UCAT Verbal Reasoning 6

Question 1

A passage argues that lowering the voting age to 16 would improve democracy. It notes 16-year-olds pay taxes. Which is the strongest counter-argument within the passage's own framework?

Accepted Answer

Many 16-year-olds do not pay taxes, so the tax argument does not apply universally

Answer

Young people lack political knowledge

Answer

Democracy is already working well

Answer

Voting age changes are irreversible

Question 2

Passage: 'Private schools produce more Oxbridge entrants per pupil than state schools.' The author argues this proves private schools provide better education. Identify the flaw.

Accepted Answer

Oxbridge entry is one narrow measure of educational quality, and other factors influence it

Answer

Private schools are simply better funded

Answer

State school pupils are less able

Answer

Oxbridge prefers private school applicants

Question 3

A text states that a drug trial was 'double-blind'. This means:

Accepted Answer

Neither participants nor researchers knew who received the drug or placebo

Answer

The drug was tested twice

Answer

Participants were blind to side effects

Answer

Two independent labs assessed results

Question 4

Passage: 'Countries with higher chocolate consumption have more Nobel Prize winners per capita.' The best interpretation of this finding is:

Accepted Answer

This is a spurious correlation — both are likely linked to national wealth

Answer

Chocolate enhances cognitive function

Answer

Nobel Prize winners eat more chocolate

Answer

Wealthy countries invest more in both

Question 5

A doctor says: 'In my experience, patients who stay positive recover better.' This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Anecdotal evidence — personal experience is subject to recall and selection bias

Answer

Strong clinical evidence

Answer

A proven medical fact

Answer

An irrelevant observation

Question 6

'This treatment is natural, therefore it is safe.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Appeal to nature fallacy — natural things can be harmful and synthetic things can be safe

Answer

Valid scientific reasoning

Answer

Anecdotal evidence

Answer

An ad hominem argument

A passage argues that lowering the voting age to 16 would improve democracy.It notes 16-year-olds pay taxes.Which is the strongest counter-argument within the passage's own framework?

A passage argues that lowering the voting age to 16 would improve democracy.
It notes 16-year-olds pay taxes.
Which is the strongest counter-argument within the passage's own framework?