Thinking Skills Mock Test 20: 2026 NSW Selective Format

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

Options

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Correct answer

B. 2

Explanation

Everyone starts with 28 beads. Gil spins 2. Since 2 is even, Gil gives 2 beads to Hal and 2 beads to Ira. So Gil loses 4 altogether. New totals: Gil 24, Hal 30, Ira 30 Hal spins 3. Since 3 is odd, Hal receives 3 beads from Gil and 3 from Ira. So Hal gains 6 altogether. New totals: Gil 21, Hal 36, Ira 27 Now test Ira's possible spin. To finish on 23, 38 and 23, Ira must lose 4 altogether, while Gil and Hal each gain 2. That happens when Ira spins 2, because 2 is even and she gives 2 to each of the other two. Check: Gil 21 + 2 = 23 Hal 36 + 2 = 38 Ira 27 - 4 = 23 So Ira spun 2.

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

Options

• A. Shelters need upkeep.
• B. Stops with shelters elsewhere saw bus use rise.
• C. Some prefer to walk.
• D. Shelters take space.

Correct answer

B. Stops with shelters elsewhere saw bus use rise.

Explanation

The councillor's idea is that adding a shelter will increase bus use because people will be more comfortable while waiting. To strengthen this argument, we want evidence that shelters have already increased bus use somewhere else. If stops with shelters elsewhere saw bus use rise, that strongly supports the claim. It shows that the same kind of change can really encourage more people to use buses. The other options are weaker: shelters needing upkeep does not show whether they work, some people preferring to walk does not support the argument, and shelters taking space is a possible drawback, not proof of effect. So the strongest answer is the evidence from stops where bus use rose after shelters were added.