Verbal Reasoning Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: How verbal reasoning tests work

Some employers ask job applicants to take a verbal reasoning test. It checks how well you understand written information and draw sound conclusions from it. You do not need special knowledge of the topic. You need careful, quick reading.

The Government of Canada's Skills for Success model describes reading as your ability to find, understand and use information presented through words, symbols and images. It says good readers use methods such as scanning and skimming to find key information, and think about the purpose, tone and structure of a document.

Common question types

What to expect

Every employer's test is different, so read your invitation and the instructions. Many tests are multiple choice and timed. Here is what the Public Service Commission of Canada says about its online tests:

• A timer shows how much time is left, and the computer closes the test when the time is up.
• You can check a Mark for Review box to remind yourself to come back to a question. Marking a question does not change your score.
• You can use Back and Next buttons to move between questions, and you can change an answer when you review it.
• If you might need an accommodation, such as reader services or an alternative format, tell the person who invited you as soon as possible. Measures are tailored to your situation, and the information is kept confidential.

The Commission's advice for written tests works well here: read the questions carefully, manage your time, and leave time to review your answers.

Rule 1: use only the passage

Answer from what the passage says, not from what you know or believe. If a passage says a shop opens at 10 a.m., use 10 a.m., even if most shops you know open at 9 a.m.

Skimming and scanning

• Skimming means reading quickly for the general idea: the title, the first sentence of each paragraph and the last sentence.
• Scanning means searching for one detail, such as a date, name or number, without reading every word.

A good plan is to read the question first, so you know what to look for. Then scan for its key words and read the sentences around them closely.

Watch the small words

Small words change meaning. All, every, always, never and only make strong claims. Most, some, often, may and might make weaker ones. If a passage says that a new system may cut costs, it does not prove that the system will cut costs. If it says most staff, you cannot conclude all staff.

Options often say the same thing as the passage in different words. This is called a paraphrase. "The office will not open until noon" means the same as "The office is closed in the morning".

Rule out wrong options

Cross out options that are clearly wrong. If two are left, compare each one with the exact words of the passage. Do not choose an option just because it is longer or sounds more formal.

Manage your time

Work out your average time per question at the start. With 40 questions in 30 minutes, you have 30 × 60 = 1,800 seconds, so 1,800 ÷ 40 = 45 seconds each. Be careful: 30 ÷ 40 = 0.75 minutes, which is 45 seconds, not 75 seconds.

Topic quiz 1: How verbal reasoning tests work

Lesson 2: True, false or cannot say

In this question type you read a short passage, then a statement. You choose one of three answers. The key is to judge the statement against the passage only.

A worked example

Passage: "Harbour Café opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. It takes card payments only. Every server wears a name tag."

Common traps

• Outside knowledge. You may know that most cafés sell tea. If the passage does not say so, the answer is Cannot say.
• Cannot say or False? False needs a clear contradiction. If the passage simply does not mention something, choose Cannot say.
• Strong words. Words such as all, always, never and only make a statement harder to support. If the passage says "most", you cannot conclude "all".
• Numbers. Check every number and comparison. "Most of 80 people" means more than 40 people.
• Every part must fit. If one part of a statement is not supported, the whole statement is not True.
• Future plans. "The board will decide in June" does not tell you what the board will decide.
• What a share does not tell you. If 20% of sales were online, you still do not know whether total sales went up or down.

A five-step method

1. Read the statement and pick out its key words.
2. Find the sentence or sentences in the passage about it.
3. Ask: does the passage say this, say the opposite, or say nothing about it?
4. Check small words (all, most, may) and numbers.
5. Choose True, False or Cannot say.

Sample memo: "To all staff: Starting March 3, work schedules will be posted in the new scheduling app instead of on the staff room board. Schedules will be posted every Thursday for the following week. Shift swaps must now be requested in the app and approved by a supervisor. Staff who do not have a smartphone can ask the office for a printed copy. Training sessions on the app will be held on February 24 and 26."

Topic quiz 2: True, false or cannot say

Lesson 3: Vocabulary in context

Vocabulary questions ask what a word means in a particular sentence. Many words have more than one meaning, so always read the whole sentence.

Use context clues

• Definition: "The rule is mandatory, which means everyone must follow it."
• Example: "Wear protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles."
• Contrast: "Unlike last year's chaotic launch, this one was calm." Chaotic is the opposite of calm.
• Cause and effect: "Because the price list was outdated, we printed a new one."

Method: cover the word, think of your own word that fits the sentence, then pick the option closest to it. Finally, put the option into the sentence and read it again.

Example: "The store will carry the new product line." Here carry means "sell" or "stock", not "lift and move". The sentence decides which meaning is right.

Word parts

The Skills for Success vocabulary workbook explains that a prefix is an element at the beginning of a word, and a suffix is an ending added to a word to create a new word. For example, the prefix re- means "again", as in refocus and reinvest.

Synonyms and antonyms

A synonym is a word that means the same as another word, such as big and large. An antonym means the opposite, such as hot and cold. Read the question carefully: if it asks for an antonym, a synonym is usually one of the wrong options, and the other way round.

Useful words in workplace tests

Words that are often confused

The Language Portal of Canada gives guidance on pairs like these:

Sample site notice: "Starting next month, every worker must wear a hard hat in all work areas. Hard hats will be (1)__; no one may enter without one. This change will (2)__ every crew. The new hats are light and should (3)__ the safety vests you already wear. The (4)__ reason for the change is to prevent head injuries. Damaged hats are unsafe and must be replaced."

Topic quiz 3: Vocabulary in context

Lesson 4: Word analogies

An analogy compares two pairs of words that share the same relationship. "Tall is to short as early is to late" is sometimes written tall : short :: early : late. In both pairs the words are opposites.

Build a bridge sentence

Make a short sentence that links the first pair, then test it on each option. Example: knife : cut. Bridge: "A knife is used to cut." Then broom : ? becomes "A broom is used to sweep", so the answer is sweep.

If more than one option fits, make the bridge more exact. Puppy : dog. "A puppy is a kind of dog" is too loose. "A puppy is a young dog" is exact. Then kitten : cat fits, but lion : cat does not.

Common relationships

Group names come up often. A group of wolves is a pack, a group of fish is a school, a group of birds or sheep is a flock, and a group of cattle is a herd.

Keep the same order

Both pairs must follow the same direction. Bird : nest :: bee : hive works, because each animal lives in the home that follows it. Bird : nest :: hive : bee reverses the order and is wrong.

Watch for decoys

Wrong options are often words that are linked to the right word in a different way. In "Page is to book as key is to ?", the bridge is "is part of". Lock is linked to key, but a key opens a lock; it is not part of it.

Topic quiz 4: Word analogies

Lesson 5: Sentence completion

Sentence completion questions give a sentence with one or two gaps. You choose the word or phrase that makes the sentence logical and correct. The best clue is usually a signal word that shows how the ideas connect.

Signal words

Two phrases need extra care. Far from means the opposite happened: "Far from being quiet, the meeting was loud." Even if means the rule still applies in that case: "The store opens at 9 a.m. even if it snows."

A six-step method

1. Read the whole sentence first.
2. Find the signal word or punctuation.
3. Decide whether the gap needs a positive or negative idea, and whether it agrees or contrasts with the rest.
4. Think of your own word for the gap.
5. Choose the option closest to your word.
6. Read the full sentence with your choice to check it.

Example: "The new printer is fast, but it is ___ to repair." "But" signals contrast. Fast is a good point, so the gap needs a bad point, such as "expensive".

Two gaps

Solve the easier gap first and cross out every option whose word does not fit there. Then check the other gap. Example: "The trial was a ___, so the company plans to ___ it to all stores." A plan to extend the trial means it went well, so the first word must be positive, such as success, and the second must mean extend, such as expand.

Grammar must fit too

The right answer must also be correct grammar. In "She was ___ for the job: she had ten years of experience", qualified fits, but qualify and qualification do not fit the sentence.

Topic quiz 5: Sentence completion

Lesson 6: Inference, main idea and tone

Some questions ask about things a passage suggests but does not say directly. Working out these meanings is called making an inference.

The Language Portal of Canada explains the difference between two related words: a writer or speaker implies (suggests) a meaning, and the reader or listener infers (deduces) it.

A good inference is supported

A sound inference is a small step from the facts in the text. A sign says: "Elevator out of service. Please use the stairs." You can infer that the building has stairs and that the elevator normally works. You cannot infer that it will be fixed tomorrow: nothing in the sign says so.

• Supported: follows closely from clues in the text.
• Not supported: needs extra facts, goes too far, or uses strong words such as always or never.
• Contradicted: goes against something the text says.

Main idea and purpose

The main idea is what the whole passage is mostly about. A detail is only one part of it. Ask: "If I had to sum up this passage in one sentence, what would it be?" A good title covers the whole passage, not one detail.

Tone

Tone is the writer's attitude. Look at word choice. "Thank you for your hard work" is grateful. "This is the third time I have asked" is impatient or frustrated. "We apologize for the delay" is apologetic.

Assumptions and arguments

Some passages make an argument: a conclusion supported by reasons. An assumption is something the writer takes for granted without saying it. Example: "We should add more bike racks, because more staff will then cycle to work." The writer assumes that a lack of racks is what stops staff from cycling.

A fact that weakens the argument attacks that assumption, for example: "Most staff live more than 30 km from work." A fact that strengthens it supports the assumption, for example: "Many staff say they would cycle if there were somewhere safe to park their bike."

Sample email: "Hello Mr. Osei, I am writing about order 4471, which arrived yesterday. Two of the twelve chairs had broken legs. This is the second time this year that part of our order has arrived damaged. We have a training event on Friday and need all twelve chairs by Thursday. Please let me know today whether you can send replacements in time. Regards, Dana Lee, Office Manager"

Topic quiz 6: Inference, main idea and tone