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

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Example Question #141 :Logic

Gremlins are more frightening than ogres. Skeletons are less frightening than ogres. Gremlins are more frightening than skeletons. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

true

uncertain

false

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “more frightening,” and “less than” (<) will mean “less frightening.”

(1) Gremlins are more frightening than ogres: gremlins > ogres

(2) Skeletons are less frightening than ogres: skeletons < ogres

This could be rewritten as: ogres > skeletons

All together, we can say:

gremlins > ogres > skeletons

Therefore, it is indeed the case that gremlins are more frightening than skeletons.

Example Question #142 :Logic

Egbert is a stranger name than Dilbert. Dilbert is more normal of a name than Ethelbert. Ethelbert is a stranger name than Egbert. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

false

uncertain

true

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “is stranger than,” and “less than” (<) will mean “is more normal than.”

(1) Egbert is a stranger name Dilbert: Egbert > Dilbert

(2) Dilbert is more normal of a name than Ethelbert: Dilbert < Ethelbert

This could be rewritten: Ethelbert > Dilbert

Notice that these two statementsonlytell us that Dilbert's name is more normal than Egbert and than Ethelbert. This does not tell us anything about the relationship between Egbert and Ethelbert.

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