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Verbal Test 2
Solutions Booklet
Instructions
This verbal reasoning test comprises 30 questions, and you will have 25 minutes in which to
correctly answer as many as you can.
You will be presented with a passage to read, and a statement about that passage. For each
statement you must select one of the following answers:
True: The statement follows logically from the information contained in the passage.
False: The statement is logically false from the information contained in the passage.
Cannot Say: It is not possible to determine whether the statement is true or false
without further information.
You will have to work quickly and accurately to perform well in this test. If you don’t know the
answer to a question, leave it and come back to it if you have time.
Try to find a time and place where you will not be interrupted during the test. When you
are ready, begin the test.
Assessment Day
Practice Aptitude TestsMisnomers are words or phrases that suggest a meaning that is a known
falsehood. These often occur when something has already been named, but is
later proven to be different in nature. For example, the term “shooting-stars” is a
well-known misnomer, as shooting-stars are actually meteors, not stars. Similarly,
the Koala bear is quite unrelated to bears, despite looking and acting much like
bears. A misnomer is similar to the concept of an oxymoron, a figure of speech
containing contradictory elements. Very rarely, a phrase or word can be both a
misnomer and an oxymoron, such as the phrases “wireless cable” and “synthetic
natural gas”.
Q1 Koala bears appear similar to bears in appearance.
True False Cannot say
True - The passage states that the koala bear, although unrelated to bears, looks
and acts much like a bear. Therefore, the correct answer is “True”.
Q2 Misnomers are often oxymorons as well.
True False Cannot say
False - The passage states that words or phrases are very rarely simultaneously
oxymorons and misnomers, rather than often. Therefore the correct answer is
“False”.
Q3 Many people are aware that shooting stars are meteors.
True False Cannot say
True - The passage states that the term “shooting-stars” is a well-known misnomer,
so by definition, it must be well known that shooting stars are not stars, but meteors.
Therefore, the correct answer is “True”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q4 The Koala bear was once thought to be a true bear.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - Although it is misnomers often occur because something is later proven
to be different, it is not certain to be the case in this instance. Therefore, the correct
answer is “Cannot Say”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.The Axolotl, also known as the Mexican walking fish, is a neotenic salamander native to
Mexico. Despite the name, Axolotls are amphibians, but live exclusively in the water and
bear a strong resemblance to fish. Axolotls are a model example of neoteny, the
retention of juvenile characteristics throughout adulthood. This neoteny makes the adult
Axolotl appear more tadpole-like than fully grown salamanders; as a result the Axolotl
requires less food than fully matured salamanders. Unfortunately, due to the draining of
lake Chalco and the urbanization of Mexico city, the Axolotl was declared extinct in the
wild in 2013. Never the less, Axolotls are frequently kept as pets, and are extensively
studied by biologists due to their extensive regenerative abilities.
Q5 The Axolotl is dissimilar in appearance to fish.
True False Cannot say
False - The passage states that the Axolotl bears a strong resemblance to fish, rather
than appearing dissimilar in appearance to fish. Therefore, the correct answer is
“False”.
Q6 Axolotls never reach adulthood.
True False Cannot say
False - Although neoteny makes the axolotl appear juvenile, the definition of neoteny
is the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood. As a result, Axolotls must
reach adulthood to be examples of neoteny. Therefore, the correct answer is “False”.
Q7 Fully matured salamanders require more food than the Axolotl.
True False Cannot say
True - The passage states that the Axolotl requires less food than other fully matured
salamanders. Therefore, the correct answer is “True”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q8 Amphibians live exclusively in the water.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - Although the passage states that the Axolotl lives exclusively in the
water, it is not stated whether all amphibians do so. Therefore, the correct answer is
“Cannot Say”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Cash crops are agriculturally grown plants whose function is to generate a return
on investment. Subsistence-crops, unlike cash crops, are grown to meet the
needs of those producing them, rather than for sale as commodities. Virtually all
crops grown in developed countries are sold for profit, and crops such as coffee,
tea and tobacco are well known examples of cash crops. Cash crop exports
however, from developing countries, have been blamed for a variety of serious
economic problems. Because cash crops are exported internationally at prices
unaffordable to the local populous, locals are prevented from purchasing the
crops themselves or using the farmland to subsistence farm, resulting in
economic stagnation and even food shortages.
Q9 The export of cash crops can result in food shortages.
True False Cannot say
True - The passage states that the export of cash crops prevents locals from
purchasing the crops themselves, resulting in economic stagnation and food
shortages. Therefore, the correct answer is “True”.
Q10 Subsistence crops, if sold, will not generate a return on investment.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The passage does not stated that subsistence crops would not
generate a ROI, only that they are not grown for this purpose. Therefore, the correct
answer is “Cannot Say”.
Q11 Cash crops could not be used to meet the needs of farmers.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The passage does not state that cash crops could not be used to meet
famers needs, only that they are not grown for this purpose. Therefore, the correct
answer is “Cannot Say”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q12 Coffee can be sold to generate a return on investment.
True False Cannot say
True - The passages provide coffee as an example of a cash crop, which by
definition can be sold to generate a return on investment. Therefore, the correct
answer is “True”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Experimental finance is the study of financial and economic concepts using
experimental and quasi-experimental research. Although traditionally, finance and
economic research focuses on observational and theoretical work, experimental
finance aims to test the validity of financial and economic theory. The majority of
experimental finance research frequently employs laboratory experiments, often
using behavioural finance principles. Although experimental finance works well for
testing behavioural/microeconomic concepts, experimental and quasi-experimental
research is impossible on larger scales. On a nationwide scale, observations are the
only opportunity for study via experimental finance. When governments or regulatory
bodies implement economic or financial policy, researchers can observe the effects
on the economic environment. Publications and recommendations made by
regulatory bodies are often considered when determining economic policies.
Q13 Experimental finance researchers conduct quasi experimental research.
True False Cannot say
True - The passage states that experimental finance research uses both
experimental and quasi-experimental research. Therefore, the correct answer is
“True”.
Q14 Quasi experiments can be applied at the national level in experimental
finance.
True False Cannot say
False - The passage states that, on a nationwide scale, observations are the only
opportunity for study via experimental finance, rather than Quasi experiments.
Therefore, the correct answer is “False”.
Q15 Regulatory bodies cannot influence economic policy.
True False Cannot say
False - The passage states that both governments and regulatory bodies can
implement economic or financial policy. There is a slight difference in the meanings
of the words ‘implement’ and ‘influence’ which can lead to ambiguity. The last
sentence in the passage clarifies that the work produced by regulatory bodies is
taken into account during policy-making, so we are told that they do have some
influence over policies in general. Therefore, the correct answer is “False”.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Britain is still firmly committed to the EXOMars Robot project even though the scope
and the cost have grown since it was first initiated. The scope of the project has
changed dramatically, mainly due to the inflated expectations of scientists.
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), this change in direction justifies
the almost doubling of the original budget. The increased cost will however have to
be met by the participating countries that originally signed up to fund this
programme. Both Italy, the project leader which provided much of the initial
programme funding, and Britain, will have to significantly increase their contribution
of funding for the EXOMars project. Britain does not begrudge its contributions as it
considers that this project makes the most of its expertise in robotics. To date Britain
has not been involved in other high-profile ESA programmes such as the Columbus
science laboratory and the Arius Rocket project, which could explain why they are
not dragging their heels on this. The ESA now hopes to send the robot to Mars by
2020.
Q16 Britain is the project leader for the EXOMars project.
True False Cannot say
False - The fifth sentence says that “Both Italy, the project leader which provided
much of the initial programme funding…”. So we are told that Italy is the project
leader. “The leader” means there is only one, so Britain cannot be the leader of this
project.
Q17 Britain feels reluctant about its spending on the EXOMars project.
True False Cannot say
False - The sixth sentence says that “Britain does not begrudge its contributions [to
the EXOMars project]”. The passage then goes on to say “they are not dragging their
heels on this”. So we are told that Britain is not reluctant about the EXOMars project.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q18 Historically, Britain has tried to avoid ESA high-profile missions.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The seventh sentence says “To date Britain has not been involved in
other high-profile ESA programmes“. However the passage does not tell us if this is
because Britain has or has not tried to avoid being involved. No explanation is given
for Britain's non-participation in other ESA high-profile missions. Therefore based on
the information in the passage alone, we cannot say for sure if Britain has or hasn’t
tried to avoid these missions.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Predicting earthquakes using observable phenomena like phases of the moon,
cloud formations, weather conditions or animal behaviour is a controversial and,
some would say, impossible task. There is little or no verifiable evidence to link
any of these phenomena to predictions of actual seismic activity. Early detection,
as a means of advance warning, is far more reliable than future prediction and
can be done by measuring primary waves (referred to as P-Waves). Prediction is
much flakier science than detection. These non-destructive waves travel faster
through the earth's crust than the harmful and destructive secondary waves and
so can provide a valuable, albeit short, advance warning. This effect of different
speed waves can be likened to the relationship between light and sound; we see
lightning before we hear the thunder. Some people believe that animals can
detect P-Waves and that this is what causes them to start behaving strangely.
Other possibilities of animal’s behaviour shortly before an earthquake are that
they are reacting to the low-frequency electromagnetic signals caused by the
fracturing of crystalline rock during the early stages of an earthquake.
Q19 Methods of detecting earthquakes are more reliable than methods of
predicting earthquakes.
True False Cannot say
True - The third sentence tells us that “Early detection, as a means of advance
warning, is far more reliable than future prediction”. The passage goes on to say
“Prediction is much flakier science than detection”.
Q20 Primary waves travel at a similar speed to sound waves.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The fifth sentence says “This effect of different speed waves can be
likened to the relationship between light and sound”. However the passage makes no
mention of the velocity of a P-Wave nor a sound wave, so we cannot say if they are
similar. All we are told is that primary waves travel faster than the harmful secondary
waves of an earthquake, which is the same concept as sound vs. light waves.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q21 Electromagnetic signals can be caused by the fracturing of crystalline rock.
True False Cannot say
True - The last sentence says that “the low-frequency electromagnetic signals
caused by the fracturing of crystalline rock…”. So we are told that the fracturing of
crystalline rock causes low-frequency electromagnetic signals.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Scientists have been able to successfully genetically modify plants, animals and
micro-organisms for a number of years. They do this by manipulating genes to
produce genetic changes, which could in theory occur naturally. Supporters of
genetically modified (GM) organisms claim that the benefits, such as being able to
produce crops that are resistant to disease, could help alleviate world food
shortages. Many environmentalists believe that the accidental release of
genetically modified organisms into the environment is genetic pollution and they
fear that the uncontrolled interbreeding of modified organisms with those occurring
naturally will contaminate the environment in unforeseen and possibly dangerous
ways. They point out that experiments done by researchers to reassure the public
about the safety of GM crops have been carried out under scientifically-controlled
conditions which are far-removed from the actual working conditions of food
producers.
Q22 There have been no experiments involving GM crops which have been
carried out in a scientifically-controlled environment.
True False Cannot say
False - The last sentence of the passage states that the results of experiments “done
by researchers to reassure the public about the safety of GM crops have been
carried out under scientifically-controlled conditions…”. So we are told that there
have been such experiments undertaken in a scientifically-controlled environment.
Q23 Genetic change in plants could occur without the intervention of humans.
True False Cannot say
True - The second sentence of the passage refers to the manipulation of genes to
produce genetic changes “which could in theory occur naturally”
Q24 Some people expect global food shortages without the use of GM crops.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The passage does not tell us if this view is or is not held by anyone.
The passage comments only that supporters of genetic modification claim that GM
crops could help alleviate current shortages. Helping to alleviate shortages is not the
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.same as expecting food shortages, so we are not told whether this statement is true
or false and must answer Cannot Say.
The carbonated soft-drinks industry is the most profitable drinks industry. There are
three reasons for this. Firstly, the cost of producing carbonated drinks, such as cola
and lemonade, costs the producer a fraction of the item’s selling price to make.
Secondly, carbonated soft-drinks are purchased by the largest cross-section of
society. Not only are soft-drinks popular amongst children and teenagers, they are
a common addition to alcoholic beverages and often chosen by adults wishing to
avoid alcohol. So the large target-audience of soft-drinks is another factor which
contributes to the profitability of such products. Finally, research suggests that
certain carbonated soft-drinks contain chemicals which have a mildly addictive
quality. Caffeine is one such substance but there may be others. Therefore, many
consumers of carbonated drinks are likely to be affected by such substances,
leading to repeat purchases and even dependence. Such factors are to the
advantage of the industry and lead to the increased profitability of their products but
are frowned upon by industry regulators.
Q25 Adults are more likely to buy a soft drink than an alcoholic drink.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The passage does not tell us how likely an adult is to buy either a soft
drink or an alcoholic drink. We are told that “carbonated soft-drinks are purchased by
the largest cross-section of society” and that “they are a common addition to
alcoholic beverages and often chosen by adults wishing to avoid alcohol”.
Q26 A can of carbonated soft drink will make more profit than a can of non-
carbonated drink.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The first sentence tells us that “The carbonated soft-drinks industry is
the most profitable drinks industry”. However this statement refers to the industry as
a whole and does not tell us how profitable each unit sold is. Also, the statement is a
sweeping one covering every single can of soft drink – whereas again the passage
just generalises about the industry as a whole.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.Q27 Caffeine is mildly addictive.
True False Cannot say
True - The eighth sentence says “Caffeine is one such substance” referring to the
previous sentence on mildly addictive chemicals. So we are told that caffeine is a
mildly addictive substance.
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prior written permission from AssessmentDay.There are statistics which suggest that in some of the most underdeveloped
countries almost one half of the population is aged between 10 and 19. These
countries have experienced a much smaller decrease in birth rates than has been
seen in more developed countries. Charities and other agencies are calling for
additional funds to be made available to provide improved education for these
young people as well as easier access to contraception. Aside from this is also a
global increase in the number of people aged 65 or older. In the next 50 years,
95% of this increase will happen in developing countries like India, while in
countries such as Japan, Germany and Italy the percentage of the population aged
65 or more is set to rise to 40%. Increases in the numbers of the very young and
the very old place stress on societies, and governments may find it difficult to cope
with the demands of an increasing number of dependent elderly citizens in addition
to providing healthcare and education for the young.
Q28 The percent of the population under the age of 19 is higher in developing
countries than it is in developed countries.
True False Cannot say
Cannot say - The first sentence says “suggest that in some of the most
underdeveloped countries almost one half of the population is aged between 10 and
19”. However this percentage is not compared with the percentage in developed
countries, so we are not able to say for sure whether the figure is higher for
developing countries or for developed countries.
Q29 The world as a whole is seeing more people over the age of 65.
True False Cannot say
True - The fourth sentence says “Aside from this is also a global increase in the
number of people aged 65 or older”. So regardless of what is happening in
developing countries we are told that overall globally the number of over 65 year olds
is increasing.
Q30 Declines in birth rates are not limited to developed countries.
True False Cannot say
True - The second sentence says that “These countries [underdeveloped countries]
have experienced a much smaller decrease in birth rates than has been seen in
more developed countries”. So we are told that both developed and underdeveloped
countries are seeing a reduction in birth rate, albeit to differing degrees.
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