Sectional Test: Logical Reasoning (CLAT Pattern – Difficulty: Hard)
This Logical Reasoning test is designed to help you prepare for the kind of questions you’ll face in CLAT. The questions are tough, with close options that test your thinking and focus. Use this set to practise how to read carefully, spot weak arguments, and make smart inferences.
At the end, you’ll find clear explanations to help you learn from each answer. Give it your best!
Q1. A recent study found that people who consume more coffee tend to have better short-term memory. Based on this, a memory supplement company claimed that caffeine intake improves brain function significantly and started promoting its pills as memory boosters, citing this study.
Which of the following most weakens the company’s claim?
A. The study did not find a correlation between coffee and long-term memory.
B. The study involved only individuals aged 18–25.
C. The study did not isolate caffeine from other compounds in coffee.
D. Some people report better memory without consuming caffeine.
A. The study did not find a correlation between coffee and long-term memory.
B. The study involved only individuals aged 18–25.
C. The study did not isolate caffeine from other compounds in coffee.
D. Some people report better memory without consuming caffeine.
Q2. All runners are disciplined. Some disciplined people wake up early. Therefore, some runners wake up early.
Which of the following best evaluates the reasoning?
A. The conclusion logically follows.
B. The conclusion may be true, but the reasoning is flawed.
C. The conclusion is necessarily false.
D. The reasoning is valid only if all early risers are runners.
A. The conclusion logically follows.
B. The conclusion may be true, but the reasoning is flawed.
C. The conclusion is necessarily false.
D. The reasoning is valid only if all early risers are runners.
Q3. A tech company stated that their new air purifier removes 99% of pollutants. However, a consumer report pointed out that this figure was achieved under ideal lab conditions with air already containing relatively low levels of pollutants.
Which of the following can be inferred from the report’s statement?
A. The purifier is ineffective in real homes.
B. Lab conditions do not simulate real-world air quality.
C. The purifier removes exactly 99% of all pollutants.
D. The company lied about its purifier’s performance.
A. The purifier is ineffective in real homes.
B. Lab conditions do not simulate real-world air quality.
C. The purifier removes exactly 99% of all pollutants.
D. The company lied about its purifier’s performance.
Q4. A school implemented a new teaching method that improved test scores in math. The principal claimed the method was solely responsible for this improvement.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the principal’s claim?
A. Students reported enjoying math more with the new method.
B. Other subjects did not see a similar improvement.
C. The math test was made significantly easier this year.
D. Some teachers didn’t adopt the method fully.
A. Students reported enjoying math more with the new method.
B. Other subjects did not see a similar improvement.
C. The math test was made significantly easier this year.
D. Some teachers didn’t adopt the method fully.
Q5. Some argue that AI will take over all jobs, making humans obsolete. However, historically, technological progress has led to job shifts, not complete unemployment.
Which of the following, if true, strengthens the author’s rebuttal?
A. AI can replace both manual and cognitive tasks.
B. Economies in the past adapted to automation with new job creation.
C. Some industries have already laid off workers due to AI.
D. Workers fear technological displacement more than ever.
A. AI can replace both manual and cognitive tasks.
B. Economies in the past adapted to automation with new job creation.
C. Some industries have already laid off workers due to AI.
D. Workers fear technological displacement more than ever.
Q6. A nutritionist recommends drinking water immediately after meals, claiming it helps digestion. A senior physician argues that water dilutes digestive enzymes and should not be consumed right after eating.
What type of reasoning flaw does the nutritionist commit if they ignore the physician’s evidence?
A. Straw man fallacy
B. Circular reasoning
C. Ignoring a counterargument
D. False cause
A. Straw man fallacy
B. Circular reasoning
C. Ignoring a counterargument
D. False cause
Q7. If city A bans personal cars from downtown, pollution levels will drop. City B banned cars last year, and pollution levels dropped there. So, banning cars causes lower pollution.
Which of the following best challenges the argument?
A. City B also increased green spaces last year.
B. City A has a higher population than City B.
C. Car bans are unpopular among commuters.
D. Pollution levels vary by season.
A. City B also increased green spaces last year.
B. City A has a higher population than City B.
C. Car bans are unpopular among commuters.
D. Pollution levels vary by season.
Q8. A study showed that people who spend more time outdoors report better mood levels. Hence, to cure depression, doctors should prescribe outdoor activities.
Which of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the argument?
A. It assumes correlation implies causation.
B. It generalizes findings to all age groups.
C. It relies on anecdotal evidence.
D. It overlooks medication as a treatment.
A. It assumes correlation implies causation.
B. It generalizes findings to all age groups.
C. It relies on anecdotal evidence.
D. It overlooks medication as a treatment.
Q9. Some students prefer studying late at night. Others prefer mornings. A university decided to offer both morning and night lectures.
Which of the following best justifies the university’s decision?
A. Students have different preferences and peak productivity times.
B. Morning classes are more cost-effective.
C. Most professors prefer teaching in the morning.
D. Students who study at night often score lower.
A. Students have different preferences and peak productivity times.
B. Morning classes are more cost-effective.
C. Most professors prefer teaching in the morning.
D. Students who study at night often score lower.
Q10. A job candidate has five years of relevant experience but lacks a degree. The company’s policy requires a degree, but the manager wants to make an exception.
Which of the following principles would best support the manager’s decision?
A. Company policies should never be violated.
B. Experience is always more valuable than education.
C. Practical competence should sometimes outweigh formal qualifications.
D. Hiring decisions should follow academic merit strictly.
A. Company policies should never be violated.
B. Experience is always more valuable than education.
C. Practical competence should sometimes outweigh formal qualifications.
D. Hiring decisions should follow academic merit strictly.
Answer Key with Detailed Explanations
Q1 → Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The company’s claim depends on the idea that caffeine improves memory. However, if the original study did not isolate caffeine from other compounds in coffee (e.g., antioxidants), then attributing the improvement specifically to caffeine is unfounded.
- A is irrelevant; the company claims short-term improvement.
- B limits scope but doesn’t challenge the cause-effect link.
- D is anecdotal, not a systematic challenge.
Q2 → Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The structure of the argument is flawed. From “All runners are disciplined” and “Some disciplined people wake early,” we cannot conclude that some runners wake early. The sets may not overlap.
- A falsely assumes the conclusion is guaranteed.
- C is extreme — the conclusion could still be true.
- D misrepresents the logic of the argument.
Q3 → Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The report shows that the 99% effectiveness figure was obtained in ideal lab conditions, suggesting that real-world results may vary. This means lab conditions don’t mirror actual air quality, justifying B.
- A is too strong — the purifier may still help.
- C is not inferred — it overstates the findings.
- D implies dishonesty, which is not claimed.
Q4 → Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The principal’s claim of sole credit for improved scores depends on all other factors being equal. If the test became easier, then the real cause could be the change in exam difficulty — directly undermining the claim.
- A shows engagement, not causality.
- B talks about other subjects, not math.
- D suggests partial adoption, not flawed attribution.
Q5 → Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The author argues that job loss panic due to AI is misplaced and that past technological advances created new kinds of jobs. B supports this by showing economies adapted with new employment avenues.
- A and C support the opposing argument.
- D is about perception, not reality.
Q6 → Correct Answer: C
Explanation: If the nutritionist ignores credible counter-evidence from a qualified source, they are committing the fallacy of ignoring a counterargument. This weakens their position by failing to engage critically.
- A is wrong — no distortion of the opponent’s view.
- B doesn’t apply — there is no circular logic.
- D isn’t relevant unless a false causal relationship is established.
Q7 → Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The argument assumes banning cars caused pollution to drop. But if City B also increased green areas, that’s an alternative explanation — which directly weakens the causal inference.
- B is irrelevant to the logic of causation.
- C is emotional, not logical.
- D is vague — it doesn’t directly counter the argument.
Q8 → Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The passage notes a correlation (outdoor time → better mood) and jumps to a causal claim (prescribing outdoor time as treatment). This is a classic “correlation implies causation” flaw.
- B is about overgeneralization, not the key flaw.
- C is false — it’s based on a study, not anecdotes.
- D is irrelevant to the logic of the argument.
Q9 → Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The university’s decision is justified by accommodating diverse learning styles and productivity rhythms. This shows thoughtful policy aligned with student needs.
- B and C focus on cost and staff — not the core issue.
- D undermines the decision rather than justifying it.
Q10 → Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The manager wants to make an exception based on the candidate’s strong experience. C justifies this by suggesting that practical competence can sometimes override formal rules.
- A and D argue against flexibility.
- B is too extreme — not “always” true.
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Adtiya Aryan
Contributing author
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