Sentence Logic Practice Questions
- Posted by Brian Stocker MA
- Date May 9, 2014
- Comments 5 comments
Sentence Logic Practice
Sentence logic questions are in the form of syllogisms: 2 sentences, or premises are given, and students are asked if the third sentence is true or false.
Logic questions are on the Border Services (OTEE), Firefighter, RCMP, Ontario Police
Increase your score with practice questions below.
Similar logic or IQ questions on standardized tests include verbal classification, verbal reasoning and simple syllogisms.
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Sentence Logic Practice Questions
Sentence Logic Practice Questions
1. The Silver fish can swim faster than the black fish. The gold fish can swim faster than the black fish. The gold fish can swim faster than the silver fish. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:
True False Uncertain
2. All rabbits have fur. Some rabbits are pets. Some pets have fur. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:
True False Uncertain
3. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall. Conifers keep their leaves all year round. Conifers are deciduous. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:
True False Uncertain
4. No homework is fun. Reading is homework. Reading is not fun. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:
True False Uncertain
5. All informative things are useful things. Some websites are not useful things. Some websites are not informative. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is: True False Uncertain
Answer Key
1. Uncertain
We don’t have enough information here to make a decision. Perhaps the gold fish can swim faster than the black fish AND the silver fish – we don’t know.
2. True
This argument is a little sloppy, because the 2nd statement and the conclusion both use ‘some.’ However, it is a valid argument.
3. False
This is a clearly false argument.
4. True This is a very strong argument. If the first two statement are true, then the third statement or conclusion must be true.
5. True
This is a strong argument since the first statement uses ‘all,’ and the second statement uses ‘some.’ And the conclusion uses ‘some.’
Common Sentence Logic Mistakes on a Test
Misinterpreting the question. Misinterpret the information presented in the question, will give an incorrect answer. For example, if you misinterpret a statement that is an exception or special case, and apply it as a general rule.
Selecting answers based on personal opinions or beliefs. The questions is based on the given information only. Answering based on personal opinions or preconceived notions, even when it contradicts the information in the questions will give a wrong answer. Put aside personal biases, opinions and beliefs and focus on the given information only.
An example of this type of error is dismissing a statement as false because it contradicts your personal beliefs, even though the information in the passage supports the statement.
Distractor choices. Test designers often include distractor choices that are plausible but ultimately incorrect. Careless students may be tempted to select these choices if they are not careful and do not thoroughly evaluate all the options. Professors generally include 1 or 2 ‘hard’ or trick type questions to separate out the A students from the class. Complete Guide to Answering Multiple Choice
Overlooking keywords or phrases. Watch for keywords or phrases in the passage that are key to determining the answer. Pay special attention to qualifiers, such as “all,” “some,” “no,” or “not,” as they significantly impact the logical relationship between statements. An example of this error is misinterpreting a statement that uses the word “some” as meaning “all” or vice versa.
Making a bad Guess. Guessing is a good strategy if you don’t know but you have to be careful as well. If you guess without thoroughly evaluating the choices, especially when running out of time, you will probably guess incorrectly. Manage your time effectively and review each answer choice before making a decision. Time management on a test
Tips for Answering Syllogism Logic Questions
Syllogism logic questions test your ability to deduce conclusions from given premises. Here are some tips and examples to help you answer these questions effectively:
The Basics of Syllogisms
A conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises. Syllogisms typically follow a specific structure: Major Premise, Minor Premise, and Conclusion.
Example
Premise 1: All humans are mortal.
Premise 2: Socrates is a human.
Conclusion: Socrates is mortal.
The basic structure is:
Major Premise: All A are B.
Minor Premise: All B are C.
Conclusion: All A are C.
Use Venn Diagrams
Venn diagrams can visually represent the relationships between different sets.
Look for Keywords
This is one of the most powerful methods.
Words like “all,” “no,” “some,” and “some not” are crucial in understanding the premises.
Example
“All” indicates a universal statement.
“Some” indicates at least one but not necessarily all.
Check for Validity
Not all conclusions derived from premises are going to be valid. Make the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
Example
Premise 1: All birds can fly.
Premise 2: Penguins are birds.
Conclusion: Penguins can fly. (This conclusion is invalid because the first premise is not universally true.)
Date Published: Friday, May 9th, 2014
Date Modified: Thursday, June 13th, 2024
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5 Comments
This was VERY HELPFUL thank you so much!!!
Feeling more confident for my exam now. I needed a little knowledge about what this part was about. Thanks so much.
This is a very good starter and break-down of the test. Thank you!
Love this website so much!!!
Got it thanks!