HSPT Verbal : Logic

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Logic

All radios are a type of signal-receiving device. Some types of signal receiving devices are regulated by the government. Which of the following is the best conclusion?

Possible Answers:

Radios are not regulated by the government.

Radios have no relationship to the government.

It is possible that radios are regulated by the government.

Radios are regulated by the government.

No conclusion can be reached.

Correct answer:

It is possible that radios are regulated by the government.

Explanation:

Since radios are a (i.e. one) type of signal-receiving device, they are not necessarily ones that are regulated by the government. It is said that some types of these devices are regulated, but that does not mean that any particular one kind (for instance, radios) is. It might be the case that only radar-receivers are regulated. Still, since it is the case that signal receiving devices are regulated by the government, there is a chance that radios would fall into that category. We can at least say that—and nothing more, pending further investigation and more details!

Example Question #22 : Logic

On the planet Racknar, all trains travel westward only and often fall off the face of the planet through massive holes. Also, on this planet, all planes travel only north or west and never have accidents. Harry, an inhabitant of Racknar, tragically died during a trip westward. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Harry's death was caused by falling through a hole in the earth.

Harry travelled by train.

None of the other answers

Harry might have flown on a plane.

Harry flew on a plane.

Correct answer:

Harry might have flown on a plane.

Explanation:

For this problem, you can reach one of the tentative conclusions that are provided among the optional answers. The key thing to note is that Harry is merely said to have "tragically died." Do not be tricked into thinking that Harry necessarily died by falling through one of the large holes discussed in the question. Perhaps he had a heartattack or was killed by another passenger. Either of these would have been tragic deaths as well.  It seems strange, but we can say that he might have flown on the plane. Even though they never have accidents, nothing is said that would imply that nothing tragic could ever happen on a plane.

Example Question #23 : Logic

Books do not make much profit per sale. Sometimes, massive sales of books make a lot of profit. Thomas is a well-known author. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Thomas is likely unprofitable as an author.

Thomas is a profitable author.

None of the other answers

Thomas is likely to be a profitable author.

Thomas is not an author.

Correct answer:

None of the other answers

Explanation:

For this question, you cannot infer anything specifically, for being "well-known" does not tell you one way or the other anything specifically about Thomas' sales. He might be well known because he is a very, very bad author or a controversial one. This would not lead to any sales necessarily. Thus, you need to choose the very boring but most correct, "None of the others."

Example Question #24 : Logic

Only the strong will be victorious. All hardheaded people are strong. Thomas is hardheaded. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Thomas will be victorious.

Thomas is a loser.

Thomas will not be victorious.

Thomas is not hardheaded.

Thomas could be victorious.

Correct answer:

Thomas could be victorious.

Explanation:

Be careful! This does not say that the strong will necessarily be victorious. It says only that if someone is victorious, that person must be strong. The language is a bit reversed, but it only communicates that sense. Now, if Thomas is hardheaded, he is also strong, as can be concluded from "All hardheaded people are strong." Beyond this, we cannot say anything more conclusive than he could be victorious since he has the necessary but insufficient characteristic of being strong.

Example Question #25 : Logic

All thoroughbred horses are expensive to keep. Any purchase of an expensive animal leads either to poverty or family breakups. Paula forced her husband to buy her thoroughbred stallion. They remained happily married for the rest of their lives. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Paula and her husband live in poverty.

None of the other answers

Paula and her husband fought about money most of their marriage.

Paula and her husband nearly got divorced.

Paula and her husband are wealthy after a divorced period.

Correct answer:

Paula and her husband live in poverty.

Explanation:

First, let's analyze the sentence about the purchase of the stallion. Paula forced her husband to buy an animal that is expensive to keep. Now, based on the second sentence, all such purchases lead only to one of two outcomes: poverty or a family breakup. Since they remained married for the rest of their lives, we must say that the "other option" was all that held, namely that they lived in poverty. In any case, this is what can be concluded from the statements provided.

Example Question #26 : Logic

English majors read more books than anthropology majors. Computer science majors read fewer books than biology majors. Biology majors read fewer books than English majors. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Anthropology majors read more than computer science majors.

Computer science majors read more than anthropology majors.

None of the other answers

Anthropology majors read more than biology majors.

Biology majors read more than anthropology majors.

Correct answer:

None of the other answers

Explanation:

Let's rewrite this in a semi-mathematical manner, using the following shorthand:

E: (Books read by) English Majors

A: (Books read by) Anthropology Majors

CS: (Books read by) Computer Science Majors

B: (Books read by) Biology Majors

We know the following:

(1) E > A

(2) CS < B

(3) B < E

Now, we can combine (2) and (3):

CS < B < E

Let's rewrite that:

E > B > CS

Now, while we know that E > A, we cannot say anything about the relative position of A. It could be all the way below the computer science majors, it could be between biology and computer science, etc. None of the answers are acceptable.

Example Question #27 : Logic

Chemistry is more difficult than political science. Political science is easier than Physics. Physics is more difficult than Biology. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Political science is more difficult than biology.

Chemistry is easier than physics.

None of the others answers

Biology is more difficult than political science.

Chemistry is more difficult than physics.

Correct answer:

None of the others answers

Explanation:

Let's rewrite this in a semi-mathematical way:

C: Chemistry difficulty

PS: Political science difficulty

PH: Physics difficulty

B: Biology difficulty

We know the following from our prompt:

(1) C > PS

(2) PS < PH (or: PH > PS)

(3) PH > B

However, note that we cannot really say much else. We do not know the relative positions of biology and political science, except that they are easier than physics. Likewise, while we know that chemistry is harder than political science, we cannot say anything about its relationship to physics. (Likewise, this means that we cannot say anything about its relationship to biology). Thus, the answer is "none of the others."

Example Question #28 : Logic

More bankers eat pork chops than do accountants. All accountants drink twice as much water as do engineers. Mary is a banker. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Mary drinks more water than her engineer friend Rebecca.

None of the other answers

Mary eats many pork chops.

Mary eats more pork chops than her accountant friend Sally.

Mary likely eats more pork chops and drinks more water than any of her engineer friends.

Correct answer:

None of the other answers

Explanation:

This question is meant to trick you. Learn to pay close attention to details. If Mary is a banker, all that we could say is that she has a greater chance (not necessity) of eating pork chops than would someone who is an accountant. We cannot say anything about the relationship between bankers and the water-drinking of accountants or any others. Thus, the only acceptable answer is "none of the other answers."

Example Question #29 : Logic

All creeps are ring-rangs. Some ring-rangs are zip-doodles. All zip-doodles are mishmashes. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

All mishmashes are creeps.

All creeps are mishmashes.

Some creeps are mishmashes.

None of the other answers

All mishmashes are zip-doodles.

Correct answer:

Some creeps are mishmashes.

Explanation:

Just follow the logic of the strange expressions. Since Bob is a creep, he is also a ring-rang. Now, all zip-doodles are mishmashes. Thus, some ring-rangs are mishmashes. Thus we can say that all creeps are ring-rangs, some of which are mishmashes. Thus, some creeps are mishmashes.

Example Question #30 : Logic

There never are sales on corn in Alaska. A massive shipment of corn arrived in Alaska this month. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Corn is extremely popular in Alaska this year.

Corn prices in Alaska have remained level.

The demand for corn has increased quickly.

Retail prices for corn plummetted.

Corn is now being used for non-edible purposes in Alaska.

Correct answer:

Corn prices in Alaska have remained level.

Explanation:

Do not surmise anything more than your data permits you to conclude. Your data says, "There never are sales on corn in Alaska." You must believe this (at least for this problem) and not bring in any other information that you might believe to be the case—whether it is based on good knowledge of economic laws or upon common sense. The only thing that can be "concluded" is not much of a conclusion: Corn prices are staying the same in Alaska. (Remember: They never go on sale).

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