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GSET practice questions

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Question 1Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET verbal reasoning passage, the author writes: 'The committee's recommendation was far from unanimous; indeed, it was opposed by a sizeable minority.' Which statement best captures the author's meaning?

  1. The recommendation drew meaningful opposition from several members. Correct answer.
  2. The recommendation was supported by every member present.
  3. The committee reached a single, shared conclusion.
  4. The committee declined to issue any recommendation at all.

Explanation

The phrase 'far from unanimous' explicitly denies full agreement, and 'opposed by a sizeable minority' confirms that a substantial group disagreed. Reading the two clauses together, the author's point is that support existed but was clearly not universal.

Question 2Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence in a formal analytical report: 'The auditors found the records ______, with no gaps or unexplained entries.'

  1. immaculate Correct answer.
  2. ambiguous
  3. sporadic
  4. tentative

Explanation

The clause 'with no gaps or unexplained entries' indicates the records were complete and without flaw, which 'immaculate' conveys. The word must agree with a positive, thorough assessment rather than suggest inconsistency or doubt.

Question 3Verbal Reasoning

A paragraph states: 'Because the bridge was closed for repairs, commuters who normally drove were forced onto crowded trains.' Which relationship between the two events does the sentence express?

  1. Sequence in time only
  2. Comparison and contrast
  3. Cause and effect Correct answer.
  4. Condition and exception

Explanation

The connector 'because' introduces the reason for the outcome that follows, so the bridge closure is presented as the cause and the shift to trains as its effect. The sentence is not merely ordering events or contrasting them.

Question 4Verbal Reasoning

Which pair of words are antonyms?

  1. Curt and verbose Correct answer.
  2. Frugal and thrifty
  3. Candid and frank
  4. Tenacious and persistent

Explanation

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. 'Curt' means brief to the point of rudeness, while 'verbose' means using more words than necessary, so the two stand in direct opposition.

Question 5Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The witness, whose testimony had been challenged twice, remained composed throughout the hearing', what is the grammatical function of the clause 'whose testimony had been challenged twice'?

  1. It is an independent clause carrying the main assertion.
  2. It is a noun clause acting as the subject.
  3. It is an adverbial clause of concession.
  4. It is a non-restrictive relative clause modifying 'witness'. Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause begins with the relative pronoun 'whose' and supplies additional, non-essential information about 'the witness', set off by commas. Because it is bracketed by commas and the sentence remains complete without it, it is non-restrictive.

Question 6Verbal Reasoning

Four statements appear in a reasoning exercise. Which one is a valid deductive conclusion from the premises 'All licensed engineers passed the safety exam' and 'Mira is a licensed engineer'?

  1. Mira is the only licensed engineer who passed.
  2. Everyone who passed the safety exam is a licensed engineer.
  3. Mira passed the safety exam. Correct answer.
  4. Most licensed engineers are named Mira.

Explanation

This is a straightforward syllogism: if all licensed engineers passed, and Mira belongs to that group, then Mira passed. The conclusion follows necessarily from the two premises taken together.

Question 7Verbal Reasoning

Read the short argument: 'Our branch has never missed a quarterly target, so expanding the branch will certainly raise company-wide profits.' Which flaw most weakens this reasoning?

  1. It uses a rhetorical question instead of evidence.
  2. It relies on a definition of 'quarterly target' that is never provided.
  3. It assumes that meeting a local target guarantees a company-wide financial outcome. Correct answer.
  4. It cites too many statistics for a short argument.

Explanation

The argument jumps from a record of local target achievement to a guaranteed profit increase across the whole company, which does not follow automatically. Other divisions, costs, and market conditions could easily prevent that outcome.

Question 8Verbal Reasoning

Select the option that best restates the sentence: 'Despite the funding shortfall, the research team completed the trial on schedule.'

  1. The research team finished the trial late because money was short.
  2. The research team abandoned the trial when funding fell short.
  3. The research team finished the trial on time even though money was short. Correct answer.
  4. The research team completed the trial only after funding was restored.

Explanation

'Despite' signals contrast: the shortfall would normally hinder progress, yet the trial still finished on schedule. A correct paraphrase must preserve both the lack of money and the on-time completion.

Question 9Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly according to standard written English?

  1. The results were inconclusive; the sample was too small. Correct answer.
  2. The results were inconclusive; although the sample was large.
  3. The results were inconclusive; because the sample was too small.
  4. The results were inconclusive; and the sample was too small.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related and not already linked by a conjunction. 'The results were inconclusive' and 'the sample was too small' are each complete clauses, so the semicolon is appropriate.

Question 10Verbal Reasoning

A passage argues: 'Cities that added protected bike lanes saw a 20% rise in cycling commuters. Therefore, protected lanes cause more people to commute by bicycle.' Which additional finding would most strengthen this causal claim?

  1. Cyclist injuries increased slightly after the lanes opened.
  2. The new lanes were built only in neighbourhoods with mild weather.
  3. Cycling rates rose similarly in comparable cities without new lanes.
  4. The rise occurred mainly among people who had never cycled to work before. Correct answer.

Explanation

If the increase came largely from new commuters, it supports the idea that the lanes attracted people to cycling rather than reflecting a pre-existing trend. This directly bolsters the causal link between the lanes and behaviour change.

Question 11Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'Only after the data had been verified did the panel release its findings', why does the auxiliary 'did' precede the subject?

  1. Because the sentence is a question requiring inversion.
  2. Because 'only after' introduces a restrictive relative clause.
  3. Because the main verb is in the passive voice.
  4. Because a negative adverb at the start triggers subject-auxiliary inversion. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a sentence opens with a restrictive or negative expression such as 'only after', standard English requires subject-auxiliary inversion in the main clause. Hence 'did the panel release' rather than 'the panel released'.

Question 12Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best fits: 'The spokesperson's remarks were so ______ that reporters could quote them to support almost any interpretation.'

  1. concise
  2. vehement
  3. explicit
  4. equivocal Correct answer.

Explanation

The clue is that the remarks could support 'almost any interpretation', which points to deliberate vagueness. 'Equivocal' means open to multiple interpretations, matching that effect.

Question 13Verbal Reasoning

Which option best identifies the assumption underlying this argument? 'We should adopt the new scheduling software because it is used by several leading firms.'

  1. Leading firms always choose the cheapest available software.
  2. What works well for leading firms is likely to work well for us. Correct answer.
  3. Several leading firms have recently changed their schedules.
  4. Scheduling software is more important than other business tools.

Explanation

The argument treats widespread adoption by successful firms as a reason for us to adopt the tool, which only works if their success is transferable to our situation. That unstated link is the necessary assumption.

Question 14Verbal Reasoning

Arrange the following into a coherent paragraph and choose the best opening sentence: (A) This shift reduced commuting times for many residents. (B) The city invested heavily in its tram network last year. (C) It also cut carbon emissions from daily travel. (D) As a result, planners now recommend further expansion.

  1. Sentence D
  2. Sentence C
  3. Sentence A
  4. Sentence B Correct answer.

Explanation

Sentence B introduces the topic, the city's investment in trams, which the other sentences build on. A and C describe effects of that investment, and D concludes from those effects, so B must open the paragraph.

Question 15Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. To finish on time, the team worked through the weekend.
  2. After the storm passed, the crew resumed work.
  3. Having reviewed the proposal carefully, the manager approved it.
  4. Walking through the archive, the old letters fascinated the historian. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase does not logically describe the subject of the main clause. In that sentence, 'walking through the archive' seems to describe 'the old letters', which cannot walk, rather than the historian.

Question 16Verbal Reasoning

In a verbal reasoning set, a passage notes: 'Sales of printed manuals fell sharply, whereas downloads of digital guides rose by the same amount.' What can be concluded about total demand?

  1. Printed manuals remain the preferred format for most users.
  2. Total demand for manuals and guides probably stayed roughly constant. Correct answer.
  3. Digital guides are now cheaper to produce than printed manuals.
  4. Total demand for manuals and guides collapsed entirely.

Explanation

One format fell by an amount while the other rose by the same amount, suggesting a substitution rather than a net change in overall demand. The passage supports only a shift in format preference, not a change in total volume.

Question 17Verbal Reasoning

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion to make the sentence clear and precise: 'The report was written by the consultant that was criticised by the board that had commissioned it.'

  1. The report criticised the board that commissioned the consultant.
  2. The board criticised the consultant, whose report it had commissioned. Correct answer.
  3. The consultant was criticised by the board that wrote the report.
  4. The board, having been criticised, commissioned the consultant's report.

Explanation

The original string of relative clauses creates ambiguity about which party did what. The clearest rewrite states plainly that the board criticised the consultant and had commissioned the consultant's report, preserving the original relationships.

Question 18Verbal Reasoning

Which word is closest in meaning to 'pragmatic' as used in the sentence 'She took a pragmatic approach to the dispute'?

  1. Impulsive
  2. Theoretical
  3. Idealistic
  4. Practical Correct answer.

Explanation

'Pragmatic' describes dealing with problems in a sensible, practical way rather than according to theory or ideals. In the context of resolving a dispute, 'practical' is the closest synonym.

Question 19Verbal Reasoning

A notice states: 'Applicants who have not submitted references by Friday will not be considered.' Which applicant will be considered?

  1. One who submits references on Saturday.
  2. One who submits references on Thursday. Correct answer.
  3. One who submits references the following Monday.
  4. One who never submits references.

Explanation

The condition for consideration is submitting references by Friday, meaning on or before that day. Thursday satisfies the deadline, while any date after Friday fails the condition.

Question 20Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?

  1. The new policy will affect the way staff commute to work. Correct answer.
  2. The affect of the new policy on staff morale was noticeable.
  3. The new policy will effect the way staff commute to work.
  4. The policy had a positive affect on staff morale.

Explanation

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is normally a noun meaning a result. In that sentence, 'affect' is correctly used as a verb taking 'the way staff commute' as its object.

Question 21Verbal Reasoning

A passage says: 'Although the vaccine was initially met with scepticism, uptake rose steadily once independent trials were published.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. Uptake fell after the trials were published.
  2. Independent trials showed the vaccine to be ineffective.
  3. Scepticism about the vaccine was never overcome.
  4. Publication of independent trials helped build public confidence. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence links rising uptake to the publication of independent trials, implying that the evidence increased confidence. This is the only inference the passage directly supports.

Question 22Verbal Reasoning

Which option correctly identifies the main conclusion of this argument? 'Remote work reduces commuting costs for employees. It also allows firms to shrink office space. Clearly, organisations should expand remote-work policies.'

  1. Remote work allows firms to shrink office space.
  2. Organisations should expand remote-work policies. Correct answer.
  3. Commuting is expensive for most employees.
  4. Remote work reduces commuting costs for employees.

Explanation

The word 'clearly' signals the conclusion, which is the recommendation that organisations expand remote-work policies. The other statements are premises offered as support for that recommendation.

Question 23Verbal Reasoning

In a formal register, which sentence is most appropriate for a written report to a client?

  1. The delays are a real headache for everyone involved.
  2. The delays are likely to result in additional costs. Correct answer.
  3. Honestly, the delays are kind of a big deal.
  4. We reckon the delays are gonna cost you a fair bit.

Explanation

Formal written English favours measured, precise wording without slang or contractions of colloquial speech. That option states the likely consequence in neutral, professional terms suitable for a client report.

Question 24Verbal Reasoning

A reasoning item presents: 'No unauthorised person may enter the laboratory. Dr Okafor is authorised to enter the laboratory.' Which conclusion follows?

  1. Anyone who enters the laboratory is authorised.
  2. Dr Okafor is the only authorised person.
  3. Dr Okafor must enter the laboratory.
  4. Dr Okafor may enter the laboratory. Correct answer.

Explanation

The first premise bars unauthorised people, and the second establishes that Dr Okafor is authorised, so entry is permitted. Permission follows, though nothing forces Dr Okafor to enter.

Question 25Verbal Reasoning

Which option best explains why the sentence 'The committee were divided in their opinions' uses 'were' rather than 'was'?

  1. Because British usage allows a collective noun to take a plural verb when members act individually. Correct answer.
  2. Because the past tense always requires 'were' with collective nouns.
  3. Because 'opinions' later in the sentence forces a plural verb.
  4. Because 'committee' is always treated as plural in English.

Explanation

Collective nouns like 'committee' can take a plural verb when the emphasis is on the individual members acting separately, a pattern common in British English. Here 'divided in their opinions' shows the members differing, justifying 'were'.

Question 26Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET verbal reasoning passage, the writer states: 'The new filing system was intended to reduce retrieval times; in practice, staff spent longer searching for documents than before.' Which inference is best supported by this statement alone?

  1. The filing system was never implemented by the staff.
  2. Retrieval times were the only measure the organisation tracked.
  3. The filing system failed to deliver its intended benefit in practice. Correct answer.
  4. Staff preferred the previous filing system for personal reasons.

Explanation

The statement contrasts the intended aim (reducing retrieval times) with the observed outcome (longer searching), so the supported inference is that the intended benefit did not materialise. The passage gives no information about whether implementation occurred, about staff preferences, or about other measures.

Question 27Verbal Reasoning

A GSET candidate must choose the option that best expresses the relationship in the pair 'meticulous : carelessness'. Which pair has the same relationship?

  1. fragile : breakage
  2. candid : honesty
  3. rapid : speed
  4. generous : stinginess Correct answer.

Explanation

The stem pairs a quality with the contrasting failing that is its opposite: a meticulous person lacks carelessness. 'Generous' is likewise opposed to 'stinginess', so the same opposition holds. The other pairs link a quality to a related noun rather than to its opposite.

Question 28Verbal Reasoning

Read the sentence: 'The auditors reviewed the accounts, they found three discrepancies.' Which revision best corrects the sentence according to standard written English?

  1. The auditors reviewed the accounts, and found three discrepancies.
  2. The auditors reviewed the accounts; they found three discrepancies. Correct answer.
  3. The auditors reviewed the accounts they found three discrepancies.
  4. The auditors reviewed the accounts, they did find three discrepancies.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined without a conjunction create a comma splice. A semicolon correctly separates the two complete clauses while marking their close relationship. The remaining revisions either repeat the splice, drop necessary punctuation, or produce a fragment.

Question 29Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage states: 'Every applicant who submitted the form before noon was interviewed.' Which statement must be true if the passage is accurate?

  1. All applicants who were interviewed submitted the form before noon.
  2. No applicant who missed the noon deadline was interviewed. Correct answer.
  3. Every applicant who submitted the form before noon was hired.
  4. Some applicants interviewed had submitted the form after noon.

Explanation

The passage makes early submission sufficient for an interview, so anyone not interviewed cannot have met the noon condition; equivalently, no late submitter was interviewed. The passage does not say early submission was necessary, so the converse about all interviewees is not guaranteed.

Question 30Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET verbal item, the word 'temper' appears in: 'The board chose to temper its public statement after the leak.' Which option best captures the meaning of 'temper' here?

  1. To publish widely
  2. To delay indefinitely
  3. To make more moderate Correct answer.
  4. To make stronger

Explanation

In this context 'temper' means to soften or moderate the tone of the statement. The surrounding phrase 'after the leak' signals a cautious, restrained response rather than an intensification. The other options describe different actions entirely.

Question 31Verbal Reasoning

A GSET reasoning set gives: 'All trained technicians can operate the spectrometer. Some trained technicians are night-shift staff.' Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. No night-shift staff can operate the spectrometer.
  2. Some who operate the spectrometer are not technicians.
  3. Some night-shift staff can operate the spectrometer. Correct answer.
  4. All night-shift staff can operate the spectrometer.

Explanation

Since some trained technicians are night-shift staff, and every trained technician can operate the spectrometer, at least those night-shift individuals can operate it. The conclusion is therefore necessary. It does not extend to all night-shift staff, nor exclude them.

Question 32Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage reports: 'Attendance at the museum rose by 30% in the year the admission fee was abolished.' Which additional fact would most strengthen the claim that abolishing the fee caused the rise?

  1. A neighbouring museum kept its fee and saw attendance fall slightly that year. Correct answer.
  2. The museum extended its opening hours in the same year.
  3. The museum's shop revenue increased over the same period.
  4. Several staff members were hired to handle crowds.

Explanation

A comparison case without the fee change that did not enjoy a rise supports a causal reading by ruling out wider trends. If a comparable museum kept charging and attendance did not rise, the fee removal becomes the most plausible explanation. The other facts are consistent with the rise but do not isolate its cause.

Question 33Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses 'principal' and 'principle' correctly in a GSET writing task?

  1. The principal reason for the delay was a breach of safety principles. Correct answer.
  2. The principle reason for the delay was a breach of safety principal.
  3. The principal reason for the delay was a breach of safety principle.
  4. The principles reason for the delay was a breach of safety principal.

Explanation

'Principal' as an adjective means main or chief, while 'principle' as a noun means a rule or standard. Only the third option uses 'principal' for the main reason and 'principles' for safety standards. The other options swap the two words or misapply them.

Question 34Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage states: 'The pilot scheme reduced processing errors, but it required twice the staffing of the standard process.' Which option best summarises the passage's overall assessment?

  1. The scheme improved accuracy at a higher staffing cost. Correct answer.
  2. The scheme was an unqualified success.
  3. The scheme had no measurable effect on errors.
  4. The scheme was a complete failure.

Explanation

The passage presents one benefit (fewer errors) and one drawback (double staffing), so a balanced summary must mention both. Only the third option captures the trade-off without overstating either side. The others ignore one half of the evidence or contradict it.

Question 35Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET verbal item, a passage says: 'Critics argued the policy was hastily drafted; nevertheless, it survived three parliamentary reviews unchanged.' Which word best describes the role of 'nevertheless' in the sentence?

  1. It signals that the second clause restates the first.
  2. It signals that the second clause gives a cause for the first.
  3. It signals that the second clause contrasts with the first. Correct answer.
  4. It signals that the second clause concedes the first.

Explanation

'Nevertheless' introduces a statement that runs counter to expectation set by the first clause: despite the criticism, the policy survived. It therefore marks contrast, not concession, restatement, or causation. Recognising this connective's function is central to tracking argument direction.

Question 36Verbal Reasoning

A GSET candidate is asked to identify the flaw in: 'Most successful managers we surveyed read a business book each month; therefore, reading a business book monthly will make you a successful manager.' Which option names the flaw?

  1. It confuses a necessary condition with a sufficient one.
  2. It relies on an unrepresentative sample of managers.
  3. It assumes all managers read business books.
  4. It treats a correlation as proof of causation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The argument moves from an observed association between reading habits and success to a claim that the habit produces success. That is the classic correlation-to-causation error. The sample and the necessary/sufficient distinction are not the stated basis of the inference.

Question 37Verbal Reasoning

Read the sentence: 'Having completed the inspection, the report was signed by the supervisor.' Which option best explains the grammatical problem?

  1. The introductory phrase describes the supervisor, but the subject is 'the report'. Correct answer.
  2. The sentence lacks a finite verb in the main clause.
  3. The past perfect 'having completed' is used incorrectly.
  4. The sentence uses passive voice where active voice is required.

Explanation

The participial phrase 'having completed the inspection' must modify the subject of the main clause. As written, it appears to say the report completed the inspection, which is illogical. The remedy is to make the supervisor the subject or to expand the phrase into a full clause.

Question 38Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage states: 'Only departments that submitted a budget by March received additional funding.' Which situation is consistent with this statement?

  1. A department missed March and received additional funding.
  2. A department submitted by March and was guaranteed funding.
  3. All departments that missed March received additional funding.
  4. A department submitted by March and received no additional funding. Correct answer.

Explanation

The statement gives a necessary condition, not a guarantee: submitting by March was required, but not sufficient, for extra funding. So a department that met the deadline may still have received nothing. The other options either violate the condition or treat it as sufficient.

Question 39Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET editing task, which option best replaces 'due to the fact that' in the sentence 'The launch was delayed due to the fact that testing was incomplete'?

  1. provided that
  2. despite
  3. in order that
  4. because Correct answer.

Explanation

'Due to the fact that' is a wordy substitute for 'because', which expresses the causal link concisely. The replacement must preserve the meaning of cause. 'Despite', 'in order that', and 'provided that' express concession, purpose, and condition respectively.

Question 40Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage notes: 'The survey found that employees who used the wellness app reported lower stress. However, app users were also more likely to work flexible hours.' Why does the second sentence matter?

  1. It proves that the app has no effect on stress.
  2. It shows the survey was conducted incorrectly.
  3. It confirms that flexible hours cause lower stress.
  4. It offers an alternative explanation for the reported difference. Correct answer.

Explanation

The second sentence introduces a confound: flexible working could account for the lower stress instead of the app. That weakens the inference that the app is responsible. It does not show the survey was flawed or prove any single cause.

Question 41Verbal Reasoning

A GSET verbal question asks which option best defines 'notwithstanding' as used in 'Notwithstanding the objections, the plan proceeded.' Which definition fits?

  1. Because of
  2. In addition to
  3. In spite of Correct answer.
  4. On behalf of

Explanation

'Notwithstanding' means 'in spite of' or 'despite', introducing a factor that does not prevent the outcome. Here the objections did not stop the plan. The other options express cause, addition, or representation, none of which fits.

Question 42Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage contains: 'The committee's recommendation was that the policy be reviewed annually.' Which grammatical feature explains the form 'be reviewed'?

  1. It is a subjunctive form triggered by a verb of recommendation. Correct answer.
  2. It is a passive infinitive replacing a missing auxiliary.
  3. It is an imperative directed at the committee.
  4. It is a conditional form implying the review may not happen.

Explanation

Verbs expressing recommendation, demand, or request can trigger the mandative subjunctive, which uses the base form 'be' even in the third person. Here 'recommendation was that...be reviewed' follows that pattern. It is not imperative, conditional, or a missing auxiliary.

Question 43Verbal Reasoning

A GSET reasoning item states: 'If the sensor detects smoke, the alarm sounds. The alarm did not sound.' Which conclusion follows?

  1. The sensor did not detect smoke. Correct answer.
  2. Smoke was present but undetected.
  3. The sensor detected smoke.
  4. The alarm was faulty.

Explanation

The rule is a conditional: detection implies the alarm sounds. Observing that the alarm did not sound allows the valid inference that detection did not occur, by modus tollens. Concluding that smoke was present or that the alarm was faulty goes beyond the premises.

Question 44Verbal Reasoning

Which option best restates the sentence 'The proposal, while innovative, was rejected on cost grounds' without changing its meaning?

  1. The proposal was rejected because it was innovative.
  2. The proposal was neither innovative nor costly.
  3. The proposal was innovative and was rejected because of its cost. Correct answer.
  4. The proposal was rejected despite its low cost.

Explanation

The original concedes that the proposal was innovative while stating that cost was the reason for rejection. A faithful restatement must keep both elements and the causal link to cost. The other options alter the reason, reverse the cost claim, or deny both qualities.

Question 45Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage asserts: 'No effective remedy exists for the condition, so patients should focus on managing symptoms.' Which assumption does the argument rely on?

  1. Patients have not sought a second opinion.
  2. Symptom management is the only available form of care.
  3. Managing symptoms is preferable to pursuing an unavailable cure. Correct answer.
  4. The condition will resolve without treatment.

Explanation

The argument moves from the absence of an effective remedy to a recommendation about symptom management, which assumes that management is the sensible alternative when a cure is unavailable. It does not require claiming management is the only care, nor any assumption about recovery or second opinions.

Question 46Verbal Reasoning

In a GSET passage, the author writes: 'Far from settling the debate, the new evidence reopened it.' Which option best describes the author's attitude towards the new evidence?

  1. It is regarded as counterproductive to resolution. Correct answer.
  2. It is regarded as too technical to assess.
  3. It is regarded as irrelevant to the debate.
  4. It is regarded as conclusive.

Explanation

The construction 'far from settling...reopened' signals that the evidence did the opposite of resolving the question. The attitude is therefore that it hindered resolution. It is not described as conclusive, irrelevant, or merely technical.

Question 47Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage states: 'All grant recipients must file a report. Some grant recipients are first-time applicants.' Which conclusion is valid?

  1. Some who file reports are not grant recipients.
  2. Some first-time applicants must file a report. Correct answer.
  3. No first-time applicants must file a report.
  4. All first-time applicants must file a report.

Explanation

Because some grant recipients are first-time applicants, and every recipient must file, at least those first-time applicants must file. The conclusion is limited to 'some' and does not extend to all first-time applicants. The remaining options contradict or exceed the premises.

Question 48Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage presents two studies. Study A found a strong link between long commutes and reported fatigue. Study B, using a larger and more varied sample, found only a weak link. Which option best describes the evidential situation?

  1. Study A should be preferred because it was conducted first.
  2. The two studies prove that commutes cause fatigue.
  3. The studies are irrelevant because they measure different things.
  4. Study B weakens confidence in the link because it is larger and more varied. Correct answer.

Explanation

When studies conflict, sample size and representativeness are relevant to how much weight the findings carry. A larger, more varied sample generally supports greater confidence, so Study B reduces confidence in the strong link. Order of publication and proof of causation are not decisive.

Question 49Verbal Reasoning

A GSET passage argues: 'Either the company reduces costs or it raises prices. It has not reduced costs. Therefore it must raise prices.' Which option best evaluates the argument?

  1. It is valid because the disjunction exhausts the options. Correct answer.
  2. It is invalid because both options could occur together.
  3. It is valid only if raising prices is popular with customers.
  4. It is invalid because reducing costs was never an option.

Explanation

The argument has the form of a disjunctive syllogism: one of two alternatives must hold, one is ruled out, so the other follows. This is valid provided the disjunction genuinely covers the possibilities. Popularity and co-occurrence are irrelevant to the logical form.

Question 50Verbal Reasoning

A GSET candidate reads: 'The reviewer praised the novel's ambition but faulted its execution; the publisher quoted only the first half of the sentence.' Which option best explains the effect of the publisher's quotation?

  1. It accurately represents the review's balanced judgement.
  2. It strengthens the reviewer's criticism of the novel.
  3. It misleads by omitting the qualification that followed. Correct answer.
  4. It shows the reviewer approved of the execution.

Explanation

Quoting only the praise while dropping the criticism creates a misleadingly favourable impression. The omitted clause qualifies the praise and changes how the review would be understood. The quotation therefore distorts rather than represents the balanced judgement.