Statement Evaluation in Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning tests that are based on true, false, cannot say questions belong to the group of ability tests commonly used by major graduate employers. To help you with understanding the task, logic and challenges we will explore in detail short passage of verbal reasoning practice test to demonstrate in few easy steps how to go about evaluating statement to select the correct answer. If you wish to see more tutorials, please refer to verbal reasoning test help guide.
Search for relevant information
For the following, consider the text and question below. As in the previous tutorial on argument evaluation in verbal tests it is your task to evaluate the statement to be true (statement must support the information in the passage), false (it must contradict) or cannot say (neither of the options can be concluded).
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A considerable increase in population is the reason behind the increased demand for housing.
If you read through the above passage carefully you will notice that the second sentence provides enough evidence to conclude that the statement must be true. You can conclude that the increase in population is the reason behind the increased demand for housing. However, number of candidates may get mislead and think that immigration is reason behind the housing demand and answer the question incorrectly. Note that immigration is reason behind increase in population however you are only required to confirm the claim of the statement. Remember, in verbal aptitude test you need to pay close attention to finest detail. You can review basics of verbal reasoning tests to become more familiar with forming conclusions, inferences or judgements.
Evaluate information logically
Now let’s review second statement; set your stopwatch for 30 seconds and see whether you can mark it correctly. Start working now.
Communities that are not from rural areas are less likely to be affected by the housing shortage.
Looking at the above statement you can see that the answer is clearly stated in the third sentence of the passage. Hence, you may conclude that there is a lower probability that the communities that are not from rural areas will be affected by housing shortage. Note, when you read the extract carefully you will notice that the statement only requires you to confirm likelihood and not firm fact and thus the answer must be true. Remember, when you practice verbal reasoning you need to select correct answer for correct reason. Thus, during your preparation for verbal aptitude tests don’t guess but rather attempt to think in a logical manner.
Focus on detail in text passage
Again, take no more than 30 seconds to evaluate the below statement. Once you are finished check the explanation below.
Local authorities have failed to deliver housing development in rural areas.
Many people may be tempted to mark the above statement incorrectly and agree to the fact that indeed local authorities have failed to deliver housing development. However, the text clearly states that there have been some improvements and hence this contradicts the statement that authorities have failed to deliver housing development therefore the answer must be false. At times when you practice verbal reasoning you may come across tricky questions that you may be unsure of; however the more tricks you come across in verbal ability tests the greater the chances are that your judgement will improve.