GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Verbal: Reading Comprehension Inference Questions and Answers

Question 1

Passage: The shift in many developed nations from a manufacturing-based to a service-based economy has rendered traditional economic indicators, such as factory output and durable goods orders, less comprehensive as measures of overall economic health. For decades, these metrics were paramount, as they directly reflected the productive capacity and consumer confidence within the industrial sector. However, with services like information technology, healthcare, and finance now constituting a majority of economic output, indicators that capture the performance of these non-tangible sectors, such as the Non-Manufacturing ISM Report on Business®, have become increasingly vital for a complete and accurate assessment of the economy. Relying solely on manufacturing data can now provide a misleading picture, potentially understating economic strength during periods of service sector growth or overstating a downturn if the industrial sector falters while services remain robust.

It can be inferred from the passage that...

Accepted Answer

a nation's economic health is now more accurately measured by a wider variety of indicators than in the past.

Answer

The passage states that traditional manufacturing indicators are now 'less comprehensive' and that relying on them 'solely... can now provide a misleading picture.' It also points out the growing importance of service sector indicators. This implies that to get an accurate assessment, one must look at a broader range of metrics that includes both manufacturing and services, which supports the idea that a wider variety is now necessary.

Question 2

Passage: The success of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century was inextricably linked to the invention of the printing press. While earlier reformers like John Wycliffe and Jan Hus had articulated critiques of the Church similar to Martin Luther's, their messages remained largely localized. Lacking the means for mass dissemination, their writings were painstakingly copied by hand, a slow and costly process that severely limited their reach. In contrast, Luther's Ninety-five Theses and subsequent writings were reproduced in the thousands via the printing press, allowing his ideas to spread across German states and then Europe with unprecedented speed. This technological advantage enabled the Reformation to evolve from a local academic dispute into a widespread popular movement, fundamentally altering the religious and political landscape.

The passage suggests that if the printing press had not been invented, the Protestant Reformation would most likely have...

Accepted Answer

had a much smaller and more geographically confined impact.

Answer

The passage contrasts Luther's success with the fate of 'earlier reformers' whose messages remained 'largely localized' because they lacked the printing press. This strongly implies that without the press, Luther's movement would have faced the same limitations, resulting in a smaller, more contained impact rather than the continent-wide movement it became. The other options are too extreme or speculative.

Question 3

Passage: In ecology, a keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance. The classic example is the sea otter's role in Pacific kelp forests. Sea otters prey on sea urchins, which in turn graze on kelp. Without sea otters, urchin populations can explode, leading to the overgrazing and decimation of kelp forests. This 'trophic cascade' affects numerous other species that depend on the kelp for food and shelter. Thus, the presence of a relatively small population of sea otters is critical to maintaining the structure and biodiversity of the entire ecosystem. The removal of a keystone species initiates a chain of events that can drastically alter or even destroy the ecosystem.

The author of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

Accepted Answer

The conservation of certain species can be more critical for ecosystem health than the conservation of others.

Answer

The entire passage is built around the idea that a keystone species has a 'disproportionately large effect on its... environment relative to its abundance.' This directly supports the inference that some species (keystone species) are more critical for the health and structure of the ecosystem than others. The other statements either contradict the passage (A, D) or make an unsupported generalization (C).

Question 4

Passage: The transition from medieval to Renaissance art was marked by a profound shift in the perception of the artist. In the medieval period, artists were largely viewed as anonymous craftsmen, members of a guild who produced works collectively for the glory of God. Their individual identity was secondary to the religious function of their creations. The Renaissance, however, ushered in the concept of the artist as an individual genius. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were celebrated for their unique vision and skill, and they began signing their works. This newfound emphasis on individualism and humanism meant that artists were no longer mere artisans but respected intellectuals and creators in their own right.

The passage suggests that, compared to a medieval artisan, a Renaissance artist was more likely to...

Accepted Answer

be individually recognized and celebrated for their work.

Answer

The passage explicitly contrasts the 'anonymous craftsmen' of the medieval period with Renaissance figures like Leonardo and Michelangelo, who were 'celebrated for their unique vision and skill.' This highlights a shift toward individual recognition. While both used religious themes and guilds existed in both periods, the key distinction emphasized in the text is the value placed on individual identity and genius.

Question 5

Passage: The phenomenon of 'groupthink' occurs when a decision-making group's desire for harmony and conformity results in an irrational or dysfunctional outcome. Cohesive groups are particularly vulnerable, as members may self-censor dissenting opinions to avoid conflict and maintain consensus. This creates an illusion of unanimity and invulnerability, leading the group to ignore alternatives and make decisions without critical evaluation. Irving Janis, who coined the term, identified symptoms such as pressure on dissenters, collective rationalization of warnings, and an unquestioned belief in the group's inherent morality. Effective leaders can counteract groupthink by encouraging open inquiry and appointing members to play the role of 'devil's advocate.'

Which of the following can be most reasonably inferred from the passage about a group that successfully avoids groupthink?

Accepted Answer

It has a culture or procedures that encourage the voicing of contrary opinions.

Answer

The passage states that groupthink involves the suppression of dissenting opinions and that a way to counteract it is by 'encouraging open inquiry' and appointing a 'devil's advocate.' It logically follows that a group avoiding groupthink would have mechanisms or a culture that supports, rather than suppresses, contrary viewpoints. The other options are not supported: cohesiveness is a risk factor but not mutually exclusive with good decisions; avoiding groupthink reduces errors but doesn't guarantee correctness; and considering more viewpoints likely takes more time, not less.

GMAT Practice Test

GMAT Practice Test

GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Verbal: Reading Comprehension Inference Questions and Answers