Identify these questions

Classification of attributes is a common verbal reasoning question and can also present in various other questions like “Maximum and minimum” (Checkpoint 12) and “Ordering information” (Checkpoint 17).

They’re questions that look like this:

In a female beauty pageant there are five remaining finalists. Finalist 4 is one of the three finalists with long nails and Finalist 5 is tall. Finalist 1 has short nails and is a brunette. Finalist 2 has dark skin with the same colour hair as Finalist 3 who is blonde.

A short woman with long nails, brown hair and dark skin is the winner of the pageant. Who can it be?

A key giveaway in identifying these types of questions are the chunks of information about various attributes.

An attribute is a particular characteristic of something. For example: I have the attribute of having black hair and brown eyes. Elsa has the attribute of having cold fingers and blond hair.

This checkpoint will go through the general “classification of attributes” question where you identify someone or something that meets the requirements of the question. And you do this by sorting through information about attributes.

The strategy to answer these questions

To answer these questions:

1. Identify the question within the information. Do not read through all the information. Seek what you need to find – i.e. the requirement.
2. Read the chunk of text that provides information about attributes and plot this information out in an ordered way. One way is in table with one row of attributes and one column label of other attributes OR Isolate who's out!
3. Tick the right boxes based on your reading.
4. From the question, identify the correct co-ordinate or 'tick' and find your answer.

Table Set Up Example

Tips to remember when answering this question type are:

• "Only has either" also implies that there could A OR B.
• “And” means both.
• In the absence of information, you could assume multiple attributes for a person, but proceed with caution.

Example Question/s

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

In a female beauty pageant there are five remaining finalists. Finalist 4 is one of the three finalists with long nails and Finalist 5 is tall. Finalist 1 has short nails and is a brunette. Finalist 2 has dark skin with the same colour hair as Finalist 3 who is blonde.

A short woman with long nails, brown hair and dark skin is the winner of the pageant. Who can it be?

A: Finalist 1 B: Finalist 2 C: Finalist 3 D: Finalist 4 E: Finalist 5

There are five students leading a protest. Student 5 has the same gender as Student 4. Student 1 has no shirt on and has dreadlocks. Student 3 is not carrying anything and has clean hair and is one of three male students. Student 2 is quiet and is wearing the same red t-shirt as Student 4 who is female and bears a placard.

A male, placard bearing protester wearing a red t-shirt is arrested. Who can it be?

A: Student 1 B: Student 2 C: Student 3 D: Student 4 E: Student 5

Five toddlers are in a swim class. Toddler 2 is heavier, with dark hair. Toddler 1 is male and thin, with the same colour hair as Toddler 4, who has purple hair and wears a swimming cap. Toddler 3 is one of the three female toddlers and Toddler 5 wears flippers and is heavier. All toddlers wear swimsuits and at least one of the females wears a swimming cap.

A thin, black haired toddler wearing a swimsuit is awarded 'Most Improved'. Who can it be?

A: Toddler 1 B: Toddler 2 C: Toddler 3 D: Toddler 4 E: Toddler 5

Key Rules to remember

• Follow the process to save time – remember, requirement first, and then active reading.
• Be clear on the particular attributes and whether someone has the OR or AND. For example, I have black hair and brown eyes. Nina has black hair or brown eyes.
• Have a system to organise attribute information so that everything is clear. A table works well.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

Every question has two solutions videos after you complete the question. The first is a quick 60 second video that shows you how our expert answers the question quickly. The second video is a more in-depth 5-steps or less explainer video that shows you the steps to take to answer the question. It's really important that you review the second video because that's where you'll learn additional tips and tricks.

Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

Now, let's get started on your practice questions.

---