Verbal Reasoning and Literacy
What is tested
Verbal reasoning questions ask you to read a short passage - often a policy extract, incident summary or workplace memo - and answer one question about it. Four skills recur: locating stated detail, drawing a supported inference, working out a word's meaning from context, and judging the logical force of a claim. Literacy items test grammar, punctuation and spelling in isolation, so revise subject-verb agreement, apostrophes, comma splices and commonly confused words.
Traps
The most common trap is the answer that is true in the real world but not supported by the passage. Equally common is overstatement: the passage says 'some officers', the option says 'officers generally'. Watch scope words - all, most, some, none, only - and options that borrow the passage's vocabulary while quietly reversing its logic. For inference questions, prefer the cautious option that needs the fewest assumptions. For 'closest in meaning' vocabulary items, substitute each option back into the sentence and keep the one that preserves the surrounding logic and tone.
Rule of thumb
Point to the line. Before choosing, put your finger on the sentence that proves your answer. If you cannot find it, the option is almost certainly an inference too far.
Worked example
Passage: 'Officers may issue a caution instead of a fine where the breach is minor and the person has no prior record.' Which is best supported? A. Officers must fine repeat offenders. (Too strong - 'must' never appears.) B. A caution is available only when both conditions are met. ('where… and' supports this.) C. Cautions work better than fines. (Not discussed.) Answer: B.