GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions

Question 1

"The town council approved the new zoning ordinance by a 5–2 vote despite a packed public hearing at which the majority of speakers opposed the measure."

Which of the following can be most reasonably inferred from the statement above?
(A) The council members were influenced by speakers at the public hearing
(B) The council acted without considering public input
(C) The council's vote did not reflect the sentiment expressed at the public hearing
(D) Public hearings are ineffective because officials ignore them

Accepted Answer

The council's vote did not reflect the sentiment expressed at the public hearing

Answer

The passage states most speakers opposed the measure, yet the council passed it 5–2. The most direct inference is that the vote did not reflect the hearing's sentiment.

Question 2

"Studies consistently show that countries with higher rates of newspaper readership also have higher levels of civic participation. Researchers have concluded that reading newspapers causes greater civic engagement."

Which logical flaw does this argument contain?
(A) It ignores the sample size of the studies
(B) It assumes correlation implies causation
(C) It fails to define civic participation
(D) It relies on surveys rather than direct observation

Accepted Answer

It assumes correlation implies causation

Answer

The studies show a correlation between newspaper readership and civic participation. Concluding causation from correlation is a classic logical fallacy.

Question 3

"The wildlife preserve was established in 1985 to protect the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. In 1995, the mouse population within the preserve stood at 12,000. By 2010, the population had grown to 38,000."

Which conclusion is best supported by this information?
(A) The preserve is the most effective tool ever created to protect endangered species
(B) The salt marsh harvest mouse has fully recovered as a species
(C) Population growth of the mouse occurred within the protected area during this period
(D) Predators were removed from the preserve during this period

Accepted Answer

Population growth of the mouse occurred within the protected area during this period

Answer

The only thing directly stated is the population within the preserve grew from 12,000 to 38,000. All other conclusions go beyond the evidence.

Question 4

A public health official states: "If we do not mandate mask-wearing in schools, we will definitely see a spike in flu cases this winter."

Which of the following, if true, most weakens this argument?
(A) Some students are unable to wear masks due to medical conditions
(B) Last winter, mask mandates in neighboring districts did not prevent a flu spike
(C) Flu vaccines are widely available and have 70% effectiveness
(D) Teachers have expressed support for mask mandates

Accepted Answer

Last winter, mask mandates in neighboring districts did not prevent a flu spike

Answer

If mask mandates did not prevent flu spikes elsewhere, this directly undermines the claim that mandates will prevent a spike here.

Question 5

Passage: "Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid. Marine biologists warn that this threatens shellfish populations because acid dissolves the calcium carbonate that forms their shells. Some economists argue that market forces will adapt: shellfish prices will rise, reducing demand, and producers will shift to other seafood."

The economists' argument assumes which of the following?
(A) Shellfish are not nutritionally important to human diets
(B) Market adjustments can compensate for ecological damage
(C) Carbon dioxide emissions will stabilize in the near future
(D) Shellfish producers already have plans to diversify

Accepted Answer

Market adjustments can compensate for ecological damage

Answer

The economists argue that market shifts (price changes, product substitution) will handle the problem — this assumes economic adaptation can address ecological harm.

GRE Practice Test

GRE Practice Test

GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions