But first, here are the ANSWERS to Last Week's Thinking Skills Questions.
If you missed last week's blog, try the Questions with your child before scrolling!
Question 1) | Answer: C. Companies with flexible work options have reported a decrease in the number of employees quitting/moving jobs. This statement strengthens the argument by indicating that companies offering flexible work arrangements experience a positive impact on employee retention, suggesting that employees are more satisfied and committed to their jobs when given the option to work flexibly. |
Question 2) | Answer: 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. This statement weakens the argument by suggesting that the negative impact of social media on mental health is reduced when individuals use these platforms in moderation, implying that responsible and limited use can prevent the adverse effects described in the initial argument. |
Question 3) | Answer: A. MRI scans have shown that individuals who exercise regularly have a larger hippocampus, part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. This statement strengthens the argument by providing scientific evidence that there is physical change in the brain structure of individuals who engage in regular exercise. A larger hippocampus indicates a potential link between exercise and improved memory and learning abilities, reinforcing the claim about the benefits of exercise on cognitive function. |
Now onto this week's content, we will break down and give our team's explanation to the Logical Reasoning Question Type found in the official practice test published by the NSW government.
Our 4 STEP GUIDE:
Digest: identify the subject, condition and relationships (eg. does it use AND or OR? Are there exceptions? Does it use the word 'always'?)
Compare: Check person 1's logic with the box, they will sometimes use synonyms so don't get tricked!
Eliminate: For example, if you decide person 1 is right, you can cross out 2 options - only person 2 AND neither. This will leave you with 2 options to choose from.
Evaluate: Now you look at person 2 are they also right? Make a final decision
Answer: B
Our Explanation) Digesting the box:
Subject - 'a successful architect'
condition - 'creative' AND 'attention to detail'
relationship - both required BUT unclear if this guarantees 'a successful architect'
Will's comment appears to satisfy both requirements 'creative AND always checks...carefully' BUT, Will assumes that 'She's sure to become a great architect'. The box does not give us this information. Hence, Will is incorrect. We can eliminate A and C.
Evie's comment satisfies the 'creative' requirement but fails on 'attention to detail'. The box uses the word 'AND', which means both conditions are required. As James fails on this, Evie's reasoning that architecture is probably not for James is likely correct. The answer is B.
Answer: C
Our Explanation) Digesting the box:
Subject - 'Monotremes'
condition - 'mammal that lay eggs'
relationship - 'the only type' (= no exceptions)
Jack's reasoning is correct because we know there are no exceptions - Monotremes are the ONLY type of mammal that lay eggs. Hence, if a mammal is laying an egg, it has to be a monotreme. We can eliminate B and D.
Amelia's reasoning is also correct - If an animal lays an egg but is not a monotreme it cannot be a mammal. This is because if the animal laying an egg was also a mammal, it has to be a monotreme (due to the 'always' relationship). As they are both correct, the answer is C.
Your Turn!
Try the following questions with your child, using our 4 STEPS.
Time limit is 1 MINUTE.
Q1) What it takes to be a chef
To become a successful chef, you need to have a passion for cooking and a good understanding of different flavour combinations. |
Sarah: "Alice is always experimenting with new recipes and is a food enthusiast, so she must be a great chef."
Daniel: "Olivia has a great sense of taste and can distinguish subtle flavours in dishes, but she has no interest in cooking or food preparation. Cooking might not be suitable path for her."
If the information in the box is true, whose reasoning is correct?
A) Sarah only
B) Daniel only
C) Both Sarah and Daniel
D) Neither Sarah nor Daniel
Q2) Scores
At the end of each term, Mr. Smith gives scores in math and science to each student in his class. These two scores are then added together to give an overall score for the term (for example, a student with scores of 80 in math and 70 in science would have an overall score of 150). Last term, Mark and Emma got the same overall score. |
Mark: "If our scores in math were different from each other, then our scores in science must have been different too."
Emma: "If our overall score is the same, that must mean we got the same score in both subjects"
If the information in the box is true, whose reasoning is correct?
A) Mark only
B) Emma only
C) Both Mark and Emma
D) Neither Mark nor Emma
Q3) Gases
All known elements that are gases at room temperature are noble gases. |
Ella: "If you encounter a gas at room temperature, it must be a noble gas."
Liam: "Elements that are not noble gases cannot be gases at room temperature."
If the information in the box is true, whose reasoning is correct?
A) Ella only
B) Liam only
C) Both Ella and Liam
D) Neither Ella nor Liam
***Answers will be released in next week's blog (23 October Monday).
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