Practice Test 1: Inferences Based Questions | Verbal Reasoning for UCAT PDF Download

Q.1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
J.D. Salinger, a renowned American writer after World War II who initially gained fame but later shunned it, passed away at the age of 91 in his secluded home in Cornish, N.H. He had lived there privately for over 50 years. Despite some uncertainty among teachers and librarians, his novel "Catcher in the Rye" became an instant bestseller, featuring Holden Caulfield, a teenager expelled from prep school, who became as famous as Huckleberry Finn. The book's impactful narrative, capturing the cynical and relatable voice of adolescence, its strong moral compass mixed with distrust towards adults, struck a chord in Cold War America. It quickly achieved cult status, particularly among young readers, and was considered an essential coming-of-age experience. Even today, the novel continues to sell over 250,000 copies annually, maintaining its appeal despite some outdated themes. Interestingly, Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon in 1980, claimed that "The Catcher in the Rye" held the explanation for his actions. In 1974, Philip Roth noted that college students' response to Salinger's work demonstrated his ability to grasp the ongoing struggle between individual identity and societal norms.
Q. Which of the following statements cannot be inferred from the text?
(a) Salinger did not enjoy fame.
(b) Catcher in the Rye sells a quarter of a million e-books a year.
(c) Huckleberry Finn did not attend school.
(d) Catcher in the Rye was popular after World War 2.

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Statement A can be inferred from the text, as it mentions that Salinger was famous for not wanting to be famous.
Statement B cannot be inferred from the text because it doesn't specify whether the sales figure refers to e-books or physical copies.
Statement C can be inferred from the text, as it states that Holden Caulfield, like Huckleberry Finn, was expelled from school.
Statement D can be inferred from the text, as it mentions that Salinger emerged as a writer after World War 2.
Therefore, the statement that cannot be inferred from the text is statement B.

Q.2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Due to surfing's inclusion in the 2020 Olympics and the upcoming Olympics in Paris in 2024, French organizers had to find an alternate location for a high-quality surf competition during the summer months. Eventually, they settled on Teahupo'o, Tahiti, a renowned and perilous surf spot located nearly 10,000 miles away. Teahupo'o is infamous for its incredibly dangerous wave known as the "wall of skulls." Tahiti, being a part of French Polynesia, triumphed over four other potential French locations: Biarritz, Lacanau, Les Landes, and La Torche, which were all considered for the competition. This decision marks the first time since 2000 that both men and women will compete at Teahupo'o, as confirmed by the organizers of the 2024 Games recently.

Surfers who successfully navigate the barrel of a powerful wave, such as those at Teahupo'o, can experience an extraordinary sense of achievement and earn impressive scores. However, a single misstep could lead to imminent danger as they risk colliding with the sharp coral reef lurking just beneath the water's surface.

Keala Kennelly, a professional surfer hailing from Hawaii, is intimately acquainted with this reality. Known as the Queen of Teahupo'o, she is revered as one of the most fearless athletes to tackle this formidable wave. In 2011, Kennelly suffered a wipe-out at Teahupo'o that resulted in her needing 40 stitches on her face and skull. Yet, when she returned two years later, she reminisced about riding one of the most remarkable barrels of her life.

Q. Which statement in the passage is not true?
(a) France is the ideal location for all Olympic events in 2024.
(b) The waves at Teahupo'o have set records.
(c) France does not have any good surf spots.
(d) Biarritz is located in France.

Correct Answer is Option (b)

 To answer this type of question effectively, use the Medic Mind Shortcuts. In this case, statements A, C, and D share a common keyword, which is "France." By assessing these statements together, you can save time.

Statement A is an extreme statement, so in a reverse question, it could be a possible answer since extreme statements are often untrue. However, the passage states that the four listed locations are all in France, indicating that the rest of the Olympics are also likely to take place in France. Therefore, statement A is a reasonable inference and likely true.

Statement B includes the keyword "records," which has a loose synonym in the text as "high scores." The passage mentions that the waves at Teahupo'o can result in high scores, indicating that they do set records. Therefore, statement B is true.

Statement C requires an inference and can be determined by reading around the keyword "France." The passage suggests that the four listed surf spots in France are considered for the Olympics, indicating that France does have good surf spots. Thus, statement C is false, making it the correct answer.

Statement D can be derived from the list of locations. The passage confirms that Biarritz is in France, making statement D true. Additionally, Biarritz can serve as a useful keyword for eliminating options quickly and saving time.

Q.3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Aboriginal Australians, the first people of Australia, have inhabited the continent for over 50,000 years. Presently, Australia is home to 250 distinct language groups spread across the country. Aboriginal Australians can be categorized into two groups: Aboriginal peoples, who have ancestral ties to the pre-colonization inhabitants of Australia, and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who descend from residents of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of modern-day Queensland, Australia.

All Aboriginal Australians have connections to indigenous groups within Australia. However, the term "indigenous" is a topic of controversy since it can be claimed by individuals whose ancestors were not the original inhabitants of the island. Legally, an "Aboriginal Australian" is defined as a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as such and is recognized as such by their community.

Currently, approximately three percent of Australia's population can trace their heritage back to Aboriginal ancestry. Aboriginal Australians still face challenges in preserving their ancient culture and advocating for recognition and compensation from the Australian government. The state of Victoria is presently working on establishing a groundbreaking treaty with its Aboriginal population, acknowledging their sovereignty and providing compensation. It is noteworthy, however, that Australia as a whole has not entered into such a treaty, making it the sole country in the British Commonwealth that has not ratified a treaty with its First Nations peoples.

Which of the following statements cannot be inferred from the passage?
(a) Victoria has not recognized Aboriginal Australian sovereignty
(b) Indigenous is not an appropriate term for Aboriginal Australians
(c) British Commonwealth countries do not often sign treaties with indigenous populations
(d) Queensland is partly formed from islands

Correct Answer is Option (c)
To approach this type of question efficiently, use the Medic Mind Shortcuts. In this case, statements 1, 3, and 4 have clear and straightforward keywords (nouns and places), while statement 2 does not. If you are short on time, you can start with statement 1 and skip statement 2. By determining the truthfulness of statements 1, 3, and 4, we can deduce that statement 3 is the correct answer.
Statement A includes the keyword "Victoria," which is mentioned in the final paragraph. The passage states that Victoria is working towards a "first-of-its-kind" treaty with Aboriginal people, indicating that Victoria has not yet recognized their sovereignty. Therefore, statement A is true.
Statement B contains the keyword "indigenous," which is found at the beginning of the second paragraph. The passage explains that the term "indigenous" is controversial and can be used by individuals who are not descendants of the original inhabitants. Therefore, for the purposes of the article, the term is deemed inappropriate. Thus, statement B is true.
Statement C includes the key phrase "British Commonwealth," which is mentioned in the final sentence. The passage states that Australia is the only country within the British Commonwealth that has not ratified a treaty with its First Nations peoples. This implies that other countries within the British Commonwealth often sign treaties with their indigenous populations. Consequently, statement C cannot be inferred from the passage and is the correct answer.
Statement D contains the keyword "Queensland," which is found in the first paragraph. The passage mentions that the Torres Strait Islands are part of Queensland, indicating that they are located within the state. Therefore, statement D is true.

Q.4. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Dragonflies and damselflies, collectively known as odonates, are a diverse and manageable insect order. They consist of two main suborders: Anisoptera, which includes dragonflies, and Zygoptera, which includes damselflies. Dragonflies are generally larger and perch with their wings extended to the sides, while damselflies have slender bodies and rest with their wings folded over their abdomen.
Odonates possess several characteristics that make them appealing for combining ecological research with evolutionary genomics. Firstly, they are direct descendants of one of the oldest groups of winged insects and are closely related to all other neopteran insects, along with mayflies (Ephemeroptera). Secondly, odonates exhibit a wide range of phenotypic and ecological diversity within a single insect order, making them excellent candidates for ecological and evolutionary studies. They have been extensively used as model species in various fields such as sexual selection, behavior, flight evolution, and life history theory. Thirdly, this group showcases several evolutionary innovations, particularly in flight, vision, sexual behavior, and life cycle complexity. Their significant variation in habitat specificity and complex aquatic/terrestrial life cycles also makes them valuable indicators for assessing freshwater ecosystems worldwide.

Moreover, dragonflies and damselflies are relatively large insects, both as adults and larvae, making their behaviors easily observable in natural environments. This, coupled with their phylogenetic position and numerous evolutionary innovations, positions them as attractive models for bridging ecology with contemporary evolutionary genomics. They can provide valuable insights into the origins of these traits. Despite their attractiveness for evolutionary genomics studies, research efforts in this group have been comparatively slower compared to other insect orders.

Q. All of the following are evolutionary innovations of odonates, except…
(a) Primary genitalia
(b) Complex life cycle
(c) Direct flight musculature
(d) Complex colour vision

Correct Answer is Option (a)

In this case, the question asks for the correct answer based on the keyword "evolutionary innovation" mentioned in the first paragraph. The paragraph provides a list of evolutionary innovations associated with odonates, including direct flight musculature, complex color vision, and a complex life cycle. However, it is important to note that the passage specifically mentions secondary genitalia, not primary genitalia. Therefore, statement A is the correct answer.

Q.5. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The process of becoming a general practitioner (GP) or specialist in medicine requires several years of training. Following the foundation program, specific training pathways are outlined in each curriculum, and their duration varies. For instance, general practitioners typically undergo three years of training, while medical and psychiatric specialties, as well as certain surgical specialties, pediatrics, and obstetrics & gynecology, may require six to eight years.

Postgraduate medical curricula in the UK are competency-based rather than time-based. This means that doctors can potentially complete their training and gain entry to the specialist or GP register at a faster or slower pace, depending on how quickly they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. However, in practice, only a few doctors complete their training faster than the indicated timelines because the UK training system is designed for doctors to progress on an annual basis.

Apart from the time needed to fulfill the curricular competencies, various other factors can influence the duration of a doctor's training. Some doctors may work outside of postgraduate training within the National Health Service (NHS) while deciding on their desired area of specialization. They may also take breaks from training to work as doctors overseas or pursue opportunities for clinical fellowships or research. Additionally, doctors may take breaks if they are unsuccessful in applying for further training or do not secure their preferred specialty or location.

There are also instances unrelated to breaks where doctors may require additional time to complete their training, deviating from the rate indicated in the curricula. For example, they may face challenges such as failing exams or not meeting other curricular requirements, necessitating extra time in training to fulfill those criteria.

Q. Doctors may take time out of training. According to the text, all of the following are reasons for this except…
(a) to decide what to specialise in.
(b) for research.
(c) if they are unsuccessful in applying for further training.
(d) to travel for personal development.

Correct Answer is Option (d)

In this case, the key phrase to focus on is "time out of training," mentioned in the third paragraph. It states that doctors may take time out of training to "decide what to specialize in" (A) and for "opportunities such as research" (B). Additionally, in the final paragraph, it mentions that doctors may "fail an exam... and need extra time to achieve (requirements)," confirming option C. However, there is no mention of travel for personal development, so option D is the correct answer.