Verification of Truth Practice Test Questions - Verbal Reasoning -- Free Practice

Question 1

What is found necessarily in a rainbow?

A

Clouds✓✗

B

Thunder✓✗

C

Colours✓✗

D

Wind✓✗

Explanation

A rainbow is made of colours, so colours are always present in it. Clouds, thunder and wind are not part of a rainbow.

Question 2

Yesterday I saw a piece of paper that had already been burnt to ash in a bonfire. Such a piece of paper can ______ be used for writing again.

A

Always✓✗

B

Never✓✗

C

Often✓✗

D

Sometimes✓✗

Explanation

Once paper has burnt to ash it is destroyed, so it can never be used for writing again.

Question 3

A coin always has

A

A portrait✓✗

B

A hole✓✗

C

A date✓✗

D

Two sides✓✗

Explanation

Every coin has two sides (faces). Portraits, holes and dates are found only on some coins.

Question 4

Which one of the following is always found in "Honesty"?

A

Wealth✓✗

B

Truthfulness✓✗

C

Fame✓✗

D

Humour✓✗

Explanation

An honest person is always truthful. Wealth, fame and humour have nothing to do with honesty.

Question 5

A triangle always has

A

A right angle✓✗

B

Equal sides✓✗

C

Three angles✓✗

D

Parallel sides✓✗

Explanation

Every triangle, of any kind, has three angles. A right angle and equal sides are found only in some triangles, and a triangle has no parallel sides.

Question 6

Read the passage and examine each inference below, marking:
A) Definitely true
B) Probably true
C) Data provided is inadequate
D) Probably false
E) Definitely false

"A recent survey shows that India has the lowest death rate for blood cancer. China, Thailand and Myanmar (countries that have a taste for spices) also have low rates. Higher rates are found in the U.S.A. where spices are not used. The typical American food remains chicken rolls, butter and beef."

Inferences:
(i) Americans are unorthodox in their food habits.
(ii) Americans dislike spices.
(iii) Spices prevent blood cancer.
(iv) Chicken rolls, butter and beef promote cancer.

A

i. a, ii. c, iii. a, iv. a✓✗

B

i. d, ii. c, iii. b, iv. b✓✗

C

i. c, ii. c, iii. d, iv. a✓✗

D

i. d, ii. a, iii. a, iv. b✓✗

Explanation

(i) Chicken rolls, butter and beef are the usual American diet, so calling it unorthodox is probably false. (ii) The passage says only that spices are not used, not why: data inadequate. (iii) and (iv) The passage shows only that low cancer rates go with spicy diets and higher rates with the American diet. That makes both inferences probably true, but not definitely true. So the answer is i. d, ii. c, iii. b, iv. b.

Question 7

Read the passage and examine each inference below, marking:
A) Definitely true
B) Probably true
C) Data provided is inadequate
D) Probably false
E) Definitely false

"A radical new surgery procedure, laughed at not long ago, is holding out fresh hope for patients of cardiac myopathy, or enlargement of the heart. The technique, now in India, allows patients to go home two weeks after the operation, to lead a near-normal sedentary life. Cardiac myopathy is a condition that has a variety of causative factors. An attack from one of the 20 identified viruses, parasite infection, long term alcohol abuse and blood pressure could bring it on, and in rare cases it could follow child birth and is even known to run in families. The condition is marked by an increase in the size of the heart's chambers and a decrease in the efficiency of pumping."

Inferences:
(i) Cardiac myopathy is hereditary.
(ii) The new technique was never tried in India in the past.
(iii) Earlier the patients suffering from cardiac myopathy were required to travel abroad for such operation.

A

i. b, ii. a, iii. c✓✗

B

i. c, ii. a, iii. b✓✗

C

i. b, ii. c, iii. a✓✗

D

i. a, ii. b, iii. c✓✗

Explanation

(i) The condition "is known to run in families," which supports (but does not conclusively prove) heredity -- probably true. (ii) "The technique, now in India" implies the technique has only just been introduced to India -- definitely true that it was not tried there before. (iii) No information is given about where patients had to travel earlier -- data inadequate.

Question 8

Read the passage and examine each inference below, marking:
A) Definitely true
B) Probably true
C) Data provided is inadequate
D) Probably false
E) Definitely false

"The Haldia project, after being in a planning stage for many years, will ultimately become a reality with the joint participation of the government of West Bengal and the House of Tatas. The letter of intent has been received in November 1991. The project will fulfil a long-felt need of modernisation of industry in Eastern India. The economic development of this region has also suffered a lot."

Inferences:
(i) The planning of the Haldia project started in the year 1984.
(ii) There is no industry in Eastern India.
(iii) Apart from West Bengal, other neighbouring states will also be benefited by the project.

A

i. c, ii. e, iii. b✓✗

B

i. a, ii. c, iii. a✓✗

C

i. b, ii. d, iii. c✓✗

D

i. c, ii. e, iii. a✓✗

Explanation

(i) The passage says only that the project was planned for "many years" before 1991, so the year 1984 cannot be confirmed: data inadequate. (ii) The passage speaks of modernising the industry in Eastern India, so "there is no industry" is definitely false. (iii) The project is to serve the industry of Eastern India as a whole, so other neighbouring states will probably benefit too: probably true. So the answer is i. c, ii. e, iii. b.

Question 9

If you stand facing north in the evening, the setting sun will be on your left.

A

Always✓✗

B

Never✓✗

C

Often✓✗

D

Sometimes✓✗

Explanation

The sun always sets in the west. When you face north, the west is on your left, so the setting sun is always on your left.

Question 10

If you walk towards the west early in the morning, the sun will be in front of you.

A

Always✓✗

B

Never✓✗

C

Often✓✗

D

Sometimes✓✗

Explanation

Early in the morning the sun is in the east. Walking towards the west, the east is behind you, so the sun can never be in front of you.

Question 11

A nine-year-old girl is taller than her eleven-year-old brother.

A

Always✓✗

B

Never✓✗

C

Often✓✗

D

Sometimes✓✗

Explanation

Children grow at different rates, so a younger child is taller than an older one in some families but not in most. The statement is true only sometimes.

Question 12

A younger sister weighs more than her elder brother.

A

Always✓✗

B

Never✓✗

C

Often✓✗

D

Sometimes✓✗

Explanation

Weight depends on build, health and growth, not only on age, so this happens in some families and not in others. It is true only sometimes.

Question 13

What is always present in fear?

A

Darkness✓✗

B

Apprehension✓✗

C

Crying✓✗

D

Enemies✓✗

Explanation

Fear is, by its nature, a feeling of apprehension about something bad that may happen. Darkness, crying and enemies may go with fear in some cases, but fear can exist without any of them.

Question 14

What is always present in happiness?

A

Wealth✓✗

B

Laughter✓✗

C

Contentment✓✗

D

Friends✓✗

Explanation

Happiness always involves a feeling of contentment. A person can be happy without wealth, without laughing at that moment, and even when alone.

Question 15

Which one of the following is always associated with a 'river'?

A

Fish✓✗

B

Boats✓✗

C

Water✓✗

D

Bridges✓✗

Explanation

A river is a natural stream of flowing water, so water is part of what a river is. Many rivers have no fish, boats or bridges.

Question 16

Which one of the following is always associated with a 'book'?

A

Pictures✓✗

B

Pages✓✗

C

Index✓✗

D

Chapters✓✗

Explanation

A book is made up of pages. Many books have no pictures, no index and no chapters.

Question 17

Which one of the following is always associated with 'courage'?

A

Recklessness✓✗

B

Bravery✓✗

C

Weapons✓✗

D

Victory✓✗

Explanation

Courage means bravery in the face of danger or difficulty. A courageous act need not be reckless, need not involve weapons and need not end in victory.

Question 18

Which one of the following is always associated with 'friendship'?

A

Trust✓✗

B

Gifts✓✗

C

Similarity✓✗

D

Wealth✓✗

Explanation

Friendship cannot exist without trust between the friends. Gifts, similar tastes and wealth are not necessary for a friendship.

Question 19

A bicycle always has

A

Gears✓✗

B

A bell✓✗

C

Wheels✓✗

D

A carrier✓✗

Explanation

A bicycle cannot work without wheels. Gears, a bell and a carrier are extras that many bicycles do not have.

Question 20

A chair always has

A

Arms✓✗

B

Wheels✓✗

C

A seat✓✗

D

Cushions✓✗

Explanation

A chair is a piece of furniture for sitting on, so it always has a seat. Many chairs have no arms, no wheels and no cushions.

Question 21

What is found necessarily in an election?

A

Posters✓✗

B

Voters✓✗

C

Rallies✓✗

D

Television debates✓✗

Explanation

An election is a choice made by voters, so it cannot take place without them. Posters, rallies and television debates are common but not necessary.

Question 22

What is found necessarily in a debate?

A

An audience✓✗

B

Judges✓✗

C

Arguments✓✗

D

Microphones✓✗

Explanation

A debate is an exchange of arguments, so arguments are always present. A debate can be held without an audience, judges or microphones.

Question 23

What is found necessarily in an orchestra?

A

Musicians✓✗

B

An audience✓✗

C

A stage✓✗

D

Tickets✓✗

Explanation

An orchestra is a group of musicians, so it cannot exist without them. An orchestra can rehearse without an audience, a stage or tickets.

Question 24

What is found necessarily in a school?

A

Students✓✗

B

A playground✓✗

C

Uniforms✓✗

D

A library✓✗

Explanation

A school exists to teach students, so it always has them. Many schools have no playground, no uniforms and no library.

Question 25

Which one of the following is always found in a hospital?

A

Doctors✓✗

B

An operation theatre✓✗

C

A canteen✓✗

D

A parking area✓✗

Explanation

A hospital is a place where doctors treat patients, so doctors are always found there. Small hospitals may have no operation theatre, canteen or parking area.

Question 26

Which one of the following is always found in a library?

A

Computers✓✗

B

Newspapers✓✗

C

A cafeteria✓✗

D

Books✓✗

Explanation

A library is a collection of books, so books are always found in it. Many libraries have no computers, newspapers or cafeteria.

Question 27

A circle always has

A

Corners✓✗

B

A centre✓✗

C

Sides✓✗

D

Diagonals✓✗

Explanation

Every point of a circle is at the same distance from its centre, so every circle has a centre. A circle has no corners, no straight sides and no diagonals.

Question 28

A sound always has

A

Words✓✗

B

Music✓✗

C

A source✓✗

D

An echo✓✗

Explanation

Every sound is produced by something that vibrates, that is, a source. Many sounds have no words and are not music, and an echo is heard only in some places.

Question 29

Which of the following best supports the claim that a new medicine works?

A

The company's advertisements✓✗

B

Results of controlled clinical trials✓✗

C

The opinion of a famous actor✓✗

D

The number of people who have heard of it✓✗

Explanation

Controlled clinical trials test the medicine against a comparison group and give objective evidence. Advertisements, a celebrity's opinion and popularity do not show whether the medicine works.

Question 30

What is needed before a news report can be called accurate?

A

It has been shared widely✓✗

B

It agrees with the reader's views✓✗

C

It is confirmed by facts✓✗

D

It has a dramatic headline✓✗

Explanation

A report is accurate only if the facts confirm it. Being widely shared, agreeing with the reader or having a dramatic headline says nothing about its accuracy.

Question 31

A scientist claims that a new fertiliser increases crop yield. What should this claim mainly be based on?

A

Results of field trials comparing treated and untreated crops✓✗

B

Farmers' opinions on social media✓✗

C

The price of the fertiliser✓✗

D

The colour of its packaging✓✗

Explanation

Field trials that compare treated and untreated crops give experimental data on the yield. Opinions, price and packaging are not evidence of what the fertiliser does.

Question 32

To test whether a new teaching method improves learning, which evidence is the most useful?

A

How enthusiastic the teacher is✓✗

B

How many posters are put up about it✓✗

C

Whether students say they like it✓✗

D

Test scores of similar students taught with and without the method✓✗

Explanation

Comparing the scores of similar students taught with and without the method measures its effect on learning. Enthusiasm, posters and liking do not measure learning.

Question 33

You receive a forwarded message saying that the government has declared a holiday tomorrow. What is the best way to check it?

A

Forward it to friends and ask what they think✓✗

B

Believe it because many people have shared it✓✗

C

Look for the announcement on the official government website or in reliable news sources✓✗

D

Ignore all news about holidays✓✗

Explanation

Checking official and reliable sources confirms whether the announcement was really made. Asking friends, trusting the number of shares or ignoring the news does not check the claim.

Question 34

A website claims that a famous scientist made a surprising remark. Which step best checks this claim?

A

Look for the remark in reliable, independent sources✓✗

B

Trust the website because it looks professional✓✗

C

Count how many likes the post has✓✗

D

Accept it if it matches your own views✓✗

Explanation

Finding the remark in independent, reliable sources cross-checks the claim. A professional look, likes and agreement with your views are not evidence that the scientist said it.

Question 35

True or False: A claim must be true if most of the people you know believe it.

A

True✓✗

B

False✓✗

Explanation

False. The number of people who believe a claim does not make it true; only evidence can show whether it is true.

Question 36

True or False: A claim that cannot be checked against any evidence cannot be verified as true.

A

True✓✗

B

False✓✗

Explanation

True. Verifying a claim means checking it against evidence, so a claim that no evidence can test cannot be verified.

Question 37

Which of the following statements can be checked objectively?

A

Mountains are more beautiful than beaches.✓✗

B

Summer is the best season of the year.✓✗

C

Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level.✓✗

D

Hindi songs are the most enjoyable songs.✓✗

Explanation

The height of Mount Everest can be measured and compared, so the statement can be checked objectively. The other three are matters of personal taste.

Question 38

Which of the following is a statement of fact rather than an opinion?

A

The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful building in the world.✓✗

B

The Taj Mahal is in Agra.✓✗

C

Agra is a boring city.✓✗

D

White marble is the nicest stone.✓✗

Explanation

The location of the Taj Mahal can be checked, so it is a fact. The other statements express personal judgements.

Question 39

What is a statement that has been tested and found to be true on the basis of evidence called?

A

A hypothesis✓✗

B

An opinion✓✗

C

A rumour✓✗

D

A verified fact✓✗

Explanation

A statement that has been tested against evidence and found true is a verified fact. A hypothesis is still to be tested, an opinion is a personal view and a rumour is unchecked talk.

Question 40

In reasoning, a statement that is put forward for testing but has not yet been proved is called

A

A hypothesis✓✗

B

A fact✓✗

C

A law✓✗

D

A conclusion✓✗

Explanation

A hypothesis is a proposed statement that is still to be tested. A fact and a law have already been established, and a conclusion is drawn after reasoning.

Question 41

When checking a medical claim, which of the following is the most reliable source?

A

A post on social media✓✗

B

A study published in a peer-reviewed medical journal✓✗

C

An advertisement for a health drink✓✗

D

A forwarded chain message✓✗

Explanation

A peer-reviewed study has been checked by other experts before publication. Social media posts, advertisements and chain messages are not checked in this way.

Question 42

When checking the population of a country, which is the most reliable source?

A

A travel blog✓✗

B

A film about the country✓✗

C

The country's official census data✓✗

D

A friend's estimate✓✗

Explanation

An official census counts the population directly. A blog, a film and a friend's estimate are not systematic counts.

Question 43

A friend tells you that a new shop has opened on your street. What is the first step in verifying this?

A

Assume that it is true✓✗

B

Assume that it is false✓✗

C

Tell others about the new shop✓✗

D

Look for evidence, for example by checking the street yourself✓✗

Explanation

Verification begins with gathering evidence. Assuming it true or false, or spreading the news, skips the check altogether.

Question 44

Before deciding whether the claim "Our school's results have improved this year" is true, what should be done first?

A

Collect the results of this year and of earlier years✓✗

B

Find out whether the principal is popular✓✗

C

Decide on the basis of your feelings✓✗

D

Announce the improvement to parents✓✗

Explanation

The first step is to gather the results needed for the comparison. The principal's popularity and your feelings are not evidence, and an announcement comes only after the check.

Question 45

Rahul believes that his favourite cricket team always loses on Sundays, and he remembers only the Sunday matches that it lost. Which error in judging the truth of a claim is this?

A

Confirmation bias✓✗

B

Objective analysis✓✗

C

Fact-checking✓✗

D

Critical thinking✓✗

Explanation

Remembering only the cases that support a belief and ignoring the rest is confirmation bias. Objective analysis, fact-checking and critical thinking are ways of avoiding such errors.

Question 46

Which of the following is a common error when judging whether a claim is true?

A

Checking the claim in several sources✓✗

B

Looking for data that supports or contradicts it✓✗

C

Believing the claim only because a famous person made it✓✗

D

Asking an expert in that field✓✗

Explanation

Accepting a claim only because a famous person made it relies on fame instead of evidence. The other three are sound ways of checking a claim.

Question 47

True or False: Some statements cannot be verified with the evidence that is available.

A

True✓✗

B

False✓✗

Explanation

True. For some statements, such as claims about the distant past or about the future, the available evidence is not enough to settle whether they are true.

Question 48

True or False: Once a statement has been verified, new evidence can never change our judgement of it.

A

True✓✗

B

False✓✗

Explanation

False. A verified statement can be re-examined if new evidence appears, and our judgement may change.