Verbal Reasoning
What is being tested
Verbal reasoning measures how precisely you read a short passage and separate what it states from what it merely suggests. The core skills are identifying the main point, distinguishing fact from inference, spotting assumptions, and judging whether a conclusion follows from the evidence given.
Concepts to master
- Main idea vs. supporting detail: passage questions often ask for the conclusion, not a vivid detail.
- Inference: a valid inference must be forced by the text, not just plausible in real life.
- Assumption: an unstated premise the argument needs. Ask: if this were false, would the argument collapse?
- Strengthen/weaken: look for the option that adds or removes a link between evidence and conclusion.
- Word meaning in context: choose the sense the sentence requires, not the most common dictionary sense.
Traps
Absolute words (always, never, only) often make an option too strong. Options that are true in general but not supported by the passage are classic distractors. Watch for scope shifts (the passage discusses some recruits; the option says all recruits) and for answers that restate the question rather than resolve it.
Rule of thumb
Highlight the conclusion, then underline the single line of evidence. Any option that needs information from outside those two sentences is wrong, however sensible it sounds.
Worked example
Passage: 'Recruits who train in small groups complete the obstacle course faster than those who train alone.' Question: what is assumed? The valid assumption is that group training, not some other difference between the groups, causes the speed difference. An option saying 'small-group training is popular' does not rescue the argument and is therefore not the assumption.