CSS General Abilities Topic 4 MCQ's Test

Question # 1

Most large retail stores hold sales in the month of January. The original idea of price reduction campaigns in January became popular when it was realized that sales or products would generally slow down following the Christmas rush, were it no for some incentive. The lack of demand could be solved by the simple solution of reducing prices.
There is now an increasing tendency among major department stores in large urban centers to have their January sales being before Christmas, some time before the end of the calendar year. The idea behind this trend is to endeavor to sell the maximum amount of stock at a profit, even if that may not be at the maximum profit.
Which of the following conclusions cannot be drawn from the above ?

The incidence of early January sales results in the lower holdings of stocks with the corollary of lower stock holding costs. A
Demand is a function of price; as you lower price, demand increases. B
Major stores seem to think it makes sense to have to January sales campaigns pre-Christmas. C
It is becoming less popular to star the January sales in the New Year. D
The major department stores do not worry as much about profit maximization as they do about sales maximization. E

Question # 2

The Monopoly is characterized by absence of or decline in competition. The ABC Company realizes that its operations are in competitive industries.
Which of the following conclusions may be inferred form the above ?

ABC market is not monopolistic. A
Monopoly is defined as one seller in a market. B
The ABC Company has no domestic competitors. C
The ABC company is publicly owned. D
The ABC Company is in a service industry. E

Question # 3

During the incumbent president's term of office he succeeded in limiting annual increases in the defense budget by an average of 5 percent. His predecessors experienced annual increases of 8 percent. Therefore, the incumbent president should be given credit for the downturn in defense outlays.
Which of the following statements, if true would most seriously weaken the above conclusion ?

Some generals have claimed that the country's defense has weakened in the past year. A
More soldiers were drafted during the former president's term of office. B
The incumbent president advocates peaceful resolution of international disputes. C
The average annual inflation rate during the incumbent president's term was 4 percent, while during his predecessor's term it was 10 percent D
A disarmament treaty with a major adversary was signed by the incumbent president. E

Question # 4

Forty years after African colonies began emerging as nations, modern loyalties still often go first to the tribe. From Angola to Ethiopia, ethnic hatred has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, making Africa the continent with the world's largest number of refugees.
Which of the following statements best summarizes the above ?

Africa is best characterized ethnic fractionalization. A
Angola and Ethiopia have the worst record of inter ethnic strife in Africa. B
Continued warfare has made Africa a nation of refugees. C
Africa is best characterized as a federation of many states. D
Africa is best characterized as a continent without loyalties. E

Question # 5

Significant beneficial effect of smoking occur primarily in the area of mental health, and the habit originates in a search for contentment. The life expectancy of our people has increased greatly in recent years; it is possible that the relaxation and contentment and enjoyment produced by smoking has lengthened many lives. Smoking is beneficial.
Which of the following, it true, weaken the above conclusion ?

That cigarettes are a major health hazard cannot be traced to the willfull act of any human or organization. A
The government earns millions of dollars from the tobacco tax and tens of thousands of civilians are employed in the tobacco industry. B
The evidence cited in the statement covers only one example of the effects of cigarette smoking. C
No mention is made of possible harmful side-effects of smoking. D
No statistical evidence has proven link between smoking and longevity. E

Question # 6

Prompted by proposal to convert a shipyard into a complex of condominiums with full-service marina and boat repair center and by concern about the proposal from local residents, baymen, and environmentalists, the town is considering a one-year building moratorium for the water front area.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken opposition to the complex ?

Condominiums would sell for $350,000 each. A
There is a large demand for boat repair services. B
A growing population results in the closure of shellfish. C
There are already 1,200 moorings on the waterfront. D
The shipyard may be sold for another commercial use. E

Question # 7

The burning of coal, oil, and other combustible energy sources produces carbon dioxide, a natural constituent of the atmosphere. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide are thought to be responsible for half the greenhouse effect. Enough carbon dioxide has been sent into the atmosphere already to cause a significant temperature increase. Growth in industrial production must be slowed, or production processes must be changed.
Which of the following, it true, would tend to weaken the strength of the above conclusion ?

Many areas of the world are cold anyway, so a small rise in temperature would be welcome. A
Carbon dioxide is bad for the health. B
Most carbon dioxide is emitted by automobiles. C
Industry is switching over to synthetic liquid fuel extracted form coal. D
A shift to other energy sources would be too costly. E

Question # 8

Typically, the entrepreneur is seen as an individual who owns and operates a small business. But, simply to own and operate a small business-or even a big business-does not make someone an entrepreneur. If this person is a true entrepreneur, then new products are being created, new ways of providing services are being implemented.
Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from the above passage?

An owner of large business may be an entrepreneur. A
Someone who develops an enterprise may be considered an entrepreneur. B
Entrepreneurs do not own and operate small businesses. C
Entrepreneurs are the main actors in economic growth D
Entrepreneurs are inventors. E

Question # 9

Many countries are facing a potential crisis in 20 to 30 years time. The ratio of pensioners to workers will be changing drastically with a declining birth rate, with more lengthy education of the young, and with a reduced working life. In general, the number of people paying into pension schemes is decreasing all the time. Meanwhile, with increased health care and living standards, more people are living long enough to draw their pension funds.
A controversial solution to this problem has been proposed in Germany-changing the age of retirement, for both men and women, from the current qualifying age of 63 for men and 60 for women.
A radical, but socially acceptable, solution to this problem must be found. If this is not done, it is predicted that by the year 2050, one person in three will be 65 or over and the projected work force will be unable to support pensions.
Assuming the following were all socially acceptable, which one would not improve the situation in the future ?

Lower the retirement age. A
Decrease the school-leaving age. B
Impose larger contributions on employees and employers. C
Cut pensions in half. D
Only give state pensions to retired persons whose income in below a certain level. E

Question # 10

In winning its bitter, protracted battle to acquire Blue Industries, Inc., Belle industries has fulfilled its goal to lessen its reliance on tobacco holdings, while the $5.2 billion deal may spur more takeover activity in the insurance industry, analysts said.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Blue Industries is in the tobacco industry. A
Belle industries is in the insurance business. B
Blue Industries is in the insurance business. C
More divestment takes place in the tobacco industry than in the insurance industry. D
More divestment takes place in the insurance industry than in the tobacco industry. E

Question # 11

Opponents of the new legislation could defend themselves against the author's strategy by arguing that:

the fact that past trade legislation improved the trade balance does not mean that the present bill will do the same. A
economists are not always right. B
the united states had a trade deficit both in the 1930s and at the time of the new bill. C
the new law is not as strong as the 1930s bill. D
America's trading partners have also passed similar legislation. E

Question # 12

A local garbage disposal company increased its profitability even though it reduced its prices in order to attract new customers. This was made possible through the use of automated trucks, thereby reducing the number of workers needed per truck. The company also switched from a concentration on household hauling to a concentration on commercial hauling. As a result of its experience, company management planned to replace all their old trucks and increase the overall size of the truck fleet, doubling hauling capacity.
The company's plan as outlined above, takes into consideration each of the following except:

Commercial clients have more potential than household customers. A
The demand for garbage removal services is sensitive to price. B
Demand for garbage removal services would increase in the future. C
Doubling of capacity would not encessitate; a substantial increase in the work force. D
Doubling of capacity would not cause bottlenecks, leading to a decrease in productivity. E

Question # 13

Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year.
Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?

This is an example of an argument that is directed against the source of the claim rather than the claim itself. A
The statement is fallacious because it contains an illegitimate appeal to authority. B
The above argument obtains its strength from a similarity of two compared situations. C
The argument is built upon an assumption that is not stated but rather is concealed. D
In the above statements, there is a shifting in the meaning of terms, causing a fallacy of ambiguity. E

Question # 14

Many of the convenience foods on the market today, like dry cereals, have less nutrients than natural foods, which were dominant a decade or two ago. Many nutritionists claim that dry cereal gives less nourishment than natural foods like eggs or bacon. Opponents of the nutritionists views state that examination of grade-school students show less nutritional deficiency than in their parents time.
Which of the following, if true, would tend to strengthen the opponents view ?

Grade-school children reported eating no breakfast at all. A
Fewer convenience foods were available to the parents. B
Adults claim to eat convenience foods as well as natural foods. C
Convenience foods can be digested just as quickly as natural foods. D
Consumers are not likely to sacrifice convenience for nutrition. E

Question # 15

If we are doomed to have local drug rehabilitation centers - and society has determined that we are - then society ought to pay for them.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument ?

Drug rehabilitation centers are too expensive to be locally funded. A
Many neighborhood groups oppose rehabilitation centers. B
Drug rehabilitation centers are expensive to maintain. C
Drug addicts may be unwilling to receive treatment. D
A government committee has convinced many groups that local rehabilitation centers are ineffective E

Question # 16

Contrary to charges made by opponents of the new trade bill, the bill's provisions for taking action against foreign countries that place barriers against American exports, is justified. Opponents should take not that restrictive trade legislation in the 1930s succeeded in improving the U.S. trade balance even though economists were against it.
The author's method of rebutting opponents of the new trade bill is to

attack the patriotism of its opponents. A
attack the opponents characters rather than their claims. B
imply an analogy between the new trade bill and previous trade legislation. C
suggest that economists were against both pieces, of legislation. D
imply that previous legislation also permitted retaliatory action against foreign countries. E

Question # 17

During 1999, advertising expenditures on canned food products increased by 20 percent, while canned food consumption rose by 25 percent.
Each of the following, if true, could help explain the increase in food consumption except:

Advertising effectiveness increased. A
Canned food prices decreased relative to substitutes. B
Canned food products were available in more stores. C
Can opener production doubled. D
Per-capita consumption of frozen foods declined. E

Question # 18

In a world of many trading countries, the trade between two countries need not be balanced for the trade of each to be in global balance. Differing demands and productive capabilities among countries will cause a specific country to have trade deficits with some countries and surpluses with other countries.
Which of the following conclusions best summarizes the passage above ?

A country trade will always be in balance even though it runs a deficit with a single country. A
A country trade deficits and surpluses with other countries always balance out. B
A country global trade balance is a sign of strength or weakness. C
Countries should not be concerned if they have trade deficits because they will balance out in the long run. D
A country global trade balance is determined by relative remand and productive capabilities. E

Question # 19

Ever since I arrived at the college last week, I ve been shocked by the poor behavior of students and the unfriendly attitude of the towns-people, but the professors are very erudite and genuinely helpful. Still, I wonder if i should have come here in the first place.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above conclusion ?

Professors are not always helpful to students. A
The college numbers over 50,000 students. B
The college is far from the student's home. C
Not all professors have doctorates. D
The narrator was unsure of staying at the college. E

Question # 20

Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?

The temperature must fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for frost to occur. A
Absence of a cloud cover cools the ground which causes frost. B
Farmers are superstitious. C
No one has proven that the moon causes frost. D
Farmers are not experts in meteorology. E

Sr.#	Question	Answer
1	Significant beneficial effect of smoking occur primarily in the area of mental health, and the habit originates in a search for contentment. The life expectancy of our people has increased greatly in recent years; it is possible that the relaxation and contentment and enjoyment produced by smoking has lengthened many lives. Smoking is beneficial. Which of the following, it true, weaken the above conclusion ?	A. That cigarettes are a major health hazard cannot be traced to the willfull act of any human or organization. B. The government earns millions of dollars from the tobacco tax and tens of thousands of civilians are employed in the tobacco industry. C. The evidence cited in the statement covers only one example of the effects of cigarette smoking. D. No mention is made of possible harmful side-effects of smoking.
2	Inflation rose by 5.1 % over the second quarter, up form 4.1 % during the first quarter of the year and higher than the 3.3% record during the same time last year. However, the higher price index did not seem to alarm Wall street, as stock prices remained steady. Which of the following, if true, could explain the reaction of Wall Street ?	A. Stock prices were steady because of a fear that inflation would continue. B. The President announced that he was concerned about rising inflation. C. Economists warned that inflation would persist. D. Much of the quarterly increase in the price level was due to a summer droughts effect on food prices.
3	The movement to ownership by unions is the latest step in the progression form management ownership to employee ownership. Employee ownership can save depressed and losing companies. All the following statements, if true, provide support for the claim above except:	A. Employee-owned companies generally have higher productivity. B. Employee participation in management raises morale. C. Employee union ownership drives up salaries and wages. D. Employee union ownership enables workers to share in the profits.
4	If we are doomed to have local drug rehabilitation centers - and society has determined that we are - then society ought to pay for them. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument ?	A. Drug rehabilitation centers are too expensive to be locally funded. B. Many neighborhood groups oppose rehabilitation centers. C. Drug rehabilitation centers are expensive to maintain. D. Drug addicts may be unwilling to receive treatment.
5	Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?	A. The temperature must fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for frost to occur. B. Absence of a cloud cover cools the ground which causes frost. C. Farmers are superstitious. D. No one has proven that the moon causes frost.
6	Professor Bilal had the task of giving grades (ranging from A - D in descending value) to her 100 students, based upon the marks they received in three examinations in which the passing mark was 50%. She was instructed to follow the following criteria: i. All students that scored between 90 and 100% in any two examinations could receive an A grade. ii. Students that came in the top decile overall were to be awarded an A. iii. Notwithstanding I and II, if any student failed an exam, the highest he or shed could get was a b. iv. The top 20 students in the whole year, when the overall exam percentages were averaged, could receive an A. Given the above criteria, which of the following in the absence of further information, would definitely not be permissible ?	A. A. Brown, who got 95% in Chemistry and 95% in Biology, received a B grade. B. B. White, who was first in Physics and got 96% in History, received a B grade. C. C. Green failed English, but because he ranked ninth overall out of the 100 students, he was awarded an A grade. D. D. Black was given an A after she came twentieth out of the 100 students and failed to get above 90% in any of the three examinations.
7	Contrary to charges made by opponents of the new trade bill, the bill's provisions for taking action against foreign countries that place barriers against American exports, is justified. Opponents should take not that restrictive trade legislation in the 1930s succeeded in improving the U.S. trade balance even though economists were against it. The author's method of rebutting opponents of the new trade bill is to	A. attack the patriotism of its opponents. B. attack the opponents characters rather than their claims. C. imply an analogy between the new trade bill and previous trade legislation. D. suggest that economists were against both pieces, of legislation.
8	The states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California provide extensive free higher education to their residents. Threes states are representative of different geographic areas of the united states. There is little reason why most states cannot provide the same service to their residents. Which of the following, it true, would weaken the above argument ?	A. Free education is not guaranteed by the constitution. B. New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have more qualified high school graduates than other states. C. Most other states do not have the tax base that new york, ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have. D. Other states do not have as many high school graduates.
9	Many countries are facing a potential crisis in 20 to 30 years time. The ratio of pensioners to workers will be changing drastically with a declining birth rate, with more lengthy education of the young, and with a reduced working life. In general, the number of people paying into pension schemes is decreasing all the time. Meanwhile, with increased health care and living standards, more people are living long enough to draw their pension funds. A controversial solution to this problem has been proposed in Germany-changing the age of retirement, for both men and women, from the current qualifying age of 63 for men and 60 for women. A radical, but socially acceptable, solution to this problem must be found. If this is not done, it is predicted that by the year 2050, one person in three will be 65 or over and the projected work force will be unable to support pensions. Assuming the following were all socially acceptable, which one would not improve the situation in the future ?	A. Lower the retirement age. B. Decrease the school-leaving age. C. Impose larger contributions on employees and employers. D. Cut pensions in half.
10	You have three boxes, each containing two balls, one containing a black pair; one, a white pair; and third, one white ball and one black ball. On each box are pictures of two balls - either two black ones, two white ones, or one white and one black. You are told that the markings on the boxes are all wrong. You are asked to ascertain the colors of the balls contained in each box. Which of the following statements can be inferred form the above ?	A. You can take out one ball from the box marked with two black balls and, without looking at the second ball, know that each box actually contains. B. You can take out one ball from the box marked with two white balls and, without looking at the second ball, know what each box actually contains. C. You can take out one ball from the box marked with one while ball and one black ball and, without looking at the second ball, know what each box contains. D. You cannot know which balls are contained in which box until you take a ball out of more than one box.

Latest Educational News Stories

Pakistan's Largest Database of Colleges and Universities

BS Programs

University Past Papers

University Results

Exam Results 2024

Study Abroad Programs and Opportunities for Pakistani Students

CSS General Abilities Topic 4 MCQ's Test

MCQ's Test For CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning

CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning

The Monopoly is characterized by absence of or decline in competition. The ABC Company realizes that its operations are in competitive industries.Which of the following conclusions may be inferred form the above ?

Opponents of the new legislation could defend themselves against the author's strategy by arguing that:

Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year.Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?

If we are doomed to have local drug rehabilitation centers - and society has determined that we are - then society ought to pay for them.Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument ?

During 1999, advertising expenditures on canned food products increased by 20 percent, while canned food consumption rose by 25 percent.Each of the following, if true, could help explain the increase in food consumption except:

Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost.Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?

Prepare Complete Set Wise CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning MCQs Online With Answers

Set 1

Set 2

Topic Test

Top Scorers Of CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning MCQ`s Test

CSS MPT Test General Abilities Chapter 4 Important MCQ's

Test Questions

Share your comments & questions here

The Monopoly is characterized by absence of or decline in competition. The ABC Company realizes that its operations are in competitive industries.
Which of the following conclusions may be inferred form the above ?

Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year.
Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?

If we are doomed to have local drug rehabilitation centers - and society has determined that we are - then society ought to pay for them.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument ?

During 1999, advertising expenditures on canned food products increased by 20 percent, while canned food consumption rose by 25 percent.
Each of the following, if true, could help explain the increase in food consumption except:

Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?