PPAER Logical and Deductive Reasoning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: All detectives at the precinct are trained in forensics. Officer Rivera is a detective at the precinct. Which conclusion must be true?
- Officer Rivera may or may not know forensics
- Officer Rivera is trained in forensics (Correct answer)
- All forensics-trained officers are detectives
- Officer Rivera is the best detective
Correct answer: Officer Rivera is trained in forensics
Since all detectives are trained in forensics and Rivera is a detective, Rivera must be trained in forensics.
Question 2: A suspect was seen at the bank at 2:00 PM. The robbery occurred at 2:15 PM. The bank is a 20-minute drive from the robbery location. Which conclusion is most logical?
- The suspect committed the robbery
- The suspect could not have committed the robbery (Correct answer)
- The suspect had an accomplice
- The suspect was planning the robbery
Correct answer: The suspect could not have committed the robbery
The suspect cannot travel 20 minutes in 15 minutes, making it physically impossible for them to have committed the robbery.
Question 3: If a patrol officer responds to every alarm call, and there was an alarm at 5th Street, what must follow?
- The alarm was a false alarm
- The officer responded to the 5th Street alarm (Correct answer)
- The officer was already on another call
- A supervisor also responded
Correct answer: The officer responded to the 5th Street alarm
The universal rule states the officer responds to every alarm call, so responding to 5th Street is guaranteed.
Question 4: Witnesses A, B, and C each independently described a fleeing vehicle as blue. Witness D said it was green. What is the most logical conclusion?
- The vehicle was definitely blue
- Witness D is lying
- The vehicle was likely blue, but certainty is not absolute (Correct answer)
- Witnesses A, B, and C conspired
Correct answer: The vehicle was likely blue, but certainty is not absolute
Three independent consistent accounts outweigh one dissenting account, making blue most probable but not certain.
Question 5: No patrol officers work alone after midnight. Officer Chen is working after midnight. What must be true?
- Officer Chen is violating policy
- Officer Chen is working with a partner (Correct answer)
- Officer Chen is a supervisor
- Officer Chen is off duty
Correct answer: Officer Chen is working with a partner
Since no patrol officers work alone after midnight and Chen is working then, Chen must have a partner.
Question 6: Every stolen vehicle report this month listed a broken window. A report arrives with no broken window but claims vehicle theft. What is the most logical inference?
- The report is definitely false
- This may be a different type of theft or the pattern has an exception (Correct answer)
- Broken windows are required for vehicle theft
- The officer should reject the report
Correct answer: This may be a different type of theft or the pattern has an exception
Past patterns inform but don't guarantee future cases; this incident may represent an exception or different method.
Question 7: If 'no evidence means no arrest' and there is no evidence against the suspect, what logically follows?
- The suspect is innocent
- The suspect should not be arrested (Correct answer)
- The case should be closed
- The suspect will never be charged
Correct answer: The suspect should not be arrested
The rule states no evidence leads to no arrest; the logical consequence is the suspect should not be arrested.
