GMAC GMAC Critical Reasoning 2

Question 1

A GMAT boldface Critical Reasoning question labels one sentence as the 'main conclusion.' Which role does the boldface sentence play if it begins with 'Therefore'?

Accepted Answer

It is the main conclusion

Answer

'Therefore' is a conclusion indicator word, signaling that the sentence is the main conclusion drawn from preceding premises.

Question 2

'City X banned plastic bags, and plastic bag litter in City X decreased by 40%. Other cities should ban plastic bags too.' Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Similar bans in other cities produced comparable litter reductions

Answer

Evidence that similar interventions produced similar results in other cities strengthens the generalization.

Question 3

An argument states: 'No evidence of fraud was found during the audit; therefore, no fraud occurred.' This argument assumes:

Accepted Answer

The audit was thorough enough to detect any fraud if it existed

Answer

The argument assumes absence of evidence equals evidence of absence, which requires the audit to be comprehensive.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an 'appeal to authority' fallacy in a GMAT argument?

Accepted Answer

A celebrity endorses a financial product as safe without financial expertise

Answer

Citing a celebrity—who lacks financial expertise—as evidence of safety is an appeal to irrelevant authority.

Question 5

'Surveys show that employees are happiest at Company Z. Therefore, Company Z must have the best management practices.' The argument is weakest because:

Accepted Answer

Employee happiness may result from factors unrelated to management

Answer

Happiness could stem from pay, culture, location, or other factors, so attributing it solely to management is unwarranted.

GMAC - Graduate Management Admission Council Practice Test

GMAC - Graduate Management Admission Council Practice Test

GMAC GMAC Critical Reasoning 2