TARAQuestions

Every question in the TSA archive, 850 from 17 papers. Open one to answer it and watch its walkthrough.

850 questions

Throughout history, gold has been revered and used for expensive jewellery and ornamentation. But in the future, it will be prized for its practical uses rather than for its aesthetic appeal. It wasn't until early in the last century that gold's electrical conductivity properties were discovered. Solid state…TSA 2022 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A quiz consists of 7 rounds, each of which contains 20 questions. Each question is worth one point. At the end of the quiz, but before any of the answers or scores are revealed, each team is allowed to select one of the rounds and the score for that round is tripled. In addition, the scores for the rounds immediately…TSA 2022 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
Whether known as the high street, main street, or market square, central shopping districts in many towns throughout the world are in danger of disappearing. The decline in some downtown shopping areas began decades ago because of various social and economic trends, including an increase in the number of women working…TSA 2022 · Question 3 · Assumption · Save
I have always said that owners of expensive cars are less considerate drivers, and now a study has proved me right. The study showed that they are less likely to stop at a pedestrian crossing to allow someone to cross the road than drivers of less expensive cars – in fact, their likelihood to do so decreased by about…TSA 2022 · Question 4 · Identify Flaws · Save
You only win an election if you gain a majority of votes. You must have gained a majority of votes because you were named the winner in the election.TSA 2022 · Question 5 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Rob has two different mixtures of apple juice and orange juice. Rob wants to use these two mixtures to make 6 litres of a juice mixture which is 50% apple juice and 50% orange juice.TSA 2022 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
The extension numbers needed to contact eight different departments in a university depend on whether the caller is calling as a student, parent, lecturer, journalist or researcher. The appropriate numbers are shown below. Fran is a lecturer and regularly needs to contact all of the departments in the university.TSA 2022 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Over the past decade the popularity of coffee has soared in the United Kingdom. As a result, the number of coffee shops across the UK has risen. The table below shows a breakdown of the number of chain and independent coffee shops in East London between 2013 and 2019.TSA 2022 · Question 8 · Best Fit · Save
Bicycle owners have a duty to have their bicycles maintained properly. This is to ensure the safety both of the rider and of other road users. If an injury is caused to another person as a result of a failure to maintain a bicycle properly, then the injured person should be entitled to compensation from the owner of…TSA 2022 · Question 9 · Principle · Save
Despite ranking top of gender equality lists, Sweden is like practically every other country in terms of having an unequal division of labour for unpaid housework. Perpetuating stereotypes about who should be responsible for cleaning tasks, women still perform more domestic chores than their male partners. To address…TSA 2022 · Question 10 · Weakening Arguments · Save
People are attracted to cities because of the job opportunities that they bring. At the same time, house prices tend to push people away from urban centres. The draw of healthy living and green environments similarly pulls people towards less urban environments, further from city centres. The limiting factor in…TSA 2022 · Question 11 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The shampoo that I normally buy costs £1.96 for a 500ml bottle and always lasts for 40 days. Last month I decided to try a new brand that is 36p cheaper and contains 550 ml. However, because of the amount that I have had to use to wash my hair properly, it has run out after only 25 days.TSA 2022 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
Kate and Tek are choosing a cottage to rent for their family holiday. They have searched online and reduced their choice to five cottages. The facilities offered by these cottages are shown in the following table. Ideally, Kate and Tek would like a cottage with at least three bedrooms, a large garden, wifi, parking,…TSA 2022 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
Alex and Anita play a game where they need to form words from letters. The value of each letter is a whole number of points (which can be 0). Alex and Anita earn points by adding together the value of the letters in the words they form. The value of the last three words they formed is shown in the table below. Anita…TSA 2022 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
There is no denying the unwanted consequences of car emissions, burning of fossil fuels, chemical effluent, and other pollutants. Their negative effects include the increasing incidence of respiratory, skin, and heart conditions. But 'environments' consist of more than just the elements of air, earth, and water.…TSA 2022 · Question 15 · Main Conclusion · Save
The past couple of decades have been fairly tricky for many countries due to economic challenges and political and social uncertainties. The UK has certainly been amongst such countries. But life there is getting better, according to the World Happiness Report, and indeed the latest findings of this annual review are…TSA 2022 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
People complain about the fact that newspapers are often full of recycled articles about celebrity gossip, but they forget that real news costs money – investigative reporters need to go out into the world and unearth new information. The trouble is, those who complain are also unprepared to pay to read newspapers,…TSA 2022 · Question 17 · Principle · Save
Sean is taking his car to Sunny Island. He lives 38 miles away from the mainland terminal where the seaport and airport are based. He has researched the travel costs and come up with two possible options. The ferry ticket (car and passenger) is $80. A lt er na t i v e l y, a pl an e t i c k e t i s$ 50 and the seaport company will…TSA 2022 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
A youth club is open six evenings every week. There are nine volunteers who run the club. Each evening three of the volunteers are on duty. When the rota is drawn up for any week, the following conditions must be met as seen below. Next week's rota has just been published, as shown below. Fay wants to swap her Tuesday…TSA 2022 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
Students studying geography at college were tested at the start of the year and at the end of the year. Their marks are shown in the following table.TSA 2022 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
Some people have such good natural stamina that they can run a marathon with no training. John was able to run a marathon on Saturday. It is possible he did no training in preparation.TSA 2022 · Question 21 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
In a recent UK news broadcast, a white reporter appeared to mistake a Labour Member of Parliament (MP), who is Black, for another MP who is also Black. This shows the dangers of a lack of diversity in workplaces. It is not the first time that such a mistake has occurred: a week earlier the same television channel had…TSA 2022 · Question 22 · Assumption · Save
Recent figures issued by the UK Department of Education have revealed that the proportion of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have reached the expected level of educational achievement by the time they leave secondary school is lower than that of the population as a whole. The…TSA 2022 · Question 23 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Iman and Maya ran a 100 metre race. Iman started 2 seconds after Maya and finished 3 seconds before her. If each girl ran at a constant speed throughout the race, and Iman's speed was 25% faster than Maya's, for how many seconds did Iman run?TSA 2022 · Question 24 · Rates · Save
Five popular makes of fishcake are shown in the table below, with comparisons of their ingredients, the weight of each type and the cost for a pack of two. Ester wants to buy the fishcakes that contain the greatest amount of fish per pound spent.TSA 2022 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
The following chart shows the average salary of politicians in selected countries in absolute terms on the left (in thousands of dollars) and as a multiple of their country’s gross domestic product (GDP) per person on the right.TSA 2022 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
Trains in the UK are operated by private companies approved by the government and awarded a franchise for which they must meet certain standards, for example on punctuality. SuperRail, which operates the trains in one part of the country, has a poor record to date and has been warned that if it again exceeds the…TSA 2022 · Question 27 · Identify Flaws · Save
If you arrive late for work, you will definitely get fired. You lost your last job so you must have arrived late for work.TSA 2022 · Question 28 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
'Progressive' teaching methods – used in schools for the last 40 or 50 years – put an emphasis on collaborative ways of learning. It is time to reconsider the idea that this constitutes best practice in the classroom. Collaborative learning appeals to those with extrovert personalities, but much less so to introverts.…TSA 2022 · Question 29 · Main Conclusion · Save
In a prize draw, tickets are printed with 3-digit numbers from 001 to 999. Contestants pay to take a ticket at random. A major prize is awarded for all tickets where the product of the 3 digits on the ticket drawn is 8 and a minor prize is awarded when the product is 12. For example 143 wins a minor prize because 1 ×…TSA 2022 · Question 30 · Optimisation · Save
The table shows the cost of hot drinks in a local café. Belle bought a number of hot drinks, including at least one of each tea, coffee and chocolate. She was charged £32.00.TSA 2022 · Question 31 · Optimisation · Save
I have a wooden cube with edges that are 5 cm long. I paint it in the following way:TSA 2022 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
The UK has one of the world's highest levels of regional inequality, according to a recent report. Of the 30 nations studied, only 2 had higher levels of inequality. The main disparity is between those living in the poorer north and the wealthier south of the country. To address this, the government has been working…TSA 2022 · Question 33 · Assumption · Save
A right is not an excuse. The fact that you have a right to do something cannot count as justification for doing it. I may have a right to walk along behind someone in the street, mimicking their walk. Does that mean I ought to go around doing this? In fact, when deciding how to act, it isn't really rights we should…TSA 2022 · Question 34 · Principle · Save
It is no surprise to hear that we are more likely to help someone we like than someone we don't. But another factor that influences our behaviour towards others is a sense of reciprocity – the sense that you ought to do something good for someone if they have done something good for you. Psychologists have measured…TSA 2022 · Question 35 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Grandma has spent £60 on five books which she is intending to give to her three grandchildren, Miya, Harriet and Mehran. She is going to give the books in a way that relates the cost to the time they normally spend reading (i.e. spend the most on the child who reads the most). Miya reads for an hour a day. Harriet…TSA 2022 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
In a ball game points are accumulated by different combinations of four winning shots called a chop, a creamer, a glink and a yip. Playing the game for the first time, the only knowledge I have about the scoring system is that a chop is worth one point more than a creamer, and a creamer is worth twice as many points…TSA 2022 · Question 37 · Combinations · Save
At the beginning of the day, a showroom had 32 vehicles for sale. The vehicles were advertised in five categories: hatchback, saloon, utility, estate car and people carrier. By the end of the day, 24 vehicles had been sold. The first chart shows a comparison of the numbers of vehicles in each category in the showroom…TSA 2022 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
If someone tries to rescue someone from a burning roof, slips, drops them, and they die, we don't class them as a murderer. This is because we believe that judgements should be based on the intention behind an action, not the outcome. Whether or not we like to admit it, however, our moral judgements are sometimes…TSA 2022 · Question 39 · Main Conclusion · Save
Should we be worried about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? On the one hand, there are big names that have expressed major concern. Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Stephen Hawking have all argued that AI poses the single biggest threat to mankind's existence. At the same time there are people such as Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook…TSA 2022 · Question 40 · Identify Flaws · Save
In recent years, televised debates between political candidates have taken on increasing significance in the elections held in various countries. Meant to encourage public participation in elections and help voters evaluate the candidates seeking their support, these events are not much more than noisy distractions.…TSA 2022 · Question 41 · Assumption · Save
In my currency, there are six types of coin in circulation: [image of the six coin types] I start with two coins. I visit a shop and purchase two bars of chocolate and pay using the two coins. My change consists of two coins. The next day I re-visit the shop and purchase another one bar of chocolate with that change.…TSA 2022 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
In a game, players take it in turns to place tokens onto squares of a grid. The squares on the grid are coloured white and grey. When a player places a token they score one point for every token on an adjacent square (either horizontally or vertically). For every adjacent square that is white an extra point is scored.…TSA 2022 · Question 43 · Optimisation · Save
In Cat and Mouse, a game for two players, 16 cards are shuffled and then placed face down on a table as shown below. Cats are pictured on 8 of the cards and mice on the other 8. Both players pick up two cards at each turn, taking care not to show the cards to the other player. If the two cards are a cat and a mouse,…TSA 2022 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
If he was telling the truth about the incident, then we would not expect him to look so nervous talking to the police. The fact that he looks so nervous suggests he is probably lying.TSA 2022 · Question 45 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
On Sports Day at St Jude's College points are awarded in each event as follows: [image of table] Each student may enter a maximum of three events.TSA 2022 · Question 46 · Optimisation · Save
One vision dominating much of urban planning worldwide is that of the 'smart city', whereby urban areas are pre-planned and designed to be managed via digital technology with efficiency prioritised as the top objective. But planners cannot foresee how cities will need to develop depending on cultural trends, changes…TSA 2022 · Question 47 · Main Conclusion · Save
My three friends bought food at the supermarket. When I asked them, they did not remember the prices of the items, only the final amount they paid. I want to buy 1 bread roll, 1 apple and 1 chocolate bar.TSA 2022 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
The government has recently announced that the method by which the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is funded will be changed, leading to speculation that public funding for the organisation could soon be withdrawn. One of the complaints is that BBC TV and radio presenters “make their profile at public expense”,…TSA 2022 · Question 49 · Weakening Arguments · Save
There are five towns at various positions along a major ring road that encircles a city. Traffic travelling clockwise around the ring road is provided with information in the form of five 'distance' signs at various points along the road as shown. One of the signs contains an error in one of the distances indicated.TSA 2022 · Question 50 · Spatial · Save
'How much does an aeroplane weigh?'; 'Why are manhole covers round?'. Despite the popularity of bizarre questions like this in interviews for jobs in the big technology companies, they have been proved to give little insight into the applicant's ability or personality. Applicants faced with such questions would be…TSA 2021 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
The fairy lights on a Christmas tree are in three colours, blue, green and silver. The blue lights flash every 5 seconds, the green lights flash every 8 seconds and the silver lights flash every 12 seconds. The lights have all just flashed at the same time.TSA 2021 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
A supermarket chain is to remove traditional plastic bags for loose fruit and vegetables from its stores by spring next year and 5p single-use plastic bags by March, replacing them with compostable bags in each case. This will save 134 million plastic bags, the equivalent of 500 tonnes of plastic a year, and make it…TSA 2021 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
There is often talk of this or that job being 'exploitative' or of people on low wages being 'exploited' by their employers, as if there were something deeply unjust about paying someone poorly. But this misses a fundamental point about injustice. You cannot be unjustly treated voluntarily: if you agree to the action,…TSA 2021 · Question 4 · Principle · Save
Genuine apologies are an expression of regret and repentance on the part of the person who has acted wrongly. However, in some recent cases government ministers have apologised for unjust policies of previous governments, in which they personally played no part; some of these actions occurred before the person…TSA 2021 · Question 5 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
I have received the following message that is encrypted with a Caesar cipher: JYMDWEFTQEBAF. This Caesar cipher replaces each letter of the plaintext (the message to be encrypted) with a letter that is a certain fixed number of positions along the 26-letter English alphabet. Knowing this fixed number of positions (the…TSA 2021 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Gordon's family are keen cyclists and regularly cycle around town (urban) and a nearby forest (rural). He has become concerned recently that the air they are breathing whilst cycling is causing his family respiratory problems. He has decided to buy his whole family anti-pollution cycling masks, by buying two adult and…TSA 2021 · Question 7 · Rates · Save
A signal transmitter transmits a message in binary form. (In other words, the message is coded in 'bits'. Each bit is represented either by the digit '1' or by the digit '0'.) To add an element of security, the signal is embedded within other random bits (so that there are other 1s and 0s before and after the…TSA 2021 · Question 8 · Probability · Save
Part-time undergraduate numbers have fallen by more than 50% since 2010 – this represents a lost opportunity for people wanting to improve their job options. More needs to be done to provide support for people to take short, flexible part-time courses. A survey was conducted of 830 people who had considered studying…TSA 2021 · Question 9 · Main Conclusion · Save
The mobile phone was said to be the ultimate liberating device. Rather than being forced to stay, not just inside a house, not just in a particular room, but almost literally chained to a wall, you could now go anywhere to talk to someone. The irony is, however, that mobile phones have actually made us a lot less…TSA 2021 · Question 10 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A lot of people who fear snakes imagine that their skin is slimy. Snakes are not slimy but have smooth, dry skin. Therefore, if these people were better informed, they would lose their fear of snakes.TSA 2021 · Question 11 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Help Yourself! is a restaurant in which customers can help themselves to as much food as they wish from a buffet for a fixed price of $10 f or a d u lt s an d$ 6 for children. A Family Meal Ticket is available for…TSA 2021 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
Jason's workplace offers a special deal on any four breakfast items. He can choose from bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, tomatoes and beans. Jason will not have bacon and sausage together, nor will he have egg with beans.TSA 2021 · Question 13 · Combinations · Save
Cyclists in a small town were surveyed about their age. A table was produced to show the percentages and numbers of cyclists in five categories of their age. Some of the survey data was added to the table.TSA 2021 · Question 14 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The government should be active in promoting marriage. Notwithstanding bad marriages, research shows that married adults are happier, have better health, are less likely to be involved in crime, and enjoy many other advantages related to their personal welfare and the welfare of their family. Research also shows that…TSA 2021 · Question 15 · Assumption · Save
Many drivers think that the laws that make it compulsory to use a seat belt are an intrusion into their private lives – a denial of an autonomous lifestyle choice. But state intervention in our freedom is justified when, because of our short-sightedness, impulsiveness or carelessness, we act in a way that actually or…TSA 2021 · Question 16 · Principle · Save
Intensive farming, designed to give the greatest food yield per hectare, is widely believed to create higher levels of pollution and damage to the environment than organic farming. But the reality is that the opposite is the case: a global research team measured what they call 'externalities' – the environmental costs…TSA 2021 · Question 17 · Identify Flaws · Save
Tim and Jerry are business partners. Tim lives in New York (Eastern Time Zone) and Jerry lives in San Francisco (Pacific Time Zone). They both agree to meet in Oklahoma (Central Time Zone). [image of table] Tim set off at 10 am local time but shortly afterwards he realised he had left his ticket at home. As a result…TSA 2021 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
Martha is hoping that her parents will agree to a family visit to Rockworld Zoo as a treat for her 16th birthday. This would include Martha, her mum and dad, her brothers aged 14, 12 and 9 years old and her grandmother, who is 62. They have looked at the price tariff for tickets and have decided that they would want…TSA 2021 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
The sales for the four departments of a store are shown in the two pie charts below.TSA 2021 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
If we were ever to detect an alien transmission from outer space, ought we to reply? There are good grounds for keeping silent. After all, how do we know that any such aliens will be peaceable? But the truth is that it is too late for such precautions. Since World War II, we've been broadcasting TV, radio, and radar…TSA 2021 · Question 21 · Main Conclusion · Save
We have long known that if women take folic acid supplements during the first months of pregnancy (and preferably just before getting pregnant too), it decreases the likelihood of babies being born with neural tube defects. Research has shown, however, that not enough women in the UK are choosing to take the…TSA 2021 · Question 22 · Strengthen · Save
Conditions in some of the UK's prisons are scandalous. Inspectors found some prisons to be dirty, vermin-infested places, with frightening levels of violence and prisoners having easy access to illegal drugs. Some critics attribute the poor management of these prisons to the fact that the government has allowed…TSA 2021 · Question 23 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
A cinema uses magnetic letters to write the title of the most popular film that it is screening on its advertisement board. A set of magnetic letters includes the letters of the English alphabet in both upper and lower cases, i.e. 26 capital letters and 26 small letters. The cinema has just enough sets to be able to…TSA 2021 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
I run a bakery and sell two sizes of loaf. Small loaves (weighing 240 g) sell for 80p, and large loaves (weighing 400 g) sell for £1.20. I buy dough, ready-made, at the start of each day. Small boxes (5 kg of dough) cost me £10.00 each, and large boxes (15 kg of dough) cost me £20.00 each. The baking process causes…TSA 2021 · Question 25 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The Zambezi River Basin plays a key role in water management for the following eight countries. The table below shows the percentage of people with access to clean drinking water in each country in 2004.TSA 2021 · Question 26 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Rhona is a self-employed IT technician. Some of her clients are also friends. When she checks a computer for problems, she sees what is stored on the hard disk. She has sometimes teased friends in front of others about the websites they have been visiting and the pictures she has seen stored on their computers. She…TSA 2021 · Question 27 · Principle · Save
Following a few simple rules can help you keep your job. For instance, if you arrive late for work, you will definitely get fired. You lost your last job so you must have arrived late for work.TSA 2021 · Question 28 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
As a result of a recent initiative, energy providers are encouraging their customers to have 'smart meters' installed in their properties. Smart meters are recommended because they help you to control your energy usage and therefore mean that you will have lower bills. However, you should refuse to have one installed.…TSA 2021 · Question 29 · Main Conclusion · Save
I am planning a party next weekend. I have invited 100 people. Last week I took advantage of an offer at my local supermarket where I was able to get 10% off the total price of party food if I spent more than $75. I p ai d$ 108 and I estimate that the food that I bought will be enough for 60 people. I've now had replies…TSA 2021 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
Aliyah is planning a 2 week holiday in Spain with her friend Kyra and her husband. They have chosen their hotel and are calculating what the total cost will be for the 3 of them. They have decided on a departure date of May 21st and will be ready to make the booking in early January. The following table shows dates…TSA 2021 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
A tin of 60 chocolates contains dark chocolates, milk chocolates and white chocolates. Each of these types of chocolate is present in three different shapes – square, circle and triangle. The distributions of the chocolates in the tin, by type and shape, are shown in the pie charts:TSA 2021 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
Rats, like wood pigeons, badgers and foxes, are synurbic – i.e. a species that thrives in urban habitats. Cities provide perfect conditions for rats, offering warmth and shelter and plentiful supplies of food – and cities are getting bigger. Human antipathy to rats is well founded: they breed quickly and spread…TSA 2021 · Question 33 · Assumption · Save
The dark tendencies humans may have, such as psychopathy (lack of empathy), narcissism (excessive self-absorption), egoism and sadism are based on the same single underlying source: a drive to maximize one's individual interests, and to disregard or malevolently cause harm to others' interests. These tendencies often…TSA 2021 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Surely there can be few things more commendable than donating to charitable organisations. Yet there are compelling strategic reasons to rethink the charitable model used for tackling social problems in many countries. Relying on voluntary public donations to fund charitable work can leave important but less popular…TSA 2021 · Question 35 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A game is played involving two dice. Both dice are 6-sided cubes with the following shapes on their faces:TSA 2021 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
On a six-day hiking holiday, a group of friends travelled part of the trail by walking and part by bus. On average they walked 15 km per day over the six days. By the end of the 5th day, they had travelled 30 km by bus. The chart below shows the total distance covered each day.TSA 2021 · Question 37 · Spatial · Save
The numbers of males and females enrolled at a college in 2016, 2017 and 2018 are shown in the graph below.TSA 2021 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
In 1992, the bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus was published. Decades later, even in places where women and men occupy relatively similar positions in society, the notion of fundamental psychological differences between the sexes still has great appeal. However, this idea that 'men and women are from…TSA 2021 · Question 39 · Main Conclusion · Save
In order for a gritted road surface to freeze over, temperatures must fall to –10 °C or below. Above this temperature, grit will continue to melt ice on the road. Since ice has formed even on treated surfaces in recent weeks, the temperature must have fallen below –10 °C at times.TSA 2021 · Question 40 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Advocates of alternative or complementary medicine frequently say things like, 'You need to treat the body, mind and spirit together', contending that mainstream medicine focuses too much on the purely physical. Alternative medicine prides itself on treating the person 'as a whole', taking account of their underlying…TSA 2021 · Question 41 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The 4-digit PIN for my credit card can be written as two 2-digit square numbers (between 10 and 100). When the four digits, which are all different, are written individually in words, they are in alphabetical order.TSA 2021 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
Jun lives in Applecross and Aki lives in Damsonville. Both live a 10-minute walk from their local train stations, which both lie on the Applecross–Figtown line. Trains on this line run throughout the day to the following timetable: [image of timetable] Jun leaves his house at 10:00 to go to visit Aki at her house. He…TSA 2021 · Question 43 · Optimisation · Save
At the beginning of March, Suzy begins training for a marathon running event. At the end of each month from March until August, she records the total distance that she has run since the beginning of March. This information is shown in the following table.TSA 2021 · Question 44 · Spatial · Save
A charity dealing with homelessness in the UK has reported that its case workers have compiled a list of private landlords and commercial rental companies which have refused to undertake necessary repairs to properties. In some of those cases, tenants have been evicted simply for complaining about the conditions in…TSA 2021 · Question 45 · Identify Flaws · Save
In August, Bill used his new, UK-based Bridgford Bank credit card for the first time. The summary details for this card are shown below. He bought goods to the value of £2450. He also withdrew £300 in cash from a UK cash machine. Then, on holiday in Spain, he used the card to pay for £500 worth of goods.TSA 2021 · Question 46 · Optimisation · Save
Acting is surely the most overrated occupation of all time. Although top actors are held in high esteem, sometimes people walk into the profession without any training and win critical acclaim. In the film Captain Phillips, for example, Barkhad Abdi won several awards for best supporting actor, despite having never…TSA 2021 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
A company analyses five possible cities to build a 5 storey office building. The total floor area of the 5 storeys required by the company is 3000 m² and the total land area required on which to build it is 600 m². The table below gives the land price and construction price in…TSA 2021 · Question 48 · Spatial · Save
Couples who want to divorce will face a less confrontational process under recent proposals to change UK law. The proposed changes would remove the need to show evidence of the other spouse's conduct and so avoid the 'blame game' that has existed when a marriage breaks down. Additionally, the opportunity for the other…TSA 2021 · Question 49 · Main Conclusion · Save
The company that I currently work for pays its employees monthly. Pay day is the fourth Thursday of every month or the 26th, whichever is earlier. Since I joined the company the dates on which I have been paid (in order) have been:TSA 2021 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
The 21st century is witnessing a significant rise in the proportion of people being diagnosed by medical professionals as having a mental illness. For example, at the turn of the century, the number of Canadians being treated for depression increased by over 30% in just one year. A recent study in the US found that…TSA 2020 · Question 1 · Identify Flaws · Save
In the game of tigball, two teams compete against each other to try to score points. Points are scored as follows:TSA 2020 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
In the UK we are increasingly engrossed by entertainment: we devote more time to it than sleep and spend more money on it than food and drink. The aim of entertainment is to create a make-believe situation in which emotions can be excited and discharged without affecting real life. While entertainment has its proper…TSA 2020 · Question 3 · Assumption · Save
Adults over the age of 60 are often depicted by the media as depressed, lonely and grumpy. Of course, old age is associated with physical decline, health issues become more common and memory gets fuzzier. Previously, theories of ageing assumed that emotional experiences would follow a similar pathway towards…TSA 2020 · Question 4 · Main Conclusion · Save
You are allowed to vote in the general election only if you are at least 18 years old. You have reached 18 so you will be able to vote in the forthcoming election.TSA 2020 · Question 5 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
A teacher is organising a trip to the local zoo for 20 students. Of the 20 students, 12 are aged 11–15 and 8 are 16–18 years of age. Tickets cost £12.95 per adult (16 years of age and over) and £9.95 per child (2–15 years of age). For every 4 students under 16 they must have one teacher supervising them. They will…TSA 2020 · Question 6 · Optimisation · Save
The Pentarathon Challenge is a competition in which five athletes compete against each other in five marathon races, run on consecutive days. Points are awarded in each race, as follows:TSA 2020 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Between 1987 and 1992 there were four formats of singles recordings: 7, 12, cassette and CD. The accompanying graph shows how total sales of singles were split between the four different formats in the years 1987 to 1992.TSA 2020 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
Microscopic malaria parasites enter a person's bloodstream through mosquito bites and infect red blood cells. They replicate in these cells and penetrate other organs. Until recently, microbiologists sought to block the parasites from entering red blood cells. Rhode Island University studied 700 Tanzanian children…TSA 2020 · Question 9 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Despite the government's promise to be more business friendly, plans have been announced to change the law regarding the paid leave that couples are entitled to take following the birth of a child. This will allow new parents to take more time off work than under the current regulations. It is claimed that the current…TSA 2020 · Question 10 · Weakening Arguments · Save
As long as there is the right combination of guests, any party will be a success. The last party was great, so there must have been a perfect selection of guests.TSA 2020 · Question 11 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
A builder has 32 kg of a mix of sand and cement, of which 25% is sand. For a new job, he needs 120 kg of a mix of sand and cement in which the ratio of sand to cement is 2:1. To obtain this, he starts with his initial 32 kg mix and adds more sand and cement.TSA 2020 · Question 12 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
I am planning to buy a new laptop. The following table shows the specifications and the prices of my shortlist.TSA 2020 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
A combination lock has three dials, each dial has eight letters. It is known that the following combinations have been used - one, who, two, bob, add, owl, fab, den, mia and tat.TSA 2020 · Question 14 · Combinations · Save
Although the Scottish Government has announced plans to ban corporal punishment of children (smacking), we must preserve the right of parents in the rest of the UK to smack their children when it is reasonable. This is not because we are violent people eager to hit our kids: we recognise that smacking is damaging to…TSA 2020 · Question 15 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Sometimes we are mistreated by others, and forgiveness is one kind of response to those who wrong us. However, sometimes we do things that appear to be morally wrong but, in fact, are not. If we are reproached, we can give an explanation for our action that justifies it. In these cases, we are claiming that, despite…TSA 2020 · Question 16 · Main Conclusion · Save
There has been a choral singing boom. Three hundred thousand more people sing in choirs than play amateur football, yet football receives £30 million from the government every year compared to £1 million for choirs. It is only fair that a substantial increase in funding is made that reflects the numbers of…TSA 2020 · Question 17 · Principle · Save
Every week I buy 12 cans of lemonade. The shop that I always buy them from sells individual cans for 80p each and packs of 4 cans for £2.60, so I buy three packs of cans.TSA 2020 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
I have booked myself, my wife and our three children into The Wavecrest Hotel, Southbourne, for seven nights from June 19th. The hotel has sent us a 'What's on' booklet, and we are particularly keen to see Oliver!, the advertisement for which is shown below:TSA 2020 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
In computer technology, a bit can take two values: 0 or 1. A byte is composed of 8 bits. I start with the following byte: 01000111. I choose two adjacent bits and change each of them to the opposite value (that is, a 0 becomes a 1, and a 1 becomes a 0). I repeat this procedure a number of times.TSA 2020 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
In real terms, spending on education in the UK is going down. But reductions in funding always mean a reduction in the quality of education provided. In the current climate, we should expect to see the quality of education in the UK diminishing.TSA 2020 · Question 21 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Maths is the most popular subject taken at A Level in the UK. Most of the best-paid jobs are in the technology and finance sectors, which tend to require maths. The majority of students achieving the best grades in maths are boys, which helps to explain the persistence of the gender pay disparity. But what explains…TSA 2020 · Question 22 · Identify Flaws · Save
In many cultures, traditional heterosexual male preferences for spouses have centred upon a woman's preparedness – and willingness – to fulfil childcare and other domestic duties and not on her academic achievements or career potential. This kind of expectation on the part of men has served as a significant obstacle…TSA 2020 · Question 23 · Weakening Arguments · Save
I had planned my day trip to the stately home very carefully, but then the bus was late. I won't arrive until 11:30 am and will have to leave by 4:15 pm. There were five things that I had wanted to do and I had written these down in the table below:TSA 2020 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
Steven would like to book return flights from London to Pescara, Italy. He would like to spend at least 3 days in Pescara excluding the days of his flights. Steven has lectures in London every Wednesday that he must attend. However, there are no lectures during the 20th–24th April spring break. The prices of flights…TSA 2020 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
The current 'Special Offer' gimmick at Fareprice involves putting a band marked 'TWINPACK - 25% OFF' around pairs of selected items, such as washing powder.TSA 2020 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
People are understandably suspicious of big, centralised governments – government by people based a long way away from them, who seem disconnected from their lives and concerns. Instead there is a movement to give local people more control over what goes on in their area. The trouble with this is that people will…TSA 2020 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Some property developers have discovered that designing energy-efficient buildings can provide them with a 'green premium'. The government-backed Energy Star programme has been designed to identify and promote products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers found that the positive impact on the selling…TSA 2020 · Question 28 · Principle · Save
The 'ticking time bomb' scenario demonstrates that it is possible for torture to be morally permissible. In the scenario, a person with knowledge of an imminent terrorist attack that will kill many people is in the hands of the authorities, and will disclose the information needed to prevent the attack only if she is…TSA 2020 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Joyce has decided to volunteer to work in the local High Street Charity Shop. She has agreed to be in the shop for 4 hours on a Saturday. To get from her home to the High Street, Joyce will have to travel by bus. Her walk from home to the bus stop is no more than 5 minutes, and the bus journey each way takes between…TSA 2020 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
The prices for tickets to a concert are set based on the day of the performance and the number of tickets that have been sold so far. The table below shows the ticket prices. There are 1000 tickets on sale for each performance. I need to buy 10 tickets for Saturday's performance. I will buy all of them in one purchase…TSA 2020 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
Bert has agreed to make 14 decorations for his daughter's birthday. Each decoration will require two gold ribbons, one 12 cm long and the other 7 cm long. The table shows the lengths and prices of available gold ribbon. The ribbon can be easily cut to size for the decorations, but short pieces of ribbon cannot be…TSA 2020 · Question 32 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The last century has seen amazing advances in medical research and practice. By preventing millions of premature deaths and reducing pain and incapacity, they have transformed life all over the world. But it is now time to call a halt. Further progress in surgery or medicine will be too expensive for any but a very…TSA 2020 · Question 33 · Main Conclusion · Save
Campaigners have long been calling for a change in the law to force social media companies to take racist, sexist, terrorist, or obscene material posted on their platforms more seriously. They want the government to bind Facebook, Google, etc. to the same strict rules that apply to newspapers and magazines. But that…TSA 2020 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
There are countless ways to get rich in this world. Those who do not achieve wealth either do not find it important or simply have bad luck. Jane is poor but she has always valued material goods, so she must have been unlucky in her life.TSA 2020 · Question 35 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The whole of my garden is a patio, which is 12.5 by 10.5 metres. I intend to resurface my patio. I would like my patio to include a 25cm border of bricks and the remainder of the patio inside the border to be covered with paving slabs. The bricks I will use for the border are 25 cm x 25 cm and the paving slabs I will…TSA 2020 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
The table below shows the popularity of different breakfasts served in a hotel from 2006 to 2012.TSA 2020 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
At a smoothie factory, a tropical smoothie mixture contains banana, orange and apple in the proportions shown in the pie chart below. [image of pie chart] The chief taster requested a new recipe, in which every litre contained 10% more banana than was present in the original mixture, and 10% less orange than was…TSA 2020 · Question 38 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
If the captain of a national team commits any kind of crime, he or she is likely to be dropped, heavily fined by the sport's governing body, or barred from future competition. This is on top of any punishment handed down by the courts. Senior politicians, doctors, judges or head teachers who offend also find…TSA 2020 · Question 39 · Principle · Save
What is there in the universe that we know, or have good reason to believe, to possess consciousness? Humans, and perhaps certain other animals. What do they all have in common? They are living beings, made of flesh and blood. As far as we know, nothing else in the universe contains any consciousness at all. For all…TSA 2020 · Question 40 · Identify Flaws · Save
Some readers think there is nothing to learn from historical fiction. Yet the historian and the writer of historical fiction can work in a way that is complementary. Historical novels can thus enrich our understanding of the past. History is a record of the past that is full of gaps. We mostly don't know what was said…TSA 2020 · Question 41 · Main Conclusion · Save
On sports day at Thiska Academy points are awarded in each event as follows: [image of table] Each student may enter no more than three events.TSA 2020 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
Every Christmas the most popular children's toys become scarce. Many people turn to online auction sites to buy them instead. The table below shows the recommended retail price and the price that the listed toys have sold for online.TSA 2020 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
A store sells a particular type of television. The graphs below show the number of these televisions sold per month and the total income from their sales per month, over a six-month period. The price at which these televisions were sold was increased at the beginning of one of the six months.TSA 2020 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
The UK is the most researched nation on Earth. Some £60 per head is spent each year on surveys, polls, consumer panels and questionnaires, more per capita than any other country, according to the Market Research Society. No wonder many Brits are suffering from survey fatigue and refuse to fill out questionnaires. This…TSA 2020 · Question 45 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
My dog's coat had been looking dull, so I bought some conditioning tablets. The pet shop stocks these in boxes of 300 tablets, and for a dog the size of mine the recommendation (which I have followed) is 6 tablets per day. Now, several months later, his coat is much shinier. Opening a new box of tablets today, I have…TSA 2020 · Question 46 · Optimisation · Save
The UK private security industry employs half a million people in a range of roles, including supervising public events, guarding cash in transport, and assisting police in surveillance work. Some government officials are pushing for the legal regulation of such work to be moved out of government agency control and…TSA 2020 · Question 47 · Assumption · Save
Trains run regularly between Ayton and Exbay, stopping at Beetown, Chalton and Deeford, according to the following timetable. [image of timetable] George lives a 14-minute walk away from Beetown station. He is going to the cinema in Exbay to watch a film that starts at 19:20. It will take him five minutes to walk from…TSA 2020 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
One often hears that this or that action is justified or unjustified morally on the grounds that it is 'natural' or 'unnatural'. To say that something is 'natural' is really just to say that this is how things happen to be. Yet just because something happens to be the case, it doesn't mean that it ought to be the…TSA 2020 · Question 49 · Principle · Save
The table below shows the medal count by the top five teams in a recent Mini Olympics. Each team calculated the proportion of their medals that were gold.TSA 2020 · Question 50 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Like other booming cities, including New York, London has thrived amid globalisation. It is growing by 100,000 new residents a year. However, if London has given striving people plenty of reasons to come, it has done a poor job of housing them. The median price of a London home has tripled over the past two decades.…TSA 2019 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
Each region in the country of Bolandia sets its own tax rate which applies to the whole of an individual's annual income. Below is a table showing tax information relating to six different people.TSA 2019 · Question 2 · Rates · Save
A high degree of self-discipline is one quality exhibited by all athletes who have reached the uppermost levels of competition, whatever the sport. This amount of self-discipline is in evidence long after the initial excitement of a sport has worn off, and an athlete has had to keep going through years of painful and…TSA 2019 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
Young people are becoming ever more responsible. They are less likely to take drugs or drink than past generations. Very few have serious problems with alcohol or drugs. It is people in their forties who are most likely to be admitted to hospital for drinking-related problems. The latest figures on drug addiction show…TSA 2019 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Adults thinking back on their experience of school almost always remember with most gratitude the teachers who taught them more than just a subject, and prepared them for life, not just for an exam. But the current generation of students may not have the same experiences to look back on in future years because the…TSA 2019 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Below is a greyscale image of the flag of Canada. The flag consists of two red strips on the left and the right, a white square in the middle, and a red maple leaf in the centre. The width of the white square is twice as large as the width of a red strip. The red maple leaf occupies a quarter of the square in the…TSA 2019 · Question 6 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The table below shows the breakdown of marks awarded to students taking an exam.TSA 2019 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
The bar chart shows the total numbers of tickets sold for a concert over three nights. Premium tickets are more expensive than Standard tickets.TSA 2019 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
Texting is the preferred method of communication among young people, with 72% of teenagers saying they text regularly and one in three sending more than a hundred texts per day. Unfortunately, however, very few youngsters seem able to communicate using grammatically correct sentences. They seem to think it 'gr8' that…TSA 2019 · Question 9 · Identify Flaws · Save
While it is a woman, Ada Lovelace, who is often credited with originating the concept of software, today's computer tech-related jobs are held mostly by men. The tech sector must continue to work against factors that inhibit gender equality within it. One such factor appears to be prejudice about women's abilities to…TSA 2019 · Question 10 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Schools have a duty to support the well-being of their students, and sport is one way to enhance this. Although many young people don't enjoy the competitive side of sport, there are many physical activities that don't require a competitive element, such as hillwalking and caving. Schools should offer these, or other…TSA 2019 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
When riding my bike in the dark, I use two rear bike lamps. Both of the lamps are in 'flashing mode', which means that they repeatedly emit light for a set period of time at set intervals. The reasons for using two lights are that it reduces the amount of time when neither of the lamps emit light, and that if one of…TSA 2019 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
The following table compares five selected commuting routes in different European countries with respect to the length of the journey and the monthly cost of a season ticket as a percentage of average monthly wages.TSA 2019 · Question 13 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Peter has drawn two diagrams showing information about the two cars owned by his parents:TSA 2019 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
Recently a pioneering natural flood management scheme slowed river peak flow by 15 to 20 per cent, saving a small town's museum and several homes. As part of this scheme, special dams, designed to leak water gradually, were installed in nearby hills to slow the flow of water off the slopes. An upstream flood storage…TSA 2019 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The government is planning an increase in fuel tax later this year as part of its strategy to meet carbon emissions targets. Yet motorists and road transport companies have suffered crippling price rises of up to 30% in petrol and diesel bills in the past year because of fuel taxes. The government has enjoyed a £505…TSA 2019 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
Despite the recent decline in numbers of people getting married, it appears that there is still much to recommend it. Married people are happier, wealthier and live longer. Husbands and wives have a lower risk of disease and a higher life expectancy. They smoke less, drink less and eat more healthily. Those who get…TSA 2019 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Three friends are training to run a marathon. Part of this training involves running steadily round a track in the local park. They are all at different stages in their training schedules so they run at different speeds. Alec completes each lap in 3 minutes, Barry takes 5 minutes and Colin takes 6 minutes. They all…TSA 2019 · Question 18 · Rates · Save
The table below shows the amount of waste recycled each year, in thousands of tonnes, over a three-year period in 20 countries.TSA 2019 · Question 19 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The see-through glass block below can be viewed from six sides, including from above and below.TSA 2019 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
It is universally recognised that Africa's conservation tourism provides employment, generates wealth and educates future generations while saving endangered species. So we should champion tourism for the sake of conservation. Tourism in the Arctic is thus to be welcomed. As the Arctic ice melts, new shipping routes…TSA 2019 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
If the vice president did act unlawfully in this matter, he would definitely have had to resign. Since we have confirmation that he has resigned, he must have broken the law.TSA 2019 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
It's common for people to agree in principle to socially useful projects such as the opening of centres for people with serious mental health problems. However, if the project is planned for the area where they live, they tend to object and suggest that alternative locations would be preferable. While they approve of…TSA 2019 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
A digital display consists of seven segments which light up in different combinations to produce digits. For example, to display the digit ‘1’ the two right-hand segments light up as shown:TSA 2019 · Question 24 · Combinations · Save
Sandi is planning a trip to the old city of Pordson. She wants to stay for four nights in order to visit all of the attractions, and one of the nights must be the Saturday so that she can attend a special music concert. The table below shows the prices per night and details of the deals for the five main hotels in…TSA 2019 · Question 25 · Optimisation · Save
A solid cube has 6 different shapes drawn on each of its 6 faces. A plan view showing all the shapes is given below. It is placed on the path drawn below with the triangular shape facing up. The cube is rolled, one face at a time, forward along the route shown, from start position until it reaches the end position.TSA 2019 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
People are quick to connect attempts to reduce the effects of climate change with the protection of the environment. However, responding to climate change is much more important for humanity than for nature. In the history of the planet, the relative stability of temperatures in the last ten thousand years is the…TSA 2019 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Chiropractors rely heavily on manipulating their patients' spines. This has benefits for some patients, but more than half of all patients suffer mild to moderate adverse effects after seeing a chiropractor. These are mostly local and referred pains that usually last for two to three days. Chiropractors often claim…TSA 2019 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Drivers found to be committing offences such as speeding are now offered the choice between paying the police for a re-education course or taking the traditional penalty of paying a fine and receiving penalty points on their licence. It is no surprise that the number of motorists opting for re-education courses has…TSA 2019 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Alex and Sue are playing a game with a set of nine cards, numbered from 1 to 9. A 3 × 3 grid of cards is dealt onto the table. The cards for the next round have just been dealt and are as shown below. The first player chooses two cards and scores the difference between the two numbers. The second player then chooses…TSA 2019 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
The single ferry to Pepper Island starts each day from mainland Seatown and crosses to the island port of Kaysville. It runs back and forth from 9:30 am to 4:10 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, and from 10:30 am to 2:20 pm from Monday to Friday. [image of calendar] Each crossing takes 50 minutes. Between…TSA 2019 · Question 31 · Optimisation · Save
In March, 20 people voted for the position of chair of a committee. There were three potential candidates: Andrew, James and Roger.TSA 2019 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
A band of rebellious traders in Wales has decided to take their whole town 'offshore' in protest at the insignificant amounts of UK tax paid by big businesses. An alliance of shopkeepers from the town want to use the same controversial loopholes favoured by huge multinationals such as Google so that they too can…TSA 2019 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Much concern is paid to the hazards posed by people using mobile phones while operating motor vehicles. Although using a smartphone or other mobile phone behind the wheel of a car is most certainly dangerous, research is showing that very frequent usage of the phones is harmful more generally. A study has found that…TSA 2019 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Nearly everyone thinks it is a bad thing to be a hypocrite, because it is profoundly dishonest to pretend to have moral standards that you do not actually have. But pretending you are better than you are is evidence that you still accept the moral principles you have failed to follow. So it is better than being…TSA 2019 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
Nathan is making a pair of trousers for his young son. The diagram shows the pattern for one piece. Four such pieces are needed. For simplicity he assumes that he will need a 15cm × 38 cm rectangle for each piece. The material comes in three widths with prices as shown: [image of diagram] Material may be bought in…TSA 2019 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
Arthur plans to modernise his bathroom. His design requires a 1600 mm × 700 mm bath. He wants side grips to help him get out of the bath, and because he doesn't want to choose the taps before ordering the bath he must have one which doesn't have pre-drilled tap holes. A list from the bath catalogue is shown below:TSA 2019 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
The Head of Year 6 is planning an end-of-term treat for her students. The pie chart represents the numbers of votes cast by the children for each of the five possible outings.TSA 2019 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
One of the greatest achievements of English grammar schools was the development and dissemination of a sophisticated system of standard punctuation for the English language. The complex rules for the use of commas conveyed a range of precise meanings, while the choice between semi-colon, colon and full stop expressed…TSA 2019 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Long hours and poor pay have become commonly accepted, but they are taking a heavy toll on life at home. It is not a pretty picture: an economy where high levels of stress and anxiety are normal, where people get ill because they have lost control of their time, and where marriages are damaged and children suffer. Yet…TSA 2019 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Despite recent improvements to their training, a new study suggests that the police are as susceptible as the general public to holding false beliefs about crime and punishment. Participants in the study were questioned about their views on a number of crime-related myths such as 'capital punishment is an effective…TSA 2019 · Question 41 · Strengthen · Save
The drawing below shows an allotment shed. The four outside wood surfaces of the shed, including the door, need to be painted with three coats of paint. It takes 4 minutes to paint 1 square metre. I have two identical sheds to paint and will take just one 20-minute tea break.TSA 2019 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
A school party consisting of 4 teachers and 20 students is visiting the theatre. Of the students, 8 are aged 15 years and 12 are aged 16 years. The following table shows the entry prices to the theatre.TSA 2019 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
Consider the following net, which forms a hexagonal prism:TSA 2019 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
An accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011 caused the release of radioactive material, resulting in around half a million people being evacuated from the area. These people have not been allowed to return to the area because of the health risks of exposure to radiation. But the psychological…TSA 2019 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
Your cake will be tasty only if you use fresh ingredients which you can only buy at the market. You did not go to the market, so your cake will not be tasty.TSA 2019 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Costs of health care in the UK are shared through taxation, but some of those who can afford to pay for a higher standard of care choose to do so. Some think it is immoral for rich people to receive better health care simply because they can afford to pay for it. But the whole point of money is to enable those who…TSA 2019 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
Sourdough, an ingredient of many bread products, is a fermented mixture of flour and water. At 8:00 am on Monday morning, I start with a mixture of 50 g flour and 50 g water. Each morning at 8:00 am I double the weight of the sourdough by adding equal weights of flour and water. I know that 1 g of the water content…TSA 2019 · Question 48 · Rates · Save
A 250 g bag of mixed nuts lists the contents on the packet as follows: [image of table] As they are my favourite, I eat all the almonds in the packet and then re-weigh it. I find that the almond content was the minimum it could have been whilst being consistent with the labelling.TSA 2019 · Question 49 · Optimisation · Save
The net below can be folded to make a Roman numerical dice.TSA 2019 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
Fear of death prompted us to develop technology that helps people live longer. But those same technological advances have condemned us to fear of infirmity and dementia, since so many of us will live to an advanced age. So as to eliminate this new fear, once we have reached old age we should be assisted to die if we…TSA 2018 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
There are 24 pupils in a class. They decided to help the local park by planting a total of 24 plants, a mixture of birch trees and roses. Each girl planted three roses, and every three boys planted one birch tree between them.TSA 2018 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
The family had to choose between planting maize or soybeans. Maize received a better market price than soybeans last year, but maize requires a much greater fertiliser input to ensure high yields. Because they could not obtain credit to purchase additional fertiliser, they planted soybeans even though the crop is…TSA 2018 · Question 3 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The world is now producing more farmed fish than beef. In 2012, fish production reached a record 66 million tonnes; cattle-farm output levelled out at 63 million tonnes. This ought to be good news for the environment. Cattle farming is one of the biggest contributors to global warming, while fish farming – as well as…TSA 2018 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
There is an urgent need to improve the recruitment procedures for teaching positions at universities. There have been numerous cases in which academics have failed to hire outstanding young researchers and talented lecturers. For example, a research fellow from Germany complained that his applications for lecturing…TSA 2018 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Jake has a 500 ml bottle of orange squash that he has made according to the instructions on the bottle of concentrate. The instructions dictate that he should add 4 parts water to 1 part concentrate. He accidentally spills his squash, and now there is only 400 ml in the bottle. He then tops up the remainder with…TSA 2018 · Question 6 · Rates · Save
Baytree Island's Council is concerned to retain a balance of skilled professional workers amongst the population, and monitors migrants in and migrants out on an annual basis. There is currently some concern about the trend, and the Chief Administration Officer was asked to prepare a statistical table for the next…TSA 2018 · Question 7 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Most railway stations have digital clocks that display the time in 24-hour format. I recently undertook a train journey from Exeter to Aberdeen. As the train left Exeter, the clock on the platform showed:TSA 2018 · Question 8 · Spatial · Save
Shooting is not just positive for rural economies, but is also necessary for conservation efforts. In various peripheral rural places in Britain, sport shooting related jobs are a mainstay of local economies, often accounting for as much as a third of the labour market. However, since humans disturbed the ecosystem by…TSA 2018 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Thousands of parents have recently been prosecuted by local education authorities for taking their children out of school to go on holiday during term time. I took my daughter out of primary school for a two-week holiday every year. The headmistress made no objection and said it would give the other kids time to catch…TSA 2018 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
Evidence suggests that children whose parents are married tend to fare better – financially, academically and socially – than children of unmarried parents. The government is therefore proposing a tax break for married couples, whereby married couples are reimbursed by approximately £150 per person per annum. This…TSA 2018 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Below is a table showing the value of Lucy's shares. They started at £3.00 in 2011 and in 2016 they were worth £22.68.TSA 2018 · Question 12 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
I am redecorating my house and need to buy wallpaper for one of the rooms. I need to buy 54 m of wallpaper in total and want to pay the lowest price. The table below shows the details of the five types of wallpaper I want to choose between.TSA 2018 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
The diagram below shows the method of construction of a book with four folded sheets in each block, and three blocks in total. Page one is the first page of the first block of four sheets. At the centre of each block, you can see the stitching that binds the book together. [image of diagram] A book is to be made using…TSA 2018 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
The award of a Nobel Prize in economics, but not in psychology, sociology or anthropology, seems to imply that economics is not a social science, but an exact one, like chemistry or physics. Underpinning this idea is the thought that the human world operates like the physical world. Economists themselves perpetuate…TSA 2018 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Mobile phone use and driving under the influence of alcohol are not the only examples of irresponsible driver behaviour. Tiredness when driving a vehicle is said to be responsible for 300 deaths per year. Astonishingly, almost half of male drivers and 22% of female drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel.…TSA 2018 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
There has been a significant rise in the number of children with rickets. This has resulted from the airless, indoor world we have created for ourselves. Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, which is produced in response to sunlight on the skin. Where children used to play outside they mostly stay indoors…TSA 2018 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Five girls are collecting shells on a beach. They are putting them in buckets that each hold 24 shells. At the end of the collecting time, they are going to ensure that they all have the same number of shells. Four of them are only two short of filling their bucket, but the youngest one is lagging behind with her…TSA 2018 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
A Youth Centre runs a number of football teams for boys of different ages. Each season, one prize is awarded to the player who has given the best all-round performance. Five players have been nominated as possible recipients of this year's prize. The manager has decided not to reward any player who has missed two…TSA 2018 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
The diagram below shows the net of a cube.TSA 2018 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
When mobile phones first became relatively inexpensive many parents bought them for their teenage children on the grounds that having access to a phone would keep them safe. High profile cases of abduction at the time underscored the need to improve safety for young people. But today mobile phones invariably have…TSA 2018 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
A new supermarket scheme awards money-off vouchers to customers who spend £40 a week on their grocery shopping. As your weekly shop only costs £15, you are not eligible for vouchers.TSA 2018 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The plethora of house-buying and relocation programmes on television these days may well stimulate an interest in lovely properties, but they are a bad thing because at the same time they make viewers who could never afford the houses shown feel both envious and worthless.TSA 2018 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
I have a digital clock that works in 24-hour format (that is, after 23:59, it goes to 00:00). The patterns for each number are made up of segments, as shown below:TSA 2018 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
The President of Bugaria is elected using the supplementary vote system, which is conducted as follows: Voters vote for their first-choice and second-choice candidates (though a second choice is optional). The two candidates with the most first-choice votes go through to a second stage, whilst the others are…TSA 2018 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
A number of identical boxes are piled up, waiting to be loaded into a delivery van. Amy and Ben are about to load them into the van. The appearance of the pile of boxes and the positions of Amy and Ben at present are shown below:TSA 2018 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
Long-term unemployment is a big problem for the UK, both for the government and for the individual. The solution is unlikely to be one the government wishes to consider: invest money in improving the skills of job centre staff. Some people argue that providing welfare benefits makes unemployed people less motivated to…TSA 2018 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
A Prime Minister has a difficult judgement to make when deciding whether to sack one of their ministers or not. Faced, for example, with a minister involved in some kind of scandal, the Prime Minister might feel they should sack them to show they stand up for integrity and high moral standards, or, on the other hand,…TSA 2018 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
In a survey done by a school librarian during one year, borrowing of books in the library declined by 20%. Amongst books borrowed, rates of late return or loss of books also increased by 10%. On the other hand, student use of computers in the library increased by 25%. This finding was reinforced by frequent complaints…TSA 2018 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Recently, packets of Amblers crisps have had 'money-off' coupons inside them. Some coupons are worth 9p, some are worth 14p and some are worth 20p. George has been collecting these coupons. He has more 14p coupons than 9p coupons, and more 9p coupons than 20p coupons. The total value of all of his coupons is exactly…TSA 2018 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
Joanne is studying the period 1900–1950 and has decided to buy a new book to help with her studies. There are five different books available at her local bookshop, the details of which are summarised below: [image of table] On Tuesday, Joanne chose to buy the cheapest book that would satisfy her requirements, and went…TSA 2018 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
Connem Ltd. has recently adopted a new company logo. A large plastic version of the logo has just been delivered to the office, to be attached to the outside of the building. Unfortunately, in transit, the plastic has broken into two pieces, as shown below:TSA 2018 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
The current advice from the NHS in the UK is to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. However, a recent study suggested that at least seven portions are needed to maximise health. Given that less than a third of adults in the UK, and even fewer children, currently meet the five-a-day target, there is little…TSA 2018 · Question 33 · Main Conclusion · Save
Welfare benefits create a culture of dependency and an unproductive workforce. There are people who stay on welfare benefits for years and never look for employment. Two years ago the government introduced tougher restrictions on the eligibility to receive benefits and the number of recipients has now fallen by 20%.…TSA 2018 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
There seems to be universal agreement on Shakespeare's greatness, yet many of his plays lack any significant development of plot or character. An exceptional skill with language is evident in all his works and his running theme concerning the relationship between appearances and reality has appealed to audiences…TSA 2018 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
At the start of the school year, a village shop stocks and sells a range of stationery items. The table below shows details of the wholesale costs and retail prices for a number of the items sold.TSA 2018 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
There is an automatic photograph booth in my local shopping centre. It takes exactly 2 minutes from the time that the money is inserted for the photographs to be taken, then the developed photographs appear 4 minutes later. Money may only be inserted when the green light is on. This light goes out immediately after…TSA 2018 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
The diagram below shows part of a map of Ruralia.TSA 2018 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Modern aeroplanes are for the most part 'flown' by autoflight computers. These computers can take over when the plane is just 30 metres off the ground, maintain whatever speed and height is tapped into the flight management system, and land the aircraft automatically. But when autoflight computers experience…TSA 2018 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Children spend far too long in schools analysing poems when they should simply be learning to enjoy them. Thankfully, a new approach requires that, instead of focusing on analysing technical aspects of writing such as the writer's use of imagery or alliteration, children will be required simply to learn poems so that…TSA 2018 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
The financial circumstances of many young people make it difficult for them to forego paid employment for an extended period in order to undertake unpaid internships or work experience placements. In many industries, it is unlikely that a young person will gain entry-level paid employment unless he or she has held one…TSA 2018 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
In the main draw of a lottery, six of the balls (which are numbered from 1 to 49) are selected at random, then the numbers chosen are rearranged and displayed in ascending numerical order. For instance: 3, 17, 20, 29, 34, 45. In one draw recently, I noticed that the six numbers were made up of a total of ten digits,…TSA 2018 · Question 42 · Probability · Save
Car parking charges are shown in the table below. Brian wants to park his car for a period of 7.5 hours, whilst he is at work. He buys a ticket in the morning when he arrives at the car park. Due to the close proximity of the car park to his place of work, he is able to return to his car to buy a new ticket as many…TSA 2018 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
Here is a diagram of a cube.TSA 2018 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Charities address the negative effects of market economies, which apportion goods to people based on their ability to pay as opposed to their needs. The work of charities conceals the true impact of the market system and, worse, leaves the market in place to produce further negative outcomes. Charities therefore…TSA 2018 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
You can only grasp the true meaning of Pushkin's poetry if you can read it in its original Russian form. Your doctoral thesis on Pushkin's work shows acute insight so I can tell you have a mastery of the Russian language.TSA 2018 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
It has emerged that prisoners have helped to maintain one of Britain's busiest railway lines. Inmates from an open prison have worked night-shifts on the main line from London to Glasgow. This is the same line where a train left the tracks earlier this year, killing one person and injuring several others. It is all…TSA 2018 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
A car journey begins with a 15 km drive at an average speed of 60 km/hour, then 5 hours on the motorway, including two 15-minute rest stops, travelling at an average driving speed of 80 km/hour, and finally a 20 km drive at an average speed of 40 km/hour from the motorway to the destination.TSA 2018 · Question 48 · Rates · Save
Fiona is going to put some shelves up in her living room. The shelves must each be 1.80 m long and have a depth of at least 40cm. There will be five shelves in total. The different prices for wood are shown in the table below. [image of table] Fiona can cut pieces of wood to make more than one piece of the correct…TSA 2018 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
Keith likes to draw ‘bump charts’ to look at relationships. For instance, if 6 individuals were ordered by height, and it happened that the order was the same by weight, the bump chart would look like this: [bump chart 1] Or if height was maintained for order on the left hand but lightness rather than heaviness on the…TSA 2018 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
Leaders of enemy countries are often described by our own political leaders and by the media as "mad". But some of the features that we associate with madness can be useful assets in a political leader. Self-absorption, obsession, addiction to risk-taking and frenzied creativity all apply to some leaders agreed to…TSA 2017 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A café owner makes 50 mini pizzas and 50 flapjacks for sale during the day. The pizzas are sold for $ $2.00 each and the flapjacks are sold for $$ 1.00 each. However, by the end of lunchtime there are 10 mini pizzas still unsold and 15 flapjacks unsold, so the price of each is halved for the afternoon. At the…TSA 2017 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
The decline in voter turnout at elections is chiefly explained by the decline in voting by younger people. Older people are much more likely to vote. If this trend continues, we will reach a point at which no government can be said to have a mandate to govern as the number of voters will be too small to indicate the…TSA 2017 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
In today's 24/7 media environment, public figures have the ability to influence the behaviour of millions of young people, for better and for worse. There are celebrities who don’t give in to social pressures and are in the news because of good deeds which have a positive influence on young people, such as giving to…TSA 2017 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Over the years, many owners of businesses have appointed their sons to run the business when they retired or died. But this has been unfair to other workers in the company, some of whom were probably more talented and experienced than the boss's son. It is highly unlikely that the son of the previous boss should…TSA 2017 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
A picture 40 cm high by 30 cm wide is to be framed. There will be a mount between the edge of the picture and the frame. This mount will be 6 cm wide at the top and sides, and 9 cm wide at the bottom. The width of the wood used for the frame is 2 cm.TSA 2017 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Below is a summary of all the second-hand cars sold by Bargain Cars during 2012 and 2013:TSA 2017 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Rosie needs to mow her lawn. She has just bought a new lawn mower, and believes she can mow at a rate of 2 m² a minute. With her old mower, she could only mow the lawn at a rate of 1 m² a minute. Her lawn is 10m by 25m. There is a patio in one corner which is 2m by 3 m and which she does not need to mow.TSA 2017 · Question 8 · Rates · Save
In the UK, most people open a bank account in their teenage years. There is then a tendency not to change banks: eleven per cent of bank customers are still with the bank their parents set them up with when they were a child and haven't changed it since. This strongly suggests that, contrary to what most commentators…TSA 2017 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The UK Department of Education is encouraging pupils aged 14 to 18 to learn poetry by heart in order to recite it at a new national competition. This government initiative is designed to boost the confidence of young people and increase their awareness of poetry. By taking part in this initiative and by reciting…TSA 2017 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
Health clubs are booming. It is claimed that this must be a positive sign about modern society, in that people now appreciate that a healthy body is needed in order to sustain a healthy mind. But that claim is mistaken because what those optimistic conclusions fail to appreciate is people's ability to deceive…TSA 2017 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Tasty Crisps are currently running a promotion in which there is one money-off coupon inside every packet. Some coupons are worth 19p, some are worth 12p and others are worth 7p. My friend tells me that he has at least one of each value and his seven coupons have a total value of exactly £1.TSA 2017 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
The following table summarises the results of all the matches played last season in a football league. (The home team's score is always given first.) Each team plays every other team in the league twice; once at home and once away.TSA 2017 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
A tiler has encountered a problem when tiling a kitchen floor. He is one tile short of completing the job. This is indicated by the greyed-out area in the diagram below which shows part of the kitchen floor:TSA 2017 · Question 14 · Spatial · Save
Increasing attention is being paid to the environmental consequences of the plastic 'single-use' shopping bags provided to customers by supermarkets and other retailers. Not only does the production of these bags represent a wasteful use of natural resources, but there are also problems surrounding their disposal. For…TSA 2017 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Several cities around the world have introduced congestion charging schemes. Drivers are expected to pay a fee in order to drive inside the charging zone. In recent years, some schemes have offered discounts or entirely waived the charge for vehicles that cause less pollution. This is, however, an illogical and unfair…TSA 2017 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
We live in an information-rich world where communication is quicker and easier than ever before. We don't have to wait for journalists and photographers to report news to us. Anyone can talk about or take photographs of significant events and share them immediately. Traditional ways of reporting meant that news could…TSA 2017 · Question 17 · Strengthen · Save
I am planning to repaint the walls and the ceiling of my dining room. The room has the shape of a rectangular box and is 8 m long, 4m wide and 3 m high. I do not need to paint the door and the three windows, the combined surface area of which is 10 m². Paint is sold in 8-litre tins and 1 litre of paint is sufficient…TSA 2017 · Question 18 · Spatial · Save
The heptathlon is a seven-event athletics competition. In each event the time or distance recorded is converted into a points score. This is the scoring table that is used for the high jump: [Detailed points scoring table] Daphne is competing in a heptathlon competition and has just beaten her previous best high jump…TSA 2017 · Question 19 · Spatial · Save
After the financial crash there were fewer new car registrations in the UK in 2012 than there were in 2007. The monthly figures for new car registrations for both years are given in the table below.TSA 2017 · Question 20 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Anyone who lends money to anyone else without a licence is committing an offence under UK law. Some unlicensed money lenders charge excessive rates of interest, and many use threats and violence to enforce payment. It is important to protect poor and vulnerable people from being exploited in this way. So anyone…TSA 2017 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
Either young people are getting cleverer each year or examinations are becoming easier for students to pass. Since there is very little evidence from IQ testing and other supposed benchmarks that young people are more intelligent now than in the past, we must conclude that the examination system is easier for students…TSA 2017 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
A huge number of people have taken up cycling in recent years, and this is a welcome development. But if cycling helmets were made compulsory, it would deter people from cycling. There is risk in everything. And there is also such a thing as personal responsibility. It is not the role of the government to stop people…TSA 2017 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
A laboratory technician has made up a stock mixture of two chemicals, X and Y, ready for use by all of the groups in Year 9 at a High School. He has mixed 6.0 kg which is ¼ of X and ¾ of Y. He realises that he has used the wrong mix and, rather than waste the chemicals he has used so far, he is going to add some more…TSA 2017 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
Five friends wanted to go on holiday together, but they found it difficult to decide where to go. Jo and Mel both wanted to go to Portugal, with France as their second choice. Kim wanted to go to Majorca, while Lexy's first choice was Greece and Naz's was Tenerife. Naz and Kim both put France as their second choice,…TSA 2017 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
The following net is folded up to make a cube.TSA 2017 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
The Human Rights Act (HRA) should apply to soldiers in the UK and at their overseas bases but not to those fighting in the heat of battle. The concern is that the HRA could damage the effectiveness of the armed forces. Commanders making split-second decisions in battle may be paralysed by fear that those decisions…TSA 2017 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Increased wealth in many regions and an ever-growing population have produced an unprecedented demand for fish. This increased demand is occurring at a time when over 70% of the world's marine fish stocks are now overfished or already fished at full capacity. One possible solution is the continued expansion of…TSA 2017 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
A daily dose of chocolate could be the key to preventing Alzheimer's disease, according to recent research. Blood flow to the brain was boosted and memory improved among volunteers who drank two cups of hot chocolate a day over a thirty day period. They were tested for memory and thinking skills, and ultrasound…TSA 2017 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
There are two ways of scoring points in a ball game: a 'major' scores 5 points and a 'minor' scores 3 points. In a match played yesterday, the Reds beat the Blues 77–52 despite the fact that the Blues scored exactly twice as many majors as minors, whilst the Reds scored exactly half as many majors as minors.TSA 2017 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
The following ingredient and nutrition information (rounded to the nearest 0.1 g or 1kcal) appears on a 300g packet of oatcakes. Each oatcake provides:TSA 2017 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
Instructions were given to shade 5 particular squares on a grid of 16 squares. One student shaded in the squares as instructed, but the other four got exactly 1 square wrong.TSA 2017 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
Couples who have more than two children are being 'irresponsible' by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government's Sustainable Development adviser has warned. The adviser says that curbing population growth through contraception must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. Political…TSA 2017 · Question 33 · Strengthen · Save
Television has had an adverse effect on family communication. Why? Because instead of talking together, as they did in the past, families now tend to sit round the small, or not-so-small, screen. They watch and listen rather than discuss. They are passive rather than active. Instead of participating, they are content…TSA 2017 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
We need to change science lessons so that they give children a correct view of modern science. Children are often taught in science lessons that matter can exist in three different states – solid, liquid and gas. However, developments in science suggest that this is far too simple a picture. Increased knowledge of the…TSA 2017 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
Fergus Castle is a tourist attraction on a small island off the coast of the mainland. A ferry service runs between the mainland and the island, and takes 40 minutes to make a single journey in either direction. There is a turnaround time of 5 minutes at the end of each single journey. Each day, ferries leave the…TSA 2017 · Question 36 · Optimisation · Save
The table below shows the numbers of pupils and teachers in all UK schools in 2003:TSA 2017 · Question 37 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
When a mixed doubles tournament is held at my tennis club, partners are chosen by the following method. The appropriate number of tokens, all with a different shape, are placed into a box, and the male participants all pick one out. Each token has an identical 'twin' in a second box, from which the female participants…TSA 2017 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
A pioneering scheme started two years ago in Cambridgeshire assigns an individual caseworker to the most vulnerable homeless people. The caseworker helps the homeless person navigate through the health, justice and housing systems until his or her life improves. It has already shown that an average of £1000 a month…TSA 2017 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Government advice on alcohol drinking limits is based on studies carried out twenty-five years ago. It has often been expressed in terms of a maximum number of units per day. But advising people about a daily rate implies that drinking alcohol every day is acceptable, when up-to-date research suggests that the body…TSA 2017 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Studies of fossilised remains indicate that, every 20 to 30 million years, life on Earth experiences a sudden and mass extinction of all or most of its dominant species. Yet, in each case, within some 5 to 10 million years the diversity of species on the planet is as great, if not greater, than it had been previously,…TSA 2017 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Joan has a cat called Tibber. Every day Tibber is fed 2 sachets of wet food and 25 grams of dry food. For some time, Joan has bought the cat food from the local pet shop where one box of 12 sachets costs £12.00 and one 400 gram packet of dry food costs £4.00. Joan has now decided to buy all of the cat food from an…TSA 2017 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
A particular computer game involves the capturing of three types of mythical creatures: Arps, Orps and Urps. Arps have 6 legs, 3 horns and a tail. Orps have 4 legs and 2 horns, but no tail. Urps have 3 legs and a tail, but no horns. The last time Billy played this game he captured 45 creatures with a total of 222…TSA 2017 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
The drawing below shows an 'L' shaped box.TSA 2017 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
In the 1990s, there were two lines of argument against buying properties to let them out instead of living in them yourselves. One was the moral argument that you were driving the boom for your own profit and making houses unaffordable for everyone else; the other was the practical argument that houses were a risky…TSA 2017 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
When either freedom of speech or freedom of assembly is present in society, democratic government inevitably results. If you live under a dictatorship, you must therefore lack both of these key liberties.TSA 2017 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
In a situation where every course of action is immoral, there still remains the ability to act for the greatest good for the greatest number. Therefore, the outsiders ought to be eliminated at the least possible cost and with the least possible delay. I am sorry to arrive at that conclusion, but it is the right step.TSA 2017 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
Each word in a word game is scored by adding up the values of its letters. Each letter has the same value whenever it appears but different letters have different values. I know the word values for TEAR, RITE, TREE and RAT, but none of the letter values.TSA 2017 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
Nathan lives in London. His older brother Mark lives in San Diego, his younger brother Ben lives in Barcelona and his sister Isabel lives in Nairobi. Nathan is trying to arrange an online call between all four siblings. Each of the siblings has agreed to be available between 08:00 and 20:00 local time. San Diego is 8…TSA 2017 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
Marina purchased a pair of L-shaped tables thinking that they would add an unusual touch to her conference room.TSA 2017 · Question 50 · Combinations · Save
We need to accept flooding as a regular occurrence in the UK. Statistics show that days of 'extreme rain' (very heavy rainfall) have become more common since 1960, moving from one in a hundred days on average in the 1960s to one in seventy days in 2015. The apparent trend mirrors increases in extreme rain seen in…TSA 2016 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
An unusual dartboard is used in a playground game: [image of dartboard] In order to win the big prize, contestants must score exactly 50 with three darts, all of which must be in different sectors.TSA 2016 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
Researchers have discovered the first physical evidence of structural brain differences that distinguish early risers from people who like to stay up late. Around 10 per cent of people qualify as 'morning people' or 'larks', and a further 20 per cent are 'night owls' – with the rest of us falling somewhere in between.…TSA 2016 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
There have been a growing number of calls to phase out the smallest denomination coins. The single penny is almost useless for purchasing items by itself. It would be simpler if prices were rounded to the nearest five pence and this would reduce the amount of small change carried around. But this view does not take…TSA 2016 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
There is a lot more to interpreting and recognising faces than you might think. Forgetting people we used to know is not that uncommon, and is something we are in fact all guilty of. But next time you're standing in the supermarket having a conversation with someone you don't recognise but act like you remember them,…TSA 2016 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
I have booked a flight from London to Auckland, which is in a time zone 12 hours ahead of GMT. I am due to leave London at 17:30 GMT on 19 August and will arrive in Auckland at 06:15 on 21 August (local time). My journey includes a 1-hour stop in Los Angeles and a 1.5-hour stop in Hawaii.TSA 2016 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Anton wants to ride one of the top 8 roller coasters in the world to celebrate his 13th birthday. The top 8 roller coasters are spread around the world. Anton has to decide which roller coaster to visit, taking into consideration: - Anton's height: 143 cm -…TSA 2016 · Question 7 · Rates · Save
A cube is labelled with six letters and, when viewed in two positions, looks like this:TSA 2016 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
The health service urgently needs more blood donors to meet demands on its 'blood bank' for transfusions. Most of us ignore this need, but we are only too glad to receive the blood of other donors in emergencies. To boost the blood bank, transfusions should only be given to those who have indicated they are donors or…TSA 2016 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A recent study has found that those businesses which engaged more with social media had more financial success than businesses which did not. The businesses which were the most engaged saw their revenue grow by 18 per cent over the last year, while the least engaged saw losses of 8 per cent. Since social media is the…TSA 2016 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
The apostrophe has limited usefulness as a punctuation mark, so it will be no loss if it disappears altogether from the English language. The fact that it can't be heard at all in speech suggests we can make our meaning clear without it. It is already disappearing from much business correspondence without commerce…TSA 2016 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Three night security guards, Robert, Sheila and Tom, are assigned to guard a factory for five consecutive nights, Monday night to Friday night inclusive. Two of the guards are to be on duty each night. Tom must be on duty for four nights and Robert and Sheila are on duty for three nights each. Regulations do not allow…TSA 2016 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
As a treat for my sixth birthday I am going swimming with my family next Saturday afternoon. My mum is a nurse and my dad is unemployed. My sister is three years younger than me and my brother is two years older but they will both enjoy the treat too. Grandma is coming but she will watch rather than swim. Grandpa…TSA 2016 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
The floor of the reception area of the head office of Stott and Walsh is tiled as shown below:TSA 2016 · Question 14 · Spatial · Save
Scientists at University College London investigating the effects of bedtime routine on child development asked children to complete a number of tests including basic number skills, reading out word cards, and constructing designs from flat or solid shapes. Although the hour that children went to bed had little or no…TSA 2016 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The funding situation for educational provision in UK prisons is a national disgrace. Prisons provide free room and board, and inmates are frequently given access to the internet, cable TV, and gym facilities. At the same time, lengthy waiting lists exist for prison literacy classes, and ever increasing budget cuts…TSA 2016 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
Some say that religion is crucial for providing us with a moral framework, for giving clear strong moral guidance. Without religion, some say, people might lose their sense of morality altogether. But those who argue this ought to consider the Ancient Greeks. The Greeks pondered obsessively the question of what makes…TSA 2016 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
This diagram shows the roads that connect four towns and the distances involved. [image of diagram] I live in Essover. This afternoon I have to visit clients in Arford, Teechester and Yewton before returning to Essover. It does not matter in which order I visit the clients.TSA 2016 · Question 18 · Spatial · Save
The following is from a report on road accidents in Scotland in 1998: A total of 13,828 car users were injured in road accidents, representing 62% of all casualties. Of these people, a total of 2,386 were either fatally or seriously injured, 223 of whom died. Roads in built-up areas accounted for a little over half of…TSA 2016 · Question 19 · Rates · Save
One of the exhibits in the Interactive Art Exhibition at the Hanson Gallery consists of 16 identical free-standing cubes. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to handle these cubes and rearrange them to create their own work of art. This is the arrangement that I have made:TSA 2016 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
It is all very well for Europeans to expect African farmers and villagers to show the same enthusiasm for lion protection schemes as 'wildlife tourists' and armchair conservationists who deplore the killing or even the fencing-in of these noble and celebrated creatures. But it is estimated that the average farm in…TSA 2016 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
This essay is of a far higher standard than can be expected of undergraduates. Either the student is exceptionally intelligent and knowledgeable, or she has copied the essay from the internet. Her previous essays have given no indication that she is more intelligent or knowledgeable than an average student. So she…TSA 2016 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
It is both morally and economically wrong for the Government to give implicit approval to an employment system that lands the state with a huge bill to top up the incomes of the lowest earners. The holes in millions of pay cheques are being plugged by in-work support to the tune of £4 bn a year. But why aren't those…TSA 2016 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
Last night I took part in a quiz night, and my team won first prize. The quiz consisted of three rounds: Round 1 was 20 easy questions worth 1 point each; Round 2 was 20 medium questions worth 2 points each; Round 3 was 20 hard questions worth 5 points each. Our winning score was 138 points, having answered just nine…TSA 2016 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
I need to buy new printer paper for my fax machine. The paper comes in rolls. My machine needs paper 210 mm wide and will take a roll up to 25.4 mm in diameter. I do not really care how long the paper in the roll is and will buy rolls in bulk if they are cheaper. I will just buy the most economical paper to use. I…TSA 2016 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
After having some carpets fitted recently I was left with these five remnants. I have stitched four of these pieces together to create a rectangular 'patchwork' mat whose length is twice its width.TSA 2016 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
There is no point to re-enactments of historical battles. Despite the meticulous attention to getting the uniforms right and the cannon smoke, the simulation of being there fails on every level: there is no real danger of death and you know what the outcome will be. It is merely an exercise in pageantry. In…TSA 2016 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Crazy as it seems, it looks as if lead poisoning could be the major cause of the rise and fall of violent crime. Lead is so toxic that it is unsafe at any level and in Europe it has been banned from many products, including paint and petrol, since the 1990s. Lead poisoning in infancy, even at very low levels, impairs…TSA 2016 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The number one reason for people changing their jobs is to escape from 'difficult people', followed by seeking higher pay and promotion. In particular, many people cite a poor relationship with their boss as a reason for leaving. Typically, they'll go to another job and find another difficult boss and the process…TSA 2016 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
A company is producing a one-page flysheet 24 cm high by 18 cm wide. It will have a text area in the centre which has a margin of the same width all the way around. The text must occupy exactly half of the total area:TSA 2016 · Question 30 · Spatial · Save
Daria and her three friends are planning a trip to London to see a musical in the West End. Ticket prices vary according to the location of seats in the theatre. Monday to Friday, Balcony seats are £78.20 per person; seats in the Dress Circle cost £95.50 per person; seats in the Grand Circle £88.99 per person; and…TSA 2016 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
Water was poured into five containers at a steady rate until each was full. A graph of the depth of water (h) in the container against time (t) was sketched for each container. One of the graphs has been lost.TSA 2016 · Question 32 · Rates · Save
Some public institutions, such as the central bank and the constitutional court in many countries, are nominally independent but are actually captive to political interests. Their leading officials are appointed by the government and these appointments are always the result of political power games. Moreover, it is…TSA 2016 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
When it comes to genius, the only possibilities are that it is something innate in people, or it is something to do with their upbringing. It is hard to imagine how simply bringing someone up in a certain way would be enough to turn them into a Mozart or a Shakespeare or an Einstein. Mozart after all was writing…TSA 2016 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
The government's decision to withdraw housing benefit from those living in council accommodation which has a spare bedroom has been a complete failure. It has failed to bring in sufficient savings to the government and has brought hardship to those affected by the cut. The government should focus less on punishing…TSA 2016 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
The payment systems which use pre-paid magnetic swipe cards are not all that wonderful. We had one put into the office last week to operate the tea and coffee dispensing machine. I was somewhat surprised to find, after having five coffees, that I had spent 121 p, and my colleague, after four teas, had spent 82 p. We…TSA 2016 · Question 36 · Rates · Save
I have a square field which is exactly one hectare (100 m × 100 m). On Monday I was surprised to find 4 mushrooms growing in a 1m square formation, in the centre of my field. On Tuesday the group of mushrooms had expanded to 16, which were all 1 m apart. [image of mushroom group on Tuesday] When I looked at the group…TSA 2016 · Question 37 · Rates · Save
Bob, Eve, Nan, Pip and Viv took part in a 6-hour sponsored bowling marathon to raise money for charity. They were all sponsored per complete 100 points scored.TSA 2016 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Hospital food isn't a joke. It's a scandal. The list of meal options is ever longer, but there is nothing there that you would ever want to eat and nothing freshly cooked. These aren't trivial issues. Because of this, over the past year people of all ages, but particularly the old, have faded away from lack of food.…TSA 2016 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Political legitimacy, the moral right to use state power, can only be derived from the consent of the governed. So, in democracies that uphold this principle, regular elections are held to ensure that political power is legitimate. Therefore, in these cases, the more voters participate in elections, the more…TSA 2016 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
High street stores should not be able to sell financial products, because consumers should not be misled into buying products they may not need by staff who do not understand what they are selling. Financial products require an understanding of financial services, and very few high street retailers have members of…TSA 2016 · Question 41 · Strengthen · Save
Anna buys potatoes in the local market. She has noticed that the price on Saturday morning is 5 p per kilo more than the normal weekday price. However, an hour before the stall closes on a Saturday afternoon, the price drops to 5 p per kilo below the weekday price. She spends £3.00 a week on potatoes. This will buy…TSA 2016 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
Mike wants to buy a second-hand car that offers the lowest depreciation per mile. He is not worried about the model. His family insist that the car has 4 or 5 doors and an engine of at least 1.6 litres so that it can tow a caravan. Mike plans to keep the car until it has covered 100 000 miles and then sell it for…TSA 2016 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
The population pyramid below shows the age and gender distribution of the residents in England and Wales in 2010.TSA 2016 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Many people criticise what they call 'the younger generation' for what their seniors regard as immoral behaviour. These critics need to realise that because the world has changed, moral standards have changed with it. In fact, technology is advancing so rapidly that it is only the young who understand the world in…TSA 2016 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
In order for it to be possible to rain, clouds must be present. The weather forecast is predicting clear skies, so there is no chance of rain.TSA 2016 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
It is time for prostitution to be legalised. It has been illegal for millennia, and yet it is still present in modern society. Clearly, its being illegal does not provide enough deterrent to prevent people from engaging in it. We are never going to eradicate prostitution, so we should give up trying, and legalise it.…TSA 2016 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
The planet Melpomene has three moons, Othello, Hamlet and Romeo, each moving at a constant speed in the same direction in circular orbits. Othello takes 20 days to complete one orbit of Melpomene, whereas Hamlet takes 45 days and Romeo takes 120 days.TSA 2016 · Question 48 · Rates · Save
One of the options available to purchasers of furniture from Home Help Superstore is to hire one of the store's self-drive delivery vans. They have four models, with different capacities, which can be hired for either 4 hours or 1 day.TSA 2016 · Question 49 · Spatial · Save
Rolls of a particular wallpaper have a repeating pattern every 60 cm of their length. Each roll is 10 m long and 50 cm wide. A wall 2.5 m high and 6.2 m wide is to be papered from ceiling to floor with single lengths of paper hung vertically (drops).TSA 2016 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
Heroin and cocaine are not the only illegal drugs with a terrible impact on global health. Counterfeit medicines can also do damage. Some of these fakes contain potentially toxic chemicals, and when taken to treat a disease they can kill. Others are like homeopathic remedies – while harmless in themselves, as they…TSA 2015 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A public telephone has been vandalised and will take only 50 pence coins and 10 pence coins. A woman puts £8.50 into the phone to make a long-distance call with twenty-five coins. Five 10 pence coins are returned when she finishes her call.TSA 2015 · Question 2 · Spatial · Save
All European countries have seen a decline in the number of people who vote in elections. In the 2005 General Election in the UK only 61% of those eligible to vote did so. When this percentage is further broken down to show the number of people who voted for the political party that went on to form the government, the…TSA 2015 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
Only John Lewis, the nationally adored and trusted UK retail group, can get away with the shamelessly sentimental marketing that they do. More than 100,000 people watched and rewatched on YouTube in the first week it was available their most popular 'Always a Woman' advertisement. If anyone else had dreamt it up, they…TSA 2015 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
In the 1920s and 1930s there were successes for extremist parties in elections across Europe. Several of these parties formed governments and were directly involved in starting the Second World War. In recent elections extremist parties were particularly successful at the expense of the more traditional parties. It is…TSA 2015 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
William wants to cook roast beef and potatoes for himself and four friends. From his cookbook he gets the following information: [image of table 1] After removing from the oven, the meat should be allowed to stand for 10 minutes. [image of table 2] William buys a joint of the correct weight and decides to cook it…TSA 2015 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
A teacher is going to award a prize to her most deserving pupil in the current school year. She has narrowed it down to five students and must make her final judgements. She won't give the prize to anyone who has been late to her lessons more than twice. She won't give it to anyone who has failed to complete more than…TSA 2015 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Plankton are small plants and animals present in the sea. The animal plankton feed on the plant plankton. The rate at which the plant plankton are produced depends on sea temperature and the amount of sunlight. In tropical regions there is little variation of plankton production through the year. Variations are much…TSA 2015 · Question 8 · Rates · Save
A study of shooting victims in Philadelphia has found that people who carry guns are far more likely to be shot than those who are unarmed. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania looked at 677 shootings over two and a half years, taking into account various factors such as the age and socioeconomic status of…TSA 2015 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Recurring dreams (those that you keep on having time after time) make good sense when you think of them as messages from your unconscious. Some messages are too important to send just once in case you don't understand them first time around or don't realise their importance. So, a recurring dream must contain a…TSA 2015 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
Conspicuous consumption does not make us happy. Buying a flashy car sends the message: 'I've got so many resources, I can afford to squander them.' Paying more for organic foods signals another desirable trait: conscientiousness. We put too much effort into sending signals that don't actually impress others and cause…TSA 2015 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
A market research company conducted a survey into the relative popularity of two soft drinks with the following results (all figures are percentages): [image of table] The same number of people were surveyed in each age group.TSA 2015 · Question 12 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
My monthly electricity bill is calculated as a standing charge plus an amount per unit used. At the beginning of one month my electricity company decided to change the tariff by reducing the standing charge and increasing the cost per unit. This was intended to help customers who use less electricity. The table below…TSA 2015 · Question 13 · Graphs · Save
A survey has shown the following relationships between parental occupation, type of school and educational success at GCSE level:TSA 2015 · Question 14 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Currently 56% of British school children do not study a foreign language at all at GCSE, and seven university language departments have closed in the past seven years. People with only one language feel disempowered, whereas those who speak other languages are comfortable to travel the world. Once you can speak their…TSA 2015 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
School science lessons were once the place of bangs, flashes, smells, blood and droplets of mercury on the bench. Few, if any, people ever died from these experiences. Now, the activities that once made science fun are rare – banned on health and safety grounds. It has been reported that governments are concerned…TSA 2015 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
In the UK, house prices have risen at far greater rates than inflation, fuelled by unprecedented levels of borrowing. Because of these high prices, owning their own home has become unaffordable for many people. Those who are able to 'own' their own home must do so burdened by a huge level of debt. Since the recent…TSA 2015 · Question 17 · Strengthen · Save
There are 420 candidates sitting a public exam in a college. The sports hall can accommodate 210 students; once this has been filled there are other rooms available that are much smaller. The following is a list of the number of single desks that have been set up in each room: 26, 20, 24, 28, 24, 20, 24, 16, 20, 18,…TSA 2015 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
Steve and Jen are getting married and would like to have their reception in a marquee. There will be 80 people attending in total and they would like to have the most expensive tables and chairs – eight people will sit at each table. The capacity for a marquee can be worked out using the industry standard of allowing…TSA 2015 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
The maths sets at Newtown Comprehensive are identified by their teacher's name. Every year the Head of Maths gives the same test to all the maths sets at the end of year 7, calculates the average mark for each set and then produces the results on a bar chart in ascending order. He is asked to present the graphs for…TSA 2015 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
We need a fair policy for dealing with drivers whose ability is impaired by drugs, such as cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine. Setting limits for driving under the influence of drugs may be difficult. Tests would be necessary for the levels in the blood of each of these drugs. But, such limits may not reflect the…TSA 2015 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
Adding fluoride to the water supply would not, as some claim, improve dental health. If fluoride really did improve dental health, one would expect people living in areas where water is naturally fluoridated to have healthier teeth than people whose water is fluoride free. In fact, research suggests that there is no…TSA 2015 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Inhabitants of towns and roads with odd names often complain that property values are lower and that they face embarrassment when describing where they live. People have a right to decide as a community what is in the best interests of that community and, therefore, local residents should have the right to rename…TSA 2015 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
Nowadays many people in the UK work out their own income tax bills. Everyone has a personal allowance which is the amount of money they can earn each tax year before they start paying tax. Income above the personal allowance is taxed in bands. The UK tax bands and personal allowances for four tax years are shown…TSA 2015 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
The graph below shows the cumulative rainfall for Malvern Wells in the UK for 2010.TSA 2015 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
Duncan's bath has a flat base and vertical sides. It can be filled completely from the hot tap in 15 minutes or from the cold tap in 10 minutes. Its capacity is 360 litres. When preparing a bath, Duncan's habit is to run both taps together for 1½ minutes, before turning off the cold tap. He turns the hot tap off when…TSA 2015 · Question 26 · Best Fit · Save
Increasing quantities of personal data are recorded and stored on computers: for example, where and when you use your mobile phone or what purchases you make in the supermarket. This poses a potential threat to our privacy. The Data Protection Act forbids the use of this information for a purpose other than that for…TSA 2015 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
An intensely irritating fashion among politicians of all parties is to use the sound bite 'doing the right thing' to justify whatever action they have taken or propose to take. The phrase cleverly implies that if you do not agree with the action you are an immoral person – and no-one wants to be that. Taken to its…TSA 2015 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Thankfully, logicians did not devise the British Constitution. It has evolved through the work of ordinary people, who have adapted the Government of the country to meet the needs of their age. They have always preserved sufficient flexibility to permit such adaptation. And we have avoided a lot of problems because we…TSA 2015 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Towards the end of a sports season in which all teams in the league play each other four times, the league positions are as follows: [image of table] Three points are awarded for a win, 1 point per draw and 0 for a loss. At the end of the season, if two teams have the same number of points, the league will be decided…TSA 2015 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
I am planning to take up a new hobby. There are a number of classes available locally, summarised in the table below: [image of table] [I do not want to have to leave home before 09:15 and I must be back by 16:15. I will choose the activity that is the cheapest per hour.]TSA 2015 · Question 31 · Rates · Save
My TV remote control is shown below. All the buttons stick out from the body of the remote control.TSA 2015 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
Most city centres in the UK are now covered by sophisticated CCTV cameras which can record crimes being committed. Many towns and cities report a reduction in crime where cameras are installed: for example, Airdrie reported a 75% fall in crime and Kings Lynn reported a massive 90% reduction. Thus, they are a real…TSA 2015 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
All British students should study a foreign language at school. We live in a rapidly expanding global market, where knowledge of a foreign language is essential if you want to work at the highest level. If all students studied a foreign language at school, there would be more British people at the heart of global…TSA 2015 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Paying bonuses of at least £1 million to high-flying stockbrokers and employees of banks cannot be justified. Such massive bonuses encourage these high-flyers to take unacceptable risks with shareholders' assets in the pursuit of profits. Furthermore, the system discourages our brightest young talent from taking jobs…TSA 2015 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
A film star has agreed to sign autographs for £1 each at a charity function, all day from 9 am to 6 pm. He claims to sign his name consistently ten times every minute, but insists on having a tenminute break after each full hour of signing.TSA 2015 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
A gardener has to apply mulch to two plots of land, measuring 10 metres by 5 metres and 15 metres by 20 metres. The mulch has to be applied to a depth of 50 mm for the first plot and 100 mm for the second plot. The mulch weighs 0.65 tonnes per cubic metre.TSA 2015 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
I stayed in a hotel last night. My room was at the front of the building. At one point I looked out of the window and saw: [digital clock reading 22:05] on an illuminated digital clock on the other side of the road. I took the opportunity to reset my watch, which had stopped sometime earlier. This morning, when I…TSA 2015 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Critics of homeopathic medicine argue that much of the apparent success of its remedies is due to the placebo effect (a placebo is a substance containing no medication). The remedies work because the patients believe they will work. In rebuttal, homeopaths often refer to a study involving a herd of pedigree Friesian…TSA 2015 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Car owners must have insurance in case they have an accident. Similarly, home owners have insurance in case anyone on their property is injured and claims compensation. However, insurance is not required for dog owners. Any injury caused by a dog is compensated by taking the owner to court, which is not easy. A law…TSA 2015 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
The main reason private schools thrive in Britain is that they are extremely good at getting their students into elite universities. In the UK only 7% of students attend private schools but they account for 40% of students at Oxford and Cambridge. As entry to the top universities is dependent on examination results…TSA 2015 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
An examination contains five questions. Candidates are instructed to answer three questions only, including at least one of the first two and no more than one of the last two.TSA 2015 · Question 42 · Combinations · Save
Hester is going for a job interview. She needs to travel by railway between Birmingham and Derby, but she needs to stop off in Tamworth for an hour on the way out to see her former teacher for some coaching. When at Derby, she needs an hour and a half to go to the prospective employer to take an aptitude test. She can…TSA 2015 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
The die shown below is a conventional die, i.e. the total number of spots on any two opposite faces is always seven.TSA 2015 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Suppose a book begins with the sentence 'Dark clouds gathered'. Does this mean that it is going to rain, or there is going to be a war, or something else no-one had thought of? The traditional answer was: ask the author, or try to work out what the author intended it to mean. But this would not give you the answer,…TSA 2015 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
If you want to get a good job then you need to write a good application letter. You didn't get the last job that you applied for, so you can't have written a good application letter.TSA 2015 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The credit crisis has significantly damaged pensions and pensioners. Millions of people coming up to retirement now, without a final salary pension, are at risk of poverty. It is previous government policy decisions, not just the credit crisis, that are to blame. We have had a pensions crisis building up for the last…TSA 2015 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
Deliveries of containers for a fast-food takeaway are made only four times per year, at the beginning of January, April, July and October. Last year the takeaway over-ordered containers and currently has 2,000 left. The number of containers used per month varies, but is no more than 3,000 and no fewer than 1,000. The…TSA 2015 · Question 48 · Rates · Save
The table below shows the available denominations of British stamps in 2009:TSA 2015 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
Four trees stand at the corners of square field X. They are photographed from field Y, from every possible direction, close up and from a distance, but never so that one tree stands in front of another.TSA 2015 · Question 50 · Spatial · Save
In the past 15 years the government has poured millions of pounds into promoting sport to try to increase adult participation. The results show no lasting effect. A survey showed that unless children ‘catch the sport habit' between the ages of seven and fourteen years they are unlikely to participate in sport as an…TSA 2014 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
Two neighbours work for the same company and share the journey to work, driving alternately in strict rotation. They work Monday to Friday each week and every other Saturday. They always work the same Saturdays as each other.TSA 2014 · Question 2 · Optimisation · Save
Sales of printed books are steadily declining, with sales dropping to a seven-year low in 2011. Independent bookshops are closing all over the country and chain bookstores are likely to be hitnext. Sales of e-books, meanwhile, are booming, with many predicting that 50 per cent of all books sold within 10 years will be…TSA 2014 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
When Arnold Schwarzenegger was the Governor of California, he looked for ways to make savings in an effort to balance the California budget. He was particularly concerned about the high cost of school textbooks, which he considered to be outdated. Schwarzenegger, who portrayed a time-travelling robot killer in the…TSA 2014 · Question 4 · Assumption · Save
Recent news stories have mistakenly implied that animals can understand mathematics better than humans. Participants in a study were asked to state a choice of one of three doors, behind one of which there was a prize. Then the researcher opened one of the other two doors, revealing that there was no prize behind it.…TSA 2014 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Central Avenue is a long straight road, several kilometres long. Both my home and my office are on Central Avenue, and the diagram below shows their positions, together with two sets of traffic lights that lie in between. [image of diagram] Both sets of lights turn to green for Central Avenue traffic simultaneously,…TSA 2014 · Question 6 · Rates · Save
The United States Postal Service has an online guide to help people using their postal service. This is an extract: [image of extract] I want to send two items through the post using first class mail. One is 50 cm long, 25 cm wide, 10 cm thick and weighs 300 grams. The other is 20 cm long, 12 cm wide, 0.20 cm thick…TSA 2014 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Below is Thomas Leslie Fuller's brass paperweight, which shows his initials.TSA 2014 · Question 8 · Spatial · Save
Action should be taken to prevent the use of children as low-cost labour in poor Asian countries in industries such as electronics, garment, shoe and toy manufacture. Nothing short of a ban on child labour is acceptable. Child labour is an attractive proposition for employers: children have quick fingers, good…TSA 2014 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
During the Industrial Revolution, savvy entrepreneurs realised canals were a cost-effective, efficient way to move goods around the country. Gradually, however, canal carriage was replaced with other modes of transportation that were faster and cheaper. In twenty-first century Britain, most businesses choose to use…TSA 2014 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
The presence of an ethical symbol such as 'right' or 'wrong' in a proposition adds nothing to its factual content. If I say to someone 'You acted wrongly in stealing that money', I am not stating anything more than if I had simply said 'You stole that money'. In adding that this action is wrong I am not making any…TSA 2014 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
David is planning a holiday for himself and his wife. He has a budget of £2000 but wishes to retain about £600 for spending money. Below is a table showing different holiday possibilities.TSA 2014 · Question 12 · Optimisation · Save
The table below shows the energy values for the main foods used by volunteer wardens at a wild bird reserve to prepare a variety of feed mixes. [image of table] A trainee volunteer has been asked to prepare a sample of a special mix to provide exactly 5,000 calories. He has weighed out the first four ingredients but…TSA 2014 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
Sue takes her dog Freya to the park. She throws a stick for Freya to fetch. Freya runs to collect the stick and bring it back to Sue. While Freya is collecting the stick, Sue walks slowly towards Freya.TSA 2014 · Question 14 · Spatial · Save
The funding of the BBC through a universal licensing system is considered by many to be outdated and unfair. There seem to be only a limited number of options for the continued funding of this public broadcasting network. Firstly, the licence fee system could continue as at present. Secondly, the BBC could raise its…TSA 2014 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
A palaeontologist has argued that T-rex could not have been a predator. He says this because few predators have small eyes needed to see prey, small arms needed to hold prey, and huge legs meaning slow speed, all of which are true of T-rex, and that there is no evidence for predation such as bones with T-rex teeth…TSA 2014 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
There was a 17 per cent decline in public library use in the UK between 1993 and 2013, according to a report by CABE (The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment). They suggest this is not due to a lack of public interest in reading books. Rather, it is the authoritarian style and image of libraries with…TSA 2014 · Question 17 · Strengthen · Save
A main road crosses a side road and the junction is controlled by a set of traffic lights. The normal sequence is for the lights to be green for 25 seconds on the main road followed by 15 seconds of green for the side road. There is also a pedestrian phase in the lights when all the road lights are red. If a…TSA 2014 · Question 18 · Optimisation · Save
Elsie has six grandchildren. Their birthdays are as follows: [image of table] Remarkably, in non-leap years the boys' birthdays are on the 50th, 150th, 250th and 350th days of the year, whilst the girls' birthdays are on the 123rd and 321st days, and all six are on different days of the week.TSA 2014 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
Whenever my friend Alistair writes to me he does so entirely in code. He always uses symbols for letters but changes the code each time, so any particular symbol does not necessarily stand for the same letter of the alphabet every time. I always start to crack the code by looking at how he has written his name at the…TSA 2014 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
The Government are transferring the cost of a university education from the state to the student. This is described as a reform which will put universities' finance on a sustainable footing with more freedom and less bureaucracy. In addition it will lead to a greater choice for students with a focus on high quality…TSA 2014 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
‘You probably don't have to be a cat-lover to enjoy The Great Race — an excellent short film about a Yorkshireman who goes running with (and against) his one-eyed cat. Now he wants to make it a full-length film, but this is a mistake. Eight minutes of feline fun is about as much as any audience can take. Cats are like…TSA 2014 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The Universities Minister faced a torrent of criticism when he suggested that students could find themselves cut-price degrees at the last minute, as universities charging the new maximum fee of £9,000 would slash prices to fill any vacant places. The chair of a group of student unions attacked the proposal saying:…TSA 2014 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
A hotel offers its guests a dinner allowance of £28.50 per night. A guest wishes to spend up to her allowance on a three-course meal without overspending. Here is the menu:TSA 2014 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
Chris is an actor and recently feels he has become overweight. He aims to lose at least 7.5 lbs over the next 10 weeks. He decides he is able to walk the following number of miles over each of the next ten weeks:TSA 2014 · Question 25 · Rates · Save
The bar chart shows the amount of money in the savings accounts of three friends at the start of the year. [image of account balance] Since then, they have all spent the same amount of money from their accounts and the amount in Belinda's account has halved.TSA 2014 · Question 26 · Best Fit · Save
We need to find solutions to the problem of high levels of carbon dioxide emissions. A number of solutions are being proposed, but one of the most promising is that of using willow trees as a fuel for generating electricity. There are many environmental advantages in using willow. Burning wood has the environmental…TSA 2014 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Brazilian police in Bahia recently ended their strike over low pay, which lasted 12 days and saw the region's homicide rate double. During that time politicians accused some police officers of causing panic by encouraging looting while on strike. Now the strike has ended, they have offered an amnesty against the…TSA 2014 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
When preparing for examinations, it is important that students do not suppress any emotional or other problems they might be having during their course of study. A good way of revealing problems is the creation of a partnership and a discussion between students, parents, and teachers. This is far preferable to the…TSA 2014 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
David has a new cycle computer but has not learned all the functions yet, so can only read the cumulative mileage and average speed of all of the journeys since he fitted it. On his first journey using it he covered 15 km at an average speed of 30 km/h. He can work out from this that the journey took him 15/30 hours…TSA 2014 · Question 30 · Rates · Save
I have bought a combination lock for my bicycle. The combination is a three-digit number in the ange 000-999 and it is currently set to the manufacturer's default combination of 999. Before I use the lock I need to set the combination. I want to use a combination where all three digits are different.TSA 2014 · Question 31 · Combinations · Save
A regular octahedron is a solid composed of eight equilateral triangles, as shown in the image below:TSA 2014 · Question 32 · Main Conclusion · Save
It is a strange fact that many people find violence entertaining as long as it's fictional. Encountering a chainsaw-wielding maniac on television in one's own home is obviously less traumatising than meeting one at the bus stop. But is it actually fun? The same is often true of reading crime novels. Take, for example,…TSA 2014 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A recent peaceful demonstration against government cuts ended in violence caused by relatively small numbers of 'anarchists' attacking police and property. Anarchism is a political philosophy, and as a group, anarchists tend to be unable to agree among themselves on exactly what it means. But what does it tell us…TSA 2014 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Acting on government advice, schools in England now provide only semi-skimmed milk to pupils. This assumes that all children are similarly at risk of becoming obese and ignores the benefits full-fat milk may bring to many children, including vegetarians and those who are underweight. It is another example of the…TSA 2014 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
Lucy allowed an hour to travel to a job interview, intending to arrive exactly on time. The train which she took arrived ten minutes late by her watch. The taxi which she then took got caught in a traffic jam for an unexpected 15 minutes and walking to the appropriate room took five minutes longer than anticipated.…TSA 2014 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
My current membership of the squash club is about to expire and so I wish to renew it. The options available to me are given in the table below and have not changed since I joined as a new member six months ago (a change in membership type counts as a renewal, not a new member). [image of table] I am currently a Gold…TSA 2014 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
The table shows the number of children in the town of Lancester aged 11 and 16 who play various sports after school.TSA 2014 · Question 38 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Many argue that successive government programmes to increase road safety have caused a progressive decline in the number of accidents on our roads. However, some observers have shown that the real number of accidents may be much higher than those officially recorded, with many accidents simply not being reported by…TSA 2014 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Concern has been expressed about the UK Government policy of expanding the number of university places available. It is argued that the economy does not need the number of graduates that this policy produces. However, graduate unemployment has actually decreased since the policy of expansion was implemented. This…TSA 2014 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
The number of crimes carried out by girls has increased significantly. The rise in offences such as criminal damage, public disorder, robbery and minor assaults by girls under 18 are all seen as linked to a rise in alcohol consumption. So the greater availability of alcohol is contributing to rising crime levels among…TSA 2014 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The table below shows the mean maximum daily temperature for Oxford for each year from 1905 to 1920 along with a moving 5-year average (the value shown beside 1920 is the average from 1916 to 1920 inclusive). Three values are missing from the table.TSA 2014 · Question 42 · Optimisation · Save
Fred is carrying out a three-year biological survey which depends on anglers sending in scale samples of fish that they catch. The survey covers five rivers and Fred has set a target for the numbers of sets of fish scales returned from each river each year. Unfortunately by the end of the second year the number of…TSA 2014 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
Allan wishes to visit a client on floor 8 of a building with 10 floors (including the ground floor). He enters the lift on the ground floor. His client has explained by email that the floors are indicated by an illuminated matrix but there is a notice stating that two of the lights are not working. [Image showing…TSA 2014 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Some people believe that raw food is healthier than cooked food because cooking destroys vitamins. However, we should be grateful that our ancestors discovered how to cook. Researchers have found that people who stuck to a raw food diet for three years suffered from chronic energy deficiency and lost a lot of weight.…TSA 2014 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
The level of light pollution must be low in order to be able to observe the moon, planets and stars. My house is in the darkness of the countryside, so stargazing will always be possible from my back garden.TSA 2014 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Although boxing is unacceptable, other risky sports are not. When people get injured or killed in horse sports, motor sports or while climbing, yachting or sky diving, it is because things have gone horribly wrong. When people get killed in boxing, it is because things have gone horribly right. The aim of any boxing…TSA 2014 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
Amy is researching her family history. She has two parents and four grandparents. However, she discovers that, among her great grandparents, two sisters from one family married two brothers from another.TSA 2014 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
The West Water Canoe School offers tuition in basic canoeing skills. There are 18 canoes for students to use. The school offers a minimum instructor to student ratio of 1:6 and a minimum of two instructors for any group. Instructors are hired by the centre on a casual basis and are paid only for the time they actually…TSA 2014 · Question 49 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The cost of entry to the Victoria and David Museum is as follows: Adults £7, Children £4, Senior Citizens £5. This chart shows the breakdown of yesterday's total takings of £679 by age group.TSA 2014 · Question 50 · Best Fit · Save
This week a controversial chef is urging the great British public to sample a fabulous new meat. But instead of a buying bonanza, the chef's comments have provoked outrage because the meat in question is horse. Even the staunchest meat eaters are up in arms. Says a rival chef: 'I would never eat horse meat and would…TSA 2013 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
Three thermometers are each accurate to within 2 degrees above or below the temperature they actually read. One reads 7°, one reads 9° and one reads 10°.TSA 2013 · Question 2 · Rates · Save
The most popular theory about the origin of the Moon is that it was formed from debris breaking off the Earth in a planetary collision 4.5 billion years ago. If this were true, the Moon would be made of the same material as is found on Earth. Examination of Moon rocks shows this to be the case, although there is…TSA 2013 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature states that the earliest recorded scientific name for an organism becomes the official name. This seems fair, but the system is flawed. Textbooks show the sequence of fossil ancestors of the modern horse as Pliohippus, Merychippus, Mesohippus, and the first horse…TSA 2013 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
At Everthorpe Prison in Yorkshire, prisoners made no attempt to escape using ladders placed against the outside walls by drug dealers and prostitutes plying their trades. A prison officer spokesperson said that this was because the authorities had made prisons too comfortable and thus failed to deter criminals. A…TSA 2013 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
On only 360 occasions during the twentieth century was it possible to write the date in the form DD/MM/YYYY using eight different digits. One example was 28th July 1956 (28/07/1956). Eleven of Arthur's birthdays have been such dates (though not his date of birth), and in 1974 and 1983 the two digits that did not form…TSA 2013 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
In order to qualify for a bonus, employees must fulfil certain criteria:TSA 2013 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
I stopped in a town called Akeland to ask the way to Eksberg. The only sense I could get from a local was as follows: Akeland is east of Benford. Eksberg is north of Cranton. Ducton is south of Akeland. Cranton is west of Ducton.TSA 2013 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
The recent campaign to reduce the number of people who drive while over the legal alcohol limit was very successful. But reducing it further is going to be difficult without addressing one of the main problems: people in rural areas have no choice, in the absence of public transport, but to use their cars. People who…TSA 2013 · Question 9 · Strengthen · Save
Another pair of British media personalities have announced their separation. Both are well-paid personalities who profit enormously from the publicity they attract from their behaviour. Media personalities like them usually employ agents who can generate publicity, arrange well-paid personal appearances and sell…TSA 2013 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
Films are expensive to produce and must take a significant amount of money at the box office to cover costs before any profit is made. Thus filmmakers are primarily interested in making a film that will appeal to a large number of people and so make a lot of profit. This often leads to the production of superficial,…TSA 2013 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
I have just joined a savings scheme. I will pay in £50 each month and at the end of each complete year I will be paid 5% interest on my average balance (i.e. the average of my starting and finishing amount) for the previous 12 months.TSA 2013 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
Every Thursday, Marilyn spends 10 hours making 60 cakes to sell at her local market. The cost of the ingredients to make each cake is £1.60 and Marilyn charges £6 an hour for her time. She usually sets the sale price for a cake at 75% more than the total costs of making it. However, when she sells to her friends she…TSA 2013 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
A business facing turbulent times changed the wages of its workers by the same percentage in two successive years, but the changes were in opposite directions.TSA 2013 · Question 14 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Those in favour of coursework contributing to A Level grades say that this is much fairer than assessment by exam only, as it means that students who are willing to work hard but who perform poorly in exams will have a better chance of doing well. However, this arrangement currently allows far more opportunity for…TSA 2013 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Largely because of the influence of celebrity TV chefs and increased customer demand, many supermarkets have recently enlarged the amount of game (e.g. rabbits, pheasants and venison) in their meat sections. Factory farming is seen as cruel to the animals involved. Rabbit meat in particular is selling well as it is…TSA 2013 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
The production of standard disposable nappies from petrochemicals is wholly unsustainable. It is estimated that while in disposable nappies, a baby will generate two tonnes of used nappies which will end up in landfill. Washable nappies have a significantly reduced environmental impact at production and at eventual…TSA 2013 · Question 17 · Strengthen · Save
Sven is a keen cyclist and is riding from Alvros to Berget. At his normal cycling speed this will take him 30 minutes. His wife, Helga, will go by car to bring him and his bike back. They leave at the same time, but two thirds of the way between the two towns the car breaks down and Helga has to walk the rest of the…TSA 2013 · Question 18 · Rates · Save
I am making a patchwork quilt from leftover pieces of cloth of various shapes and sizes. This pentagonal piece of cloth is rather large, so I want to cut it into two pieces.TSA 2013 · Question 19 · Combinations · Save
Thomas needs to book a place to sit a test next week, but is free only in the mornings. The test centre runs the test every day from Monday to Friday and holds a morning and an afternoon sitting. Each sitting has a total of 100 places available and will take place in the main hall unless there are 30 or fewer…TSA 2013 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
In recent years there has been a great deal of media attention focused on the private lives of politicians and world leaders, with particular attention paid to their personal relationships. There are those who suggest that this attention is unwarranted because only their professional abilities are important to their…TSA 2013 · Question 21 · Strengthen · Save
Criminals often give themselves away by their lifestyle. My neighbour is a criminal because he bought and is living in a very expensive house which I know he could not afford as he is officially working only in a poorly paid job.TSA 2013 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
There is often concern about the large quantities of money earned by top singers. It could be argued that there are many ways in which this money could be spent that would be beneficial to a large number of people. However, these people are receiving high earnings because they are the best at what they do, and those…TSA 2013 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
Mr Daley has bought some used carpeting for his new 24 m x 12 m car showroom. The carpet is in 8 m x 4 m rectangles which will be joined using a strip of double-sided tape along all seams. Additionally, double-sided tape will be needed to stick the carpet around the edges of the showroom.TSA 2013 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
How many times will the Winter Spectacular be performed at the Playtime Theatre during its run?TSA 2013 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
A popular option at the Pizza Parlour is the 'Plus Two' pizza which is a basic cheese and tomato pizza plus a choice of any two different additional toppings from the following list: Tuna, Ham, Chicken, Onion, Mushroom, Sweetcorn. This gives 15 variations, which can be calculated as follows: Each of the six additional…TSA 2013 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
There is a naive view that the problem of rapid population growth can be effectively solved if enough money is invested in family planning services. But it is no accident that the world's highest population growth rates are in poverty-stricken sub-Saharan Africa. Child mortality in this region remains stubbornly high,…TSA 2013 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
It is clear that telepathy is not possible because if it were, people would be able to transfer their thoughts to each other for important purposes – for example, passing an examination. But this does not happen. The only supposed demonstrations of telepathy are about trivial matters.TSA 2013 · Question 28 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
For the second year running, the Silver Star Prize for art was awarded to a video artist, raising again the big question: What is great art? Many have condemned this year's choice on the grounds that a documentary-style video film cannot be considered as creative art at all in the way that, say, painting and sculpture…TSA 2013 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
An acre of land planted with sugar beet produces 550 gallons of ethanol from the sugar by fermentation. A car converted to run on E75 (a 75% ethanol, 25% petrol mixture) can do 40 miles per gallon.TSA 2013 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
The following table gives information about five different car models:TSA 2013 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
The table below shows the percentage of adults grouped by age and socio-economic group with no natural teeth:TSA 2013 · Question 32 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
'Organic food is no healthier than other produce, scientists claim' was the headline in an article published in 2009 in The Independent. It reported that a comprehensive review of 50 years of evidence showed no appreciable difference in nutrient levels between organic and conventional farm produce. If the review is…TSA 2013 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
There is widespread dissatisfaction and disillusionment in Britain with politics and with politicians, who are seen as untrustworthy. Many of the electorate do not even bother to vote in a general election. In Switzerland democracy is more direct than in Britain in the sense that many referendums take place and many…TSA 2013 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Sound economics may underlie the Government's plans to put more prisons under private control, but the privatisation of prisons is nonetheless wrong. Although some countries observe basic human rights, they have the power to take away the liberty of individuals who break certain laws. This power is so far-reaching…TSA 2013 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
Last month, in an attempt to improve my fitness, I began to run daily. The maximum distance I have time to fit in on any particular day is 8 miles, but my aim is to maintain an average of at least 5 miles per day. After 15 days my average was just under 6 miles per day, then the following day I increased my average to…TSA 2013 · Question 36 · Spatial · Save
I have a bird automaton that, when activated, flaps its wings and whistles three different tunes successively, selected at random from its repertoire of ten. It performs one of its ten tunes for 10 seconds, six of them for 15 seconds each and three of them for 20 seconds each. When my granddaughter visits she is…TSA 2013 · Question 37 · Optimisation · Save
Graham recorded the number of visitors to his shop each day last week and presented the results in the bar chart below:TSA 2013 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Compare and contrast the initial responses of two 'major world powers' to the Haitian earthquake disaster. Within 24 hours, the USA had sent in hospital and assault ships and an aircraft carrier with 19 helicopters, the 82nd Airborne division with 3,500 troops and hundreds of medical personnel. It put the country's…TSA 2013 · Question 39 · Weakening Arguments · Save
One of the most catastrophic scenarios that could hit this planet would be a world without fish. Surely this is a matter for the UN to act on – and swiftly. Areas of oceans should be set aside as no-go zones for trawlers of any nationality, to enable our dwindling fish stocks to have somewhere to reproduce with…TSA 2013 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Many rich countries protect their farming sectors with generous subsidies. It may be claimed that this policy can benefit countries in which people are starving or malnourished by encouraging farmers to produce more food than can be consumed in their own countries. But the policy is not in the best interests of poorer…TSA 2013 · Question 41 · Strengthen · Save
The graph below shows the additional financial value of repeated applications of fertiliser applied to crops in a field for a year. For example, two applications gives £2,000 more value to the crop than one application.TSA 2013 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
There is a half-hourly train service that operates along the Rowbina Valley, between Erd and Teovil. Leaving Erd at 10 and 40 minutes past each hour, trains stop at Aregon, Lowley, Ergen, Uble and Gidion before arriving at Teovil 51 minutes after departure from Erd. In the opposite direction, trains leave Teovil at 20…TSA 2013 · Question 43 · Rates · Save
The diagram below shows a view of a church from above: [image of diagram] There are three windows facing south, two windows facing north and a stained glass window facing east. The only doors are one in the westernmost end and one in a north-facing wall.TSA 2013 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
The criminal law, armed only with punishment, is only ever capable of controlling a tiny minority of criminals. Communities can exert control over the behaviour of most people in much more positive ways, through the disapproval of one's neighbours and fellow citizens, and through a whole host of accepted social…TSA 2013 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
Our football team always loses the match if it's raining. They won last Saturday, so it can't have been raining.TSA 2013 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
When you have finished your meal at a restaurant and you get the bill, there is often a note at the bottom pointing out that the service charge is not included. This can easily lead to one of two reactions – leaving a tip because you feel it is what is expected, or not leaving a tip out of annoyance at the unsubtle…TSA 2013 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
When travelling in Kromistan and not understanding the currency, I offered a red note for an item marked '135K'. I was given, in change, three green coins and one blue coin. Later, for a newspaper marked '33K', I offered a handful of coins and the vendor took four green and one blue. There are only these three…TSA 2013 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
At committee meetings of the Massing Social Club motions are carried or defeated by a simple majority, abstentions being ignored. At the last meeting a proposal to install a satellite dish was defeated by 8 votes to 5 with 10 committee members abstaining. However, because of the large number of abstentions it was…TSA 2013 · Question 49 · Optimisation · Save
The housing estate on which Andrew lives has streets of variable length. In each street, the houses are directly opposite each other, with the same number of houses on each side. However, the numbering of the houses is inconsistent. Some streets are numbered consecutively on each side, starting at one end of the…TSA 2013 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
If people go to a foreign country, they should try to learn at least some of the language of that country because, whilst it is difficult to pick up a good command of a foreign language in a short time, learning just a little of a foreign language helps you to find out more about the country itself, its people's…TSA 2012 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
Stewart and Michael have arranged to meet. Michael is about to set off on his bicycle, and at the same time Stewart is going to run to meet him. Michael can cycle at a steady 20 kilometres per hour and Stewart can run at a steady 12 kilometres per hour. They live 8 kilometres from each other.TSA 2012 · Question 2 · Rates · Save
When the government issued its guidelines to the public to improve health by eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, it underestimated the possible negative consequences for farmers and the landscape. The reduction in the demand for meat and dairy products would impact on farmers' livelihoods from…TSA 2012 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
One in ten adults in the UK has had a body piercing somewhere other than the earlobe; of these 28% experienced complications and 1% were admitted to hospital, according to a survey of 10,000 adults. Body piercing is three times more common in women than men. Navel piercings are most common amongst women, whereas men…TSA 2012 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
In the UK 45% of the workforce is female, but the percentage of women in senior positions, both in the professions and in business, is considerably lower. This is unfair to women, and also bad for the economy in that those who are promoted to senior positions may not be the most able. Women may be discouraged from…TSA 2012 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Over the course of a year Mr and Mrs Jones and their two sons spend an average of £120 a week at the local supermarket. 70% of this spending is the weekly family food bill, 20% goes on household goods and the final 10% on store cupboard ingredients. When their daughter returns from her gap year to live at home the…TSA 2012 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Kingsbury School Examination Schedule for the first week of June: [image of table] All exams take place in the school hall. All morning exams start at 9 am, all afternoon exams start at 2 pm. Each session (morning or afternoon) must have at least one male and one female invigilator. Each examination must be…TSA 2012 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Below are pictures of three cylinders.TSA 2012 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
In some countries hunting clubs can arrange for members to hunt and kill just about anything that moves around on land. Despite the high costs of these hunts, the clubs have grown in popularity as rich businessmen look for new ways to entertain their clients. Rare and endangered species of bears are often the target…TSA 2012 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The battery life of laptop computers means that they cannot be used for the duration of a long-haul flight without needing to be recharged from an on-board power point. Not all aeroplanes have this facility. Therefore laptop computers should not be allowed as carry-on items for long-haul flights on planes that do not…TSA 2012 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
How long will it be before we realise that force-feeding our children with junk TV is just as bad as allowing them to eat nothing but junk food? Children are impressionable, we know that, so why do parents allow them to gain their insights into life through a TV screen? I've heard so many 'concerned' mothers and…TSA 2012 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
A merchant bank recently advertised for new graduates to fill positions as trainee analysts; 230 people applied. Of these, 127 had maths as a component of their degree and 89 had economics as a component of their degree. Only 45 had neither maths nor economics as a component of their degree.TSA 2012 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
A boxed up board game consists of the following components: [see image] The producers of the board game have all the component parts manufactured separately and sent to their warehouse, where they box them up and send them to retailers in cartons of 8 complete games. In their warehouse they have: 98 playing boards;…TSA 2012 · Question 13 · Rates · Save
In a game, circular counters are moved around a board which is a 4 × 4 grid. There are symbols on some of the squares on the board. At one point in the game, the board looks like this (all the circles represent counters which completely cover any symbol on the square that they occupy):TSA 2012 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
When serious accidents such as train and plane crashes occur, there are demands to identify and punish those responsible. Companies found guilty of corporate killing – 'corporate killing' means the company as a whole is held responsible for deaths in these accidents – could be given huge financial penalties. But the…TSA 2012 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
"People who see America as 'The Great Satan' often forget how, whatever the nation's faults, it is truly heaving with free debate. After his re-election in 2004, the public and media began turning against George W Bush with a ferocity which matched only their bewildering support for him previously. Every day…TSA 2012 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
In European countries the incidence of cancer is higher than in non-European developing countries. This difference in cancer rates cannot be due to a greater genetic susceptibility to cancer amongst Europeans, because statistics show that Europeans who migrate to developing countries decrease their chances of getting…TSA 2012 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
This diagram shows the positions of three ornithologists on a map. The squares on the map are 1000m along each side.[image of diagram] The ornithologists are trying to find an injured falcon which is carrying a radio transmitter. Each ornithologist has a radio tracking device. The direction-finding part of the…TSA 2012 · Question 18 · Spatial · Save
The table below shows the cumulative percentage distribution of salt consumption in England in 2004.TSA 2012 · Question 19 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
A software manufacturer wants to fit some computer programs on to four 2GB discs. He reorders the programs in order of decreasing size and places the next programs to be saved in the first available disc that can take that program.TSA 2012 · Question 20 · Logic · Save
The problem of insect pests on crops is a difficult one and is often solved by spraying crops with pesticides. However, there are many other insects which survive by feeding on the pests that we are trying to kill. The pesticides also kill these insects. It would be better to stop wasting money on pesticides and let…TSA 2012 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
There was a time when the economic situation demanded that the Government either had to support the currency directly in the foreign exchange markets or else it had to raise interest rates. However, it could not raise interest rates because that would have been political suicide. The Government therefore had to…TSA 2012 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
There is a trend in climate discussions to devalue individual solutions such as wind energy, alternative fuels, or investment in public transport because each one by itself is not going to solve the climate crisis. There is not, however, and will never be any single solution to climate change. When there is no single…TSA 2012 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
Alan bought a silver jug at an auction for £80. A year later, the price of antique silver had risen and he decided to sell it at auction, for which he received £100. He immediately regretted his decision and approached the buyer, who sold it back to him but he had to pay £110. Another year later, he needed some money…TSA 2012 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
An airplane flight crew starts its day in Rome and does two round trips to London in the day. On each arrival at an airport they take the next scheduled flight back. The timetable is shown below (all times are local):TSA 2012 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
A sheet of paper has two holes cut from it. When it is folded in half the hole shown in the diagram below is seen.TSA 2012 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
It is time to bury the independence issue. Our Scottish Government's prime role is to spend its £30 billion wisely, delivering effective and efficient provisions for education, health, social services and a sympathetic business environment, all in a sustainable physical environment and inside a legal framework that…TSA 2012 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Everyone is exposed to low background levels of asbestos and other mineral fibres in the environment without any evident risk to health. There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about it. Exposure to asbestos fibres in homes and other buildings where asbestos is present and in good condition is not normally…TSA 2012 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Many drivers deliberately break traffic laws both because they are convinced that there is little chance of getting caught and because even if they are caught, the penalties do not act as a sufficient deterrent. For example, people who would never think of stealing money, even when they needed it, think nothing of…TSA 2012 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Today I am going to treat my lawn with Greatgrass liquid lawn food. The instructions on the bottle tell me to dilute 1 part Greatgrass with 15 parts water, then apply evenly. Three hours later the treatment should be repeated, but with a mixture of 1 part Greatgrass and 24 parts water. I have worked out that I need to…TSA 2012 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
The mock examination and actual GCSE results for English in one year at Morgan College are shown below:TSA 2012 · Question 31 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The trapezium below may be cut into four identical pieces.TSA 2012 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
Researchers studying the effects of diet on health sometimes use 'randomised intervention trials'. One group - the intervention group - is asked to change some aspect of diet, for example eat less fat or more fruit, while the other group - the control group - is told to eat as normal. At the end of the trial the…TSA 2012 · Question 33 · Strengthen · Save
When police raided a London nightclub known for selling illegal drugs, nine people were arrested. However, everybody was led outside, searched and photographed, whether or not drugs were found in their possession. Visiting a nightclub is not yet a crime, so it is a troubling breach of civil liberties that the police…TSA 2012 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Surveys of public opinion reveal that many people object to the idea of selling bodily organs for transplant. Some object on religious grounds, claiming that the body is a sacred and holy thing which must not be violated. Others object on aesthetic grounds, simply finding the idea of selling human livers for…TSA 2012 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
When Anton joined the company that he works for, 8 years ago, his salary was £29000. Each of his 8 annual salary increases has been 10% of his previous salary rounded up to the next multiple of £500.TSA 2012 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
The Ruritanian Go Kart Drivers' Championship is decided over a series of 9 races. For each event the winner is allocated 10 points, second gets 8 points and third gets 5 points. All other finishers are given 1 point. The championship leaders' placings are shown below and the drivers all finished in each race.TSA 2012 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
The diagram shows the dimensions of an office and entrance lobby. I wish to carpet them. Each must have a single piece of carpet with no joins, but I can use two separate pieces for the two rooms. As l intend to do it as inexpensively as possible, I will buy an offcut.TSA 2012 · Question 38 · Rates · Save
Rather than dumping sewage sludge into the North Sea, it has been suggested that it could be used as fertiliser on agricultural land. However, sewage sludge often contains waste from industry which is contaminated with heavy metals, some of which (e.g. zinc and cadmium) can be absorbed by plants. Zinc is generally…TSA 2012 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
We should restore capital punishment for the offence of premeditated murder. It is true that in the past occasional mistakes have been made and innocent men have been hanged. However, with the improvements in forensic science and DNA testing, the chances of a mistake have receded. Restoring capital punishment would…TSA 2012 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Asthma has increased globally by about 160% in the last two decades. In the UK alone, 1318 people have died from asthma attacks within the last year. However new research has shown that asthma rates fall significantly in those parts of cities which have more trees and green spaces indicating that we can reduce asthma…TSA 2012 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The Tickton town hall clock is rather a curiosity. It shows the correct time every hour on the hour, but the minute hand travels three times as fast down to 6 as it does back up to 12, though within each half of its revolution its speed is constant.TSA 2012 · Question 42 · Rates · Save
The table below shows the times of sunrise and sunset and moonrise and moonset for certain towns on the same day (in hours:minutes).TSA 2012 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
Five pictures of solids made by sticking cubes together are shown below.TSA 2012 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Contrary to what many people claim, Facebook cannot improve our experience of friendship. It may make it easier to increase our number of contacts, but there is a limit to the number of people we can keep in mind and with whom we can have a meaningful relationship. The number is 150 and is set by the size of our…TSA 2012 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
Few tourists are likely to visit the town in the future. The Mining Museum is the only thing in the town that has ever attracted tourists in any substantial numbers. Now the Museum is closing.TSA 2012 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Buttons which are on the right-hand side of clothes are easier to fasten and unfasten for a right-handed person than for a left-handed person. Buttons are on the right-hand side of clothes for men but on the left side for women. This arose because buttons used to be very expensive and were only worn by women who were…TSA 2012 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
In the elections for the mayor of Bitton, the single transferable vote system is used. In this, each voter places a '1' beside the candidate they most want and a '2' beside their second choice. Voters may only vote for two candidates. In the first round of counting, all the '1' votes are counted. If no candidate has…TSA 2012 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
Standard 100W light bulbs cost 40p each and are expected to last for 2 years in average use. Low power equivalent brightness bulbs cost £10 each, are expected to last for 8 years and use only 20W. A 100W lightbulb operated for 10 hours will use 7.5p of electricity. A 20W bulb will operate for 50 hours on the same…TSA 2012 · Question 49 · Rates · Save
In the committee room of my cricket club there are four tables, all identical to the one shown below.TSA 2012 · Question 50 · Combinations · Save
11% of nurses across the country would like to leave the profession. However, this figure rises to 39% amongst nurses who are working alternating shift systems, which mix day, evening and night shifts. It was found that many nurses preferred one type of shift most of the time, whether that involved working early, late…TSA 2011 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
To play a football pools game, participants must select four matches from the fifty on the coupon. Points are scored depending on the result of each match as follows:TSA 2011 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
Some recent films have been very expensive to make, but have not been the big box-office hits that would have justified the expense. At the same time, there have been films made very cheaply which have been received with both huge critical and popular acclaim. Indeed, some directors who have made successful low-budget…TSA 2011 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
It is clear that the world is getting warmer. The only thing that could slow down this process of global warming, and avert ecological disaster, would be an immediate switch to green technologies. If global warming continues at the present rate, some species will be unable to live in the warmer conditions. They will…TSA 2011 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Cannabis smoking is widespread, even though it is illegal. It is also more dangerous to health than most people realise. If we want to reduce the use of cannabis, it should be legalised. People do not turn away from dangerous habits unless they are fully aware of the damage these habits can cause. We should have…TSA 2011 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
To encourage themselves to lose weight, Alma, Brigit, Cara, Danni and Evelyn each put £10 into a pot. They weighed themselves when they began and again at the end of each week. The one who had lost most weight after 4 weeks won the £50. The following chart shows their progress:TSA 2011 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Below is a list of the Angevin and Plantagenet kings of England and the dates of their reigns.TSA 2011 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
A man drives off from his house and travels through the village at a constant speed. As he leaves the village behind, his speed increases to a new constant value which he maintains until he reaches a steep hill which slows him down. At the top of the hill the driver stops for a few minutes to admire the view. He…TSA 2011 · Question 8 · Rates · Save
If children are sitting in rows in a classroom, the teacher can have eye contact with all of them while she is explaining something to them. This is not always possible if they are sitting in groups around tables. Also, when they look up, instead of seeing the child opposite in a group and being tempted to talk, they…TSA 2011 · Question 9 · Strengthen · Save
"There are more police officers than ever before in the history of this country. We have more police officers and more community support officers. That is why, last week, crime was down. Crime is down 30 per cent."TSA 2011 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
The differences between human beings are sometimes more striking than the similarities. There is a minority of people who, driven by a competitive urge to be the first or the best, undertake ambitious expeditions involving severe physical deprivations, high risk of fatality, and extreme isolation. Compare these people…TSA 2011 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Jars of Bestcaff coffee weighing 200g are normally £2.50 at Kostless and Savemore, but both supermarkets have a special offer this week:TSA 2011 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
The table shows the areas of the countries of the European Union.TSA 2011 · Question 13 · Spatial · Save
There are seven books on my shelf, which are of various sizes. When I look at them straight on I see the following picture: [image of books] I now look at them from the left-hand end (in the direction of the arrow).TSA 2011 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
Similar effects have similar causes. The problem is deciding when one set of effects sufficiently resembles another to infer a similar cause. You say that the universe resembles a man-made object like a house, so its cause must also be similar, an intelligent designer, resembling human beings. But is the universe so…TSA 2011 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
At first glance, there is no phenomenon creepier than crop circles - huge geometric designs that appear in fields overnight seemingly without cause, explanation or reason. UFO enthusiasts are quick to supply all three, by attributing the patterns to alien visitors seeking to communicate with humans, using laser beams…TSA 2011 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
When you install a burglar alarm in your home, you do so presumably because the cost of the alarm is less than the expected benefits. The cost of a burglary, if one occurs, is likely to be much higher than the cost of fitting an alarm. A clearly visible box on an outside wall of an alarmed house alerts and discourages…TSA 2011 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Dates may be written in an eight digit form. For instance, 19 January 2005 may be written 19-01-2005.TSA 2011 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
This is the view from above of the large three-dimensional logo situated in the forecourt of the head office of Justin Thyme Enterprises: [Image of a logo viewed from above] It was sculpted from a single cube of marble, and has a uniform cross-section from top to bottom.TSA 2011 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
The table below, from a newspaper, shows how much money ( $) yo u w i ll n ee d a t v a r i o u s p o in t s in t h e f u t u re t o b u y i t e m scos t in g$ 1000 today, depending on the annual rate of inflation.[image of table] Raoul has just bought a new car for…TSA 2011 · Question 20 · Rates · Save
It would be a good idea if the police force was separated into two divisions, one for proper policing i.e. protecting citizens and upholding law and order, and the other for road traffic. This second division could be combined with traffic wardens as basically they are doing a similar job: obtaining money from road…TSA 2011 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
If you practise playing a musical instrument, your playing will get better. I have not practised playing the piano, so my playing has not got better. I have an exam in two month's time. So I must practise every day if I want to do well.TSA 2011 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Legislation is needed in order to prevent the abuse of genetic testing by insurance companies. New genetic tests may reveal how likely an individual is to suffer from certain debilitating or fatal conditions in later life. Without legislation, insurance companies might make such tests compulsory and make those at risk…TSA 2011 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
As part of a journey, I must travel from Bowbridge to Downland. I can choose either the motorway (known locally as 'the road to hell') or the old road known as Buttercup Way. On the motorway I average 60 mph, on the old road I average 40 mph. I can change from one to the other at Clatterton where they cross.TSA 2011 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
Various shapes may be made by overlapping two transparent squares, for example the dark shaded hexagon shown below:TSA 2011 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
This table shows how household sizes in Great Britain changed between 1961 and 1991.TSA 2011 · Question 26 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Britain's property market is in the midst of a full-scale slump with house prices falling at their fastest rate in 15 years, according to a new study. But why is there an assumption that continuing rises in house prices is a good thing? Why not see the fall in house prices as a welcome change? House prices as a…TSA 2011 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
The average life expectancy in working class areas of London was significantly higher than in similar areas in other major cities in the first half of the nineteenth century. In London during this time drinking tea had become a part of daily life amongst the poor. The reason for this was a combination of availability…TSA 2011 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
A recent study by a drugs company found that the amount of money spent on a specific pill used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the UK showed wide regional variation. Alzheimer's is a condition associated with the ageing process. In some areas the expenditure was as low as £1 per head of the population over…TSA 2011 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
All the teams in a local football league have now played each other once this season. Below is the current league table:TSA 2011 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
In a modified form of a popular game, each of two players at any turn may put either 'O' or 'X' as she chooses in any blank square of a 3 by 3 grid. She wins if she thereby completes a line of three identical symbols. A player is faced with this situation:TSA 2011 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
The following table shows the results of a test on smokers trying to quit. Of 240 people, half were given nicotine tablets and half were given a placebo (a substance containing no medication). [image of table] The researchers assumed that: of the smokers given nicotine tablets, the same proportion would have quit…TSA 2011 · Question 32 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
In a high speed police chase, police drivers sometimes lose sight of the car they are chasing. But that's no reason to give up. All they have to do is take the first left, and then the first left again. Pursued drivers are likely to keep taking turns as they come up, as this seems instinctively like the best way to…TSA 2011 · Question 33 · Strengthen · Save
The museum has decided to spend money in the hope of staying profitable and, therefore, remaining open. It has opened an expensive new front hall, which is very big and well planned, and will undoubtedly impress new visitors. For serious students, however, it has nothing to offer that was not there before. All the…TSA 2011 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
England is set to become the most crowded country in Europe as its population grows by a third over the next 50 years, according to official projections. There are currently some 50 million people in England, but in 50 years this could hit 68 million - 1,349 for every square mile. Opposition political parties, who…TSA 2011 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
When my father ran a pizza shop he sold pizzas for a fixed amount plus an amount proportional to the ingredients used. A regular pizza uses twice the ingredients of a mini one and a large pizza twice those of a regular one.TSA 2011 · Question 36 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
I often order items from a mail order catalogue. The charges for postage and packing (to be added to the order value) are as follows: [image of order value] Just before sending off my latest order, I noticed that the current catalogue offers half price postage and packing for orders of 8 or more items. My order was…TSA 2011 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
John wishes to have 500 copies of a brochure printed and is offered a choice of two price structures: 1. An equal cost for each brochure printed, regardless of number. 2. An initial fixed cost followed by a lower cost than structure 1 for each brochure.TSA 2011 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Many people who live near to mobile phone masts are worried that radiation from these masts will damage their health. Mobile phones themselves have also been suspected of emitting dangerous levels of radiation, and a report recommended that children should be discouraged from making non-essential calls. Emission of…TSA 2011 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
University education is not a matter of forcing through the largest number of graduates at the lowest possible short-term cost. This would not serve the needs of the current generation of students and, even from a narrow economic viewpoint, it would not promote economic prosperity in the long term. It is often a poor…TSA 2011 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
The preservation of First Class sections on trains is indefensible. This is not because it is socially divisive, which it is; nor because it is very expensive, which it also is; but because it inevitably leads to a relatively poorer service in Standard Class sections of trains. Clearly, in order to attract First Class…TSA 2011 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The piece of card shown below is folded to make a box with a triangular cross-section.TSA 2011 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
At Marland College, all 120 pupils in year 11 take two languages at GCSE. The table below shows the numbers of pupils taking each language combination.TSA 2011 · Question 43 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The diagram below shows Morden Hall and the network of paths within the grounds.[image of diagram] When the owner takes his dog for a walk he always starts and finishes at the intersection outside the front door and (keeping to the paths) walks one complete triangular route.TSA 2011 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Although study leave in the run up to exams is traditional, and benefits well-motivated, organised students, recent thinking suggests that it is not the best way to improve results. Some students are required to do housework or help in the family business rather than studying. Many others spend time playing computer…TSA 2011 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
Land reform is urgently needed in the UK. It is well documented that around two-thirds of Britain is owned by just 0.3% of the population. Many of the largest estates have been in the hands of the same families for centuries, and were acquired under outdated feudal laws, often by means of aggression. If these families…TSA 2011 · Question 46 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
All trees have leaves. An oak is a tree. Therefore oaks have leaves.TSA 2011 · Question 47 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Megan pays a subscription to Probe Information Services. This is an internet service which allows her to access up-to-date information relevant to her job. The leaflet which came with her application form is reproduced below. [image of table] Megan's call charges are at local rates of 10c for up to 2 minutes and 5c…TSA 2011 · Question 48 · Rates · Save
A group of Construction students must choose their specialist options from the following list: Bricklaying, Damp-proofing, Drainage, Flooring, Joinery, Plastering, Roofing. Each student must choose three options. The available options may be combined with each other in any way, with the exception of the restrictions…TSA 2011 · Question 49 · Combinations · Save
I am a member of a book club. Every month I must choose at least one book. All books are sold at a discount of £2.00 on shop prices. I pay a fixed charge for postage regardless of which books I order.TSA 2011 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
In the case of plastic drink bottles, recycling is not the best answer to the problem of garbage disposal. Ninety five per cent of soft-drink bottles sold in the United States are made of a compound of polyethylene (PET) which poses recycling problems. They are potentially carcinogenic if recycled into new food or…TSA 2010 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
Splashford Swimming Pool charges £2 per session for adults and £1 for children. Also available is a Family Swimcard. At a cost of £50, the Family Swimcard allows unlimited use of the pool for one year for 2 adults and up to 3 children. For larger families, every additional child must pay half the children's rate each…TSA 2010 · Question 2 · Rates · Save
Every year in this country there are over 8000 personal accidents on golf courses, yet it is estimated that as few as five per cent of all golfers take out adequate insurance against claims for injury. If more golfers could be encouraged to take out appropriate insurance policies the number of accidents could be…TSA 2010 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
In 1997 the UK Government banned the owning of handguns after a man went on the rampage, killing several people, with a collection of legally owned firearms. In the time since then the number of crimes involving firearms as a whole has increased. The number involving legally owned firearms has gone up by 0.1% as…TSA 2010 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
If drivers were made to pay for road use according to the amount of time they spent on the road, they would drive more dangerously. Experiments were conducted with volunteers using a driving simulator. In the first experiment, the volunteers were charged for time spent driving below 10mph in order to see how people…TSA 2010 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Acme Haulage pays dividends to its shareholders every six months. Better Ball Bearings pays its shareholders every eight months and Koffmore Chemists pays every eighteen months. In January 1990 all three companies paid me a dividend.TSA 2010 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
A woman has to get up for work at seven o'clock in the morning. She wakes up and looks over at her digital clock. Unfortunately, the batteries are low and the figures on the display, showing hours and minutes, aren't showing up properly. All she can see is the display below:TSA 2010 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
The Richter Scale is used to measure the strength of earthquakes. It has the property that an increase of one unit on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the strength of the quake. Three earthquakes have the following values on the Richter Scale: X : 2.0, Y : 3.0, Z : 4.0TSA 2010 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
A two-month study of major producers of ivory products showed that worldwide demand for elephant tusks for ivory had fallen sharply. Consequently it is safe to assume that there will be a general decline in elephant poaching.TSA 2010 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Alcohol is largely to blame for a rise in the incidence of breast cancer. Research from St. George's hospital in Tooting shows the number of women with breast cancer rose significantly over a 10 year period. Researchers also found the average amount of alcohol women drank rose by more than 40% over the same period.…TSA 2010 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
Many people imagine that large country houses in the eighteenth century had smooth lawns. But in those days there was no way of killing wild plants and weeds and, with the lawnmower not invented, the only method of cutting a lawn was by teams of gardeners with hand scythes; today's weed-free close cuts were…TSA 2010 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Sue and Ben are buying some kitchen goods at a shop which is having a sale. The terms of the sale are as follows:TSA 2010 · Question 12 · Logic · Save
At the end of the quarterly charging period to which the above bill relates, the householder changed her electricity consumption pattern. In the next quarter she roughly halved her standard consumption and increased her off-peak consumption by about ten times.TSA 2010 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
The diagram shows the outline of a window which is intended to be composed of a number of panes of glass, all of the same size and shape.TSA 2010 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
Which one of the following conclusions is best supported by the data given above?TSA 2010 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The siting of mobile phone masts is a controversial matter in the UK, particularly when they are situated at or near schools and hospitals. The Stewart Report concluded that the balance of evidence indicated that there was no general risk to the health of people living near mobile phone masts but recommended a regular…TSA 2010 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
The expense of advertising adds greatly to overall production costs and thus to the prices of goods when they reach the public. There is particular public resentment of mass advertising for rival brands of products such as petrol or detergents - which, most people suspect, are so similar in character as to be…TSA 2010 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
I have been asked to move 120 boxes weighing 25kg each and 90 boxes weighing 20kg each from the ground floor to the fifth floor of the office block in which I work. Unfortunately, nobody is available to give me any help. There is a sign in the lift which reads:TSA 2010 · Question 18 · Optimisation · Save
It is 12 noon and I have just arrived in the centre of town for a meeting that is due to last for at least three and a half hours. After this meeting, I have an important appointment at 6.00pm which requires me to leave before 5.30pm. There are 5 car parks in the town centre that charge as follows:TSA 2010 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
A taxi service advertises its rates for travel to the local airport as shown below:TSA 2010 · Question 20 · Rates · Save
Increasingly, the affluent middle classes are choosing private health care. This has been accompanied by steady decline in the National Health Service (NHS), evidenced by poor funding, understaffing, long waiting lists and substandard hygiene. The obvious solution would be to ban private healthcare, since its take-up…TSA 2010 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
Amrik cannot afford to buy the Advanced version of the software. The Professional version is even more expensive, so Amrik cannot afford that either.TSA 2010 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
We do not pay a fixed amount for electricity, gas or telephone calls irrespective of how much we use. How is it then that some people are still expected to do so in the case of water? People who use relatively little water should no longer be required to subsidise those who use a great deal. Water meters should…TSA 2010 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
A secretary is in a bad mood with her boss and has to write three letters intended for three different people. She makes sure that each of the recipients of the letters will receive one written to someone else.TSA 2010 · Question 24 · Logic · Save
Anne is a researcher working for an insurance company which has decided to send out a safety awareness mailshot to its customers during the month which costs it most in claims. She examines the average accident statistics bearing in mind that an accident categorised as a write-off costs 10 times more than one…TSA 2010 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
The graph below shows Mr Evans' bank balance at the end of each month in a year.TSA 2010 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
Store loyalty cards are designed to encourage customers to use one supermarket only. But all the major supermarkets now have loyalty cards, so people are able to possess a loyalty card for all of their local supermarkets. So it is pointless for the supermarkets to continue using them and they might as well abandon the…TSA 2010 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
The demand for blood donors is increasing all over the world. In Western countries, in particular, demand has been rising so rapidly that shortages have begun to appear. In all such countries, demand is growing much faster than rates of growth in populations aged 18-65 from whom donors are drawn. And, despite a…TSA 2010 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Powdered rhinoceros horn has often been claimed to have aphrodisiac properties. However, a recent investigation showed no evidence that it has any chemical effect whatsoever on the human nervous system. What is more, in an experiment in which 100 people were given powdered rhinoceros horn and another 100 people were…TSA 2010 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
Fred, Joe and Bill do plumbing, electrics and plastering respectively and work together on certain building jobs. They will each take on any job involving all three types of work, sub-contract to the others where necessary and sort out any payments at the end of the month. At the end of March, Bill has done £300 of…TSA 2010 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
Rachel intends to buy some toiletries for her five brothers as a present. She thinks that Rex would like aftershave, Tom talc, Magnus body spray and the twins, James and Henry, would like shower gel. They all have a liking for "Jasmine" brand. Her budget is a maximum of £10.00 and if she can spend less so much the…TSA 2010 · Question 31 · Optimisation · Save
A survey claimed that in 1990 40% of the adult British population smoked. It claimed further that in 1991, after an anti-smoking campaign, only 30% of the adult British population smoked. It reported a 10% fall in the number of smokers. However, the campaign organisers, in their advertising, reported a 25% fall in the…TSA 2010 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
The United States attempts to reduce the supply of illegal drugs by intercepting shipments and eradicating illegal crops. Despite these efforts, illegal drugs are still readily available, because growers, for example those in Colombia, move to different areas and plant smaller plots that are harder to find. So more…TSA 2010 · Question 33 · Strengthen · Save
While the benefits of cardio-vascular exercise are well known, studies have shown that strenuous exercise is actually damaging to the immune system. Athletes, although fit in general terms, are highly susceptible to colds and flu. What's more, many sports people develop cancer at an early age despite their healthy…TSA 2010 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
Although the general public are demanding action to reduce the number of pedestrians killed in road accidents in residential areas, road bumps in these areas should be abolished. Road bumps were introduced to residential areas because they were cheap, quick to implement, and showed that Local Authorities were acting…TSA 2010 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
The fuel consumption of Ted's new car is given in the manufacturer's data sheet as follows:TSA 2010 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
Maggie is preparing 300 information packs so that she can respond to enquiries for her holiday cottages. Each pack contains: • A basic information sheet - this is printed on A4 sized paper on both sides so that it may be folded to form 4 pages. • A sheet with prices on one side and a booking form on the other - two of…TSA 2010 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
Three views of the same die with unusual symbols are shown below:TSA 2010 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
There has been a recent trend to paint speed cameras bright yellow so that they can be seen easily and so act as a deterrent to speeding motorists. This is the exact opposite of what should happen. If cameras are obvious, drivers tend to drive very fast between them and brake hard when they see one ahead, which is a…TSA 2010 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Success in modern America is very much measured by the quantity of material possessions one has. A lack of material possessions means one is judged to be unsuccessful. Those people with few material possessions therefore must feel a strong sense of failure.TSA 2010 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
The Eurovision Song Contest is coming in for increasing criticism. No matter how awful the song, Greece can always be relied on to give a maximum 12 points to Cyprus and Russia will vote for the Ukraine. In one year the political voting was so blatant that the commentator for the UK described it as 'ridiculous'. With…TSA 2010 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The coffee machine in our office offers a choice of regular or decaffeinated coffee; black or with one of three sorts of milk (full, semi-skimmed, skimmed); and, for those who want sweetening, either one or two spoonfuls of sugar or one or two non-sugar sweetening tablets.TSA 2010 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
This is the draw for this year's end of season knockout trophy (and the results so far) competed for by sixteen teams that take part in a quiz league: Although teams are drawn against each other, all participating teams in each round answer the same set of 50 questions, worth 2 points each. In the first round, each…TSA 2010 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
My local park has a network of paths linking various locations, as shown below. The stars on the map represent five of the park's landmarks: the fountain, lake, bandstand, statue and bowling green. When I walk round the park, I often vary my routes and I do not always take the shortest route from one place to another.…TSA 2010 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
There is a proposal to change our passports from the present, rather imposing, book-type documents to small plastic cards, a proposal which should be rejected. The cards are seen as having many advantages. For example, they will be easier to fit into people's pockets, something which will become more important as…TSA 2010 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
If Nusra is to find a job that really interests her, then she must be prepared to earn much less than she does in her present job. However, because she is unwilling to sacrifice her current high wage, she will not find a job that would interest her.TSA 2010 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Launched in January 2008 as part of the U.S. administration's response to the looming financial crisis, the creation of the Council of Financial Literacy, though not without merit, is not necessarily the best way to approach things, especially in regard to the meltdown of subprime mortgages. It's certainly true that…TSA 2010 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
The ferry from Harport to Selmer is at sea for 1 hour 15 minutes and at its berth at either end for 30 minutes. The hovercraft service between the same ports takes only 45 minutes and is berthed for 15 minutes before returning. If both leave Harport at 08:00 what is the next time they will both be at the same port…TSA 2010 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
All the telephone numbers in my village have six digits and begin with 58. I have accidentally torn up and thrown away a piece of paper on which I had written the telephone number of a friend who lives nearby. The only piece I can find is the scrap shown below:TSA 2010 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
On a normal die, opposing faces add up to 7. Four views of the same die on which the numbers are arranged differently from a normal die are shown below. The unseen face has the number two on it.TSA 2010 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
In the twenty-first century, many people aged over 65 are perfectly capable of working, and also are likely to live longer than individuals did in previous times. If people work after age 65, there is more chance that they will be financially self-sufficient when they do retire. Compulsory retirement ages have long…TSA 2009 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A manufacturer wishes to make an open-topped box out of the piece of cardboard shown below by folding up its sides.TSA 2009 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
The government blames schools and teachers for boys underperforming. However, science tells a different story. Evolutionary biology shows that females have evolved to have better verbal and emotional skills than males because of the need in prehistoric times for women to take the lead in child rearing. By contrast,…TSA 2009 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
The effect of shortening degree courses at universities from three years to two would be that students would have two-thirds as much time to think about their subject. The result would be graduates whose understanding of their subject was shallower and whose intellectual development was much less extended. Any measure…TSA 2009 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Many people suffer from depression in modern society. This can be alleviated through drugs such as Prozac, which alter the chemical balance of the brain. However, the individual can undergo psychotherapy, which involves talking through problems with a sympathetic and skilled fellow human being with a view to putting…TSA 2009 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
The petrol tank of Jenny's car holds 50 litres of petrol. A warning light comes on when only 5 litres are left. She always fills it as soon as she can after the warning light comes on. The car travels 100km on 8 litres of petrol. Last time she put petrol in, which she was able to do immediately after the light came…TSA 2009 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
The following table gives figures for the percentage growth per year of labour productivity per person per year in various countries during three periods.TSA 2009 · Question 7 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The diagram below shows a rather unusual conference table which may take up a range of configurations. The three pieces are hinged together at the points shown by the circles:TSA 2009 · Question 8 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Zoos are entirely unsuitable places for animals. People visit zoos to learn about animal behaviour but the animals they see are likely to be behaving in abnormal and neurotic ways because of the cramped and unnatural conditions in which they are kept. Zoos should be closed down and the money saved should be…TSA 2009 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Observations of the brains of adult human subjects before and after periods of intense memory recall (for instance preparing for the exams taken by London taxi drivers testing their knowledge of London) have shown surprising results. When comparisons were made between brain scans taken at the start of their…TSA 2009 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
There is widespread and justified concern about the reliance on expert opinion in law court cases. Where experts disagree on an interpretation of the facts, there is always the possibility that the more charismatic and persuasive expert's opinion will prevail for this reason alone. Their reason for holding the…TSA 2009 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Ionnais lives at the bottom of a very steep hill. Worse than that, the post office is at the top. Every Thursday he must go there to collect his pension. He can only walk at 2 km per hour uphill but manages 4 km per hour downhill. The round trip, excluding the wait at the post office, takes him 4½ hours.TSA 2009 · Question 12 · Rates · Save
Telephone network operators offer customers a choice of tariffs, with the tariff broken into two parts: (a) a fixed monthly rental charge regardless of use, and (b) a charge per minute of call time used. The table below shows the tariffs offered by five companies; all figures are given in £. I am considering taking a…TSA 2009 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
100 pellets of chicken food will feed one large chicken and two small chickens for a day. 175 pellets of food will feed two large and three small chickens for a day.TSA 2009 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
A dishonest act, such as stealing money from a handbag or cheating in school, may arise for one of many different reasons. But the reasons may be consistent with the personality of the individual involved. One child may steal, for example, in order to show off; another, to get money to support a hobby (or to get a…TSA 2009 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Unlike motorways in many European countries, British motorways were built with hard shoulders for use in a breakdown or emergency. The proposal to use the hard shoulders to relieve congestion during peak traffic hours should not be adopted. It would be inconvenient for emergency services because when the hard…TSA 2009 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
"I tried a speed reading course and read 'War and Peace' in three hours. It's about Russia." Woody Allen's joke strikes a chord with many who doubt the effectiveness of speed reading techniques. These techniques usually involve moving your finger smoothly and quickly along lines of text and training your eyes to…TSA 2009 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A boy is given…TSA 2009 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
My friend's grandmother went on an overseas trip last year visiting several countries. When he visited her this summer she claimed she had not been able to buy him a gift as every country she visited was having a public holiday while she was there. He was very suspicious and consulted his diary to find out whether…TSA 2009 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
The diagram shows three pulleys driven by belts. Pulley A and the small, inner pulley at B are 1 m across, the outer pulley at B is 2 m across and pulley C is 4 m across.TSA 2009 · Question 20 · Rates · Save
The most common excuse for the poor performance of English school children at learning foreign languages is the fact that English is so widely spoken in the world. Thus, when the English travel to another country, they feel little need to become proficient in the local language. But that cannot explain why, amongst…TSA 2009 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
If I do more work tonight, I will earn more money. However, if I go for a bike ride, I will get fitter. I need to get fitter more than I need more money. So, I will go for a bike ride.TSA 2009 · Question 22 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The increasing use of mobile phones on trains and in restaurants shows a serious lack of consideration for other people. Yes, of course, it is very convenient to be able to conduct your business while travelling or waiting for your food, and, whether we like it or not, the technology is here to stay. But nobody really…TSA 2009 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
Hockey is an 11-a-side game, but a team may consist of up to 16 players, with unlimited substitutions allowed throughout a match of 70 minutes duration. Roger captains the Buccaneers hockey team. He has 16 players for today's match. He will play the whole match himself, as will the goalkeeper. He intends to rotate all…TSA 2009 · Question 24 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Julie lives in London. She has three daughters; April, who lives in New York (where the local time is 5 hours behind London), May, who lives in Vancouver (8 hours behind London), and June, who lives in Tokyo (9 hours ahead of London). They all communicate with each other regularly. Last week April received a text…TSA 2009 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
This is a map of the island of Metallica showing the eight main towns (labelled P - W) and the roads that connect them, together with a chart giving the shortest distance (in km) by road between each pair of towns:TSA 2009 · Question 26 · Spatial · Save
Over-qualification is sometimes cited as a reason for rejecting an applicant for a job. But to qualify means to reach a certain standard regardless of the amount by which that standard is surpassed. If someone holding a first-class honours degree is rejected for a job on the grounds that academic excellence is less…TSA 2009 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
The so-called 'baby-boomer' generation (people born in Britain in the late 1940's /early 1950's) will enjoy a good chance of reaching a ripe old-age. They benefited from a diet that was austere but healthy when they were children and this has influenced their adult tastes. In addition, people in this age group have…TSA 2009 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
A kidney can be taken safely from a living person, and can save the life of a dying patient. Given that the demand for kidney transplants exceeds the supply of donated kidneys, the law in the UK that forbids people to sell one of their kidneys should be abolished, because this would result in a greater number of…TSA 2009 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
In a particular year the month of January (which has 31 days) contains five Fridays.TSA 2009 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
A small restaurant is open for 45 weeks each year. It employs 6 people at total wages of £1200 per week (they are not paid when the restaurant is closed). It is open for lunch on Monday to Friday and dinner on Tuesday to Saturday and on average 20 people eat at each opening. The owners pay rental on the premises of…TSA 2009 · Question 31 · Rates · Save
Boland City has just installed a new tram system. Several artists have been asked to come up with a map of the system which, whilst it may not show the exact relative positions of the stations, shows the connections between them correctly. The five maps are shown below (the names of the stations are not marked).TSA 2009 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
In cricket, the world's fastest bowlers bowl at speeds of over ninety miles per hour. When the bowler releases the ball he is less than twenty metres away from the batsman, which means that the batsman has less than half a second to react to the ball and select his shot. According to scientists this is impossible, as…TSA 2009 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Education in this country has entered a spiral of decline. In recent attainment tests, almost half of 11-year-olds performed at an under-average level. The government claims that standards are improving as a result of league tables and National Curriculum Strategies, but these results prove that tests are simply…TSA 2009 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
It is possible to think that someone is right to do whatever serves his own ends, including murder, theft and deceit, and to admire his ruthlessness. But one cannot think that this is not morally wrong. The phrase 'morally wrong' is not meaningless. There are some things, such as those mentioned above, which would…TSA 2009 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
The rowing machine in our gym has a display that tells the user how much work they have done. The display shows the following information:TSA 2009 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
When Mrs Brown looks out of her back room window, a bungalow 7m high and 30m beyond her garden fence is just obscured by a shrub in her hedge which is 1.6m high. She wants to choose a tree to plant beside the shrub which, when fully grown, will have the same effect on a small block of flats 20m high beside the…TSA 2009 · Question 37 · Logic · Save
The graph below shows Northern Ireland house prices as a percentage of the UK average (1980=100%) for the period 1980 to 1986.TSA 2009 · Question 38 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
In attempting to reduce the high injury toll from road offences such as drink-driving, successive governments have tended to rely on the deterrent effect of increasingly severe penalties. However, severe penalties can act as a deterrent only if potential offenders believe that the chances of being detected are…TSA 2009 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
Athletes who have huge potential to draw both live and television audiences expect to be rewarded financially for their skill and hours of dedication in training. However, large prize money at televised meetings does nothing to help future generations of athletes who need time off work and good facilities to achieve…TSA 2009 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Undoubtedly, early upbringing affects your social adjustment in later life. A recent study demonstrated that many children of parents who act aggressively towards their offspring grow up to be violent as adults. Consequently, if we could stop parents behaving aggressively towards their children, we would be able to…TSA 2009 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
To take part in the National Lottery, entrants must select six different numbers between 1 and 49 inclusive. My mother asked me to buy a National Lottery ticket for her. "Choose any six numbers you like," she said, "but make sure that each one is a multiple of 3, or contains a 3, or 6 or 9."TSA 2009 · Question 42 · Logic · Save
Oliver's first job is with Bubble Engineering Ltd. The company grants paid holidays each year on the following basis:TSA 2009 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
The pattern below shows part of the tiling of a large floor in a community centre. It is made up of two types of tile: a hexagon and a triangle.TSA 2009 · Question 44 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
In Britain, wetland areas have traditionally been used for cattle farming, which requires drainage of the land to allow cattle to graze in summer. However, maintaining the marshy conditions in wetlands is vital to the survival of the varieties of wildlife and plants which are exclusive to such areas. Because the…TSA 2009 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
The proportion of time people devote in their lives to travelling from A to B has been constant over history. So the advent of high speed forms of transport simply means that people will travel greater distances.TSA 2009 · Question 46 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
There has recently been concern about people who have had blood transfusions. Some blood donors have gone on to develop CJD, the human form of BSE i.e. 'mad cow disease'. There is a small chance that people who have received this blood may also go on to develop CJD. However the risk is small, there is nothing that can…TSA 2009 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
Starting from its depot in town X, a delivery lorry is to make deliveries to three towns A, B and C, in any order which the driver chooses and finally to return to X. Straight roads connect each town to every other town.TSA 2009 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
A rainwater butt in Joan's garden fills from a flat roof of an equivalent area to 25 square metres. The butt holds 200 litres and is full when Joan starts using it in the summer. During the gardening season, 160 litres falls on each square metre of roof. Only half of this is collected as the rest evaporates. Joan uses…TSA 2009 · Question 49 · Rates · Save
Four triangles of card coloured on one side are joined as shown. The joined triangles are then folded and joined to make a pyramid.TSA 2009 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
Sometimes poverty is defined in relation to average income. For example, people may be said to be poor if their income is less than 60 per cent of the average income for the population. This is not a legitimate definition, because it is a measure of inequality rather than poverty. This is obvious if we consider the…TSA 2008 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A child's bus fare is cheaper than the adult fare but is more than half the adult fare. The total cost of a single journey for an adult and two children is £1.20. Adult fares are all multiples of 10 p.TSA 2008 · Question 2 · Logic · Save
Over the past ten years, there has been a four-fold increase in the number of people killed in road accidents who are found to have illegal drugs in their bodies. The rate of increase is much greater than the corresponding rate for those people killed in accidents who were found with alcohol in their blood. This shows…TSA 2008 · Question 3 · Identify Flaws · Save
Socialist politicians are often taunted by their opponents for leading lifestyles similar to those of their capitalist counterparts. The theme of the taunts runs like this; 'You object on socialist principles to gross inequalities in the distribution of wealth; yet you enjoy a higher personal standard of living than…TSA 2008 · Question 4 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
The Executive of the Students' Union has recently carried out a survey to identify dangerous areas on campus. The survey led to the recommendation and implementation of measures such as improved lighting in suspect areas. Such reforms can only help to reduce the number of attacks on campus. However, the University…TSA 2008 · Question 5 · Assumption · Save
Steven has a customised motorcycle that he is very proud of and shows regularly in competitions. It is very important to him that his presentation is perfect and he likes to stop in front of the judges with both his tyre valves in the same position. The front tyre is smaller than the rear to aid its handling. The…TSA 2008 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
I have so many four digit code numbers to remember that I cannot keep them all in my head. The banks say you should not write down your Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) for cash and credit cards and keep them in a wallet with the cards. So I can find out what the numbers are, I have devised a code which should…TSA 2008 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
The drawing shows a sculpture as seen from above.TSA 2008 · Question 8 · Logic · Save
Some of the great sea-mammals, such as the sperm whale, have brains many times larger than ours. It is a fact of evolution that organs do not grow or remain large unless they are used; if they are not used they shrink or even disappear. It must be concluded therefore that the sperm whale makes intelligent use of the…TSA 2008 · Question 9 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Mrs Jackson said that, if Mrs List were promoted, she would resign and we definitely do not want to lose Mrs Jackson. However, we are not going to promote Mrs List: we are going to offer the promotion to Mr Wade. Therefore Mrs Jackson will not resign.TSA 2008 · Question 10 · Identify Flaws · Save
There is much evidence to suggest that cannabis has therapeutic uses for people suffering from conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Given this, the prescription of cannabis should be made legal. If doctors were legally allowed to prescribe cannabis, multiple sclerosis sufferers and others might be spared much pain.…TSA 2008 · Question 11 · Main Conclusion · Save
Pierre and Marc are waiters. In one particular month, Pierre worked 30 sessions at the normal rate and 10 sessions at the overtime rate. Marc worked 20 sessions at the normal rate and 5 sessions at the overtime rate. At the end of this month, Pierre earned 700 euros. Marc earned 425 euros.TSA 2008 · Question 12 · Rates · Save
The chart below shows the distribution of results this season for the Arlsea Strikers hockey team. They have played 24 matches to date and lost none.TSA 2008 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
The cut out below was folded together to make a cube.TSA 2008 · Question 14 · Logic · Save
Random drug-testing of prisoners was introduced in 1995 in order to solve the many problems associated with prisoners taking drugs. Since cannabis can be detected in the body up to a month after having been smoked, prisoners are tempted to switch to heroin, which stays in the system for only 48 hours. As a result,…TSA 2008 · Question 15 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
It is not always clear whether a doctor should tell the truth to a patient or not. On the one hand, patients have a right to know what is the matter with them and what the future holds, so that they can make their own informed decisions, however upsetting the truth may be. It is a simple issue of human rights. But on…TSA 2008 · Question 16 · Assumption · Save
Birds of the tit family are very fond of tearing paper - wallpaper, newspaper, notices and bank notes included. They make no use of the paper they have torn. We might explain this puzzling behaviour by noting that the technique that they use for tearing paper is identical to their technique for stripping tree bark to…TSA 2008 · Question 17 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Inflation in Bolandia has been a steady 10% per year for many years. Evitan, a Bolandian citizen, bought his car one year ago for 500 Bols. He now wants to trade in his car for an identical model. He can expect to receive 80% of the current new value of his existing car. The price of new models has increased in line…TSA 2008 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
The table below shows the unemployment rate and percent change in industrial production over the last year for several countries.TSA 2008 · Question 19 · Rates · Save
The roads on Bolandia all run either north - south or east - west and are laid out on a 5km grid. Ahmed and Wayne are delivery drivers. One morning, Ahmed starts at Abbeytown and drives 5km west then 15km south to reach Barneyville. He then drives 5km east to Carloston. Wayne started at Barneyville, drove 5km south to…TSA 2008 · Question 20 · Spatial · Save
The government has announced that it wants to reduce the level of ill-health due to workplace stress. Ministers could learn a lot from a recent study of 8000 white-collar workers in America which found that men who had a high level of control over the way they carried out their jobs had a low rate of heart disease, a…TSA 2008 · Question 21 · Identify Flaws · Save
You can become a good pianist if you start to learn at an early age. You did not start to learn until you were an adult, so you cannot become a good pianist.TSA 2008 · Question 22 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
If something I do results in someone's death, I am, of course, responsible for that death. But am I similarly responsible if someone's death results from my failure to act? For example, if I go and shoot someone, their death is my fault. But if I refuse to give money to a starving person and that person dies as a…TSA 2008 · Question 23 · Principle · Save
A long-running play in London's West End is performed every evening except Sunday. In addition, there are matinee performances every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.TSA 2008 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
Peter is having a large conservatory built at the back of his house. Below is a plan of the project, showing when each part of the conservatory is to be built. Each blocked square on the plan represents one man for one day.TSA 2008 · Question 25 · Optimisation · Save
The design of a tile for a bathroom wall is shown below:TSA 2008 · Question 26 · Logic · Save
The quantity of food produced has always fluctuated according to environmental conditions: gluts and shortages have been with us for five hundred years or more. In the past, the free operation of market forces limited the adverse effects of these fluctuations, usually with far more success than any attempts at planned…TSA 2008 · Question 27 · Main Conclusion · Save
Scientists are now developing genetically modified crop plants that produce their own pesticide. But pesticides are only effective if they are not overused; if they are applied continuously for long periods, then the pests that they are supposed to kill develop resistance to them. Pesticides only remain effective…TSA 2008 · Question 28 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
In the case of plastic drink bottles, recycling is not the best answer to the problem of garbage disposal. Ninety five per cent of soft-drink bottles sold in the United States are made of a compound of polyethylene (PET) which poses recycling problems. They are potentially carcinogenic if recycled into new food or…TSA 2008 · Question 29 · Assumption · Save
I am resurfacing my driveway using bricks in the pattern shown below. The visible part of the brick measures 10cm by 20cm. To achieve a rectangular shape, part of some of the bricks must be cut off. The part which is cut off can be used elsewhere on the drive. The diagram shows that eight bricks would be required to…TSA 2008 · Question 30 · Spatial · Save
John has 15kg of general potting compost which is made up of 1/3 sand and 2/3 coir. He wants compost to repot some conifers which require a better draining mixture of 60% sand to 40% coir.TSA 2008 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
A netball tournament is divided into two stages. In the first stage, the teams are divided into equal groups within which each team plays every other team once. In the second stage, the winners of each group take part in a knockout competition which starts with four quarter finals.TSA 2008 · Question 32 · Logic · Save
Catalytic convertors are increasingly being fitted to cars as a means of reducing some of the harmful emissions from car exhausts. But, though they eliminate one form of pollution, their action serves only to create another one. Ground-level ozone is kept at very low levels in the cities by some of the pollutants…TSA 2008 · Question 33 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Membership of the European Union (EU) has resulted in the maintenance of economic growth and political stability for the countries that make it up. It is desirable that the countries that used to be part of the Communist Eastern Bloc become comparably prosperous and stable. Therefore the European Union should be…TSA 2008 · Question 34 · Identify Flaws · Save
All's fair in love and war - and motor racing. That's how some commentators view the failed attempt by a great driver to disable his main rival's car by steering into it. Had he succeeded, he would have won the championship, because he was ahead on points. Fair? Why not? It may have been dangerous and irresponsible…TSA 2008 · Question 35 · Main Conclusion · Save
Below is part of an itinerary for flying from London to Kampala. It involves changing flights at Dubai with a wait of 5 hours 15 minutes. All times are local times. Dubai is 4 hours ahead of London and Kampala is 1 hour behind Dubai. DEPART LONDON (HEATHROW) 22:30 FRI 30.01.04 DEPART DUBAI 14:30 SAT 31.01.04 ARRIVE…TSA 2008 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
Peter needs to separate his sheep into 16 square pens. Each side of a pen is formed by a free-standing barrier known as a hurdle. Each pen must be individually accessible on at least one side so that sheep can be penned or released without a risk of the others escaping.TSA 2008 · Question 37 · Rates · Save
A piece of ribbon 8m long is folded in half so the two ends are on top of each other. This doubled 4m length is then folded in half again. The folded, 2m length of ribbon is then cut right through at its midway point.TSA 2008 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Ecotourism now accounts for twenty per cent of tourists. It should provide a sustainable alternative to overuse of natural resources. However, tourists may introduce new diseases to animal populations. Mongooses and meerkats in Botswana have died from tuberculosis caught from humans, and gorillas in East Africa picked…TSA 2008 · Question 39 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
French golfer, Jean Van de Velde, appeared to throw away his big chance to win the Open Championship, after giving up what could only be described as an unassailable lead. Most players would have been distraught to have victory snatched from them in such a way. But, interviewed afterwards, Van de Velde pointed out…TSA 2008 · Question 40 · Assumption · Save
Electrical goods retailers often offer 'extended warranties' which guarantee free repairs if the product breaks down during the term of the warranty. Salespeople are keen to persuade customers to buy these warranties because they gain substantial commission from them. Customers may also be tempted to buy them, since…TSA 2008 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A small mail order company sends out three sizes of parcel in about equal numbers which require postages of 24c, 30c and 72c. They stock stamps in denominations of 6c and 30c and use the minimum number of stamps on each parcel.TSA 2008 · Question 42 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Every year the 12 local teams that compete for the Tipley and District Tiddlywinks Trophy are split into two leagues for the purpose of eliminating four of the teams, and sorting out the pairings for the knockout stage of the competition. The table below shows how this is done (QF is Quarter Final). This year's league…TSA 2008 · Question 43 · Logic · Save
Jess buys two lengths of carpet in the sales. The carpet is 4m wide and one of the lengths purchased is 4m long while the other is 6m. There is a very pronounced pattern which means that the pieces can only be joined so that the pattern runs the same way. Jess will only accept one join.TSA 2008 · Question 44 · Logic · Save
Over the past few years in parts of the South West, a number of farm animals have been found killed in the fields. The nature of the injuries indicates that a large predator must have been responsible. Local people talk of a number of 'big cats' such as pumas being responsible, claiming that such animals have indeed…TSA 2008 · Question 45 · Main Conclusion · Save
If you intend to have a fire you will need dry kindling wood and a firelighter. Unfortunately the kindling wood has been left out in the rain. So, even though you have a firelighter, you will not be able to light the fire.TSA 2008 · Question 46 · Drawing Conclusions · Save
If the government gives financial support for the arts, this means that a proportion of each person's taxes will be used to finance museums and theatres. But some people who pay taxes never set foot in a museum or a theatre and those who do use these services are usually well able to afford to pay for them. Since no…TSA 2008 · Question 47 · Principle · Save
In a prize weight-lifting competition the winner receives $100 i f h e l i f t s 80 k g . He t h e n rece i v es$ 10 for the next 5 additional kg, $15 f or t h eseco n d, an d t h e in cre m e n t a lp r i ze m o n ey in cre a ses b y a f u r t h er$ 5 for each additional unit of 5kg he successfully lifts. The winner of the competition lifts 110kg.TSA 2008 · Question 48 · Logic · Save
The table below shows the expenses by month for a given household.TSA 2008 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
Vinod and Sarah are about to move some cube-shaped boxes that have been left in the middle of a store room. The appearance of the boxes from above and the positions of Vinod and Sarah are shown below.TSA 2008 · Question 50 · Logic · Save
Recent proposals to introduce a sugar tax have been criticised as an unacceptable interference in personal freedom. However, this objection misunderstands the nature of modern food consumption. When sugar was a luxury, personal choice was meaningful. Today, processed foods containing hidden sugars dominate supermarket…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 1 · Main Conclusion · Save
A car rental company offers two different pricing plans for one-day rentals:TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 2 · Rates · Save
The government has announced plans to make computer programming a compulsory subject in primary schools. Supporters argue this will prepare children for a digital economy. Yet the specific programming languages taught today will likely be obsolete within a decade. The real value of education lies not in teaching…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 3 · Main Conclusion · Save
Companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence to screen job applications, with algorithms assessing CVs and ranking candidates before any human involvement. Proponents argue this removes human bias from hiring, as algorithms make decisions based solely on objective qualifications and experience. Traditional…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 4 · Assumption · Save
Archaeological evidence shows that ancient civilizations that developed writing systems subsequently experienced rapid advances in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing around 3200 BCE, and within centuries had developed sophisticated mathematical concepts and monumental…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 5 · Identify Flaws · Save
Four houses stand in a row, numbered 1 to 4 from left to right. Each house is painted a different colour: blue, green, red, or yellow. Based on the following information, what colour is house number 3?TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 6 · Logic · Save
Anna and Ben are playing a strategic game with a pile of 18 tokens. They take turns removing tokens from the pile, with Anna going first. On each turn, a player must remove either 1, 2, or 3 tokens. The player who removes the last token wins the game. Both players play optimally, meaning they will always make the move…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
Two separate bakeries sell two types of pastries: croissants and muffinsTSA Original Paper 1 · Question 8 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Advocates of universal basic income claim it would eliminate poverty and give people freedom to pursue meaningful work. However, these benefits assume people would use the income wisely. In areas where unconditional cash transfers have been trialled, some recipients have indeed started businesses or gained education.…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 9 · Main Conclusion · Save
Educational reformers argue that schools should abolish traditional examinations and replace them with continuous assessment based on coursework and projects. They point out that examinations create enormous stress for students, with many experiencing anxiety that impairs their performance. Examinations test only a…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 10 · Assumption · Save
Countries with high levels of social trust, where citizens generally believe others are trustworthy and cooperative, consistently rank highest in international happiness surveys. Norway, Denmark, and Finland, which lead global trust indices, also dominate happiness rankings. Conversely, countries with low social…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 11 · Identify Flaws · Save
A coffee shop charges the following prices:TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 12 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
Trains run regularly between Millford and Parkside, stopping at Oakley, Newbridge and Hartwell, according to the following timetable. (see image) Rachel lives a 12-minute walk away from Oakley station. She needs to attend a meeting in Parkside that starts at 16:45. It will take her 8 minutes to walk from Parkside…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 13 · Optimisation · Save
Jake has a 6-hour layover at an airport (from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm) and wants to make the most of his time by visiting attractions in the nearby city. He has identified five activities he would like to do and has written these down in the table below. Travel time from the airport to the city center is 30 minutes each…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 14 · Optimisation · Save
Historians have long debated whether individuals shape history or whether historical forces determine outcomes regardless of individuals. This debate is misconceived. When we examine turning points like the Cuban Missile Crisis, individual decisions clearly mattered: different personalities might have led to nuclear…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 15 · Main Conclusion · Save
Hospital mortality rates have declined significantly since the introduction of electronic health records (EHR) systems. Hospitals that implemented EHR systems in 2015 saw mortality rates decrease by an average of 15% by 2018, whilst hospitals without such systems saw only minimal improvement. Electronic records allow…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 16 · Identify Flaws · Save
Astronomers have detected unusual radio signals from a distant star system that repeat in a regular pattern every 157 days. The signals have characteristics that distinguish them from known natural phenomena such as pulsars or magnetars. Natural cosmic events typically produce either random signals or patterns…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 17 · Assumption · Save
In a card game, points are accumulated by collecting different combinations of four card types called a star, a moon, a cloud and a sun. Playing the game for the first time, the only knowledge I have about the scoring system is that a star is worth two points less than a moon, and a moon is worth half as many points…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 18 · Logic · Save
Sarah has two different mixtures of paint. She wants to use these two mixtures to make 12 litres of a paint mixture which is 60% blue paint and 40% yellow paint.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 19 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
There are two separate bags of coffee available at my local supermarket. Coffee Bag A is 200g and priced at £2.40. I need to use 15g of this coffee to get my desired coffee strength each day. Coffee Bag B is 500g and priced at £4.00. I need to use double the amount I used in Coffee Bag A to get my desired coffee…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 20 · Rates · Save
Pharmaceutical companies justify high drug prices by citing research and development costs. They claim that without substantial profits from successful drugs, they cannot fund the research needed to discover new treatments. This argument collapses under scrutiny. Much fundamental research is actually conducted in…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 21 · Main Conclusion · Save
The rise in childhood obesity has been attributed to increased consumption of sugary drinks. Public health officials note that soft drink consumption among children has tripled over the past thirty years, precisely the period during which childhood obesity rates have surged. A tax on sugary drinks would increase their…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 22 · Assumption · Save
The government has introduced mandatory financial literacy classes in secondary schools to address the growing problem of personal debt among young adults. Recent graduates consistently struggle with credit card debt, student loans, and poor savings habits. Financial education will teach students essential skills like…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 23 · Weakening Arguments · Save
Emma and James are choosing a gym membership for the year. They have searched online and reduced their choice to five gyms. The facilities offered by these gyms are shown in the following table. Ideally, Emma and James would like a gym with a swimming pool, personal training sessions, group classes, 24-hour access,…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 24 · Optimisation · Save
Sarah and Tom play a game where they need to form words from letters. The value of each letter is a whole number of points (which can be 0). Sarah and Tom earn points by adding together the value of the letters in the words they form. The value of the last three words they formed is shown in the table below. Tom has…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 25 · Logic · Save
Lucy and Sam ran a 200 metre race. Lucy started 4 seconds after Sam and finished 2 seconds before him. If each person ran at a constant speed throughout the race, and Lucy's speed was 20% faster than Sam's, for how many seconds did Lucy run?TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 26 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
If the museum opens a new exhibition, then visitor numbers will increase. If visitor numbers increase, the museum will need to hire additional staff. The museum has not hired additional staff, so the new exhibition must not have opened.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 27 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
The government has introduced a new tax on sugary drinks to combat rising obesity rates. Critics argue that this unfairly targets low-income families who are more likely to purchase these products. However, the revenue raised from this tax will be invested directly into health programmes and sports facilities in…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 28 · Principle · Save
Researchers have discovered that people who drink coffee regularly have significantly lower rates of Parkinson's disease than non-coffee drinkers. The relationship is dose-dependent: those who drink more coffee have even lower rates of the disease. This finding has been replicated in studies across different…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 29 · Identify Flaws · Save
A train travels from Station A to Station B at an average speed of 60 km/h. On the return journey from Station B to Station A, the train travels at an average speed of 40 km/h. The entire round trip takes exactly 5 hours.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 30 · Logic · Save
In a lottery, tickets are printed with 3-digit numbers from 001 to 999. Contestants pay to take a ticket at random. A major prize is awarded for all tickets where the sum of the 3 digits on the ticket drawn is 6, and a minor prize is awarded when the sum is 5. For example, 123 wins a major prize because 1 + 2 + 3 = 6.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 31 · Logic · Save
A robot moves on a 4×4 grid. It starts at the top-left corner and needs to reach the bottom-right corner. The robot can only move right or down (never left or up). Each square on the grid has a number showing the points collected when the robot passes through that square. The robot collects points from every square it…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 32 · Optimisation · Save
Any student who completes all the coursework assignments will pass the module. Sarah has passed the module, so she must have completed all the coursework assignments.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 33 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
When Max was struggling with difficult coursework, his teacher spent extra time helping him after school without any additional payment. Now that Max has graduated and become successful, he volunteers at a local youth centre, helping disadvantaged students with their studies. Max believes that because he received help…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 34 · Principle · Save
City planners have proposed converting a central car park into a public green space with trees, gardens, and pedestrian areas. They argue this will improve air quality in the city centre, which currently exceeds safe pollution levels. Studies show that urban trees can absorb significant amounts of nitrogen dioxide and…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 35 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A data transmission system encodes messages using sequences of the letters A, B, C, and D. Each letter appears exactly twice in every valid 8-letter code. Additionally, the code must contain at least one pair of identical letters that appear in adjacent positions. For security purposes, the code cannot have more than…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 36 · Logic · Save
In September, Rachel used her new, UK-based Riverside Bank credit card for the first time. The summary details for this card are shown below. She bought goods to the value of £1500 in the UK. She also withdrew £200 in cash from a UK cash machine.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 37 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
A sports club is organizing a weekend training camp for its members. The camp charges £45 for senior members (aged 18 and over) and £32 for junior members (aged 12-17). The club must also hire qualified coaches at £40 per coach. Regulations require one coach for every 6 junior members (or part thereof). Senior members…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 38 · Logic · Save
Either the burglar entered through the window or through the door. We know the window was locked from the inside all night. Therefore, the burglar must have entered through the door.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 39 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
A controversial new drug has been developed that significantly reduces the symptoms of a rare genetic disease. However, the pharmaceutical company charges £100,000 per year for treatment, which the National Health Service considers too expensive. The company argues that the high price is justified because they need to…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 40 · Principle · Save
Medical researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect five different types of cancer at early stages. The test identifies specific proteins that tumours release into the bloodstream. In clinical trials, the test correctly identified cancer in 85% of patients who were later confirmed to have the disease.…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 41 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A shuttle bus service operates between the city center and the airport. It runs from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm every day. Each journey takes 35 minutes. Between journeys, there is a 15-minute break at the airport for the driver to rest and check the vehicle. On weekdays (Monday to Friday), this break is extended to 25…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 42 · Optimisation · Save
A railway level crossing has barriers controlled by traffic lights. The normal sequence is for the road to have a green light for 40 seconds, followed by the barriers coming down for trains to pass. When a train approaches, the lights turn amber for 3 seconds, then red. The barriers take 8 seconds to fully lower.…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 43 · Optimisation · Save
The Big Mac Index is used by economists to compare currency values across different countries. The tables show data from January 2025 and January 2015. A positive percentage indicates the currency is overvalued compared to the US dollar, while a negative percentage indicates it is undervalued.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 44 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
All members of the chess club are also members of the debating society. Priya is not a member of the debating society, so she cannot be a member of the chess club.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 45 · Parallel Reasoning · Save
Professor Chen has published research showing that a particular teaching method is highly effective. However, she refuses to share the detailed methodology with other educators, claiming that she developed it over many years and wishes to protect her intellectual property. Her critics argue that as an academic whose…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 46 · Principle · Save
A technology company has implemented a four-day working week, reducing hours from 40 to 32 per week without reducing salaries. Management argues this will increase productivity, pointing to research showing that tired workers make more mistakes and work less efficiently. Employees have responded enthusiastically,…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 47 · Weakening Arguments · Save
The numbers of fiction and non-fiction books sold at a bookshop in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are shown in the graph below.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 48 · Ratio/Proportion/Percentage · Save
The table below shows the average monthly rainfall for a town for each year from 2015 to 2030 along with a moving 5-year average (the value shown beside 2030 is the average from 2026 to 2030 inclusive). Three values are missing from the table.TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 49 · Logic · Save
Archaeologists have concluded that a newly discovered ancient settlement was abandoned due to drought. Analysis of tree rings from the period shows significantly reduced rainfall for a fifteen-year period coinciding with the site's abandonment. The settlement's location in an arid region would have made it…TSA Original Paper 1 · Question 50 · Weakening Arguments · Save
A parking garage has three zones: Blue (B), Red (R), and Yellow (Y), each with different hourly rates. The garage has the following rules: Parking in Red costs £2 more per hour than parking in Blue Parking in Yellow costs £1 more per hour than parking in Red If you park for exactly 2 hours, you get £3 off your total…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 1 · Logic · Save
The fundamental issue is not private schools themselves but economic inequality that allows some parents to secure advantages for their children. Critics argue that private schools perpetuate inequality and should be abolished. They point out that privately educated students are vastly overrepresented in positions of…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 2 · Main Conclusion · Save
Four friends - Alex, Ben, Clara, and Dana - play a card game where they each start with a different number of cards. During the game: Alex gives 3 cards to Ben Ben then gives 5 cards to Clara Clara then gives 2 cards to Dana After all exchanges, they discover that Alex and Clara now have the same number of cards After…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 3 · Logic · Save
Meditation and mindfulness practices have become enormously popular in corporate settings, with companies offering meditation apps and mindfulness training to employees. Proponents claim these practices reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Research does show that meditation can lower stress levels in controlled…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 4 · Main Conclusion · Save
Five popular brands of protein bars are shown in the table below, with comparisons of their nutritional content, the weight of each bar, and the cost for a box of six bars. Marcus wants to buy the protein bars that contain the greatest amount of protein per pound spent. Which brand of protein bar should Marcus buy?TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 5 · Logic · Save
Economists have long assumed that people make rational decisions to maximise their self-interest. Behavioural economics has challenged this assumption by documenting numerous ways in which people's decisions deviate from rational self-interest. People pay more attention to potential losses than equivalent gains, are…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 6 · Main Conclusion · Save
A game show has two contestants, Alice and Bob. The host offers them £100 to split between them using these rules: Alice proposes a split (she decides how much she gets and how much Bob gets) Bob can either accept or reject the proposal If Bob accepts, they both get the money according to Alice's proposal If Bob…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 7 · Logic · Save
The rise of artificial intelligence has prompted calls for regulation to ensure AI systems are transparent and explainable. Regulators want to understand how AI makes decisions, particularly in sensitive areas like criminal justice or medical diagnosis. We would be forcing AI to be less intelligent than it could be if…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 8 · Main Conclusion · Save
Two competing coffee shops, Shop A and Shop B, are located next to each other. Each morning, they must simultaneously decide whether to charge a high price (£3.50) or low price (£2.50) for coffee. The number of customers they get depends on both shops' choices: If both charge high: Each shop gets 40 customers If both…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 9 · Logic · Save
Environmental campaigners often advocate for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint through lifestyle changes like cycling instead of driving or eating less meat. These actions are certainly admirable, and individual actions can raise awareness and demonstrate commitment. However, such personal efforts will not…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 10 · Main Conclusion · Save
The laundry detergent that I normally buy costs £6.40 for a 2-litre bottle and always lasts for 32 washes. Last month I decided to try a new brand that is £1.40 more expensive and contains 2.5 litres. However, because of the amount that I have had to use to get my clothes properly clean, it has run out after only 25…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 11 · Logic · Save
Students who participate in extracurricular activities at university tend to achieve higher grades than those who do not. A recent study tracked 2,000 students over three years and found that those involved in sports teams, debating societies, or music groups averaged 8% higher marks than their peers who focused…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 12 · Identify Flaws · Save
David is preparing 250 welcome packs for new students at his college. Each pack contains: A campus map - this is printed on A4 sized paper on both sides so that it may be folded to form 4 sections. A timetable on one side and a term calendar on the other - two of these are printed on a sheet of A4 paper which is then…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 13 · Logic · Save
The introduction of speed cameras on British roads has been followed by a reduction in road traffic accidents. In areas where cameras were installed in 2018, accident rates fell by an average of 23% over the following two years. This demonstrates that speed cameras are highly effective at preventing accidents. Critics…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 14 · Identify Flaws · Save
The table shows the cost of snacks in a school canteen. Fruit £0.80 Sandwich £1.60 Pastry £2.40 Tim bought a number of snacks, including at least one of each type. He was charged £20.00. If he bought twice as many fruits as sandwiches, what was the maximum number of snacks that Tim could have bought for £20.00?TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 15 · Logic · Save
Studies have found that children who learn musical instruments tend to have larger vocabularies and better reading comprehension than children who do not. This relationship has been observed across multiple countries and socioeconomic groups. Music education clearly enhances language development. The explanation is…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 16 · Identify Flaws · Save
The battery of Amir's phone holds 4000mAh of charge. A notification appears when only 400mAh remains. He always charges it as soon as he can after the notification appears. The phone uses 50mAh per hour of use. Last time his battery notification appeared, which he was able to charge immediately, he only had access to…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 17 · Logic · Save
Adolescents who eat breakfast regularly perform better academically than those who skip breakfast. Nutritionists have long emphasised the importance of breakfast for concentration and cognitive function. A five-year longitudinal study found that students who ate breakfast at least five times per week scored on average…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 18 · Identify Flaws · Save
A pizza restaurant offers customers a choice of thin or thick crust; small or medium size; one of four toppings (pepperoni, mushroom, vegetarian, or plain cheese); and, for those who want it, either regular or extra mozzarella. How many different kinds of pizza can be ordered?TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 19 · Logic · Save
Medical researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect five different types of cancer at early stages. The test identifies specific proteins that tumours release into the bloodstream. In clinical trials, the test correctly identified cancer in 85% of patients who were later confirmed to have the disease.…TSA Original Paper 2 · Question 20 · Weakening Arguments · Save

820 of 850Show 20 more

TARA/Questions

TARAQuestions