TSA Verbal Reasoning & Reading Comprehension 2

Question 1

'Some doctors are researchers. All researchers are scientists. Therefore, some doctors are scientists.' This argument is:

Accepted Answer

Valid — the conclusion follows logically from the premises

Answer

The doctors who are researchers must also be scientists since all researchers are scientists, making the conclusion logically valid.

Question 2

A text states: 'The ancient Romans built roads that lasted centuries. Modern infrastructure rarely lasts more than 50 years.' The author most likely intends to:

Accepted Answer

Suggest Roman engineering was superior to modern practices

Answer

The comparison implies Roman engineering produced more durable results, suggesting their practices were superior.

Question 3

Which word best fills the blank? 'The scientist's theory, though initially _____, was eventually proven correct.'

Accepted Answer

controversial

Answer

'Controversial' (debated or disputed) creates meaningful contrast with 'eventually proven correct,' a common arc in scientific discovery.

Question 4

A passage states: 'Students who read more perform better in school.' This claim is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A correlation that may or may not imply causation

Answer

This is a correlation — reading and performance are related, but the statement alone doesn't prove reading causes better performance.

Question 5

What does it mean when an author 'concedes a point' in an argument?

Accepted Answer

They acknowledge a valid aspect of the opposing view

Answer

Conceding a point means acknowledging the opposing side has a valid argument while still maintaining your overall position.

TSA - Thinking Skills Assessment Practice Test

TSA - Thinking Skills Assessment Practice Test

TSA Verbal Reasoning & Reading Comprehension 2