Verbal Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Analyze EU-themed passages and identify which statement is supported by the text.
Overview
Verbal reasoning presents a 100-150 word passage about EU policy, followed by four statements. Exactly one statement is supported by the text. The others are plausible but wrong — they add information, over-generalize, or reverse causality.
You must answer based ONLY on what the text says, not on your own knowledge of EU affairs.
What is tested
- Distinguishing stated facts from inferred conclusions
- Identifying over-generalizations ("all" when text says "most")
- Spotting reversed causality or added qualifiers
- Reading precisely under time pressure
Preparation tips
- Read the statements BEFORE the passage — you will know what to look for
- Eliminate options that add information not in the text
- Watch for absolute words: "always", "never", "all" — these are usually traps
- The correct answer is often the most boring, conservative statement
Develop structured reading strategies
Verbal reasoning requires systematic text analysis skills. Our Written Test Guide covers reading strategies, argument evaluation techniques, and common EPSO traps across all question formats.
Read the Written Test Guide