Passage Interpretation in Verbal Test
Verbal aptitude tests comprising true, false, cannot say questions are used to evaluate the extent to which you can make quick and accurate judgements of written information. To obtain good score in verbal reasoning it is important that you undertake practice tests in order to train your brain in underlying logic. The below section focuses on how to interpret information in the text passage and provides step by step explanations.
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Don't bring your own understanding
Let’s read the text and evaluate the first statement. Note that for a statement to be: a) true - the text must clearly support the information in the statement; b) false - statement must contradict the information in the passage; c) cannot say - neither option can be concluded.
Nickel cadmium batteries are used in electric drills.
The third sentence of the passage suggests that nickel cadmium is used to produce rechargeable batteries which are commonly used in laptops, cell phones or other portable devices. Some candidates may argue that electric drills may belong to the group of portable devices and thus determine the statement as true. Nevertheless, in verbal aptitude test to determine the argument to be true you need to find supporting evidence. As the passage does not provide enough information as to the types of portable devices we do not know whether electric drills would be one of the devices where such batteries would be used. Hence, if you cannot determine the argument to be true neither false the correct answer must be cannot say.
Make logical inferences
To practice further, set your stopwatch for 30 seconds. Once you write down the answer check the explanation provided.
It can be inferred from the passage that nowadays consumers use rechargeable batteries more than in the past.
How did you get on? Last sentence of the verbal aptitude test passage clearly supports the information given in the statement stating that development in communications technology is enhancing the utilisation of rechargeable batteries and the market is likely to double over the next five years. In other words, from the above passage one may conclude that rechargeable batteries are used more than in the past due to the higher technological development. Even though the text does not directly refer to the level of utilization of rechargeable batteries in the past it may be well understood that if the utilization is enhancing there had to be lower usage of rechargeable batteries in the past compared to present days. Remember, when answering aptitude questions that test your verbal reasoning skills you need to pay close attention to the finest detail before marking your answer. You need to make logical inferences based on the information you are provided with. To read more about this subject please refer to inferences in verbal reasoning tests which will provide you with further step by step explanations.
Focus on information provided
Again, to continue with your preparation try to evaluate the below argument within 30 seconds. Start now.
Rechargeable batteries are more popular than alkaline batteries.
To determine the above argument to be true you need to find evidence that will indicate that popularity of rechargeable batteries is greater than that of alkaline batteries. Based on the last sentence of the paragraph many test takers may fall into the trap and quickly jump into conclusion to confirm that the statement accurately summarises the arguments of the passage. As you practice for verbal aptitude test it is critical that you pay close attention to information given in the text. Note that the extract clearly states that utilization of rechargeable batteries is enhancing however it does not offer any comparison as to popularity of rechargeable and alkaline batteries. Therefore, the answer to the above question must be cannot say, we cannot determine the statement to be true neither false.