Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment (KPA) Practice Test

What term refers to a statement that appears to contradict common sense but is in fact true?

1. Paradox

2. Logic

3. Narrator

4. Observation

The correct answer is: Paradox

A statement that appears to contradict common sense but is in fact true is referred to as a paradox. This term encapsulates the phenomenon where two seemingly opposing ideas coexist, leading to a deeper understanding or truth that transcends the initial contradiction. For instance, a common paradox is "less is more," which suggests that simplicity can lead to greater impact or effectiveness, challenging the assumption that more of something inherently adds value. Paradoxes often provoke thought and encourage a reevaluation of commonly held beliefs, illustrating complexities in reasoning and language. In contrast, logic refers to structured reasoning processes, a narrator is someone who tells a story or accounts for events, and observation involves perceiving and noting phenomena or facts through direct experience. These terms relate to reasoning, storytelling, and empirical evidence, but do not capture the essence of a contradiction that reveals a deeper truth.