Verbal reasoning questions are similar to syllogisms.  A series of short sentences, or premises are given and students must select from a series of 4 statements as to which is true, given the premises.

Some High School Exams, particularly the HSPT have verbal reasoning, or logic problems which are a type of syllogism.   Other types of High School Proficiency exams also have Verbal Reasoning questions.

Similar types of logic or IQ questions common on standarized test are verbal classificationand syllogisms.

1. Tom and Tim are brothers. They look exactly the same. They also have the same birthdays.

a. Tom is older than Tim
b. Tim is more handsome than Tom
c. Tom and Tim are twins
d. Tom and Tim are best friends

2. Girls love roses. They smell so sweet. Their colors are also very attractive.

a. Roses are fragrant
b. Roses attract bees
c. Boys love roses
d. Girls don’t like roses

3. Rhea helps mother with the household chores everyday. She sweeps the floor every morning. She also helps mother prepare food for the family. She washes the dishes too.

a. Rhea is helpful.
b. Rhea is too lazy to do household chores.
c. Rhea waters the plants.
d. Rhea cooks for the whole family.

4. John is fond of the color green. He always wears green shirts to school. His rubber shoes are also green.  His bag, raincoat, and notebooks are also green.

a. John has green eyes
b. John hates the color green
c. John like the color green
d. John wears blue rubber shoes to school

5. The Earth is the only planet with known life forms.  It is the third planet from the sun in the solar system. It rotates on its axis in 24 hours and revolves around the sun in 365 ¼ days.

a. There is no life on Earth
b. The Earth is round
c. The Earth is the farthest planet in the solar system
d. Many living things live on Earth

6. Whenever I swim in the ocean I get cold. I went swimming today. I will be getting cold very soon. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:

a. True
b. False
c. Uncertain

7. Fish can’t breathe out of the water. Fish use their gills to breathe. Gills don’t work out of water. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:

a. True
b. False
c. Uncertain

8. I eat steak when I am hungry. I ate steak last night. I was hungry last night. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:

a. True
b. False
c. Uncertain

9. I read a lot. My favorite author is Herman Melville. I have read all of Herman Melville’s books. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:

a. True
b. False
c. Uncertain

10. All books are very informative. I am reading a book. I will learn something from this book. If the first 2 statements are true, then the third statement is:

a. True
b. False
c. Uncertain

1. C
The only certain thing is they are twins.

2. A
The only certain thing is roses are fragrant.

3. A
The only certain thing is Rhea is helpful.

4. C
The only certain thing is John likes the color green.

5. D
The only certain thing is many living things live on Earth.

6. C Uncertain.
It does not say where they went swimming.

7. A True.
It must be true that if fish use their gills to breathe, and fish can’t breathe out of water, then gills don’t work out of water.

8. C Uncertain.
It does not say that they eat steak every time they are hungry.  The last sentence would be true IF the first sentence was, I ALWAYS eat steak when I am hungry.

9. C Uncertain.
There could be Herman Melville books they can’t find or haven’t read.

10. A True.
The answer is true because the first statement says ‘all.’ Therefore the conclusion is also true. If the first sentence did not say ‘all,’ the conclusion would not be true.