Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage: 'The Civil Service Code requires all civil servants to carry out their duties with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality. These values are enshrined in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, which placed the Code on a statutory footing for the first time.' According to the passage, when were the core values given a statutory basis?
- When the Civil Service Code was first written
- In 2010 through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (Correct answer)
- When the core values were originally defined
- The passage does not mention a specific date
Correct answer: In 2010 through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act
The passage explicitly states that the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 'placed the Code on a statutory footing for the first time,' meaning this was when the values gained their legal/statutory basis.
Question 2: Read the following passage: 'The Government Digital Service (GDS) was established to lead the digital transformation of government. Its remit includes setting standards for digital services, operating shared platforms such as GOV.UK, and advising departments on technology procurement. However, individual departments retain responsibility for their own digital strategies and service delivery.' Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
- GDS directly manages all departmental digital strategies
- Individual departments have no role in digital service delivery
- GDS operates shared platforms whilst departments manage their own strategies (Correct answer)
- GDS only advises on technology procurement
Correct answer: GDS operates shared platforms whilst departments manage their own strategies
The passage states that GDS operates shared platforms like GOV.UK, whilst also clarifying that 'individual departments retain responsibility for their own digital strategies and service delivery.' This makes option C the only fully supported statement.
Question 3: Read the following passage: 'The Equality Act 2010 consolidated and replaced previous anti-discrimination legislation in Great Britain. It introduced the concept of protected characteristics, covering age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Public bodies are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires them to have due regard to eliminating discrimination and advancing equality of opportunity.' How many protected characteristics are listed in the passage?
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine (Correct answer)
- Ten
Correct answer: Nine
The passage lists nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Question 4: Read the following passage: 'Flexible working arrangements have become increasingly common across the Civil Service. A 2023 survey found that 72% of civil servants worked from home at least one day per week, compared with 38% before the pandemic. However, some roles — particularly those in operational delivery — require a greater on-site presence. Senior leaders have emphasised that flexibility must be balanced against the need for effective collaboration and service delivery.' What can be concluded from the passage?
- All civil servants now work from home most of the time
- Flexible working has increased but is not uniformly applied across all roles (Correct answer)
- Operational delivery roles are entirely office-based
- Senior leaders oppose flexible working arrangements
Correct answer: Flexible working has increased but is not uniformly applied across all roles
The passage shows a significant increase in home working (from 38% to 72%) but qualifies this by noting that operational roles need more on-site presence and that flexibility must be balanced. This supports option B as the most accurate conclusion.
Question 5: Read the following passage: 'The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives any person the right to request information held by public authorities. Authorities must respond within 20 working days, either providing the information or explaining why an exemption applies. Some exemptions are absolute, such as information relating to security matters, whilst others are qualified and require a public interest test to determine whether disclosure is appropriate.' According to the passage, what determines whether a qualified exemption prevents disclosure?
- The sensitivity of the information
- A public interest test (Correct answer)
- The decision of the Information Commissioner
- The 20 working day deadline
Correct answer: A public interest test
The passage directly states that qualified exemptions 'require a public interest test to determine whether disclosure is appropriate.' This is distinct from absolute exemptions, which do not require such a test.
Question 6: Read the following passage: 'The National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament. It is independent of government and headed by the Comptroller and Auditor General, who is an Officer of the House of Commons. The NAO audits the accounts of all central government departments and a wide range of other public bodies. It also produces value-for-money reports examining whether public funds have been spent efficiently, effectively, and economically.' Which of the following is NOT stated in the passage?
- The NAO is independent of government
- The NAO audits local council accounts (Correct answer)
- The Comptroller and Auditor General heads the NAO
- The NAO produces value-for-money reports
Correct answer: The NAO audits local council accounts
The passage states the NAO audits 'all central government departments and a wide range of other public bodies.' It does not specifically mention local council accounts. The other three options are all explicitly stated in the passage.
Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages
Read the following passage: 'The Civil Service Code requires all civil servants to carry out their duties with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality.
These values are enshrined in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, which placed the Code on a statutory footing for the first time.' According to the passage, when were the core values given a statutory basis?
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