HSPT Verbal : Determining Whether a Statement is True, False, or Uncertain

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

On the day after Thanksgiving, a local electronics store sold more TVs than cameras. They also sold fewer computers than TVs. The electronics store sold the same number of cameras as computers. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ____________.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Uncertain

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

The first two sentences compare sales of cameras and computers to TVs. There is no reference point in relating cameras sales to computer sales. Therefore, we do not have enough information to determine whether the store sold the same number of cameras as computers. The answer must be uncertain.

Example Question #102 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

At Lincoln Elementary School, there are more 3rd graders than 2nd graders. There are more 1st graders than 3rd graders at Lincoln Elementary School. There are more 2nd graders than 1st graders at Lincoln Elementary School. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ___________.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Uncertain

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Let's look at each sentence numerically. 

This means that Grade 1 MUST be larger than Grade 2. Sentence 3 states that there are more 2nd graders than 1st graders at Lincoln Elementary. This statement must be false.

Example Question #103 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Andrew owns fewer animals than Jason. Dennis owns fewer animals than Andrew. Jason owns more animals than Dennis. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ___________.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Uncertain

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Let's put the information we know on a spectrum, with the person that owns the most animals on the extreme left and the person that owns the fewest animals on the extreme right. Sentence 1 tells us that Andrew owns fewer animals than Jason. This means that Jason owns MORE animals than Andrew. 

MOST                 FEWEST

Jason     --         Andrew

Sentence 2 tells us that Dennis owns fewer animals than Andrew. Therefore, Dennis should be placed to the right of Andrew.

MOST                       FEWEST

Jason   -- Andrew  -- Dennis

Sentence 3 says that Jason owns more animals than Dennis. Looking at the spectrum above, this statement is true.

Example Question #137 : Logic

Alicia is a faster swimmer than Todd. Todd is a slower swimmer than Jordan. Alicia is a faster swimmer than Jordan. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ___________.

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

True

False

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

Based on the information in the first two sentences, we know that Todd is a slower swimmer than both Alicia and Jordan. We do not have a direct comparison of Alicia and Jordan's swimming speeds. This means that the truthfulness of the third sentence is uncertain.

Example Question #802 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Boomer is a skinnier dog than Riley. Riley is a stronger dog than Kelsey. Kelsey is a faster dog than Riley. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is _________.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Uncertain

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

All three sentences are comparing different attributes of the three dogs. Although we know that Riley is stronger than Kelsey, we do not have any comparison of their speed except in the third sentence. If we only know that the first two sentences are true, the truthfulness of the third sentence is uncertain.

Example Question #104 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Shelley has more stuffed animals than Bert. Bert has more stuffed animals than Tanya. Tanya has fewer stuffed animals than Shelley. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is _________.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Uncertain

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Let's place each child on a spectrum based on how many stuffed animals each has. The child with the most stuffed animals will be placed on the extreme left side of the spectrum and the child with the fewest stuffed animals will be placed on the extreme right side of the spectrum. From Sentence 1, we know that Shelley has more stuffed animals than Bert, so Shelley should be placed on the left, and Bert on the right of the spectrum.

MOST                            FEWEST

Shelley          --             Bert

From Sentence 2, we know that Bert has more stuffed animals than Tanya, so Tanya should be placed to the right of Bert on the spectrum.

MOST                            FEWEST

Shelley    --    Bert   --    Tanya

Looking at the spectrum, we can now tell that Sentence 3 is true: Tanya has fewer stuffed animals than Shelley.

Example Question #105 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Jeremy has read more books than Leah. Daniel has read more books than Jeremy. Daniel has read more books than Leah. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is _____________.

Possible Answers:

False

Uncertain

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Let's arrange the three people on a spectrum: the person that has read the most books goes on the extreme left and the person that has read the fewest books goes on the extreme right. From Sentence 1, we know that Jeremy has read more books than Leah.

MOST                    FEWEST

Jeremy       --        Leah

From Sentence 2, we know that Daniel has read more books than Jeremy, so Daniel should be placed to the left of Jeremy on the spectrum.

MOST                    FEWEST

Daniel -- Jeremy -- Leah

This means that the Sentence 3 is true: Daniel has read more books than Leah.

Example Question #106 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Selina hates pastel colors. Pink is a pastel color. Selina loves the color red. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ________.

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

True

False

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

There is not enough information given in the first two sentences to determine if Selina loves the color red. We know that she hates pastel colors and that pink is a pastel color, therefore, Selina hates the color pink. Although red is not a pastel color, there is nothing stated in the first two sentences about colors Selina likes. Consequently, it is uncertain whether she loves the color red.

Example Question #107 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

As soon as Magali has saved enough money, she will take a vacation to Jamaica. Magali is working an extra job to earn the money more quickly. Magali has saved enough money to go on vacation. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ___________.

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Based on the information from the first two sentences, the third sentence must be false. Sentence 1 states that Magali will take her vacation "as soon as" she has earned the money. This implies that Magali will not wait, but will go on vacation immediately. Sentence 2 states that Magali is working an extra job to earn the money more quickly. This sentence also implies that Magali has not earned enough money yet. Consequently, the third sentence stating that Magali has earned enough money to go on vacation must be false.

Example Question #108 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are more popular in student's sack lunches than tuna sandwiches. Tuna is the least popular sandwich in student's sack lunches. Roast beef sandwiches are the most popular sandwich in student's sack lunches. If the first two sentences are true, then the third sentence is ________.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Uncertain

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

Since we only know that the first two sentences are true, the truthfulness of the third sentence is uncertain. The first two sentences compare the popularity of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with tuna sandwiches. Roast beef is never mentioned in the first two sentences, so we can not determine if it is the most popular or not.

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