Practice Test 2: Inferences Based Questions | Verbal Reasoning for UCAT PDF Download

Q.1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The primary hazard associated with traveling to Mars is space radiation. Astronauts on the space station experience radiation levels over ten times higher than those naturally occurring on Earth. The Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere provide protection against cosmic radiation, but without these safeguards, individuals are more vulnerable to the dangers of radiation. Exposure to radiation outside the protective shielding of Earth can increase the risk of cancer and cause damage to the central nervous system, resulting in acute effects as well as long-term consequences such as altered cognitive function, reduced motor function, and behavioral changes. Space radiation can also lead to radiation sickness, characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue. In the years following exposure, individuals may develop degenerative tissue diseases such as cataracts, cardiac issues, and circulatory diseases. Furthermore, ensuring the safety and efficacy of food and medicine becomes challenging as they are exposed to space radiation while retaining their nutrient and pharmaceutical value. While significant protective shielding is necessary for vehicles and habitats during a journey to Mars, it may not provide complete defense against certain types of space radiation.

Comparatively, the space station is situated within the protective magnetic field of Earth, resulting in astronauts being exposed to radiation levels ten times higher than on Earth but still significantly lower than what a Mars mission would encounter, and the radiation type differs as well. To maintain safety, shielding, monitoring, and operational procedures are implemented to control radiation risks within acceptable levels. NASA extensively employs ground research facilities to study the effects of radiation on biological systems beyond low Earth orbit and focuses on developing means to protect astronauts. They are actively researching ways to monitor and measure radiation's impact on human occupants in space and exploring biological countermeasures. Additionally, studies are underway to optimize shielding methods for enhanced protection during a journey to Mars.

Q. All of the following are possible effects of space radiation on the body, except…
(a) Cataracts
(b) Nausea and vomiting
(c) Altered cognitive function
(d) Kidney disease

Correct Answer is Option (d)
In this case, the key phrase to focus on is "effects on the body," which is mentioned in the question stem. The first paragraph states that space radiation can cause "radiation sickness that results in nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue," confirming statements B and C. However, the paragraph does not mention kidney disease; instead, it mentions cataracts and circulatory disease. Therefore, statement D is not supported by the information provided in the text.

Q.2.  Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Denmark is a country located on the Jutland peninsula in continental western Europe, along with an archipelago of more than 400 islands to the east. Jutland constitutes a major portion of the country's land area, and its northern tip is marked by the island of Vendsyssel-Thy, separated from the mainland by the Lim Fjord. The largest islands within Denmark are Zealand, Vendsyssel-Thy, and Funen. Denmark, along with Norway and Sweden, is part of the northern European region known as Scandinavia. The country's capital and largest city, Copenhagen, is primarily situated on the island of Zealand, while Århus is the major urban center of Jutland.

Despite its small size in terms of territory and population, Denmark has played a significant role in European history. The Vikings, hailing from Denmark and other Scandinavian regions, had a transformative impact on European society through their seafaring expeditions, trade, and colonization ventures. During the Middle Ages, the Danish monarchy exerted dominance over northwestern Europe through the Kalmar Union. Over the centuries, Denmark's favorable geographical conditions for maritime industries led to the establishment of trade alliances across northern and western Europe, including with Great Britain and the United States. Denmark has also made notable contributions to world culture and developed cooperative and nonviolent approaches to problem-solving, along with humane governmental institutions.

Denmark upholds religious freedom as a cherished value. The country has long had Roman Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues in its larger cities, and the first mosque was built in 1967. By the early 21st century, Islam had become an increasingly significant minority religion, and a substantial number of Danes identified as non-religious. However, the majority of Danes still maintain nominal affiliation with the state church, the Evangelical Lutheran People's Church of Denmark.

Q. All of the following statements are true of religion in Denmark, except…
(a) Islam was not prevalent in Denmark until relatively recently
(b) The majority of Danes are not religious
(c) The largest congregation in Denmark is that of the Evangelical Lutheran People’s Church of Denmark
(d) Judaism has long been a significant religion in Denmark

Correct Answer is Option (b)
This question focuses on the topic of religion, specifically mentioned in the third paragraph. Let's examine the statements based on the provided keywords.

Statement A contains the keyword "Islam," which is mentioned in the third sentence. The sentence states that the first mosque in Denmark was built in 1967, indicating that the presence of Islam in the country is relatively recent. Therefore, statement A can be considered true.

Statement B does not have a specific keyword found in the text. While the text mentions that a significant number of Danes are not religious, it does not provide information about the majority's religious affiliation. Therefore, statement B cannot be inferred from the given information.

Statement C includes the key phrase "Evangelical Lutheran People's Church," which is mentioned in the last sentence of the paragraph. The text states that the overwhelming majority of Danes remain nominally affiliated with this church. Based on this information, it can be inferred that the Evangelical Lutheran People's Church is the largest religious congregation in Denmark. Hence, statement C is supported by the text.

Statement D contains the keyword "Judaism." The text mentions that Jewish synagogues have long existed in Denmark, suggesting that Judaism has been a longstanding religion in the country. Therefore, statement D can be considered true based on the information provided.

Q.3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Constantly changing conditions of snow and ice are important hazards faced by mountaineers. Good mountaineers must have an intimate knowledge of snow conditions. They must be able to detect hidden crevasses, be aware of potential avalanches, and be able to safely traverse other tricky or dangerous concentrations of snow or ice. In snow-and-ice technique, the use of the ice axe is extremely important as an adjunct to high mountaineering. Consisting of a pick and an adze opposed at one end of a shaft and a spike at the other, it is used for cutting steps in ice, probing crevasses, obtaining direct aid on steep slopes, achieving balance as necessary, arresting a slide, and securing the rope (belaying). Crampons (sets of spikes that can be strapped on boot soles) are intended to preclude slipping and are useful on steep slopes of snow and ice and in steps that have been cut. By biting into the surface, they make progress possible where boots alone would not do. On many slopes, crampons also render unnecessary the cutting of steps. On extremely difficult snow and ice, ice pitons and carabiners are used. The pitons, when driven in, are allowed to freeze in place.

In climbing long snow slopes, a tedious task, it is necessary to strike a slow and rhythmic pace that can be sustained for a long time. It is desirable to make a start on the mountain early in the day when the snow is in hard condition. As in all phases of mountaineering, judgment is important when engaging in snow and ice climbing. The length of the climb, the nature of the weather, the effect of the sun’s heat on snow and ice, and the potential avalanche danger must all be considered.

Q. All of the following are potential uses for an ice axe according to the article, except…
(a) Cutting steps into ice
(b) Assisting in balance
(c) Cutting rope to length
(d) Arresting a slide

Correct Answer is Option (c)
In this case, the keyword "ice axe" from the question should be the starting point. In the first paragraph, the text provides information about the possible uses of an ice axe, including A, B, and D. However, it does not mention cutting ropes as one of the uses, making statement C the correct answer.

Q.4.  Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
In comparison with the history of Western theatre, the history of scenic design is short. Whereas the golden age of Greek theatre occurred more than two millennia ago, the intensive use of scenery in the theatre did not begin until after 1600, and the position of scenic designer—the individual responsible for the visual appearance and function of the scenic and property elements of a theatrical production—did not become a commonly credited production position until the mid-1920s. 

The term scenery can be defined as any two- or three-dimensional background or environmental element that is placed on the stage so as to suggest the historical period, locale, and mood of the play being performed. While properties—e.g., set props (sofas, chairs, draperies, and so forth) and hand props (any noncostume items handled by the actors, such as glassware, cutlery, or books)—do the same, they generally are not considered to be scenery.

There was very little scenery used in Western theatres before the early 1600s. While Greek and Roman plays were performed outdoors in elaborate and imposing structures, there is little physical evidence to suggest that scenery, as defined above, was used on these stages. Medieval European drama used standardized scenic elements called “mansions” (representations of heaven, hell, the Garden of Eden, and so forth) to depict the various locations needed in the liturgical drama that constituted the bulk of the period’s plays. Mansions were often mounted in the nave of a church, on a platform in front of a church, or in a town square. They were also used in combination with pageant wagons, which usually held between one and three mansions, were pulled from location to location, and were arranged to create the appropriate setting.

Q. All of the following aspects of a play could be considered scenery, except…
(a) A background painted as a forest
(b) A table around which the play is based
(c) The façade of a brick wall
(d) A grandfather clock painted onto the set

Correct Answer is Option (b)
In this case, the key to answering the question is to identify the definition of scenery in the text and then evaluate the statements based on that definition. According to the text, scenery is defined as a "two or three-dimensional background" and it explicitly states that props like chairs are not considered scenery. Based on this definition, a table would also not be considered scenery, making statement B the correct answer.

Q.5.  Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Acta Diurna is recognized as the earliest known form of journalism, believed to have circulated in ancient Rome before 59 BCE. It served as a daily news sheet that documented significant events like public speeches. Displayed prominently, it was published on a daily basis. In China during the Tang dynasty, a court circular known as a bao, meaning "report," was issued to government officials. This gazette took various forms and names, persisting throughout the Qing dynasty until 1911. The first regular newspapers emerged in German cities and Antwerp around 1609.

Initially constrained by government censorship, taxes, and other limitations, newspapers in the 18th century gradually gained editorial freedom and became an essential medium, a status they maintain to this day. Increasing literacy rates and the advent of steam-powered and later electric-driven presses led to a rising demand for newspapers, with daily circulation transitioning from thousands to hundreds of thousands, and eventually reaching millions.

Magazines, originating as scholarly journals in the 17th century, started including opinion pieces on current affairs, as seen in publications like the Spectator. In the 1830s, affordable mass-circulation magazines catering to a broader audience with limited education began to emerge. The high cost of extensive news gathering gave rise to news agencies, which provided international journalistic content to individual newspapers and magazines. The inventions of the telegraph, radio, and television revolutionized journalism, enabling faster and more timely reporting while offering vast new platforms and audiences for electronically distributed news products.

Q. All of the following can be reasonably inferred from the article, except…
(a) the Tang dynasty of China preceded the Qing dynasty.
(b) without steam-driven printing presses, newspaper circulation would not have increased.
(c) television was an important advent for journalism.
(d) magazines were originally only targeted at educated populations.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Here, considering the optimal keywords in statements A and B, it would be justifiable to commence from the beginning.
Statement A contains the keywords "Tang" and "Qing," which are present in the initial paragraph. It indicates that the bao of China circulated from the Tang dynasty to the Qing dynasty, suggesting the chronological order with the Tang dynasty preceding the Qing dynasty.
Statement B includes the specific phrase "steam-driven printing press," mentioned in the second paragraph. Although this is one of the factors contributing to increased circulation, the text also mentions other factors. Therefore, we cannot assume that the circulation wouldn't have increased without this single factor.
Statement C features the keyword "television," found in the concluding paragraph. It states that the television had a significant impact on various aspects of journalism, leading to a substantial increase. Hence, it was a significant development.
Statement D highlights the key phrase "educated populations." In the final paragraph, it is mentioned that magazines initially served as "learned journals," indicating an audience comprising educated individuals.