Verbal Reasoning & Reading Comprehension Flashcards

A passage states: 'All successful entrepreneurs take calculated risks. Maria is a successful entrepreneur.' What can be logically inferred?

Answer: Maria takes calculated risks

If all successful entrepreneurs take calculated risks and Maria is a successful entrepreneur, Maria must take calculated risks.

Which of the following best describes an 'inference' in reading comprehension?

Answer: A conclusion drawn from evidence not explicitly stated

An inference is a conclusion the reader draws from implied or indirect evidence rather than from what is directly stated.

Read this sentence: 'Despite the rain, the soccer match continued.' What does 'despite' signal?

Answer: The match continued in contrast to what the rain might suggest

'Despite' signals a contrast or concession — the match continued even though rain would typically prevent it.

A passage argues 'regular exercise leads to better mental health.' Which statement, if true, would MOST weaken this argument?

Answer: People with good mental health are more likely to exercise

If good mental health causes people to exercise, this reverses the causation — mental health leads to exercise, not the other way around.

What is the primary purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

Answer: To introduce the main idea of the paragraph

A topic sentence introduces and previews the central idea of the paragraph that follows.

In verbal reasoning, what does a 'synonym' test require you to find?

Answer: A word with the same or similar meaning

A synonym is a word with the same or very similar meaning to another word.

If a writer uses the phrase 'it goes without saying,' they are implying that what follows is:

Answer: Well-established or obvious

'It goes without saying' is an idiom indicating the following point is widely understood or assumed to be obvious.