Verbal Reasoning Guide

What is Verbal Reasoning?

Verbal Reasoning tests your ability to evaluate written information and determine whether conclusions logically follow from the text. You must base answers SOLELY on the passage provided, ignoring any outside knowledge.

The Three Answer Types

TRUE

The statement logically follows from the passage. The information is either:

• Explicitly stated in the passage, OR
• Directly implied by the passage content

FALSE

The statement contradicts the passage. The passage provides information that directly opposes the statement.

CANNOT SAY

The passage does not provide enough information to determine whether the statement is true or false. This is NOT the same as "I don't know" — it means the passage is genuinely silent on the matter.

Worked Example

Read this passage, then evaluate the three statements below:

"A recent government report found that 65% of civil servants in Hong Kong use public transport to commute. The average commute time for public transport users is 45 minutes, compared to 30 minutes for those who drive. The government has proposed expanding bus routes in the New Territories to reduce commute times for residents in those areas."

Statement 1: "The majority of Hong Kong civil servants commute by public transport."

• 65% is more than half → the passage directly supports this
• Answer: TRUE

Statement 2: "Driving to work takes longer than using public transport."

• The passage says driving = 30 min, public transport = 45 min → driving is actually shorter
• The statement contradicts the passage
• Answer: FALSE

Statement 3: "The proposed bus route expansion will successfully reduce commute times."

• The passage says the government "has proposed" expansion "to reduce commute times"
• But stating an intention is not the same as confirming the outcome — the passage never says it will succeed
• Answer: CANNOT SAY

Step-by-Step Strategy

Step 1: Read Questions First (30 seconds)

Scan all statements before reading the passage. This tells your brain what to look for.

Step 2: Skim the Passage (60 seconds)

Read for structure and main ideas:

• What is the topic?
• What are the key facts and figures?
• What opinions or conclusions does the author present?

Step 3: Evaluate Each Statement (60-90 seconds each)

For each statement:

1. Locate the relevant section of the passage
2. Compare the statement against the passage wording — word by word if needed
3. Check for scope changes, absolute language, or unsupported inferences
4. Decide True / False / Cannot Say

Common Traps to Avoid

1. The Outside Knowledge Trap

You know something is true in real life, but the passage doesn't mention it.

Passage: "Company X reported revenue of $50 million in 2024."
Statement: "Company X is profitable."

You might think: "50 million in revenue — they must be profitable!" But revenue ≠ profit. The passage says nothing about costs or profit.
Answer: CANNOT SAY

2. The Scope Shift Trap

The passage uses cautious language ("most", "often") but the statement uses absolutes ("all", "always").

Passage: "Most employees surveyed preferred flexible working hours."
Statement: "All employees prefer flexible working hours."

"Most" ≠ "all". The passage leaves room for some employees who don't prefer it.
Answer: CANNOT SAY (we don't know about ALL employees — only that most do)

3. The Absolute Language Trap

Watch for words like "always," "never," "only," "all," "none" in statements. Passages that use "often," "many," "generally" rarely support absolutes.

Passage: "Regular exercise generally improves cardiovascular health."
Statement: "Exercise always improves cardiovascular health."

"Generally" ≠ "always". There could be exceptions.
Answer: CANNOT SAY

4. The Correlation-Causation Trap

The passage mentions two things happening together, but the statement claims one caused the other.

Passage: "Countries with higher education spending tend to have lower unemployment rates."
Statement: "Higher education spending causes lower unemployment."

The passage only states a correlation ("tend to have"), not a causal relationship.
Answer: CANNOT SAY

5. The Paraphrase Trap

The statement rephrases the passage but subtly changes the meaning.

Passage: "The new policy was introduced after consultation with senior management."
Statement: "Senior management approved the new policy."

"Consultation" ≠ "approval". They were consulted, but the passage doesn't say they approved it.
Answer: CANNOT SAY

Quick Decision Guide

When stuck between TRUE and CANNOT SAY, ask yourself:

1. Can I point to a specific sentence in the passage that supports this? → Lean TRUE
2. Am I relying on "common sense" or assumptions? → Lean CANNOT SAY
3. Does the statement add information not in the passage? → Lean CANNOT SAY

When stuck between FALSE and CANNOT SAY:

1. Does the passage directly contradict the statement? → FALSE
2. Does the passage simply not address the statement? → CANNOT SAY

Time Management

• Target: 60-90 seconds per statement
• If stuck for more than 90 seconds, lean towards CANNOT SAY (it's the most common "trap" answer) and move on
• Practice reading speed — aim for 250+ words per minute

練習建議

完成本攻略後，配合 App 內的 Verbal Reasoning 練習題反覆操練。每次做錯時，回到原文逐字對比 — 找出是哪個字讓你判斷錯誤。