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HBS · FIRST-ROUND SUBJECT SKILLS

HBS Verbal Reasoning Skills Paper 1

Word precision, construction and connected deduction

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40minutes
50questions
£5total price

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A full sitting. A useful debrief.

Explore word relationships, vocabulary, codes and logical deductions. Each question gives the instructions you need, and the report explains the reasoning.

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Verbal reasoning · Verbal reasoning: logical implication

Every parcel with a red label is fragile. Every fragile parcel is handled by Team A. Which statement must be true from these facts alone?

Choose one answer.

  1. AEvery parcel handled by Team A has a red label.
  2. BEvery parcel with a red label is handled by Team A.
  3. CNo parcel without a red label is fragile.
  4. DTeam A handles only fragile parcels.
  5. EEvery fragile parcel has a red label.
Show answer and explanation

B: Every parcel with a red label is handled by Team A.

A red label implies fragile, and fragile implies handled by Team A, so every red-labelled parcel reaches Team A. The facts do not say that these are the only parcels Team A handles or that red is the only possible label on a fragile parcel.

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What this paper practises

Synonyms: reluctanceAntonyms: quantityAnalogies: part and wholeAnalogies: degree of intensityPaired synonymsPaired antonymsClassification: a stated featureSynonyms: obstructing progressAnalogies: storage and contentsMultiple meanings: noun and adjectiveAntonyms in context: certaintyAnalogies: a condition and its reliefDeleting one letter with a meaning constraintShared internal lettersA hidden word across a boundaryMoving a letter between wordsWord construction: a repeated actionDeleting several letters while preserving orderExact anagramsLinked compound wordsA word ladder with exact changesSingle-letter deletion: checking orderReversal and meaningShared letters and anagram meaningAlphabet values: a word scoreCoding: moving a block of lettersA substitution code from two examplesDecoding two linked operationsLetter sequences: alternating advancesInterleaved number sequencesSymbols: successive rulesLetter distances with wraparoundA code based on distinct letters and vowelsDecoding reversed number blocksA midpoint followed by an alphabet moveChecking a position-dependent codeDeduction: a four-day scheduleDeduction: overlapping groupsDeduction: reversing an implication correctlyDeduction: exactly one true labelDeduction: a relative finishing orderDeduction: necessary conditionsDeduction: counting overlapping groupsDeduction: testing a set of claimsContext: careful workingContext: a change of attitudeContext: a figurative meaningContext: distinguishing meanings of a nounContext: choosing a precise adjectiveContext: interpreting a qualified judgement

Know the format

INDEPENDENT HBS-RELATED FIRST-ROUND VERBAL SKILLS PRACTICE. This original Exam Quay subject paper has 50 MCQs in 40 minutes, including reading the rules and examples. The question count, timer, advisory section allocations and one-mark exact-set scoring are our practice choices, not verified official HBS component specifications. The HBS first round also covers English and non-verbal reasoning; this paper does not include those subjects or simulate the complete round. HBS-specific first-round question counts and timings were not established by the official sources reviewed. Questions may have five or six choices. Each item states whether to select one or two; every required selection must be correct for one mark, with no partial credit or negative marking. Exam Quay is independent of HBS and GL Assessment.

Henrietta Barnett format and official sources ↗

These are original independent practice questions. The question count and 40-minute duration shown here are this paper’s practice specification. Read the collection guide for the official format and the differences. The schools may change their exam arrangements.

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