Irish Verbal Reasoning key terms

A word that has the same meaning, or almost the same meaning, as another word. For example, 'begin' and 'start' are synonyms, so either could fit a sentence needing that sense.

A word whose meaning is the opposite of another word. For example, 'hot' is an antonym of 'cold', which helps when a question asks for the word most opposite in meaning.

The idea or thing a word stands for in a given sentence. The same word can carry different meanings depending on context, so the surrounding words decide which sense is intended.

A hint inside a sentence or passage that helps you work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues may be a definition, an example, a contrast, or a cause-and-effect link nearby.

Small differences in intensity or tone between words that are close in meaning. 'Warm', 'hot' and 'scorching' all describe heat but differ in strength, so the best answer matches the exact degree.

The item in a group that does not share the feature linking the others. To find it, identify the rule the majority follow, then spot the single item that breaks that rule.

Sorting items into groups according to a shared feature such as meaning, function, or structure. In verbal questions you often name the category that unites several words and excludes one.

A comparison stating that one pair of items relates in the same way as another pair, often written A is to B as C is to D. You identify the link in the first pair, then apply it to the second.

The specific link between two items in a pair, such as part-to-whole, cause-to-effect, or worker-to-tool. Naming the relationship precisely is the key to completing or judging an analogy.

Two words presented together whose connection you must describe or match. The pair may be linked by meaning, function, category, or a sequence such as before and after.

A task where one or more words are missing from a sentence and you choose the option that makes the whole sentence correct in grammar and meaning. All parts of the sentence must fit together.

Reaching a conclusion that must follow from the information given, without adding outside assumptions. If the premises are true and the reasoning is valid, the conclusion cannot be false.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the passage rather than stated outright. A sound inference is strongly supported by the text and does not go beyond what the words allow.

An unstated idea that must be true for an argument or statement to hold. Spotting hidden assumptions helps you judge whether a conclusion is well supported or shaky.

A stated fact or claim offered as support for a conclusion. In reasoning questions you separate premises, which are given, from the conclusion, which is meant to be proved.

The main point an argument is trying to establish, supported by the premises. It is the claim the writer wants you to accept once the evidence has been considered.

A set of statements in which some, the premises, are offered as reasons to accept another, the conclusion. A good argument gives relevant support; a weak one may rely on faulty reasoning.

The property of an argument whose conclusion must be true whenever its premises are true. Validity concerns the structure of the reasoning, not whether the premises are actually correct.

Something that must be present for a stated outcome to occur, though it may not be enough on its own. Without it the outcome cannot happen; with it, the outcome may still fail.

Something whose presence guarantees a stated outcome. If the sufficient condition holds, the outcome must follow, even though the outcome might also arise in other ways.

A three-way answer format used with short passages. 'True' means the passage supports the statement, 'false' means it contradicts it, and 'cannot say' means the passage gives too little information to decide.

The central point a passage is making, which the rest of the text supports or explains. It is broader than any single detail and captures what the writer most wants to convey.

A fact, example, or reason in a passage that backs up the main idea. Details add evidence or illustration, and questions may ask which one is stated or which is absent.

A short restatement of a passage's key points in your own words, leaving out minor detail. A good summary keeps the main idea and essential support without adding new claims.

Matching words in a sentence so they fit together correctly, such as a singular subject taking a singular verb. Agreement errors often reveal which option in a completion task cannot be right.

The arrangement of words in a sentence that makes it read naturally and correctly. Unusual order can change emphasis or meaning, and a misplaced word may make an option grammatically wrong.

An ordered series in which each item follows a rule from the one before. In verbal series questions the rule may involve letters, alphabet position, or word patterns, and you predict the next item.

Finding the next item in an ordered list by working out the rule that generates it. You test the rule against several items to confirm it holds before choosing the answer.

A repeated or regular arrangement that lets you predict what comes next. Patterns may appear as repeating shapes, alternating letters, or recurring numerical steps within a sequence.

The numbered place a letter holds in the alphabet, with A as 1 and Z as 26. Converting letters to numbers makes it easier to spot steps and gaps in letter-based sequences.

A system in which words or letters are replaced by other symbols or letters according to a fixed rule. Decoding means reversing the rule to recover the original word.

Turning a shape around a fixed point by a set amount, such as a quarter turn. The shape keeps its size and form, but its orientation changes, which matters in figure series.

Flipping a shape across a line to produce a mirror image. The result looks like the original seen in a mirror, so left and right are swapped while size is unchanged.

Any change applied to a figure, such as rotation, reflection, or resizing. Recognising which transformation links one figure to the next is central to abstract reasoning questions.

The quality of a shape that looks unchanged when folded or turned in a certain way. A line of symmetry divides a figure into two matching halves that mirror each other.

A row of shapes that change step by step according to a rule, with the next shape to be chosen. The rule may involve rotation, added parts, shading, or a moving element.

The ability to picture shapes, positions, and movements in your mind and to judge how they relate. It underlies tasks such as mental rotation, folding, and matching views of an object.

An answer option designed to look tempting but that fails on a close check. Distractors often fit part of the clue, so testing every option against all conditions helps you reject them.