composer.

Question 2: Read the passage: 'Despite the harsh desert climate of the Rub' al Khali, several species of flora and fauna have adapted remarkably well to the extreme conditions.' What can be inferred from this statement?

The Rub' al Khali has no living organisms
Life can exist even in very challenging environments (Correct answer)
The desert climate is becoming milder
All species thrive equally in the desert

Correct answer: Life can exist even in very challenging environments

The passage states that species have 'adapted remarkably well' despite harsh conditions, implying that life can persist even in extreme environments.

The key phrase is 'adapted remarkably well to the extreme conditions.' This directly implies that living organisms can survive and even flourish in very challenging environments. The passage contradicts option A (species do exist there), does not mention climate change (option C), and 'several species' does not mean all species thrive equally (option D).

Question 3: Select the word that is most opposite in meaning to 'abundant':

Plentiful
Scarce (Correct answer)
Sufficient
Moderate

Correct answer: Scarce

Abundant means existing in large quantities, while scarce means existing in very small quantities — they are direct antonyms.

Abundant means plentiful or existing in great quantity. Its antonym is scarce, meaning insufficient in quantity or hard to find. Plentiful is a synonym of abundant, not an antonym. Sufficient means enough (not opposite), and moderate means average or middle-ground, which is not a direct opposite.

Question 4: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The committee decided to ___ the proposal until more research could be conducted.'

Accept
Defer (Correct answer)
Promote
Publish

Correct answer: Defer

Defer means to postpone or delay, which fits the context of waiting for more research before making a decision.

The clause 'until more research could be conducted' signals that a delay is needed. Defer means to postpone or put off to a later time, perfectly matching this context. Accept and promote suggest moving forward (opposite intent), and publish is unrelated to the decision-making context described.

Question 5: Which pair of words shares the same relationship as 'Microscope : Magnify'?

Telescope : Star
Thermometer : Measure (Correct answer)
Camera : Film
Clock : Time

Correct answer: Thermometer : Measure

A microscope is a tool used to magnify, and a thermometer is a tool used to measure. Both express a tool-to-function relationship.

The relationship is tool-to-primary function: a microscope's function is to magnify. Similarly, a thermometer's function is to measure (temperature). Telescope : Star is tool-to-object (not function), Camera : Film is tool-to-component, and Clock : Time is tool-to-concept — none capture the tool-to-action relationship as precisely.

Question 6: Read the sentence: 'Although the evidence was circumstantial, the jury found it compelling enough to reach a verdict.' What does 'circumstantial' most nearly mean here?

Direct and conclusive
Based on indirect inference rather than direct proof (Correct answer)
Fabricated and unreliable
Overwhelming and irrefutable

Correct answer: Based on indirect inference rather than direct proof

Circumstantial evidence is indirect evidence that requires inference, as opposed to direct evidence that proves a fact outright.

Circumstantial evidence relies on inference and surrounding circumstances rather than direct observation or proof. The sentence contrasts this indirect nature with the jury still finding it 'compelling enough,' highlighting that despite being indirect, it was persuasive. Options A and D describe direct/overwhelming evidence (the opposite), and option C (fabricated) is a value judgment not implied by the word.

GAT Verbal Reasoning 3

Choose the word that best completes the analogy: Author is to Book as Composer is to ___