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 town argues that a streetlight program reduced nighttime crime, citing fewer reports after installation. Which most weakens the argument?
Answer: A new police patrol started in the same area at the same time
The simultaneous patrol is an alternative cause that could account for the crime drop.
An economist argues that raising the minimum wage will not reduce employment, citing a state where employment held steady after a raise. Which most strengthens this?
Answer: A nearly identical neighboring state without a raise saw the same employment trend
A comparable state without a raise showing the same trend indicates the raise did not depress employment relative to no raise.
A claim states that owning a pet reduces stress because pet owners report less stress. Which is a necessary assumption?
Answer: Pet owners were not generally less stressed before owning pets
If owners were already less stressed, the lower stress would not be attributable to pet ownership.
A firm argues a training program improved safety because accidents fell after training. Which most weakens this?
Answer: The firm also bought new safety equipment when training began
New equipment introduced at the same time is an alternative explanation for fewer accidents.
An ad claims a diet plan works because testimonials show people lost weight. Which most weakens the claim?
Answer: Only successful customers were asked to give testimonials
Selecting only successes creates a biased sample that hides those for whom the plan failed.
A study concludes that classical music improves concentration because students hearing it scored higher on a focus task. Which most strengthens it?
Answer: Students were randomly assigned to music or silence and were otherwise identical
Random assignment of otherwise identical students isolates the music as the cause of the difference.
A manager argues that longer store hours increased revenue because revenue rose after extending hours. Which question is most useful to evaluate this?
Answer: Did the extra revenue exceed the added staffing and utility costs, and did foot traffic actually rise in the new hours?
Checking whether new-hour traffic drove the gain (and net of costs) tests whether extended hours truly caused the increase.