General Intelligence (Verbal Reasoning) Questions

Argument, Assertion and Counter-argument:

An argument (or a Supporting reason) is a statement meant to convince another person about your point of view.
An Assertion is a point of view.
A Counter-argument contains logic opposing the assertion.
An Irrelevant Argument has no connection to the context of the Assertion-Supporting Reason-Counter Argument set.
Based on above definitions, classify each of the given sets of statements into:
I. Assertion

II. Supporting reason

III. Counter argument

IV. Irrelevant argument

1. a. One look at the Siliguri roads and you know why traffic moves so slowly.
b. The road surface and the potholes following the monsoons result in traffic getting held up for hours.
c. Siliguri is the financial capital of the northern part of West Bengal.
d. Siliguri has one of the best road surfaces in the country where you can easily drive at 70 km per hr within the
city.
1] I, II, II, IV

2] I, II, IV, III

3] II, I, III, IV

4] IV, I, IV, IV

2. a. Cat is not an affectionate animal.

b. It does not require the emotional warmth that a dog does.
c. It is affectionate; but not every demonstrative.
d. Cat belongs to the royal family.
1] I, III, IV, II

2] I, II, III, IV

3] IV, III, II, I

4] III, I, I, II

3. a. Kerala is Gods own country.

b. It has more than its fair share of natural beauty.
c. The people there cook most of their food in coconut oil.
d. A lot of the people use coconut oil for their hair, too.
1] I, II, II, II

2] II, I, IV, IV

3] I, II, IV, IV

4] I, II, I, II

4. a. Individuals who seek solutions come up against a wall of indifference.

b. There seems to be absolutely no one who cares.
c. The inefficiency of public-sector behemoths is legendary.
d. The Voluntary Retirement Scheme is very popular here.
1] II, II, I, IV

2] I, II, II, IV

3] IV, I, IV, II

4] I, III, IV, IV

5. a. Anger is ineffective.
b. It is better to be feared than to be liked.
c. Fear is a poor motivator.
d. Fear is dysfunctional.
1] I, III, II, II

2] II, I, III, III

3] I, II, III, IV

4] IV, I, III, III

6. a. Those who are slow to react to changes are often swept away by them.
b. Often, changes are fads, mere whims of fashion.
c. Haste makes waste.
d. When events unfold quickly, you have to be fast on your feet.
1] I, II, III, III

2] I, III, III, II

3] II, IV, III, I

4] II, III, III, I

Conclusions and implicit statements:

For the questions below a small passage is followed by three conclusions. You have to identify whether the statements
are implicit in the main passage.
Passage:
Sometimes plants lure ants with nectar and other food. Ectatomma tuberculatum ants in Peru drink a sweet sap that
oozes from green spots along the petal margins of passion flowers blooms. With open jaws, workers aid the plant by
keeping pests from invading the flower.
I] Only passion flowers are attacked by invaders.
II] Ectatomma tuberculatum ants and passion flower plants have a symbiotic relationship.
III] When attacked by invaders passion flower plants become completely defenseless.
1] Only I is implicit.
2] Only II is implicit.
3] I and III are implicit.
4] None are implicit.
Passage:
On the island of Santiago, feral pigs introduced in the 19th century by European mariners so that they could have
pork chops have grown in number and appetite, and they now eat many of the eggs and hatchlings of the resident
green sea turtles. On some islands the turtles survival rate has declined dramatically.
I] The green sea turtles on the islands in and around Santiago are endangered.
II] Feral Pigs in Santiago are affecting the ecological balance.
III] Before the 19th century feral pigs did not exist in Santiago.
IV] European mariners are liable for the ecological imbalance in the island of Santiago.
1] Only I is implied.
2] I and II are implied.
3] II and III are implied.
4] I, II, III are implied.
5] All are implied.
DIRECTIONS for questions 1 to 5: There is a statement followed by three assumptions numbered I, II, and III. An
assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. You have to decide which of the assumptions are implicit in
the statement, and mark the answer.
1. Picasso was, arguably, the most prominent exponent of the school of art which is practised.
I. Picasso used to work in a particular style.
II. There were other artists who could lay claim to the title of most famous exponent of the school of art which Picasso
practised.
III. Picasso was a student.
1] Only I is implicit.

2] Only II is implicit.

3] I & II are implicit.

4] All are implicit.

2. Love is, perhaps, more important for life than food and drink, because it gives us a reason for the other two.
I. Food and drink are important for life.
II. Love is our most important need in life.
III. Those without love will neither eat nor drink.

1] None of the three are implicit.

3] I and II are implicit.

2] Only I is implicit.
4] Only II is implicit.

3. The refineries will, once more, exceed their production targets, ensuring fuel for all, said the relieved Petroleum
Minister.
I. Refineries have exceeded their production targets in the past.
II. Whether refineries would exceed their production targets, was a matter of worry to the Petroleum Minister.
III. The entire output of refineries is used as fuel.
1] Only I and II are implicit.

2] Only III is implicit.

3] Only I is implicit.

4] Only II is implicit.

4. Mr. Patil is now in charge of this hotel, so, obviously, we are going to stop serving liquor.
I. Mr. Patil used to like liquor earlier, but has now given it up.
II. The hotel used to serve liquor before Mr. Patil took charge.
III. Mr. Patil disapproves of imbibing alcohol.
1] Only III is implicit.
3] II and III are implicit.

2] All are implicit.

4] None of the assumptions are implicit.

5. Casablanca apart from being one of Bogarts most compelling performances was also an outstanding film.
I. Bogart was an actor.
II. Bogart gave many compelling performances.
III. Casablanca was a film about Bogart.
1] All are implicit.

2] I and II are implicit.

3] Only I is implicit.

4] I and III are implicit.

Direction: In each of the following questions, a statement is given, followed by two conclusions. Mark the answer as
a. if only conclusion I follows
b. if only conclusion II follow
c. if either I or II follows
d. if neither I nor II follows
1. Statement: Morning walks are good for health.
Conclusions: I. All healthy people go for morning walks.

II. Evening walks are harmful

2. Statement: The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it.

Conclusions: I. Your life will be dull if you dont face a problem.
always have some solutions with you.

II. To escape from problems, you should

3. Statement: Vegetable prices are soaring in the market.

Conclusions: I. Vegetables are becoming a rare commodity. II. People cannot eat vegetables.
4. Statement: Until our country achieves economic equality, political freedom and democracy would be meaningless.
Conclusions: I. Political freedom and democracy go hand in hand. II. Economic equality leads to real political
freedom and democracy.
5. Statement: Parents are prepared to pay any price for an elite education to their children.
Conclusions: I. All parents these days are very well off. II. Parents have an obsessive passion for a perfect
development of their children through good schooling.
Direction: In each of the following questions, a statement is given, followed by two conclusions. Mark the answer as
a. Give answer 1 if only I follows
b. Give answer 2 if only II follows
c. Give answer 3 if neither I nor II follows
d. Give answer 4 if I and II both follows
6. Statement: When it rains usually X does not go out. X has gone out.
Conclusions: I. It is not raining. II. X has some urgent business to transact.

(1) 1

(2) 2

(3) 3

(4) 4

7. Statements: In a Golf Club, all the members are not active players of the game but all of them are rich.
Mrs. X is a member.
Conclusions: I. She is a golfer. II. She is rich.
(1) 1
(2) 3
(3) 2
(4) 4
8. Statements: All employees of the company A have identity cards. Ram is an employee of the company A.
Conclusions: I. Ram has an identity card. II. Ram is the General Manager of the company.
(1) 2
(2) 1
(3) 4
(4) 3
9. Statements: If there is shortage in the production of onions, the price of onions will go up. Price of onions has gone
up.
Conclusions: I. There is shortage in the production of onions. II. Onions were exported.
(1) 3
(2) 2
(3) 1
(4) 4
10. Statements: If all players play to their full potential we will win the match. We have won the match.
Conclusions: I. All players played to their full potential. II. Some players did not play to their full potential.
(1) 2
(2) 3
(3) 1
(4) 4
11. Statements: Some businessmen are rich. Somen is rich.
Conclusions: I. Somen is businessman. II. Somen has a big farm.
(1) 2
(2) 3
(3) 1

(4) 1

12. Statements: All persons who own a house or a car should file Income Tax return. Sheila files her income tax
return.
Conclusions: I. Sheila owns a house or a car. II. Sheila owns both a house and a car.
(1) 2
(2) 1
(3) 3
(4) 4
13. Statements: In order to be selected for the local cricket team, a person should be either a good batsman or a
bowler. Shyam is selected for the team.
Conclusions: I. Shyam is a good batsman. II. Shyam is not a good bowler.
(1) 4
(2) 3
(3) 1
(4) 2
14. Statements: Without rain the crops will not be good. The crops were good.
Conclusions: I. There was rain. II. Crops were good due to good fertilizers.
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 4
(4) 3
15. Statements: According to the evolution theory, man evolved from a monkey. X is a monkey.
Conclusions: I. X can become a man. II. Man can become a monkey.
(1) 1
(2) 3
(3) 2
(4) 4
Direction: In each of questions, there are two statements A & B followed two conclusions numbered I & II. Decide
which of the given conclusions logically follows from the two given statements, disregarding commonly known facts.
Mark (a) if only conclusion I follows.
Mark (b) if only conclusion II follows.
Mark (c) If neither I nor II follows
Mark (d) if both I & II follows
Mark (e) if either I or II follows
16. Statements: a. All rivers are mountains. b. Some deserts are not mountains.
Conclusions: I: Some mountains are deserts. II: Some rivers are deserts.
17. Statements: a. All ants are hardworking. b. Some ants are lazy.
Conclusions: I: All lazy are hardworking. II: Some lazy are hardworking.
18. Statements: a. Alcoholic drinks are injurious to health. b. All old women drink whisky.

Conclusions: I: All old women have poor health. II: All young women are in good health.

Direction: Read the information given below and answer the questions.
a. A cube has six sides, each of which has a different color: black, blue, brown, green, red and white.
b. The red side is opposite the black.
c. The green side is between and the red and the black.
d. The blue side is adjacent to the blue.
e. The brown side is adjacent to the blue.
f. The red side is the bottom face.
19.
If the red side is exchanged for the green side, and blue is swapped for black, which of the following is false?
a. Red is opposite to black.
b. White is adjacent to brown.
c. Green is opposite to blue.
d. White is adjacent to blue
20.
a. (b)

Which one of the statements given above adds no information that is not already given by the other?
b. (c)
c.(e)
d. (f)

21.
Which of the following can be deduced from statements (a), (b) & (f)?
a. Black is on the top.
b. Blue id on the top.
c. Brown is on the top.
d. Brown is opposite to black.
22.
The four colours adjacent to green are:
a. Black blue, brown, red
b. Black blue, brown, white
c. Black blue, red, white
d. Black brown, red, white

Direction: In each question, a statement is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement
and the following assumptions to decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement.
Mark answer as
a. if only assumption I is implicit; b. if either I or II is implicit; c. if only assumption II is implicit; d. if neither I nor
II is implicit.
1. Statement: Like a mad man, I decided to follow him.
Assumptions: I. I am not a mad man.
II. I am a mad man
2. Statement: If it is easy to become an engineer, I dont want to be an engineer.
Assumptions: I. An individual aspires to be professional. II. One desires to achieve a thing which is hard earned.
3. Statement: All the employees are notified that the organization will provide transport facilities at half the cost from
the nearby railway station to the office except those who have been provided with traveling allowance.
Assumption: I. Most of the employees will travel by the office transport. II. Those who are provided with traveling
allowance will not read such notice.
4. Statement: An advertisement of a BankWant to open a bank account! Just dial our room service and we will
comer at your doorsteps.
Assumptions: I. There is a section of people who require such service at their home. II. Now-a-days banking has
become very competitive.
5. Statement: I can take you quickly from Kanpur to Lucknow by my cub but then you must pay me double the normal
charges.
Assumptions: I. Normally, it will take more time to reach Lucknow from Kanpur. II. People want to reach quickly but
they will not pay extra money for it.
Direction: In each question, a statement is followed by three assumptions numbered I, II and III. Check whether these
assumptions are implicit in the statement or not. Possible combinations of assumptions are given against option (a),
(b), (c) and (d). Choose the appropriate one.
6. Statement: Buy pure and natural honey of company X an advertisement in a newspaper.
Assumptions: I. Artificial honey can be prepared. II. People do not mind paying more for pure and natural honey. III.
No other company supplies pure honey.
a. only I is implicit
b. I & II are implicit
c. I & III implicit
d. all are implicit
7. Statement: Fly with us and experience the pleasure of flyingan advertisement by airlines.
Assumptions: I. More passengers may be attracted to travel by the airline after reading the advertisement. II. People
generally may prefer an enjoyable flight. III. Other airlines may not be of fearing the same facilities.
a. none is implicit
b. only I is implicit
c. only II is implicit
d. all are implicit
8. Statement: We do not want you to see our product in newspaper, visit our shop to get a full viewan
advertisement.
Assumptions: I. People generally decide to purchase any product after seeing the name in the advertisement. II.
Uncommon appeal may attract the customers. III. People may come to see the product.
a. none is implicit
b. I & II are implicit
c. II and II are implicit
d. all are implicit
9. Statement: Use Riya cold cream for fair complexionan advertisement.
Assumptions: I. People like to use cream for fair complexion. II. People are easily fooled. III. People respond
advertisements.
a. none are implicit
b. I & II are implicit
c. only II is implicit
d. I & III are implicit
10. Statement: Smoking is injurious to healtha warning printed on the cigarette packets.

Assumptions: I. People read printed matter on a cigarette packet. II. People take careful note of a warning. III. Nonsmoking promotes health.
a. only I is implicit
b. I & II are implicit
c. only III is implicit
d. all are implicit
Fact, Inference, Judgement:
A Fact is something which can be seen or heard, and is capable of verification.
An Inference is a statement drawn or following from a Fact.
A Judgement is an opinion, and implies approval or disapproval.
Based on the above definitions, mark the following as Fact, Inference or Judgement
1. a. She looks good in blue.
b. The population is growing at an alarming rate.
c. The doctor prescribed some medicines for her.
1] JJF
2] JJJ
3] JFJ
4] JIF
It is easiest to stop Judgement. More often than not a Judgement has an adjective and expresses a personal view.
2. a. Mrs. Rowlings fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire deals with magic and the supernatural.
b. But More Novels by far is another recent publication-- Lost for Words-- a story without words!
c. There is no historical precedent for Mrs. Rowlings achievement
1] IJF
2] FJI
3] FJJ
4] IFI
3. a. This is a black book.
b. All black books are unlucky.
c. Black books are more attractive than brown ones.
1] FJI

2] IJJ

3] JFJ

4] FJJ

3] FFI

4] FFJ

3] FFF

4] JJF

3] FIJ

4] FFI

4. a. The man is on the grass.

b. The grass is blue.
c. Plastic is not a bio-degradable substance.
1] FJI

2] FFF

5. a. It is difficult to type standing up.

b. Gorillas prefer eating fruit to eating nuts.
c. The young chap was hideous shade of red.
1] JIJ

2] FFI

6. a. She was typing sitting at the desk.

b. What I love about him is his calm nature.
c. The receptionist gave me a friendly smile.
1] JJJ

2] FJJ

7. a. The stained glass ceiling depicts champagne on ice.

b. All in all its just another brick in the wall.
c. We are the Sultans of Swing.
1] JJJ

2] FIJ

8. a. He is a liar.
b. The liar says that he is not a liar.
c. Mr. X says that Mr. Y is a true gentleman.

3] FJJ

4] FFF

d. Mr. Y is a nice human being

e. Mr. Z is a bad liar
1] JJJJJ
2] FFFJJ

3] IIIFF

4] FFFII

DIRECTION: In each of the following questions four sentences are given. Each sentence is either a fact (F) or
judgement (J) or inference (I). All the four are categories in each answer choice. Pick up the correct answer choice.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

i. India will have to manufacture nuclear weapons.

ii. Going nuclear may be a costly affair.
iii. Our policies have failed.
iv. Nuclear technology is much advanced today.
A. FJIJ
B. JJIF

C. FIJJ

D. IJFJ

i. This was the fifth vote of no confidence.

ii. There will be no more yes men in Asia.
iii. It is clear that there is unanimity of opinion.
iv. The Prime Minister tendered his resignation.
A. JFFI
B. IFFJ

C.FJIF

D. FIFJ

i. Two countries are to sign an agreement.

ii. His supporters would accept this proposal.
iii. It may rain today.
iv. The total strength of the house is 250.
A. JJFF
B. FFJJ

C. JFJF

D. FJJF

i. The Congress had not changed its attitude.

ii. He threatened to launch an agitation.
iii. So they captured power.
iv. I cannot expect anything special to happen.
A. FJIJ
B. JFIF

C. JJIF

D. IJJF

i. Thus there is no shred of evidence

ii. Perhaps they are already bilingual.
iii.The Prime Minister is right.
iv.There was a train accident yesterday.
A. IJJF
B. FJIF

C.IFJJ

D. FIJJ

i.He will manage to quieten his critics.

ii. The deficit is moral not fiscal.
iii. The entrance destroyed the whole city.
iv. A press conference was held on Monday.
A. JFJF
B. JJFF

C. FJFJ

D. FFJJ

i. Two persons died in the clash.

ii. He graduated last year.
iii. The song is fantastic.
iv. Thus he cheated me.
A. IFJF
B. FIFJ

C. JFIF

D. FFJI

i. It means that no one has any claim on it.

ii. For moral reforms they invoke religion.

9.

iii. The man is brave and gentle.

iv. The mother was killed with a grenade.
A. JIFF
B. IJJF
i. He will discover our real selves.
ii. He died a miserable death.
iii. So God spared me to look after them.
iv. Peace will come after war.

C. JJIF

D. FIJJ

Probably True, Definitely True

A passage is followed by certain inferences.
Mark [1] Definitely true if the inference follows directly from the data given in the passage.
Mark [2] Probably true if the influence is probably but not definitely true.
Mark [3] Probably false if the inference is probably but not definitely false.
Mark [4] Definitely false if the inference contradicts the data in the passage.
1. Jeans are on the comeback trail. Barely a few months ago, the big story was about denims decline and the shift in
the youth wardrobe collection in favour of an assortment of other fabric and styles, notably khakis and cargoes. But the
tides turning again. Denims very much on the revival path, though not in the same old fashion. No, the body hugging
tapered, faded, jaded and tough look is not the only kind which is carrying good old jeans forward. Softer feels, lesser
weights, darker colours and crisper looks and, yes, even flares and embroidered borders are now very much in.
a. Jeans with embroidered borders are yet to be accepted.
b. Fashion moves in a cyclical manner.
c. Jeans had fallen out of favour with the youngsters.
d. The crisper look of Jeans may lose out to the rugged tough look of the good old denim.
Direction: Read the following passage and examine each inference given below it in the context of this passage.
Mark the answer as:
a. if the inference is definitely true
c. if he inference is probably true

b. if the data provided inadequate

d. if the inference is definitely false

Passage
The space exploration has been done mainly by using unmanned satellites called space probes containing a large
variety of the latest scientific instruments on board. These space probes have provided us the close-up pictures and
other data about planets and other bodies in the outer space. The climax of the intensive American space programme
came when Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. Originally, the artificial
satellites were launched for studying the upper atmosphere of the earth.
Inference
1.
The space probes have increased our knowledge about space and the bodies in it.
2.
Space probes are meant to study the atmosphere of the earth only.
3.
Neil Armstrong was the first man to go into the space.
4.
Space probes are provided with computers.
5.
Moon has been explored by man.

Strong Argument, Weak Argument

1. Plastic bags should be banned completely.
a. Yes: Plastic Bags mostly end up in the garbage dump ending up as cattle food.
b. No: If banned completely, produces which need to be air proof will suffer.
c. Yes: Plastic Bags cannot be recycled and therefore are extremely harmful for the environment.
1] Only I is strong.

2] I and II are strong

3] Only I is weak.4] Only III is strong.

2. Children below the age of twelve should not be allowed to watch television as it telecasts a lot of sex and violence.
a. Yes: So much of sex and violence have a negative effect on the minds of children who are at an impressionable age.
b. No: What is shown on TV is but a reflection of our society, until and unless children get a taste of that, they will
grow up to be misfits.
c. Yes: They can derive entertainment from sources other than the TV.
1] I and II are strong.
2] I and III are strong.
3] II and III are strong.
4] All are weak.
Direction: A statement is followed by two arguments I and II. Decide which of the arguments is a strong argument
and which is a weak argument.
Mark answer as
a. if only argument I is strong
b. if only argument II is strong
c. if neither I or II is strong
d. if neither I nor II is strong
1.

Statement: Should telecasting feature films be stopped?

Arguments: I. Yes. Young children are misguided by the feature films. II. No. This is the only way to
educate the masses.
2.

Statement: Should school education be made free in India?

Arguments: I. Yes. This is the only way to improve the level of literacy. II. No. It would add to the
already heavy burden on the exchequer.
3.

Statement: Should India stop missile development?

Arguments: I. Yes. The U.S.A. desires so. II. No. The nation must always remain up-to-date in its defense.

4. Statement: Should we scrap the Public Distribution System in India?

Arguments: I. Yes. Protectivism is over, everyone must get the bread on his/her own. II. No. The poor do not
get any benefit because of corruption.
5.

Statement: Can pollution be controlled?

Arguments: I. Yes. If everyone realizes the hazard it may create and cooperates to get rid of it, pollution may
be controlled. II. No. The crowded highways, factories and industries and an ever growing population eager
to acquire more and more land for constructing houses are beyond control.