Certificates / Logical reasoning / Syllogism
Syllogism: lesson, then the certificate test
Step 1: the lesson (about 1 min)
A conclusion follows only if it is true in EVERY way the statements can be drawn.
- "All A are B": circle A inside circle B. "Some A are B": the circles overlap. "No A is B": the circles are apart.
- Draw the case that tries to make the conclusion false; if you can, it does not follow.
- Treat the statements as true even when they sound odd.
Worked example
All pens are books. Some books are bags. Does "Some pens are bags" follow?
- Draw pens inside books, and bags overlapping books OUTSIDE the pens circle
- Every statement is still true, but no pen is a bag
Answer: It does not follow (possible, not certain).
Watch out
- Accepting a conclusion because it COULD be true.
Made by Shishya (AI-assisted): a general method in our own words, with our own example; no exam or platform question is copied.
Step 2: the test
- 15 questions from Shishya's checked question bank, 20 minutes. Pass mark: 11 correct.
- Scored on Shishya's server; the answers are not shown afterwards, so the test stays fair. Each attempt draws new questions.
- Free. Your first test needs no account; sign up free to take more. Your answers and score are not stored; if you pass, you choose the name to print (ages 13 and up).
- It is a Shishya completion certificate — not a university or government credential. The test is not supervised.