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AOSB Aptitude study materials
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AOSB Aptitude practice questions

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Question 1Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most similar in meaning to 'candid'.

  1. Wealthy
  2. Hesitant
  3. Frank Correct answer.
  4. Cautious

Explanation

'Candid' describes someone who speaks openly and honestly, so 'frank' is the closest synonym. The other options describe caution, wealth, or uncertainty, none of which match openness of speech.

Question 2Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'scarce'.

  1. Costly
  2. Abundant Correct answer.
  3. Fragile
  4. Rare

Explanation

'Scarce' means in short supply, so its antonym is 'abundant', meaning plentiful. 'Rare' is a near synonym rather than an opposite.

Question 3Verbal Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 'Pen is to writer as scalpel is to ____'.

  1. Bandage
  2. Hospital
  3. Patient
  4. Surgeon Correct answer.

Explanation

The relationship is tool to the professional who uses it: a pen is used by a writer, and a scalpel is used by a surgeon. The other options are the setting, the recipient, or another item rather than the user.

Question 4Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

  1. Neither of the officers was present. Correct answer.
  2. Neither of the officers have been present.
  3. Neither of the officers were present.
  4. Neither of the officers are present.

Explanation

'Neither' is singular, so it takes a singular verb: 'neither ... was'. The other options use plural verbs that do not agree with the singular subject.

Question 5Verbal Reasoning

Which word is spelled correctly?

  1. Acomodate
  2. Accommodate Correct answer.
  3. Accomodate
  4. Acommodate

Explanation

The correct spelling doubles both the 'c' and the 'm': 'accommodate'. The other variants omit one of the doubled letters.

Question 6Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The sergeant briefed the recruits before dawn', what is the direct object?

  1. The recruits Correct answer.
  2. The sergeant
  3. Before dawn
  4. Briefed

Explanation

The direct object receives the action of the verb; here the sergeant briefed whom? The recruits. 'The sergeant' is the subject, and 'before dawn' is an adverbial phrase.

Question 7Verbal Reasoning

Which option best completes the sentence: 'She was so tired that she could ____ keep her eyes open.'

  1. hardest
  2. hard
  3. harder
  4. hardly Correct answer.

Explanation

'Hardly' means scarcely or barely, which fits the sense of being too tired to stay awake. 'Hard' as an adverb means with effort, which changes the meaning.

Question 8Verbal Reasoning

A statement that gives the main point of a passage is best called its ____.

  1. caption
  2. thesis Correct answer.
  3. anecdote
  4. footnote

Explanation

A thesis states the central argument or main point of a piece of writing. An anecdote is a short story, a footnote gives supplementary detail, and a caption describes an image.

Question 9Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The bridge was closed for repairs, so commuters who normally drove across it had to find other routes. Many took the longer motorway journey, adding nearly an hour to their day.' Which statement is best supported?

  1. The bridge would never reopen.
  2. The repairs made some journeys significantly longer. Correct answer.
  3. Commuters preferred the motorway to the bridge.
  4. The motorway journey was shorter than the bridge route.

Explanation

The passage states that diverted commuters added nearly an hour, which directly supports the claim that journeys became longer. The text says the motorway route was longer, not shorter, and gives no evidence of preference or permanent closure.

Question 10Verbal Reasoning

'The proposal was met with a lukewarm response.' The word 'lukewarm' most nearly means ____.

  1. hostile
  2. enthusiastic
  3. indifferent Correct answer.
  4. confused

Explanation

'Lukewarm' means only mildly warm, and figuratively it describes a response lacking enthusiasm, i.e. indifferent. It is weaker than outright hostility and far from enthusiasm.

Question 11Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

  1. I packed a map; a compass; and water.
  2. Although it was late; we kept going.
  3. She said; that she would return.
  4. The rain stopped; we continued the march. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses, as in 'The rain stopped; we continued the march.' It should not separate items in a simple list, split a verb from its object, or follow a subordinating conjunction.

Question 12Verbal Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 'Meticulous is to careless as frugal is to ____'.

  1. thrifty
  2. prudent
  3. cautious
  4. extravagant Correct answer.

Explanation

The first pair are opposites: meticulous (very careful) versus careless. Likewise, frugal (sparing with money) is opposite to extravagant (spending freely). The other options are synonyms of frugal.

Question 13Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'Although the training exercise was demanding, the recruits completed it with few errors. The instructors noted that morale remained high throughout.' Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. The exercise was too easy for the recruits.
  2. The exercise was hard but was handled well. Correct answer.
  3. The instructors were dissatisfied with morale.
  4. The recruits struggled badly with the exercise.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the demanding nature of the exercise with the low error rate and high morale, supporting the idea that it was difficult yet managed well. It does not say the exercise was easy or that recruits struggled.

Question 14Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. My brother who lives in Leeds, is a teacher.
  2. My brother, who lives in Leeds, is a teacher. Correct answer.
  3. My brother, who lives in Leeds is a teacher.
  4. My brother who, lives in Leeds is a teacher.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause must be enclosed by a pair of commas: 'who lives in Leeds'. The other options place commas incorrectly, leaving the clause unbalanced.

Question 15Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best fits: 'His argument was so ____ that even his critics found it hard to fault.'

  1. rambling
  2. cogent Correct answer.
  3. vague
  4. tentative

Explanation

'Cogent' means clear and convincing, which explains why even critics struggled to find fault. The other options describe weak or unclear reasoning, which would not trouble critics.

Question 16Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'Having finished the report, the officer filed it', the phrase 'Having finished the report' is a ____.

  1. infinitive phrase
  2. participial phrase Correct answer.
  3. prepositional phrase
  4. gerund phrase

Explanation

The phrase begins with a present participle ('having finished') and modifies the subject 'the officer', making it a participial phrase. A gerund phrase would function as a noun, and an infinitive would begin with 'to'.

Question 17Verbal Reasoning

'The committee decided to defer the decision until the next meeting.' The word 'defer' most nearly means ____.

  1. approve
  2. announce
  3. postpone Correct answer.
  4. cancel

Explanation

'Defer' means to put off or postpone to a later time, which matches deferring until the next meeting. It does not mean to cancel or to approve.

Question 18Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The village relied on a single well. When it failed in the summer drought, the council drilled a second well, and the community never again faced the same risk.' The passage implies that ____.

  1. the first well was poorly built
  2. the second well eliminated the vulnerability Correct answer.
  3. the council had always planned two wells
  4. the drought destroyed the village

Explanation

The phrase 'never again faced the same risk' implies that the second well removed the vulnerability caused by relying on one source. The passage gives no evidence about the first well's construction or prior plans.

Question 19Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' rather than 'less'?

  1. There was fewer water than expected.
  2. There were fewer applicants than last year. Correct answer.
  3. She spent less hours on the task.
  4. He had less problems this time.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns such as applicants, while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns such as water. The other options wrongly pair 'fewer' with an uncountable noun or 'less' with countable nouns.

Question 20Verbal Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 'Author is to manuscript as composer is to ____'.

  1. concert
  2. score Correct answer.
  3. audience
  4. orchestra

Explanation

An author creates a manuscript, just as a composer creates a score. The relationship is creator to the work produced, not creator to performers or listeners.

Question 21Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'Critics initially dismissed the novel as trivial. Decades later, however, it is studied in schools and cited by scholars, and its author is regarded as a major voice of the period.' The passage suggests that ____.

  1. the novel's reputation improved over time Correct answer.
  2. the critics were correct in their judgement
  3. the novel has been forgotten by scholars
  4. the author wrote only one book

Explanation

The contrast between initial dismissal and later scholarly study shows the novel's standing rose over time. The passage contradicts the critics' judgement and gives no information about the author's other works.

Question 22Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. Walking to the station, the officer was soaked by rain.
  2. As the officer walked to the station, rain soaked him.
  3. The officer, walking to the station, was caught in rain.
  4. Walking to the station, the rain soaked the officer. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase does not logically attach to the subject of the main clause. Here 'walking to the station' seems to describe 'the rain', which is illogical; the other options attach the modifier correctly.

Question 23Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The report's figures were accurate, but its conclusions were not. The data showed a modest rise in costs; the summary, however, declared that costs had fallen sharply.' Which criticism is best supported?

  1. The report contained no figures at all.
  2. The data were fabricated by the authors.
  3. The summary misrepresented the data. Correct answer.
  4. The costs had in fact fallen sharply.

Explanation

The passage states the data showed a modest rise while the summary claimed a sharp fall, so the summary contradicted and misrepresented the data. There is no suggestion the data were fabricated.

Question 24Verbal Reasoning

Choose the option that best restates the sentence without changing its meaning: 'Unless the weather improves, the exercise will be cancelled.'

  1. The exercise will be cancelled if the weather does not improve. Correct answer.
  2. The weather will improve unless the exercise is cancelled.
  3. The exercise will be cancelled only if the weather improves.
  4. If the weather improves, the exercise will be cancelled.

Explanation

'Unless X, Y' means 'if not X, then Y', so the sentence means the exercise is cancelled if the weather fails to improve. The other options reverse the condition or swap the clauses' roles.

Question 25Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'Some argue that speed is the only measure of a runner's ability. Yet endurance, technique and consistency also determine results over a season. A fast runner who fades late will often lose to a steadier competitor.' The main purpose of the passage is to ____.

  1. qualify a claim by noting other important factors Correct answer.
  2. compare two named runners in detail
  3. describe how to train for a season
  4. prove that speed is irrelevant to running

Explanation

The passage challenges the idea that speed alone measures ability by pointing to endurance, technique and consistency, so it qualifies an over-simple claim. It does not dismiss speed entirely or offer a training programme.

Question 26Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the antonym of 'candid'?

  1. Evasive Correct answer.
  2. Frank
  3. Honest
  4. Direct

Explanation

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. 'Candid' means open and truthful, so its opposite is 'evasive', meaning indirect or avoiding commitment.

Question 27Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The instructions were so ____ that even a beginner could follow them.'

  1. ambiguous
  2. explicit Correct answer.
  3. vague
  4. obscure

Explanation

The sentence requires a word meaning clear and detailed, which fits 'explicit'. The other options mean unclear or open to interpretation, which would contradict the idea that a beginner could follow them.

Question 28Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The new safety protocol was introduced after several minor accidents. Since its implementation, reported incidents have fallen by half. However, some workers complain that the protocol slows down routine tasks.' Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. Workers unanimously support the new safety protocol.
  2. The protocol was introduced without any prior incidents.
  3. The protocol has eliminated all accidents in the workplace.
  4. The protocol has reduced reported incidents but may affect efficiency. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage states that reported incidents have fallen by half, indicating a reduction, and that some workers complain of slower routine tasks, indicating a possible effect on efficiency. It does not claim elimination of accidents, unanimous support, or that there were no prior incidents.

Question 29Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the colon correctly?

  1. She brought three items: and a notebook, a pen, and a ruler.
  2. She brought three items a notebook, a pen, and a ruler:
  3. She brought three items: a notebook, a pen, and a ruler. Correct answer.
  4. She brought: three items a notebook, a pen, and a ruler.

Explanation

A colon is used to introduce a list after an independent clause. In the correct sentence, the clause 'She brought three items' is complete and the colon properly introduces the list that follows.

Question 30Verbal Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 'Doctor is to hospital as teacher is to ____'.

  1. lesson
  2. book
  3. student
  4. school Correct answer.

Explanation

The relationship is between a professional and their typical workplace. A doctor works in a hospital, so a teacher works in a school.

Question 31Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog', what is the simple subject?

  1. dog
  2. jumps
  3. fox Correct answer.
  4. quick

Explanation

The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action. Here, 'fox' is the noun that performs the action 'jumps'; the other words are modifiers or objects.

Question 32Verbal Reasoning

Which option best restates the sentence without changing its meaning: 'The manager praised the team for its efficiency, but she noted that costs needed to be reduced.'

  1. Although the manager commended the team's efficiency, she pointed out that costs should be cut. Correct answer.
  2. The manager praised the team's efficiency because costs needed to be reduced.
  3. The manager praised the team for reducing costs and being efficient.
  4. The manager noted that costs needed to be reduced, so she praised the team's efficiency.

Explanation

The original sentence has two parts: praise for efficiency and a note about reducing costs. The correct restatement preserves both ideas and the contrast between them. The other options either reverse the relationship or change the meaning.

Question 33Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'Many people believe that multitasking increases productivity. However, research suggests that switching between tasks actually reduces efficiency, as the brain must constantly readjust. Those who focus on one task at a time often complete it faster and with fewer errors.' Which statement best summarizes the passage?

  1. People who multitask make more errors because they are careless.
  2. Multitasking is essential for productivity in the modern workplace.
  3. Multitasking is often less efficient than focusing on one task. Correct answer.
  4. Research shows that the brain cannot handle any task switching.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the common belief that multitasking increases productivity with research showing it reduces efficiency. The correct summary captures this main point without overstating or adding information.

Question 34Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best fits: 'The witness's account was so ____ that the jury found it impossible to believe.'

  1. credible
  2. implausible Correct answer.
  3. plausible
  4. convincing

Explanation

The sentence indicates the jury could not believe the account, so the word must mean not believable. 'Implausible' means not seeming reasonable or probable, which fits the context.

Question 35Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

  1. She served sandwiches to the children, which were on paper plates.
  2. She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates. Correct answer.
  3. She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children.
  4. On paper plates, she served sandwiches to the children.

Explanation

A misplaced modifier is placed too far from the word it modifies, creating ambiguity. In 'She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates', the phrase 'on paper plates' could modify 'children' rather than 'sandwiches', which is illogical.

Question 36Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The company's profits rose by 10% this quarter, but its market share remained unchanged. Analysts attribute the profit increase to cost-cutting measures rather than to higher sales.' Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

  1. The profit increase was likely due to reduced expenses, not increased sales. Correct answer.
  2. The company's market share grew along with profits.
  3. The company's sales increased significantly this quarter.
  4. Cost-cutting measures led to a decrease in profits.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that analysts attribute the profit increase to cost-cutting rather than higher sales. Therefore, the best-supported conclusion is that reduced expenses, not increased sales, drove the profit rise.

Question 37Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence correctly uses 'who' rather than 'whom'?

  1. To whom did you give the message?
  2. You gave the message to who?
  3. Whom did you give the message to?
  4. Who did you give the message to? Correct answer.

Explanation

'Who' is used as the subject of a verb, while 'whom' is used as the object of a verb or preposition. In 'Who did you give the message to?', 'who' is the subject of the implied verb 'did', making it correct in informal usage, though 'whom' would be more formal.

Question 38Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The proposal was met with skepticism. Critics argued that the data were insufficient and the methodology flawed. However, the committee decided to fund a pilot study, noting that initial results were promising.' Which statement best describes the committee's decision?

  1. The committee funded a pilot study despite criticism, because initial results were promising. Correct answer.
  2. The committee demanded a new methodology before funding.
  3. The committee rejected the proposal due to insufficient data.
  4. The committee fully endorsed the proposal without reservations.

Explanation

The passage states that critics were skeptical, but the committee decided to fund a pilot study because initial results were promising. The correct option captures this contrast and the reason for the decision.

Question 39Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The council approved the new library after months of debate. Supporters pointed to rising literacy rates; opponents questioned the cost. When the vote was taken, three members abstained.' Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. The decision was reached with some members not voting. Correct answer.
  2. The library was approved without any opposition.
  3. Literacy rates fell during the months of debate.
  4. The council rejected the library because of the cost.

Explanation

The passage states that the library was approved and that three members abstained, which means those members did not cast a vote. The other statements contradict details given in the text.

Question 40Verbal Reasoning

Read the passage: 'The bridge was closed for repairs throughout the summer. Local traders reported a sharp fall in footfall, and several shops shortened their opening hours. By autumn, however, most had recovered once traffic returned.' Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. The closure of the bridge harmed local trade while it lasted. Correct answer.
  2. Traffic levels were unaffected by the repair work.
  3. Local traders expected the repairs to be completed quickly.
  4. The shops that shortened their hours never reopened fully.

Explanation

The passage links the summer closure to a fall in footfall and reduced opening hours, so it supports the claim that trade suffered during the closure. It also notes recovery by autumn, which limits the claim to the period of the closure. The other statements introduce details or outcomes the passage does not state.

Question 41Numerical Reasoning

A patrol covers 18 km in 3 hours. At the same average speed, how far does it cover in 5 hours?

  1. 24 km
  2. 30 km Correct answer.
  3. 36 km
  4. 27 km

Explanation

Average speed equals distance divided by time, so 18 ÷ 3 = 6 km/h. Multiplying that rate by 5 hours gives 30 km.

Question 42Numerical Reasoning

A map has a scale of 1:50,000. A straight road measures 7 cm on the map. What is its real length in kilometres?

  1. 0.35 km
  2. 35 km
  3. 7 km
  4. 3.5 km Correct answer.

Explanation

Each centimetre represents 50,000 cm, so 7 cm represents 350,000 cm. Dividing by 100,000 to convert centimetres to kilometres gives 3.5 km.

Question 43Numerical Reasoning

What is 15% of 240?

  1. 32
  2. 36 Correct answer.
  3. 24
  4. 40

Explanation

Fifteen per cent means 15/100, and 240 × 0.15 = 36. A quick check is that 10% is 24 and 5% is 12, and 24 + 12 = 36.

Question 44Numerical Reasoning

A squad of 12 soldiers has food for 20 days. If 4 more soldiers join, how many days will the same food last?

  1. 24 days
  2. 16 days
  3. 15 days Correct answer.
  4. 18 days

Explanation

Total food is 12 × 20 = 240 soldier-days. With 16 soldiers, 240 ÷ 16 = 15 days.

Question 45Numerical Reasoning

What is the next term in the sequence 3, 6, 12, 24, ...?

  1. 48 Correct answer.
  2. 30
  3. 42
  4. 36

Explanation

Each term is double the previous term, so the next value is 24 × 2 = 48.

Question 46Numerical Reasoning

Simplify the ratio 45:60 to its lowest terms.

  1. 9:12
  2. 3:4 Correct answer.
  3. 5:6
  4. 2:3

Explanation

The highest common factor of 45 and 60 is 15. Dividing both sides by 15 gives 3:4.

Question 47Numerical Reasoning

A rectangle measures 8 cm by 5 cm. What is its area?

  1. 40 cm² Correct answer.
  2. 80 cm²
  3. 13 cm²
  4. 26 cm²

Explanation

The area of a rectangle is length multiplied by width, so 8 × 5 = 40 cm².

Question 48Numerical Reasoning

A soldier's pay rises from £1,800 to £2,070 per month. What is the percentage increase?

  1. 15% Correct answer.
  2. 13%
  3. 12%
  4. 18%

Explanation

The increase is 2070 − 1800 = 270. Dividing by the original 1800 and multiplying by 100 gives 15%.

Question 49Numerical Reasoning

Three consecutive even numbers sum to 66. What is the largest of them?

  1. 26
  2. 24 Correct answer.
  3. 22
  4. 20

Explanation

Let the middle number be n; then (n−2) + n + (n+2) = 66, so 3n = 66 and n = 22. The largest is 22 + 2 = 24.

Question 50Numerical Reasoning

A vehicle uses 24 litres of fuel to travel 300 km. At the same rate, how many litres are needed for 500 km?

  1. 32 litres
  2. 36 litres
  3. 40 litres Correct answer.
  4. 45 litres

Explanation

Fuel per kilometre is 24 ÷ 300 = 0.08 litres. For 500 km the requirement is 0.08 × 500 = 40 litres.