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108+ Free Irish Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
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Sample Irish Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
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1Passage: The Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service outlines that blended working arrangements are not an absolute right but rather a discretionary arrangement subject to business needs. While departments should facilitate blended working where feasible, the primary consideration must always be the efficient delivery of public services. Managers must review arrangements regularly to ensure that performance and service quality do not deteriorate. Question: According to the passage, which of the following is correct regarding blended working?
A.It is an absolute right for all civil servants.
B.It is a discretionary arrangement dependent on service delivery needs.
C.It is permanently fixed once agreed upon by managers.
D.It must be offered by all departments regardless of feasibility.
Explanation: The passage states that blended working is a discretionary arrangement subject to business needs and the efficient delivery of public services, not an absolute right.
2Passage: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that green criteria be incorporated into all public procurement contracts over a certain threshold. Public bodies must ensure that a minimum of 20% of the evaluation criteria are allocated to environmental sustainability for major projects. This is intended to stimulate the market for eco-friendly products and services, helping Ireland meet its national decarbonisation targets. Question: Based on the passage, the primary purpose of green public procurement criteria is to:
A.Reduce the overall cost of public procurement contracts.
B.Stimulate the market for eco-friendly products to meet decarbonisation targets.
C.Increase the administration time for evaluating public tenders.
D.Replace all quality-based criteria in major public projects.
Explanation: The passage explicitly notes that incorporating green criteria is intended to 'stimulate the market for eco-friendly products and services, helping Ireland meet its national decarbonisation targets.'
3Passage: Under Section 30 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a public body may refuse to grant an FOI request if access to the record could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of tests, examinations, or audits conducted by the body. This exemption is not absolute and is subject to a public interest test, which requires the body to weigh the public benefit of releasing the information against the harm of disclosure. Question: According to the passage, an exemption under Section 30 of the FOI Act is:
A.Absolute and not subject to further evaluation.
B.Conditional upon a public interest test.
C.Only applicable to examinations run by schools.
D.Automatically granted without evaluating potential harm.
Explanation: The text states that the exemption is 'not absolute and is subject to a public interest test,' making it conditional.
4Passage: The National Development Plan (NDP) allocates significant capital funding to transport infrastructure. The stated priority is to invest in public transport over road networks at a ratio of 2:1. This strategic shift aims to encourage modal shift, reduce traffic congestion in urban areas, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. Question: Based on the passage, the NDP prioritises:
A.Road network development over public transport.
B.Public transport investment over road networks.
C.Equal funding for roads and public transport.
D.Solely urban developments, excluding rural roads.
Explanation: The text states the priority is to invest in 'public transport over road networks at a ratio of 2:1.'
5Passage: The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour states that civil servants must not use their official position to benefit themselves or others with whom they have personal or business ties. Furthermore, they should not accept gifts, hospitality, or benefits that might reasonably be seen to compromise their integrity or influence their official decisions. Question: Under the Code, civil servants are prohibited from:
A.Accepting any contact with businesses.
B.Accepting benefits that could be seen to compromise their integrity.
C.Working in departments that handle business regulations.
D.Receiving any form of official compensation.
Explanation: The passage states civil servants 'should not accept gifts, hospitality, or benefits that might reasonably be seen to compromise their integrity.'
6Passage: Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2024 sets legally binding carbon budgets. The agricultural sector is required to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030, while the transport sector faces a target of 50%. Achieving these targets requires a combination of technological innovation, regulatory adjustments, and public behavioral changes. Question: Which of the following is correct according to the passage?
A.Agriculture and transport have the same emissions reduction target.
B.The transport sector has a higher percentage reduction target than agriculture.
C.Decarbonisation relies entirely on technological innovation.
D.The emissions reduction targets are voluntary and non-binding.
Explanation: The passage states agriculture must reduce emissions by 25% and transport by 50%, meaning transport has a higher percentage target.
7Passage: Under GDPR guidelines, a 'data controller' determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, whereas a 'data processor' processes data only on behalf of the controller. The controller retains primary responsibility for compliance, including notifying the Data Protection Commission of any data breaches within 72 hours of becoming aware of them. Question: According to the passage, the party primarily responsible for GDPR compliance is the:
A.Data processor.
B.Data controller.
C.Data Protection Commission.
D.Individual whose data is being processed.
Explanation: The passage explicitly states that 'The controller retains primary responsibility for compliance.'
8Passage: The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 expanded the scope of whistleblowing protection in Ireland. The legislation now protects not only employees but also volunteers, shareholders, board members, and job applicants who acquire information on wrongdoings in a work-related context. Furthermore, all organizations with 50 or more employees are required to establish formal internal reporting channels. Question: Based on the passage, which group is NOT newly protected under the expanded whistleblowing legislation?
A.Volunteers.
B.Standard employees.
C.Shareholders.
D.Job applicants.
Explanation: The text states the Act protects 'not only employees but also volunteers, shareholders... and job applicants,' implying standard employees were already protected and the others are newly added groups.
9Passage: The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 sets out a statutory target that 20% of recruits to the public service must be competent in the Irish language by 31 December 2030. Public bodies must also ensure that any direct communication with the public in writing or by email is answered in the official language in which it was received. Question: What is the target percentage of Irish-competent public service recruits by 2030?
A.10%
B.20%
C.30%
D.50%
Explanation: The passage states that the statutory target is that '20% of recruits to the public service must be competent in the Irish language.'
10Passage: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established to manage state-owned land for the development of affordable and social housing. Under the Housing for All strategy, the LDA is tasked with activating key state-owned sites to ensure a steady supply of cost-rental and affordable purchase homes, reducing reliance on private sector developments. Question: What is the primary role of the LDA according to the passage?
A.To purchase private land for high-end luxury housing.
B.To manage state-owned land to develop affordable and social housing.
C.To sell government buildings to the highest commercial bidder.
D.To regulate private real estate agents in Ireland.
Explanation: The passage states that the LDA was established to 'manage state-owned land for the development of affordable and social housing.'
About the Irish Verbal Reasoning Exam
This practice exam covers comprehension analysis, grammar, vocabulary, argument evaluation, spelling, punctuation, and verbal deductions for publicjobs.ie competitions.
Assessment
100 multiple-choice questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
Free (Public Appointments Service (publicjobs.ie))
Irish Verbal Reasoning Exam Content Outline
25%
Comprehension & Analysis
Reading long passages and extracting facts or inferences.
20%
Grammar & Vocabulary
Correct word usage, sentence correction, and vocabulary tests.
20%
Evaluating Arguments
Assessing if statements are true, false, or cannot say based on a text.
15%
Spelling & Punctuation
Identifying errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalisation.
20%
Verbal Deductions
Drawing logical conclusions from complex sets of verbal rules.
How to Pass the Irish Verbal Reasoning Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Exam fee: Free
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the Irish Verbal Reasoning exam?
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering all five content domains.
What is the passing score for the Irish Verbal Reasoning exam?
Candidates must score at least 70% to pass the exam.