GMAT Verbal: Boldface and Method of Reasoning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage argues: 'Most economists predict growth; however, history shows such predictions often fail; thus caution is warranted.' The middle clause functions as:
- The main conclusion
- Evidence undermining the predictions (Correct answer)
- A premise supporting the predictions
- An unrelated aside
Correct answer: Evidence undermining the predictions
The historical-failure clause supplies grounds to doubt the predictions, supporting the cautious conclusion.
Question 2: An argument responds to an objection by conceding a minor point while denying the main one. This method is:
- Concession and rebuttal (Correct answer)
- Pure assertion
- Appeal to emotion
- Begging the question
Correct answer: Concession and rebuttal
Granting a small point and then refuting the central claim is concession and rebuttal.
Question 3: In a boldface question, the first boldface is a prediction and the second is a finding that the prediction came true. The second boldface is best labeled:
- Evidence confirming the prediction (Correct answer)
- The prediction restated
- An objection to the prediction
- The argument's assumption
Correct answer: Evidence confirming the prediction
A finding showing the prediction held is confirming evidence.
Question 4: Which describes the method when an author refutes a generalization by presenting a single counterexample?
- Disproving a claim with a contradicting instance (Correct answer)
- Strengthening the claim
- Defining the claim's scope
- Surveying expert opinion
Correct answer: Disproving a claim with a contradicting instance
One contradicting case can show a universal generalization is false.
Question 5: A boldface statement is something the author assumes without stating support and uses to reach the conclusion. It functions as:
- A premise (Correct answer)
- The conclusion
- A counterexample
- A concession
Correct answer: A premise
An unsupported statement used as a basis for the conclusion is a premise.
Question 6: An argument establishes a general principle and then applies it to a specific case to reach a verdict. This method is:
- Deductive application of a principle (Correct answer)
- Inductive generalization
- Analogical reasoning
- Statistical sampling
Correct answer: Deductive application of a principle
Moving from a general rule to a particular instance is deductive application.
Question 7: Why can the same boldface be a conclusion in one argument but a premise in another?
- Boldface roles are random
- Roles depend on whether the statement is supported by or supports other claims in that argument (Correct answer)
- Premises are always longer
- Conclusions must contain 'therefore'
Correct answer: Roles depend on whether the statement is supported by or supports other claims in that argument
A statement's role is defined by its logical relationship to the rest of the specific argument.
GMAT Verbal: Boldface and Method of Reasoning 3
A passage argues: 'Most economists predict growth; however, history shows such predictions often fail; thus caution is warranted.' The middle clause functions as: