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Irish Verbal Reasoning study materials
Irish Verbal Reasoning study resources

Irish Verbal Reasoning practice questions

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Question 1Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Hidden
  2. Fragile
  3. Scarce
  4. Plentiful Correct answer.

Explanation

'Abundant' describes something existing in large quantities, so 'plentiful' is the closest synonym. The other options describe shortage, weakness, or concealment, which are unrelated meanings.

Question 2Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: finger is to hand as toe is to ____.

  1. Foot Correct answer.
  2. Nail
  3. Leg
  4. Shoe

Explanation

A finger is a digit attached to a hand, so the matching relationship is a toe, which is a digit attached to a foot. The part-to-whole relationship must be preserved.

Question 3Verbal reasoning

Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. Rose Correct answer.
  2. Oak
  3. Ash
  4. Elm

Explanation

Oak, ash, and elm are all trees, while a rose is a flowering shrub. Three items share the category 'tree', so the rose is the odd one out.

Question 4Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Kind
  2. Wealthy
  3. Stingy Correct answer.
  4. Cheerful

Explanation

'Generous' means willing to give freely, so its opposite is 'stingy', meaning unwilling to give. The other words are positive traits or describe money, not the opposite of giving freely.

Question 5Verbal reasoning

If all poets are dreamers and some dreamers are painters, which statement must be true?

  1. All poets are dreamers Correct answer.
  2. All painters are poets
  3. Some poets are painters
  4. No dreamer is a poet

Explanation

The first premise states directly that every poet is a dreamer, so that statement is guaranteed. The overlap with painters is only partial and cannot support a definite link between poets and painters.

Question 6Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'TRIANGLE'?

  1. GARDEN
  2. TRAILER
  3. GRANITE
  4. TANGLER Correct answer.

Explanation

TANGLER uses T, A, N, G, L, E, R, all of which appear in TRIANGLE. Each other option requires a letter not present in the source word.

Question 7Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: AZ, BY, CX, ____.

  1. DX
  2. DV
  3. EW
  4. DW Correct answer.

Explanation

In each pair the first letter moves forward through the alphabet (A, B, C, D) while the second moves backward (Z, Y, X, W). The next pair is therefore DW.

Question 8Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Careless
  2. Doubtful
  3. Hasty
  4. Thorough Correct answer.

Explanation

'Meticulous' describes great attention to detail, which matches 'thorough'. The other options describe a lack of care, speed, or uncertainty.

Question 9Verbal reasoning

A farmer has more sheep than cows, and fewer sheep than goats. Which animal does the farmer have the fewest of?

  1. Cows Correct answer.
  2. Cannot be determined
  3. Goats
  4. Sheep

Explanation

The ordering is cows < sheep < goats, so cows are the fewest. The comparisons are transitive, giving a clear smallest group.

Question 10Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: library is to books as gallery is to ____.

  1. Artists
  2. Visitors
  3. Tickets
  4. Paintings Correct answer.

Explanation

A library is a place that houses books, so a gallery is a place that houses paintings. The relationship is container to contents.

Question 11Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Extend
  2. Contract Correct answer.
  3. Stretch
  4. Enlarge

Explanation

'Expand' means to grow larger, so its opposite is 'contract', meaning to become smaller. The other options are synonyms of expand.

Question 12Verbal reasoning

If some teachers are runners and all runners are fit, which conclusion follows?

  1. No teacher is fit
  2. All teachers are fit
  3. Some teachers are fit Correct answer.
  4. All fit people are runners

Explanation

The teachers who are runners must also be fit, because all runners are fit. This makes 'some teachers are fit' a valid conclusion. The premises do not cover all teachers or all fit people.

Question 13Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'MOUNTAIN'?

  1. MOUNTED
  2. AMOUNT Correct answer.
  3. NATION
  4. MOTION

Explanation

AMOUNT uses A, M, O, U, N, T, all present in MOUNTAIN. Each other option requires a letter that MOUNTAIN does not contain.

Question 14Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ____.

  1. 42 Correct answer.
  2. 44
  3. 36
  4. 40

Explanation

The differences between terms increase by two each time (4, 6, 8, 10), so the next difference is 12, giving 30 + 12 = 42. Equivalently, each term is n(n+1).

Question 15Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Anxious
  2. Evasive
  3. Polite
  4. Frank Correct answer.

Explanation

'Candid' means open and honest in expression, which matches 'frank'. The other options describe avoidance, manners, or worry rather than honesty.

Question 16Verbal reasoning

All roses in the garden are red. Some red flowers in the garden are tulips. Which statement must be true?

  1. No tulip is a rose
  2. Some tulips are roses
  3. All red flowers are roses
  4. Some red flowers are not roses Correct answer.

Explanation

Since some red flowers are tulips and roses are a separate group described, there exist red flowers (the tulips) that need not be roses, so some red flowers are not roses. The premises do not force any tulip to be a rose.

Question 17Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: author is to novel as composer is to ____.

  1. Audience
  2. Symphony Correct answer.
  3. Orchestra
  4. Concert

Explanation

An author creates a novel as a written work, so a composer creates a symphony as a musical work. The relationship is creator to created work.

Question 18Verbal reasoning

In a code, CAT is written as DBU. How is DOG written in the same code?

  1. EPG
  2. EOH
  3. CPH
  4. EPH Correct answer.

Explanation

Each letter shifts forward by one in the alphabet (C→D, A→B, T→U). Applying the same rule to DOG gives E, P, H.

Question 19Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Clear
  2. Thin
  3. Opaque Correct answer.
  4. Bright

Explanation

'Transparent' means allowing light through so objects can be seen, so its opposite is 'opaque', meaning not see-through. The other options describe clarity, thickness, or light, not the opposite of transparency.

Question 20Verbal reasoning

Five students finish a race. Ben finishes before Cara but after Dan. Eve finishes before Dan. Who finishes first?

  1. Eve Correct answer.
  2. Cara
  3. Ben
  4. Dan

Explanation

Eve finishes before Dan, and Dan finishes before Ben, who finishes before Cara. The order is Eve, Dan, Ben, Cara, so Eve is first.

Question 21Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'CONSIDER'?

  1. CINDERS Correct answer.
  2. RESIDENT
  3. INSIDER
  4. DECORATE

Explanation

CINDERS uses C, I, N, D, E, R, S, all present in CONSIDER. Each other option needs a letter not found in the source word.

Question 22Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: 3, 4, 8, 9, 27, 28, ____.

  1. 29
  2. 56
  3. 32
  4. 84 Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern alternates: add 1, then multiply by 2. After 27 the next step is multiply by 3? No-sequence shows +1, ×2, +1, ×3, +1, ×3? Applying the consistent +1 then ×3 rule: 28 × 3 = 84.

Question 23Verbal reasoning

All members of the club pay dues. Some members of the club play tennis. Which statement must be true?

  1. Some who pay dues play tennis Correct answer.
  2. All tennis players are club members
  3. No tennis player pays dues
  4. All who pay dues play tennis

Explanation

Because every club member pays dues, the members who play tennis are also dues-payers. Therefore some dues-payers play tennis is guaranteed. The premises do not extend to people outside the club.

Question 24Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: thermometer is to temperature as barometer is to ____.

  1. Wind
  2. Pressure Correct answer.
  3. Rainfall
  4. Humidity

Explanation

A thermometer measures temperature, so a barometer measures atmospheric pressure. The relationship is instrument to the quantity it measures.

Question 25Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Wasteful
  2. Thrifty Correct answer.
  3. Cheerful
  4. Hasty

Explanation

'Frugal' describes someone careful with money and resources, which matches 'thrifty'. The other options describe opposite or unrelated qualities.

Question 26Verbal reasoning

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

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

Explanation

'Scarce' means in short supply, so its opposite is 'plentiful'. 'Rare' is close in meaning to scarce rather than opposite.

Question 27Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: pen is to writing as needle is to ____.

  1. Thread
  2. Sharp
  3. Sewing Correct answer.
  4. Metal

Explanation

A pen is the tool used for the activity of writing, so a needle is the tool used for the activity of sewing. The relationship is tool to purpose.

Question 28Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: 5, 10, 20, 40, ____.

  1. 80 Correct answer.
  2. 60
  3. 70
  4. 100

Explanation

Each term doubles the previous one: 5 to 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 40, so the next term is 40 doubled, which is 80.

Question 29Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'HARMONY'?

  1. MARRY Correct answer.
  2. HORNET
  3. HONEY
  4. MONTH

Explanation

'MARRY' uses M, A, R, R, Y, and HARMONY contains two R's along with M, A and Y. Every letter of MARRY is available.

Question 30Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Flexible
  2. Generous
  3. Careless
  4. Stubborn Correct answer.

Explanation

'Obstinate' means refusing to change one's opinion, which is 'stubborn'. The remaining words describe unrelated traits.

Question 31Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: teacher is to classroom as chef is to ____.

  1. Recipe
  2. Restaurant
  3. Knife
  4. Kitchen Correct answer.

Explanation

A teacher works primarily in a classroom, so a chef works primarily in a kitchen. The relationship is worker to usual place of work.

Question 32Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Modern Correct answer.
  2. Old
  3. Distant
  4. Historic

Explanation

'Ancient' means very old, so its opposite is 'modern'. 'Old' and 'historic' are closer in meaning to ancient.

Question 33Verbal reasoning

If all engineers are graduates, and all graduates are literate, which conclusion must be true?

  1. All engineers are literate Correct answer.
  2. All literate people are engineers
  3. Some graduates are not engineers
  4. Some engineers are not literate

Explanation

Two universal statements chain together: engineers are a subset of graduates, and graduates are a subset of literate people, so engineers are a subset of literate people.

Question 34Verbal reasoning

In a certain code, BOOK is written as CPPL. How is LAMP written in the same code?

  1. MCNQ
  2. MBNQ Correct answer.
  3. KZLO
  4. MBNP

Explanation

Each letter is shifted forward by one place in the alphabet: B to C, O to P, O to P, K to L. Applying the same shift to LAMP gives MBNQ.

Question 35Verbal reasoning

Four runners finish a race. Ravi finishes after Sam but before Tom. Uma finishes before Sam. Who finishes last?

  1. Ravi
  2. Sam
  3. Tom Correct answer.
  4. Uma

Explanation

Uma is before Sam, Sam is before Ravi, and Ravi is before Tom, giving the order Uma, Sam, Ravi, Tom. Tom is therefore last.

Question 36Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'PLASTER'?

  1. TRAVEL
  2. SPRINT
  3. PEARLS Correct answer.
  4. PILOT

Explanation

'PEARLS' uses P, E, A, R, L, S, and PLASTER contains all of these letters. The other words require letters not present.

Question 37Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ____.

  1. 49
  2. 42
  3. 30
  4. 36 Correct answer.

Explanation

The terms are the squares of consecutive whole numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, so the next is 6 squared, which is 36.

Question 38Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Curious
  2. Lazy
  3. Talkative
  4. Hardworking Correct answer.

Explanation

'Diligent' means showing steady, careful effort, which matches 'hardworking'. The other options describe different qualities.

Question 39Verbal reasoning

All students in the hall wear badges. No visitor wears a badge. Which conclusion must be true?

  1. Some students do not wear badges
  2. Some visitors are students
  3. No student in the hall is a visitor Correct answer.
  4. All visitors are in the hall

Explanation

If every student in the hall wears a badge and no visitor wears a badge, then no student in the hall can be a visitor. The two groups are mutually exclusive.

Question 40Verbal reasoning

Complete the analogy: sculptor is to clay as potter is to ____.

  1. Wheel
  2. Wax Correct answer.
  3. Glaze
  4. Kiln

Explanation

A sculptor shapes clay as the raw material of the craft, and a potter shapes wax in the same way in this comparison. The relationship is craftsperson to raw material.

Question 41Verbal reasoning

In a code, each letter is replaced by the letter three places before it in the alphabet. How is GOLD written?

  1. DJLA
  2. DJIA Correct answer.
  3. DLIA
  4. DILA

Explanation

Shifting each letter back three places: G to D, O to L, L to I, D to A, giving DJIA.

Question 42Verbal reasoning

Complete the series: Z, X, V, T, ____.

  1. Q
  2. S
  3. P
  4. R Correct answer.

Explanation

The letters move backwards two places each time: Z to X, X to V, V to T, so the next is T moved back two places, which is R.

Question 43Verbal reasoning

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

  1. Willing Correct answer.
  2. Hesitant
  3. Careful
  4. Anxious

Explanation

'Reluctant' means unwilling, so its opposite is 'willing'. 'Hesitant' is close in meaning rather than opposite.

Question 44Verbal reasoning

Some birds in the park are swans. All swans are white. Which statement must be true?

  1. Some birds in the park are white Correct answer.
  2. No birds in the park are white
  3. All birds in the park are white
  4. All white birds are swans

Explanation

Since at least some park birds are swans and every swan is white, at least some park birds must be white. This follows from combining the two premises.

Question 45Verbal reasoning

Three boxes are labelled A, B and C. A is heavier than B, and C is lighter than B. Which box is the heaviest?

  1. B
  2. They are all equal
  3. A Correct answer.
  4. C

Explanation

A is heavier than B, and B is heavier than C, so the order from heaviest to lightest is A, B, C. A is therefore the heaviest.

Question 46Verbal reasoning

A statement is made: 'Every prize winner received a certificate.' Which finding would contradict this statement?

  1. A prize winner who received a certificate
  2. A non-winner who received a certificate
  3. A non-winner who received no certificate
  4. A prize winner who received no certificate Correct answer.

Explanation

The statement claims all prize winners received certificates. A single prize winner without a certificate would directly contradict it.

Question 47Verbal reasoning

In a code, the word 'MINT' becomes 'NJO U'-style by shifting each letter forward one place, then the letters are reversed. What is the final code for 'MINT'?

  1. UO JM
  2. UJON
  3. UNOJ
  4. UOJN Correct answer.

Explanation

Shifting M, I, N, T forward one place gives N, J, O, U. Reversing that order gives U, O, J, N, written UOJN.

Question 48Verbal reasoning

Five friends sit in a row. Pia sits at one end. Quinn sits next to Pia. Rosa sits next to Quinn but not next to Pia. How many people sit between Pia and Rosa?

  1. 3
  2. 2
  3. 0
  4. 1 Correct answer.

Explanation

Pia is at an end with Quinn beside her, so Quinn is second. Rosa is next to Quinn but not next to Pia, placing Rosa third. Exactly one person, Quinn, sits between Pia and Rosa.

Question 49Verbal reasoning

All poets who attend the festival read aloud. Some who read aloud are nervous. Which conclusion follows with certainty?

  1. Some poets who attend the festival are nervous
  2. All poets who attend the festival are nervous
  3. No poet who attends the festival is nervous
  4. Nothing certain follows about poets being nervous Correct answer.

Explanation

The premises link festival poets to reading aloud, and reading aloud to possibly being nervous, but the 'some' group may exclude the poets entirely. No certain conclusion about poets being nervous can be drawn.

Question 50Verbal reasoning

Which word can be formed using only the letters of 'CANDLE'?

  1. Cradle
  2. Candlelit
  3. Dental
  4. Lanced Correct answer.

Explanation

'Lanced' uses only letters found in CANDLE (L, A, N, C, E, D), each exactly once. The other options each require a letter that does not appear in the source word.