GCAT Syllogistic Reasoning 3

Question 1

All squares are rectangles. All rectangles are parallelograms. Some parallelograms are rhombuses. Which is definitely true?

Accepted Answer

All squares are parallelograms.

Answer

Squares ⊆ rectangles ⊆ parallelograms, so all squares are parallelograms.

Question 2

No herbivores eat meat. All cows are herbivores. This animal eats meat. What follows?

Accepted Answer

This animal is not a cow.

Answer

Since all cows are herbivores and herbivores never eat meat, an animal that eats meat cannot be a cow.

Question 3

Some X are Y. No Y are Z. Which conclusion is valid?

Accepted Answer

Some X are not Z.

Answer

The X that are Y cannot be Z, so at least those X are not Z.

Question 4

All pilots are trained. All trained people are disciplined. Which is a valid conclusion?

Accepted Answer

All pilots are disciplined.

Answer

Pilots ⊆ trained ⊆ disciplined, so all pilots must be disciplined.

Question 5

Some cats are black. All black things absorb heat. Which must be true?

Accepted Answer

Some cats absorb heat.

Answer

The cats that are black must absorb heat, guaranteeing at least some cats absorb heat.

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test