Verbal: Critical Reasoning Evaluate the Argument Flashcards
7 cards from real GMAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Verbal: Critical Reasoning Evaluate the Argument flashcards as text
Researchers conclude coffee drinkers live longer because a survey found coffee drinkers had lower mortality. Which question best evaluates this conclusion?
Answer: Were coffee drinkers also less likely to smoke than non-drinkers?
If non-smoking correlates with coffee drinking, smoking status could explain the lower mortality.
A study claims violent video games cause aggression because players scored higher on an aggression test. What would most help evaluate this?
Answer: Whether more aggressive people are simply more drawn to violent games
Reverse causation—aggressive people choosing such games—would undermine the causal claim.
A report concludes that a region's clean air caused its low asthma rates. Which question would be most useful to evaluate the conclusion?
Answer: Do residents there differ in genetics or indoor allergen exposure?
Other asthma factors like genetics or indoor allergens could account for the low rates.
A scientist argues a fertilizer boosts crop yield because treated fields out-yielded untreated ones. What information most helps evaluate the claim?
Answer: Whether the treated fields also had better soil or more rainfall
Pre-existing differences in soil or rainfall could explain the higher yield instead of the fertilizer.
An analyst concludes that a marketing email caused a sales spike because sales rose the week it was sent. Which question best evaluates this?
Answer: Did a holiday or seasonal demand surge occur that same week?
A coinciding seasonal surge could be the real driver of the sales spike.
A doctor claims a diet caused patients' weight loss because dieters lost weight over six months. What would most help evaluate the claim?
Answer: Whether the dieters also increased their exercise during those months
Concurrent exercise increases could account for the weight loss apart from the diet.
A study finds students who eat breakfast get better grades and concludes breakfast improves grades. Which question best evaluates this?
Answer: Do students who eat breakfast come from more stable, supportive households?
Household stability could drive both breakfast habits and grades, confounding the link.