Verbal Reasoning: Concepts, Challenges, Solved Examples & Tips!

Verbal Reasoning is one of the most important logical reasoning sections for various competitive examinations. Verbal Reasoning tests the candidates aptitude and command over English grammar and vocabulary skills along with a few more qualities like analytical thinking and more. Some of the important topics under Verbal Reasoning are analogy, classification, coding decoding, blood relation, Venn diagram, calendar, clocks, direction and distance, decision making, input output, puzzle and so on. 

In this article, we are going to cover the key concepts of Verbal Reasoning along with the various types of verbal reasoning, solved examples, practice questions and the tips and tricks to solve the questions related to the verbal reasoning. Read the article thoroughly to clear all the doubts regarding the same. 

What is Verbal Reasoning?

Verbal reasoning is all about testing the verbal skills and knowledge of a candidate. Questions related to verbal reasoning usually tend to test the candidates aptitude and command over English grammar and vocabulary skills. Some of the important chapters of verbal reasoning are analogy, classification, coding decoding, blood relation, Venn diagram, calendar, clocks, direction and distance, decision making, input output, puzzle and so on. Let us now understand various types of verbal reasoning from below which is also a part of logical reasoning. 

Types of Verbal Reasoning 

Let us see the various types of questions that may come in the Verbal Reasoning section one by one from below. 

1. Alphabet Test

In this type of verbal reasoning, questions are based on finding the place of an English letter to the left or right of another English letter in the alphabetical order. Sometimes the questions are based on finding the number of English letter/s between two different letters.

2. Blood Relation

In this type of verbal reasoning, involve analysis of information showing the blood relationship among members of the family. In this, a chain of relationship is given in the form of information and on the basis of this information, relation between two members of the chain is asked from the candidates. 

3. Calendars

Calendar verbal reasoning sections are all about finding the day on a particular date when reference date is given, finding the day on a particular date when reference day is not given, and finally finding a week day on the basis of another week day. 

4. Clocks

A clock is an instrument used for indicating and maintaining the time. It is an electronic device that presents the duration of hour, minute, and second. Different types of questions that are being asked from the Clock reasoning section are angle between hands of clock, position of hands of clock, faulty clock, and so on. 

5. Data Sufficiency 

Data Sufficiency is to check and test the given set of information, whether it is enough to answer a question or not. Data Sufficiency type questions are designed to test the candidate’s ability to relate given information to reach a conclusion. 

6. Decision Making 

The action or process of making important decisions for selection of a candidate is known as Decision Making. In this verbal reasoning section, criteria for selection of any post or admission will be given, which a candidate must need to fulfil in order to get selected for a particular job or post.

7. Direction and Distance 

Direction and Distance questions are based on the distance and/or direction puzzle. Based on the given distance and direction, candidates need to find out the final direction from the starting point and/or find out the distance, covered between starting point and the final or end point. 

8. Input Output 

Input Output reasoning is a process of rearrangement of data or sequence or message consisting of words or number or both based on some rule. In Input Output reasoning questions, a sequence of words, letters or both is considered as an input and then this input is passed through a processing machine or reorganized to give the sequential outputs. 

9. Puzzle 

Puzzle reasoning is all about analyzing the given data, arranging them in given order, and marking the correct answer. This section requires candidates to analyze the given piece of information, pick the information that is important, and leave out the information that is not required in solving the given set of questions. 

10. Seating Arrangement 

Seating Arrangement is a process of making a group of people sit as per a prefixed manner. These questions are based on a set of information including a certain set of conditions. Information of the arrangement of the people in a row or around the circle will be given, and candidates need to arrange people in the row or circle or square according to the given condition. 

What to Expect in Verbal Reasoning Test?

Verbal Reasoning examines and analyses your skills on the following

• Correct spellings and understand analogies based on the relation given between them.
• Understand detailed information mentioned in statement and process this information to get the crux and answer the questions
• Follow instructions carefully as given in the verbal reasoning test as any missed information may lead you to a point where you will get stuck and loose your time.

Challenges faced during Verbal Reasoning Test

Here are some common challenges faced by a candidate during verbal reasoning test. These includes

1. Time Management: The most common challenge is the pressure of  completing the question in the given time period. It is not difficult to understand the idea or concept of the question asked in the test but to understand and apply it in the limited time span makes it more challenging.
2. Uncertainty: The ‘cannot be determined’ option or uncertainty often increases confusion as any information missed while you are solving this test will left you in a state of uncertainty as you will not able to reach to the conclusion.
3. Difficulty in Interpretation: Another challenge is the language of the statement. Sometimes candidates find it difficult to interpret the information mention in the statement which leads to confusion.

How to Solve Question Based on Verbal Reasoning – Know all Tips and Tricks 

Candidates can find various tips and tricks from below for solving the questions related to the Verbal Reasoning section. 

Tip # 1: Verbal reasoning section is one of the tricky sections, so candidates need to read the question carefully before choosing the answer to the given question. 

Tip # 2: For solving the questions related to the verbal reasoning, candidates need to have a good grasp over the English language, especially the grammar and vocabulary part. 

Check more details on Statement & Argument

Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions

Question 1: Given Series: DEW BIG RAW FAN DOG, now if the positions of first and last alphabets of each word are interchanged, then how many meaningful words are formed?

Solution: For Given Series: DEW BIG RAW FAN DOG, if we exchange the alphabets we get: WED GIB WAR  NAF GOD, from the words 4 are meaningful words such as WED, GIB, WAR and GOD. 

Question 2: 

Given Directions

[email protected] means M is the wife of N

M#N means M is the son of N

M5N means M is the sister of N

M$N means M is the father of N

Which of the following expressions shows I as the brother of H?

(i) H#P$I, (ii) H%P$I, (iii) I%H$P, (iv) H%I$P

Solution: 

The above statements implies the following things. 

From the above options, we need to find an expression which represents I as the brother of H. 

So, check all the options and eliminate those in which either the gender is of I is unknown, or I is female. 

In the above question, @ and % represents wife and sister respectively such as female so eliminate all such options. And if in any expression, I is present in the end then it means that the gender of I will be unknown so eliminate such options too. 

From the above trick we can eliminate options 1,2, and 3. Hence in the expression “H%I$P”, I is the brother of H. 

Get more insights on Syllogisms

Question 3: If 2012, 2nd Feb. was on Wednesday, then in which year it will be repeated? 

Solution: To calculate the repeat year, we need to add 28 in case of a leap year. So, 2012+28 = 2040. Hence, the correct answer will be 2040. 

Question 4: What will be the angle between the hour and minute hands of the clock at 7:30?

Solution: Angle at 7:30 is: I60H – (11M / 2) = θI

(60 x 7 – 11 x 30) / 2 = θ

420 – 330 / 2 = θ

θ = 90 / 2 = 45 degree 

Question 5: In an innings of a T20 international match six batsman, Raina, Yuvraj, Kohli, Dhoni, Rahane and Dhawan have scored different number of runs. How many batsmen have scored more runs than Dhoni?

(I) Rahane has scored 7 runs less than Yuvraj and 10 runs more than Raina. 

(II) Kohli has scored 56 runs, which is 8 runs less than Dhoni. 

(III) Raina has scored 34, which is 1 run less than Dhawan. 

Solution: If we analyze the given statements then we get, 

(a) Raina has scored 34, which is 1 run less than Dhawan, which means Dhawan has scored 35. 

(b) Kohli has scored 56 runs, which is 8 runs less than Dhoni, which means the score of Dhoni is 64.

(c) Rahane has scored 7 runs less than Yuvraj and 10 runs more than Raina, which means Rahane scored 10+34 = 44 and Yuvraj scored 44+7 = 51. 

As we can see, no one has scored more than Dhoni and all the statements were required to get the final answer. 

Question 6: Before attempting the sample questions read the directions given below. 

Following are the conditions for selecting trainees for winter internship at ICICI bank. The candidate must

1. Be at least 19 years in case of females and 21 years in case of males, but not more than 25 years of age for either case as on 31.03.2012
2. Be a Graduate in any discipline with at least 55% aggregate marks
3. Have secured at least 50% marks in the selection test. 
4. The conditions for arrangement of Money Deposit are as follow:
   1. Money Deposit of Rs. 40000 along with the application form if the candidate has passed graduation with less than 60% marks but more than 55% marks. 
   2. If the candidate has secured more than 80% marks at graduation, the money deposit is Rs. 25000. If the candidate has secured marks between 60% and 80% then deposit is Rs. 30000.
   3. If the candidate is the son/daughter of a serving employee, the amount of the deposit will be one third of that applicable to others, keeping the merit criteria the same. 

In case of the candidate who fulfil the required conditions but 

1. Can pay only 3/4th of the applicable amount, he/she may be provisionally selected. 
2. Can pay only half of the applicable amount, he/she may be referred to the Manager. 
3. Have secured below 50% marks but above 45% marks in the selection test, he/she may be referred to the Manager. 

Riya Sharma was born on 31st May 1992 and has passed B.Sc. with 62% marks and secured 49% marks in the selection test. She is the daughter of cashier of the Bank and can pay a maximum of Rs. 10000 as deposit. 

Solution: The candidate has secured below 50% marks but above 45% marks in the selection test, thus he/she may be referred to the Manager for recruitment.

Question 7: A Nurse moved 90 m in the East in a hospital to look for her duty doctor, then she turned right and went 20m. After this she turned right and after going 30 m she reached I.C.U but the Doctor was not there. From there she went 100 m to her north and met her doctor. What distance did she move to meet her duty doctor from the starting point? 

Solution:  If we use the Pythagoras formula, then we get 

H^2 = B^2 + P^2

H^2 = 60^2 + 80^2

H^2 = 10000

H = 100

So the answer is 100 m. 

Question 8: Study the following information carefully and answer the given questions. 

A word and number arrangement device when given an input line of words and num- bers rearranges them following a particular pattern in each step. The following is an illustration of input and rearrangement.

Input: expected 20 more funniest 31 42 sea 51 rings 26 79 joyful

Step I: expected funniest 20 more 31 42 sea 51 rings 26 79 joyful

Step II: expected funniest 79 51 20 more 31 42 sea rings 26 joyful

Step III: expected funniest 79 51 joyful more 20 31 42 sea rings 26

Step IV: expected funniest 79 51 joyful more 42 31 20 sea rings 26

Step V: expected funniest 79 51 joyful more 42 31 rings sea 20 26

Step VI: expected funniest 79 51 joyful more 42 31 rings sea 26 20

And Step VI is the last step of the above input, as the desired arrangement is obtained. 

As per the hides followed in the above steps, find out in each of the following questions the appropriate step for the given input.

Input: blood 21 all 25 my 57 91 equals 59 strengthens 24 and

How many elements are there between 25 and 24 in step V?

Solution: In the given illustration:

In Step I, Two words were picked and arranged in alphabetical order and were finally placed at the left corner

In Step II, Two numbers were picked and arranged in descending order next to words and so on.

Before answering any of the questions, first we will solve the Input String that will help us to solve questions much more easily and much faster.

Input: blood 21 all 25 my 57 91 equals 59 strengthens 24 and

Step I: all and blood 21 25 my 57 91 equals 59 strengthens 24

Step II: all and 91 59 blood 21 25 my 57 equals strengthens 24

Step III: all and 91 59 blood equals 21 25 my 57 strengthens 24

Step IV: all and 91 59 blood equals 57 25 21 my strengthens 24

Step V: all and 91 59 blood equals 57 25 my strengthens 21 24

Step VI: all and 91 59 blood equals 57 25 my strengthens 24 21 

Hence, in this illustration Step VI is the final step. 

There are 3 elements between 24 and 25.

Question 9:

Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question.

Eight friends Ankit, Abhi, Akshay, Arjun, Arav, Anmol, Ankush and Atul live on different floors of an eight floors building, Ground floor is numbered as 1 and the topmost floor is numbered as 8. One person lives on each floor but not necessarily in the same order.

Atul lives on an odd-numbered floor but not on the bottom floor. Two friends live between Atul and Ankit. Ankit lives above the floor on which Atul lives. Three friends live between Akshay and Arjun. Arjun lives on an even-numbered floor. Arav lives just below Arjun. Arav lives on one of the floors above Abhi. Ankush lives above Anmol but below Abhi.

The number of floors above Ankit is the same as the number of floors below ________?

Solution:

1) Atul lives on an odd-numbered floor but not on the bottom floor.

2) Two friends live between Atul and Ankit.

3) Ankit lives above the floor on which Atul lives.

4) Three friends live between Akshay and Arjun.

5) Arjun lives on an even-numbered floor.

6) Arav lives just below Arjun.

7) Arav lives on one of the floors above Abhi. (This eliminates case 2)

8) Ankush lives above Anmol but below Abhi.

Hence, there will be two floors on which Atul lives. 

Question 10: 

Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the question given below.

Eight friends are sitting around a rectangular table either in the middle side or at the corner. Four of them like fruits, apples, mangoes, Grapes, and bananas, and four of them like vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, Broccoli, and cucumbers. The person who likes vegetables sits at the corner faces inside and the person who likes fruits sits in the middle faces outside.

Only two friends sit between the one who likes Mango and the one who likes Broccoli. The one who likes Grapes sits second to the right of the one who likes Mango. Only one person sits between the one who likes Tomato and the one who likes Potato. The one who likes Apple is an immediate neighbor of the one who likes Potato. Friends who like Banana and Broccoli do not sit together.

Who sits opposite to the one who likes Broccoli?

Solution: 

According to the question:

1. Only two friends sit between the one who likes Mango and the one who likes Broccoli.
2. The one who likes Grapes sits second to the right of the one who likes Mango.
3. Friends who like Banana and Broccoli do not sit together. (This eliminates case 1)
4. The one who likes Apple is the immediate neighbor of the one who likes Potato.
5. Only one person sits between the one who likes Tomato and the one who likes Potato.

Hence, the one who likes Tomato sits opposite to the one who likes Broccoli.

Check more details on Order and Word Formation

Exams where Verbal Reasoning is Part of Syllabus

Questions based on the verbal reasoning section come up often in various prestigious government exams some of them are as follows. 

• Bank (PO & Clerk) Exams 
• SSC (CGL, 10+2, Steno, FCI, CPO, Multitasking)
• LIC (AAO & ADO)
• RRB
• UPSC 
• State PSC Exams 

Check out more details on other Reasoning Topics:

We hope you found this article regarding the verbal reasoning section was informative and helpful, and please do not hesitate to contact us for any doubts or queries regarding the same. You can also download the Testbook App, which is absolutely free and start preparing for any government competitive examination by taking the mock tests before the examination to boost your preparation.

Verbal Reasoning FAQs

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