ISAT Logical Deduction from Passages 4

Question 1

Passage: 'All board members voted in favor of the proposal. Helena is a board member.' What must be true?

A) Helena proposed the motion.
B) Helena voted in favor of the proposal.
C) Helena is the board chair.
D) The proposal passed unanimously.

Accepted Answer

Helena voted in favor of the proposal.

Answer

All board members voted in favor, and Helena is a board member, so she necessarily voted in favor.

Question 2

Passage: 'The ferry only operates if wind speeds are below 25 mph. If the ferry does not operate, the island cannot receive supplies. Wind speeds today are 30 mph.' What is the consequence?

A) The ferry will operate with caution.
B) The island cannot receive supplies today.
C) Wind speeds may drop by afternoon.
D) The island will find an alternative supply route.

Accepted Answer

The island cannot receive supplies today.

Answer

30 mph exceeds 25 mph, so the ferry does not operate; without ferry operation, supplies cannot reach the island.

Question 3

Passage: 'Most researchers who publish in peer-reviewed journals hold doctoral degrees. Dr. Osei holds a doctoral degree.' Which conclusion is valid?

A) Dr. Osei publishes in peer-reviewed journals.
B) Dr. Osei is likely a researcher.
C) Dr. Osei may or may not publish in peer-reviewed journals.
D) All doctoral holders publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Osei may or may not publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Answer

The passage states that publishers tend to have doctorates, not that all doctorate holders publish; no definite conclusion applies to Dr. Osei.

Question 4

Passage: 'The conference accepts papers written in English or French. Submissions in any other language are automatically rejected. Dr. Nakamura submitted a paper in Japanese.' What happens to the submission?

A) It is accepted if the content is strong.
B) It is translated and then reviewed.
C) It is automatically rejected.
D) Dr. Nakamura is contacted for a resubmission.

Accepted Answer

It is automatically rejected.

Answer

Japanese is neither English nor French, so it falls under 'any other language' and is automatically rejected.

Question 5

Passage: 'If interest rates rise, consumer spending falls. If consumer spending falls, GDP growth slows. The central bank just raised interest rates.' Which conclusion follows?

A) GDP growth will increase.
B) Consumer spending will rise.
C) GDP growth will slow.
D) Interest rates will fall next quarter.

Accepted Answer

GDP growth will slow.

Answer

Raised interest rates cause spending to fall, which in turn causes GDP growth to slow — a valid chain of hypothetical syllogisms.

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT Logical Deduction from Passages 4