Can your child complete these selective Thinking Skills questions in under 1 minute?
Students have to complete 40 Thinking skills (TS) questions in 40 minutes for the Selective Exam. TS section takes up 35% of the Exam Marks, making it the heaviest weighing and arguably the most important subject.
In this article, we go through the hardest Thinking Skills question type which many students get wrong. We explain the answers and provide tips and strategies to help students answer the question in UNDER 1 MINUTE.
***The following questions were drawn from the official practice test published by the NSW government. Find the full paper here. Official answers here and explanation here.
Q TYPE) Evaluating what strengthens/weakens arguments
Our 4 STEP Guide to save time)
Digest: Circle key argument ⬭ (usually in the last line) and underline background information that are tied to the argument
Compare: compare answer options with key argument ⬭, looking at the background information
Eliminate: Cross out 2 irrelevant or counter answers (counter answers do the opposite of what the question is asking for)
Evaluate: When there are 2 correct-sounding answers, compare the language used. Which one is stronger? Is it an opinion or a fact? E.g. 'do not always', 'can', 'may' vs 'have increased', 'much greater'.
Answer: B
Our Explanation) The key argument is in the last line, but the definitions of 'these' and 'problem' are found from the background information. In summary the argument is:
'by allowing birth rates to fall, these (rich countries) are storing up a problem (old people don't have enough young people to look after them) for the future'.
Comparing the answer options to the key argument, A and C can be eliminated.
A is irrelevant as it talks about parenting.
C suggests an exception, 'older people do not always want to be dependent', which weakens the argument.
Now, comparing the language used in D and B,
D presents an idea about one's duty to their own family. The core of the argument is noting the issues from low and high birth rates to broader society. This statement about personal relationship dynamics is thus irrelevant to the argument.
B makes an objective statement, 'older people have much greater needs...over 85'. We know from the question that 'people there (in rich countries) live longer'. IF health needs are increasing as people age, it supports the problem, hence strengthening the argument.
Answer: D
Our Explanation) The key argument is in the last line and the definition of 'great life' is found in the background information. Key argument can be summarised as:
'sleep (and plenty of rest) underpin a great life (success and achievements)'
Comparing the answer options to the key argument, A and C can be eliminated.
A is irrelevant as it talks about average working hours
C is irrelevant as it has nothing to do with sleep at all
Now, comparing the language used in B and D,
B makes an observation that the honesty of people's responses does not depend on the interviewer, however does not support the importance of sleep directly.
D makes an objective statement, that less sleep negatively affects people's decision making abilities. Hence, it highlights the importance of sleep, strengthening the key argument.
YOUR TURN!
Try the following questions with your child, using the 4 STEP guide above.
Suggested Time limit is 1 MINUTE.
Evaluating what strengthens/weakens arguments
Q1) Recently, there has been a growing trend in the workplace towards remote and flexible work arrangements. Many companies have started to allow employees to work from home or choose their own working hours. A group of economists' study in 2022 found that companies with flexible work policies experienced a significant boost in employee productivity and overall job satisfaction. More companies should revise their policies to accomodate flexible work arrangements.
Which one of these statements, if true, most Strengthens the above argument?
A Traffic congestion in major cities has decreased since the implementation of remote work policies.
B Employees working remotely are more likely to take longer breaks during their work hours.
C Companies with flexible work options have reported a decrease in the number of employees quitting or moving jobs.
D Employees who work from home tend to work longer hours than those working in traditional office settings.
Q2) Many argue that social media platforms have a detrimental effect on mental health, contributing to issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. They claim that the constant comparison with others online, cyberbullying, and the pressure to curate a perfect online image lead to negative psychological consequences. We should stop using social media because it harms our mental health.
Which one of these statements, if true, most weakens the above argument?
A People can try to use social media for positive and supportive interactions.
B Social media platforms have implemented advanced algorithms to detect and prevent cyberbullying, resulting in a decrease in reported cases.
C Research indicates that individuals who limit their social media usage to a moderate amount of time per day experience no significant decline in mental well-being.
D Mental health professionals often use social media platforms to provide online therapy and support to individuals, reaching those who might otherwise lack access to mental health services.
Q3) Regular physical exercise has long been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and weight management. Recent studies suggest that exercise also has a positive impact on cognitive function, enhancing memory, attention, and overall brain health. Engaging in regular physical activity may contribute significantly to mental sharpness and reduce the risk of cognitive decline, especially in older adults.
Which one of these statements, if true, most strengthens the above argument?
A MRI scans have shown that individuals who exercise regularly have a larger hippocampus, part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
B Cognitive decline is a natural part of growing old and cannot be prevented by exercise.
C Studies have found that individuals who engage in aerobic exercises such as running, show greater cognitive function compared to those who focus solely on strength training.
D Older adults should not participate in physical sports like soccer because they have a higher risk of injury and more fragile bones.
***Answers will be released in next week's blog (16 October Monday).
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