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The expression ‘verbal
reasoning’ is often used interchangeably
with ‘verbal ability’ and
‘verbal
aptitude’. As far as psychometric tests
are concerned the two terms ‘verbal ability’ and ‘verbal aptitude’ are
interchangeable. However the same does not apply to the term ‘verbal
reasoning’ which does have a specific meaning and should really only
be used to describe a specific type of verbal
ability test.

There are basically two types of questions that appear in verbal ability
tests. Speed
questions are so straightforward that with unlimited time
almost everyone taking the test could answer them all. However, the time
allowed to complete the test is so short that even the ablest person
would find it difficult to finish. This means that the result depends
on the number of correct answers made in the relatively short time allowed.
In contrast, power questions vary in difficulty and no one is expected
to get all of the answers correct even with unlimited time.
Spelling, Grammar and Word Meaning
Questions where you have to identify incorrectly spelt words or demonstrate
that you can use correct grammar are common in all levels of verbal
ability tests. These are speed questions in that you don’t need to
‘reason out’ the answer. You either know it or you don’t.
Verbal Critical Reasoning
Unlike spelling, grammar and word
meaning questions, these questions
are not designed to measure your facility with English. They are designed
to test your ability to take a series of facts expressed in words and
to understand and manipulate the information to solve a specific problem.
In other words they are a test of your ‘reasoning’ ability.
Verbal Reasoning Example Questions
1) |
Ian paid more for his car than did
Simon.
Simon paid less for his car than did Hubert.
Peter paid more for his car than did Sarah.
Sarah paid the same amount for her car as did Hubert.
If the above information is true, which of the following must
also be true? |
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A |
Ian paid more for his car than did
Peter. |
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B |
Sarah paid less for her car than did
Simon. |
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C |
Simon paid less for his car than did
Peter. |
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D |
Ian paid more for his car than did
Hubert. |
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E |
Sarah paid less for her car than did
Ian. |
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Answer = C |
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2) |
The founder members of the European
Union have comprehensive welfare systems to ensure that their citizens
are cared for if they are unable to work. There is no reason why
the countries which have recently joined the European Union should
not provide similar welfare systems for their own citizens.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument? |
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A |
The European Union does not specify
how a member state should run its own welfare system. |
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B |
Some of the newer members of the European
Union have large populations. |
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C |
Welfare systems encourage people to
avoid getting a job. |
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D |
Some of the newer members of the European
Union were previously communist countries. |
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E |
Some of the newer members of the European
Union do not have such developed economies as the founder members. |
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Answer = E |
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3) |
During the past four days over one
hundred students at the university have reported symptoms of amoebic
food poisoning, but only five students have tested positive for
the condition. A public health inspector claims that this apparent
outbreak can be attributed to a consignment of pork used by the
refectory as an ingredient in a variety of meals served four days
ago.
Which of the following statements best supports the health inspectors
claims? |
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A |
Food poisoning symptoms last only a
few days. |
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B |
The university refectory provides meals
to over one thousand students a day. |
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C |
People with amoebic food poisoning
often do not exhibit symptoms for five days after contracting it. |
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D |
A person can test positive for amoebic
food poisoning without exhibiting any symptoms. |
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E |
People with amoebic food poisoning
do not usually test positive until at least four days after the
onset of symptoms. |
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Answer = E |
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4) |
Geraldine earns more than Maria. But
since Sophie earns more than Anne, it follows that Geraldine earns
more than Anne.
Which of the following statements does not support the conclusion
above? |
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A |
Maria earns more than Anne. |
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B |
Maria earns more than Sophie. |
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C |
Sophie earns more than Geraldine. |
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D |
Maria and Sophie earn the same. |
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E |
Geraldine and Sophie earn the same. |
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Answer = C |
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5) |
The principality of Angora
has a population of 100,000. Exactly 60% of the population are
citizens of the principality and 50% are over 21 years of age.
How many people are eligible to vote? |
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Statement 1 - |
Exactly 80% of citizens complete their
national service. |
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Statement 2 - |
Only citizens over 21 years of age
who have completed their national service are permitted to vote. |
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Which of the statements
above make it possible to answer the question. |
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A |
Statement 1 alone is
sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient. |
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B |
Statement 2 alone is
sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient. |
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C |
Both statements together are
sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient. |
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D |
Each statement alone is
sufficient. |
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E |
Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient. |
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Answer
= E |
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6) |
There are two standing
stones in a field. The first casts a shadow 4 metres long and the
second casts a shadow 5 metres long. How tall is the second standing
stone? |
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Statement 1 - |
The first standing stone is 3 meters
tall. |
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Statement 2 - |
The stones are 20 metres apart. |
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Which of the statements
above make it possible to answer the question. |
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A |
Statement 1 alone is
sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient. |
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B |
Statement 2 alone is
sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient. |
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C |
Both statements together are
sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient. |
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D |
Each statement alone is
sufficient. |
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E |
Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient. |
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Answer
= A |
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Preparing for a Verbal Reasoning Test
If you are told that you need to sit a verbal
reasoning test as part
of the job selection process and you want to prepare for it properly,
then you should ask which type of questions it contains. Specifically,
is it just verbal reasoning or does it also contain spelling, grammar
and word meaning items. Once you have the answer to this question
you can run through the free downloadable
verbal reasoning example questions on this website to give yourself
the best chance of success in the real test.
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