Logical Reasoning Questions

PASSAGE 1

Questions 1-4 refer to the following passage:

Hockey Lineup

When the goalie has been chosen, the Smalltown Bluebirds hockey team has a starting lineup that is selected from two groups:

  1. Group 1: John, Dexter, Bart, Erwin
  2. Group 2: Leanne, Roger, George, Marlene, Patricia

When deciding on the players in the lineup, the coach considers the following requirements:

  • Two players are always chosen from the first group, while three are chosen from the second group.
  • George will only start if Bart also starts.
  • Dexter and Bart will not start together.
  • If George starts, Marlene won’t start.
  • The four fastest players are John, Bart, George, and Patricia.
  • Three of the four fastest players will always be chosen.

  1. If George is in the starting lineup, who must also start?
  1. Marlene or John
  2. Dexter or Leanne
  3. Dexter or John
  4. John or Patricia
  5. Marlene or Roger
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Of the four fastest, three are always chosen to start. If George is one as specified, that leaves John, Bart, and Patricia. Knowing George will only start if Bart also starts, if George is in the starting lineup, then Bart must also be.

The other two fastest are John and Patricia; therefore, one of them is the third of the three out of the four fastest always chosen.

See original passage

 

  1. Which of the following pairs cannot start together?
  1. Erwin and Dexter
  2. George and John
  3. Roger and John
  4. John and Bart
  5. Patricia and Marlene
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Three of the four fastest (John, Bart, George, Patricia) must always start. If Erwin and Dexter start together (both from Group 1), then neither John nor Bart from Group 1 can start, making it impossible to reach three of the four fastest. Therefore, Erwin and Dexter cannot start together.

See original passage

 

  1. If Marlene is on the starting lineup, which of the following players on the first group of players will also be starting?
  1. John only
  2. John and Dexter
  3. John and Bart
  4. John, Dexter, and Bart
  5. John, Erwin and Bart
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Marlene is starting and not among the four fastest, of whom three are always chosen; John and Bart are, leaving one more. Dexter is not one of the fastest, so it cannot be John and Dexter.

Dexter and Bart never start together. John, Erwin, and Bart are all three in the first group, from which only two are chosen. Of the fastest four, the choices here include only John and Bart.

See original passage

 

  1. Of the following hockey players, who must start?
  1. Patricia
  2. John
  3. George
  4. Marlene
  5. Bart
Show Answer
The correct answer is E!

Bart is the only one who must start in order for George to start. If Bart does not start, then neither does George; but they are two of the four fastest players, of whom three are always chosen. If two of the four fastest didn’t start, that would leave only two of the four fastest, not three.

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 2

Questions 5-8 refer to the following passage:

Creature Crew

On a popular children’s television show, there are four little animals that make up the digitally animated “Creature Crew.” As digital creations, they can’t make a live stage performance. So while the Creature Crew is on tour, each is represented by a puppet that is operated by a chief and an assistant puppeteer.

Creature Crew (Animals)

  • Dragon
  • Gorilla
  • Kangaroo
  • Tiger

Creature Crew (Names)

  • Audrey
  • Hamish
  • Melville
  • Rex

Chief Puppeteers

  • Liam
  • Courtney
  • Chance
  • Sarah

Assistant Puppeteers

  • Oscar
  • Ella
  • TJ
  • Jackson

Melville isn’t the puppet who is operated by Sarah and her assistant TJ. Hamish’s chief puppeteer (who is not Courtney) is assisted by Jackson. Liam is in charge of the dragon, but Courtney doesn’t have anything to do with the kangaroo. Oscar is the assistant puppeteer for the tiger. Rex, whose chief puppeteer is Chance, isn’t the gorilla (whose name is not Melville).

  1. What is the name of the dragon?
  1. Audrey
  2. Hamish
  3. Melville
  4. Rex
  5. Oscar
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

We know that Liam operates the dragon and that Hamish’s chief puppeteer is assisted by Jackson and is not Courtney. Since Sarah already works with TJ and Chance works with Rex, the only chief who can be Hamish’s is Liam. Therefore, the dragon’s name is Hamish.

See original passage

 

  1. Who is the assistant puppeteer for Melville?
  1. Oscar
  2. TJ
  3. Ella
  4. Jackson
  5. Liam
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Oscar is the assistant puppeteer for the tiger. From the clues, Melville must be the tiger; therefore, Oscar assists Melville.

See original passage

 

  1. Which chief puppeteer works with Jackson?
  1. Liam
  2. Courtney
  3. Chance
  4. Sarah
  5. TJ
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Jackson assists the chief puppeteer of Hamish, and Hamish is the dragon. Since Liam is the dragon’s chief, Jackson works with Liam.

See original passage

 

  1. What kind of animal does Ella work with?
  1. Dragon
  2. Gorilla
  3. Kangaroo
  4. Tiger
  5. Lemur
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Ella works with the kangaroo. From the full set of deductions:

  • Liam and Jackson operate Hamish the dragon
  • Sarah and TJ operate Audrey the gorilla
  • Courtney and Oscar operate Melville the tiger
  • Chance and Ella operate Rex the kangaroo

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 3

Questions 9-12 refer to the following passage:

Chess Tournament

A chess tournament is occurring in the local community school, and the players at all four of the tables are engaged in their fourth game against their prospective opponents.

Players with White Pieces

  • David
  • Gerry
  • Lenny
  • Terry

Players with Black Pieces

  • Don
  • Mike
  • Richie
  • Stephen

Scores*

  • 3 : 0
  • 2.5 : 0.5
  • 2 : 1
  • 1.5 : 1.5
  • *Tied games result in a score of 0.5 points for each player

Lenny is playing at the table to the right of Stephen, who has lost all of his games until now. Gerry is playing against Mike. At least one game at table 1 has resulted in a tie. Richie, who is not in the lead over his opponent, has not been in a tied game. The player who is using the white pieces at table 4 is Terry; however, the current score at table 4 is not 2 : 1. Don is leading his match after his last three games.

  1. What table is Stephen playing at, and what is the score at that table?
  1. Table 1, 2.5 : 1.5
  2. Table 1, 3 : 0
  3. Table 2, 3 : 0
  4. Table 2, 2.5 : 1.5
  5. Table 3, 2 : 1
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Stephen has lost all his games until now, so the score must be 3 : 0 in favor of his opponent. This narrows the choices down to Choices B and C. At least one game at table 1 has resulted in a tie, but Stephen has lost all of his games, so he must be at table 2.

See original passage

 

  1. Whose score is highest?
  1. Mike
  2. Stephen
  3. Richie
  4. David
  5. Lenny
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

From the previous question, we know that Stephen is at table 2 with a 3 : 0 score against him, so his opponent (White at table 2) has 3 points. That player is David. David’s score of 3 is the highest individual score.

See original passage

 

  1. Which player has black pieces and is tied?
  1. Mike
  2. David
  3. Richie
  4. Don
  5. Terry
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

David has white pieces, not black. Richie has black pieces but has not been in a tied game. Don is currently leading his match and so is not tied. Terry has white pieces, not black.

By process of elimination, the only choice left is Mike, who has black pieces.

See original passage

 

  1. Who is the winning player at table 4?
  1. Don
  2. Terry
  3. David
  4. Gerry
  5. Richie
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Table 1 is tied (1.5 : 1.5). Table 2 is 3 : 0 for White (vs. Stephen). Table 3 is 2 : 1 for White (vs. Richie, who isn’t leading and has no ties).

That leaves table 4 as 2.5 : 0.5 in favor of Black, so Black at table 4 (Don) is winning.

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 4

Question 13 refers to the following passage:

Larry has purchased a device that the manufacturer claims will reduce the fuel consumption in his car. After a month has passed, Larry determines that his mileage currently rests at 17 miles per gallon. Larry’s best friend, Steve, owns the exact same make and model car, and has calculated his mileage at 23 miles per gallon. Steve’s car does not have the device that Larry purchased one month ago. Larry then makes the conclusion that the manufacturer of the device’s claim is not true.

  1. Which of the following statements would cause Larry’s conclusion to be the weakest?
  1. Though Larry has the same make and model of car as Steve, Larry’s car is 15 years older.
  2. Larry was driving in the city, whereas Steve drives the highway.
  3. Larry purchases a lower grade of gasoline than Steve.
  4. Steve lied—he actually only gets 15 miles per gallon.
  5. Before buying the device, Larry had never calculated the mileage of his car.
Show Answer
The correct answer is E!

To determine whether or not the device impacted his car’s mileage, Larry would need a baseline measurement of his car’s average mileage before installing the device. Without this baseline to compare with post-installation mileage, Larry’s conclusion is unsubstantiated.

Car ages, city vs. highway driving, gasoline grades, and Steve’s lying would all affect mileages but are immaterial when Larry cannot compare his car’s current mileage to its mileage before device installation.

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 5

Questions 14-17 refer to the following passage:

Petrochemical Plant Guidelines

A petrochemical plant manufactures a range of hazardous chemical products and must therefore follow strict guidelines concerning how each of the chemicals may interact with one another on a daily basis. The plant processes five different chemicals every week. Three of these chemicals can be processed on any given day.

Xenon may be processed any day except for every other Monday and every other Thursday. Oxygen can be processed only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Liquid hydrogen may be processed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sulfur dioxide can’t be processed on Fridays. Methane can’t be processed on Wednesday.

  1. What are the three chemicals that can be processed on any given Monday?
  1. Liquid hydrogen, xenon, and oxygen
  2. Methane, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide
  3. Methane, xenon, and oxygen
  4. Sulfur dioxide, methane, and liquid hydrogen
  5. Xenon, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Xenon cannot be processed every other Monday. Oxygen is only processed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, eliminating Mondays. The remaining three may be processed on any given Monday:

  • Sulfur dioxide on any days except Fridays
  • Methane on any days except Wednesdays
  • Liquid hydrogen on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

See original passage

 

  1. Which weekday is most likely to be impossible for three chemicals to be processed in one day?
  1. Monday
  2. Tuesday
  3. Wednesday
  4. Thursday
  5. Friday
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Thursdays are most difficult, because xenon cannot be processed every other Thursday, and oxygen (processed only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and liquid hydrogen (processed only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) both cannot be processed on Thursdays.

Mondays are only restricted against processing xenon (alternate Mondays) and oxygen. Tuesdays are only restricted against processing liquid hydrogen. Wednesdays are only restricted against processing methane. Fridays are only restricted against processing sulfur dioxide.

See original passage

 

  1. What are the three chemicals that can be processed on a Friday?
  1. Oxygen, methane, and liquid hydrogen
  2. Liquid hydrogen, methane, and sulfur dioxide
  3. Liquid hydrogen, methane, and xenon
  4. Methane, oxygen, and xenon
  5. Liquid hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Liquid hydrogen is processed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Methane is processed any day except Wednesday. Xenon is not processed on alternate Mondays and Thursdays but on all other days including Friday.

Oxygen is processed Tuesday and Wednesday, not Friday. Sulfur dioxide is also not processed on Friday.

See original passage

 

  1. On which days of the week can they process liquid hydrogen and only an additional two chemicals?
  1. Monday and Tuesday
  2. Tuesday and Thursday
  3. Wednesday and Friday
  4. Thursday and Friday
  5. Monday and Friday
Show Answer
The correct answer is E!

Liquid hydrogen is only processed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Of these three days, on Wednesday liquid hydrogen and an additional three chemicals (xenon, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide) may be processed.

On Monday, liquid hydrogen plus sulfur dioxide and methane can be processed. On Friday, liquid hydrogen plus xenon and methane can be processed.

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 6

Question 18 refers to the following passage:

Caffeine Experiments

In a lab, the scientists have been performing tests on pregnant lab rats with caffeine. These rats were given the equivalent amount of caffeine that a person would consume with six cups of coffee every day. The caffeine increase also increased the occurrence of birth defects. A media relations person told reporters that the government would not require warning labels on products that contain caffeine, as the testing was continuing and it may have different results in the future, and that the government did not want to lose credibility.

  1. Of the following statements, which is the most in line with the statement that was made by the media relations person?
  1. A warning applying only to a small minority of people is inappropriate.
  2. Six cups of coffee per day is much higher than what a person typically drinks.
  3. The conclusive nature of studies that have been performed on animals is doubted.
  4. Studies on rats don’t provide us with much data regarding birth defects in humans.
  5. The significance of birth defects due to the use of caffeine is unclear.
Show Answer
The correct answer is E!

With testing in progress, results are not yet definitive. The passage never indicates that preliminary results apply only to a small minority. Six cups of coffee daily is not necessarily higher than what many people drink, which the passage also does not identify.

While generalizability of animal results to humans is doubted by many, the media relations person did not cite this objection or limited application of rat studies to human birth defects.

See original passage

 

PASSAGE 7

Questions 19-21 refer to the following passage:

Butcher Shop Queue

At the local butcher’s shop, there were five customers in line. Each of the customers bought something different.

Customers’ First Name

  • Annie
  • Jessica
  • Lily
  • Maggie
  • Naomi

Customers’ Last Name

  • Bore
  • Hazlitt
  • Piggott
  • Sowter
  • Trotter

Available Products

  • Cumberland sausage
  • Pork chops
  • Pork pie
  • Scotch eggs
  • Sliced ham

Lily Piggott was served later than the customer who requested the sliced ham but before Mrs. Sowter. The second customer was Maggie. The pork pie was purchased by the customer directly after Jessica. Naomi was the woman who bought the scotch eggs; she was served after Annie. The Cumberland sausage was requested by Mrs. Trotter. Mrs. Hazlitt was the third in line. The fourth customer in the line bought the pork chops.

  1. What was purchased by the third person in line?
  1. Cumberland sausage
  2. Pork pie
  3. Sliced ham
  4. Pork chops
  5. Scotch eggs
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

We’re told that Mrs. Hazlitt was the third person in line. The pork pie is directly after Jessica, and the second customer is Maggie, so positions 1 and 2 are Jessica with an unknown purchase and Maggie with a pork pie, respectively. The fourth customer bought pork chops, leaving sliced ham as the only remaining item that can be third.

See original passage

 

  1. What was the last name of the person who purchased the pork pie?
  1. Trotter
  2. Bore
  3. Hazlitt
  4. Piggott
  5. Sowter
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

The pork pie is bought by the customer directly after Jessica. Since Maggie is second, Jessica must be first and the pork pie must be second, so the pork pie buyer is Maggie, whose surname is Bore.

See original passage

 

  1. What place was Naomi in line?
  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth
  5. Fifth
Show Answer
The correct answer is E!

Naomi bought scotch eggs and was served after Annie. Annie is third, and the fourth customer bought pork chops, so Naomi can’t be fourth; she must be fifth.

See original passage