Level 1
Course of Action MCQs set 2 for PMC National MDCAT Logical Reasoning — 20 solved questions.
Q1. If a policy reduces emissions, air quality improves. A new policy reduced emissions. What logically follows?
Answer: Air quality improved.
Explanation: Modus ponens applies. Air quality improved is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q2. All mammals have lungs. Whales are mammals. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Whales have lungs.
Explanation: Syllogistic structure applies. Whales have lungs is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q3. If a student studies, they pass. A student did not pass. What logically follows?
Answer: They did not study.
Explanation: Modus tollens applies. They did not study is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q4. A survey shows 80% of students prefer online classes. A conclusion is drawn: 'Most people prefer online learning.' What flaw exists?
Answer: Hasty generalization.
Explanation: Sample size and scope limit validity. Hasty generalization is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q5. If a car is out of fuel, it stalls. The car stalled. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: It ran out of fuel.
Explanation: Affirming the consequent is invalid. It ran out of fuel is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q6. All birds have feathers. Penguins are birds. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Penguins have feathers.
Explanation: Syllogistic logic applies. Penguins have feathers is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q7. If X is true, then Y is true. Y is true. What can be concluded?
Answer: No conclusion.
Explanation: Affirming the consequent is invalid. No conclusion is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q8. A study claims caffeine improves memory. It was tested on 10 volunteers. What flaw exists?
Answer: Small sample size.
Explanation: Sample size limits generalizability. Small sample size is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q9. If a plant lacks sunlight, it wilts. The plant is wilted. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Other factors caused wilting.
Explanation: Multiple causes exist for wilting. Other factors caused wilting is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q10. All reptiles lay eggs. Some birds lay eggs. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Egg-laying is shared.
Explanation: Shared traits exist. Egg-laying is shared is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q11. If a person exercises daily, they stay healthy. A person is healthy. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: They may or may not exercise.
Explanation: Correlation ≠ causation. They may or may not exercise is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q12. A drug trial shows 90% success in 100 patients. A conclusion: 'The drug is 90% effective.' What flaw exists?
Answer: Overgeneralization.
Explanation: Generalizing from 100 patients is flawed. Overgeneralization is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q13. All squares are rectangles. All rectangles have four sides. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: All squares have four sides.
Explanation: Transitive logic applies. All squares have four sides is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q14. If a country raises taxes, it gains revenue. Taxes were raised. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Revenue increased.
Explanation: Modus ponens applies. Revenue increased is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q15. Birds can fly. Penguins cannot fly. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Flying is not universal in birds.
Explanation: Exceptions exist in categories. Flying is not universal in birds is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q16. If a person smokes, they risk cancer. A person does not smoke. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Risk exists from other causes.
Explanation: Other risks exist. Risk exists from other causes is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q17. All mammals are warm-blooded. Whales are mammals. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Whales are warm-blooded.
Explanation: Syllogistic logic applies. Whales are warm-blooded is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q18. A survey of 1000 people finds 70% support policy X. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Majority support policy X.
Explanation: Statistical majority applies. Majority support policy X is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q19. If a country invests in education, it grows economically. A country grew economically. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Growth occurred without education.
Explanation: Growth can have multiple causes. Growth occurred without education is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.
Q20. All planets orbit stars. Earth is a planet. What conclusion is valid?
Answer: Earth orbits a star.
Explanation: Syllogistic structure applies. Earth orbits a star is correct because it matches what the question requires. USAT, HAT and MDCAT analytical sections repeat this pattern.