Verbal Reasoning Example Questions

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.

Sample Verbal Reasoning 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?

   1. Ian paid more for his car than did Peter.
   2. Sarah paid less for her car than did Simon.
   3. Simon paid less for his car than did Peter.
   4. Ian paid more for his car than did Hubert.
   5. Sarah paid less for her car than did Ian.
       

   Answer = C

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?

   1. The European Union does not specify how a member state should run its own welfare system.
   2. Some of the newer members of the European Union have large populations.
   3. Welfare systems encourage people to avoid getting a job.
   4. Some of the newer members of the European Union were previously communist countries.
   5. Some of the newer members of the European Union do not have such developed economies as the founder members.

   Answer = E

    

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?

   1. Food poisoning symptoms last only a few days.
   2. The university refectory provides meals to over one thousand students a day.
   3. People with amoebic food poisoning often do not exhibit symptoms for five days after contracting it.
   4. A person can test positive for amoebic food poisoning without exhibiting any symptoms.
   5. People with amoebic food poisoning do not usually test positive until at least four days after the onset of symptoms.

    

   Answer = E

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?
    

   1. Maria earns more than Anne.
   2. Maria earns more than Sophie.
   3. Sophie earns more than Geraldine.
   4. Maria and Sophie earn the same.
   5. Geraldine and Sophie earn the same.

   Answer = C

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?

    

   Statement 1 - Exactly 80% of citizens complete their national service.

   Statement 2 - Only citizens over 21 years of age who have completed their national service are permitted to vote.
    

   Which of the statements above make it possible to answer the question

   1. Statement 1 alone is sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
   2. Statement 2 alone is sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
   3. Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient.
   4. Each statement alone is sufficient.
   5. Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient.

   Answer = E

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?

    

   Statement 1 - The first standing stone is 3 meters tall.

   Statement 2 - The stones are 20 metres apart.

    

   Which of the statements above make it possible to answer the question.

   1. Statement 1 alone is sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
   2. Statement 2 alone is sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
   3. Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient.
   4. Each statement alone is sufficient.
   5. Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient.

   Answer = A

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.

Everything you need to pass psychometric tests

Answers to Verbal Reasoning Questions
1)   B
3)   D
4)   D
5)   D
8)   A