Verbal: Strengthen/Weaken Arguments 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: Strengthen/Weaken Arguments flashcards as text
A nutritionist argues that a high-fiber diet prevents heart disease because populations eating more fiber have lower heart disease rates. Which most weakens this?
Answer: High-fiber populations also exercise more and smoke less
Confounding lifestyle factors could account for the lower rates, weakening the fiber-specific claim.
A firm argues that switching to four-day workweeks increased profits, noting profits rose afterward. Which would most strengthen the argument?
Answer: Costs and revenue were stable, but profits rose only after the switch and stayed high
Holding other factors constant and tying the profit rise to the timing of the change supports causation.
An advertisement claims its toothpaste is best because 'four out of five dentists recommend it.' Which most weakens this claim?
Answer: The dentists were asked to recommend any toothpaste, and most listed several brands
If dentists recommended multiple brands, the statistic does not show the product is uniquely or specifically preferred.
A researcher concludes a vaccine works because vaccinated people had fewer infections. Which assumption is necessary?
Answer: Vaccinated and unvaccinated people had similar exposure to the disease
If exposure differed greatly, the lower infection rate might reflect less exposure rather than the vaccine.
A city argues that its anti-litter campaign reduced street litter. Which finding most weakens the argument?
Answer: The city doubled the number of trash bins at the same time
Adding trash bins is an alternative cause that could explain the litter reduction independent of the campaign.
An analyst argues that lowering prices will raise total revenue. Which most strengthens this prediction?
Answer: Demand for the product is highly sensitive to price changes
High price sensitivity means a lower price draws enough extra buyers to increase total revenue.
A blog claims that reading before bed improves sleep because people who read before bed sleep better. Which most weakens the claim?
Answer: People who already sleep well are more likely to have time to read before bed
Reversed causation—good sleepers choose to read—undermines the claim that reading produces the better sleep.