UCAT Verbal Reasoning 4

Question 1

A passage states hospitals in city A have better outcomes than hospitals in city B. City A hospitals are larger. The author concludes larger hospitals produce better outcomes. What weakens this?

Accepted Answer

City A is wealthier and has healthier patients on average

Answer

Larger hospitals see more patients

Answer

Hospital size correlates with funding

Answer

City B hospitals are newer

Question 2

'This painkiller reduced pain scores by 50% in trials.' A patient concludes it will halve her pain. Which caveat is most important?

Accepted Answer

Trial results are averages — her individual response may differ

Answer

Pain scores are not reliable

Answer

The drug may have side effects

Answer

Trials are conducted on volunteers

Question 3

Passage: 'Speed cameras reduced accidents at monitored junctions by 30%.' The transport minister announces cameras will be installed everywhere. Which assumption does this require?

Accepted Answer

Cameras will be equally effective at all junctions, not just those already chosen for cameras

Answer

Junctions were randomly selected for cameras

Answer

30% is a clinically significant reduction

Answer

Accidents are the only road safety metric

Question 4

A writer argues: 'Since ancient Greeks practised democracy, democracy is the oldest and most natural form of government.' Identify the flaw.

Accepted Answer

Age does not establish that something is natural or best — the argument conflates origin with value

Answer

Greek democracy excluded most citizens

Answer

Modern democracy differs from Greek democracy

Answer

The writer ignores Roman government

Question 5

'Every student who failed the test admitted they had not revised. Therefore, revision guarantees passing.' What is wrong?

Accepted Answer

The evidence only shows that non-revision is associated with failure, not that revision guarantees success

Answer

Revision is unnecessary for some students

Answer

The test may have been unfair

Answer

Some students lied about revising

Question 6

Passage mentions a correlation of r=0.85 between exercise and life expectancy. What does this most accurately indicate?

Accepted Answer

A strong positive association between exercise and life expectancy

Answer

Exercise directly causes longer life

Answer

85% of people who exercise live longer

Answer

Life expectancy increases by 85% with exercise

A passage states hospitals in city A have better outcomes than hospitals in city B.City A hospitals are larger.The author concludes larger hospitals produce better outcomes.What weakens this?

A passage states hospitals in city A have better outcomes than hospitals in city B.
City A hospitals are larger.
The author concludes larger hospitals produce better outcomes.
What weakens this?