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Test your basic knowledge |
GMAT Critical Reasoning
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
gmat
,
logic-and-reasoning
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Read the passage and label each boldface as Fact - Opinion - or Conclusion. Skim each answer choice - only looking for terminology matching F - O - C. Eliminate AC that don't match F - O - C classification.
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
2. Most common among critical reasoning questions.Correct answers do NOT need to make the conclusion false or invalid; just needs to make it less likely that the conclusion is valid.
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion
Assumption
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
3. Identify information that would help evaluate the validity of a given conclusion - the correct AC will provide a way to TEST the conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Major Question Types
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
4. Arguments contain 2 opposing points of view. Assess answer choices by holding them in opposition to the conclusion or one of its assumptions. 1. Identify the conclusion from the point of view of the author. 2. Note the counter-claim and it's proponen
The T Diagram
'Fill in the Blank'
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
5. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
Extreme Words
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
S-W-Slash Chart
6. Always - never - all -none - etc. They make the argument very broad or far-reaching - making it susceptible to attack. Note any extreme language used in premises or conclusions with an (!). This strategy ONLY applies to words in the argument. _______
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Extreme Words
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
7. The main point of the argument - logically supported by the assumptions and premises. In the form of an opinion or claim.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Conclusion
Boundary Words
8. Analyze the logical flow of a argument and choose the AC that most closely mimics the argument flow or structure - be sure to not spend too much time
Premise
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Assumption
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
9. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
10. Answers require you to assume at least one piece of information not explicitly presented in the argument.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
11. Answer choice replaces a fundamental term with something that seems like a synonym or introduces extreme words - common between numbers - percentages and proportions
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
The T Diagram
Premise
12. Make sure to note if a question is strengthen or weaken the conclusion so as to not mistakenly choose the wrong answer - use an S-W-slash chart
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Major Question Types
Conclusion
S-W-Slash Chart
13. Select a situation that best exemplifies the conclusion
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
'Fill in the Blank'
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
14. Many answer choices weaken the argument instead of strengthening it - make sure to note the question type so as to choose the correct answer
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Conclusion
The 'Therefore' test
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
15. Proposes faulty mathematical or logical reasoning - make sure that any substituted expressions are truly synonyms
Draw a Conclusion
Assumption
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
16. Solve a problem posed by the premises - correct AC should directly counteract or fix a given problem. Tend to appear as a new premise - wrong AC will address some piece of the argument but not counteract or fix the problem. Some wrong AC will reinfor
What Correct answers do
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
17. Only use this method when the primary patterns do not apply. A) predict the future - will - should - can be expected to - could result in - are likely to B) subjective opinion - anything that cannot be proven C) cause & effect - if...then - as a resu
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
18. Poses two seemingly contradictory premises and find the AC that best reconciles them - Question will indicate the discrepancy or provide a keyword pointing to it in the argument: yet - however - nonetheless - paradoxically - surprising because...Argu
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
19. Provides a conclusion that is opposite of what the argument says.
The T Diagram
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Boundary Words
20. To strengthen an argument - look for an answer choice that fixes a weakness of the conclusion - validates an assumption - or introduces new supporting evidence. A premise can strengthen or support a conclusion without being necessary for that conclus
'Fill in the Blank'
Strengthen the Conclusion
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Negating an assumption
21. 1. Find the assumption. 2. Draw a conclusion. 3. Strengthen the conclusion. 4. Weaken the conclusion. 5. Explain an event or discrepancy. 6. Analyze the argument structure. 7. Evaluate the conclusion. 8. Resolve a problem. 9. Provide an example. 10.
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Major Question Types
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
22. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Fill in a logic gap
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Assumption
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
23. 1. Look for the conclusion - often the last sentence of an argument - but sometimes the first. 2. Find the premises that lead to the conclusion - provide ALL the pieces of information written in the argument. - provide evidence that supports or leads
Boundary Words
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Finding the Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
24. Therefore - As a result - Suggests - It follows that - Indicates - Accordingly - So - Consequently - Thus - Hence - Should
Assumption
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Signal Words for Conclusion
25. Always - only - all >> insert not necessarily or sometimes... Not - Never - none - not one - not once >> at least one - at least once - Some - a few - several >> no - none - Sometimes - on occasion - often >> never - At least - at most - more than -
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
S-W-Slash Chart
LEN Examples
Diagramming Efficiently
26. In order to clarify a question stem with EXCEPT - rephrase the EXCEPT statement into a question - inserting the word NOT and eliminating the word EXCEPT. Ex: 'Each of the following helps to explain event X except...' turns into 'Which one does NOT ex
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27. Is a disguised version of a known question type. Once you recognize what type it is - use the standard strategies for that type.
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28. What do you do when two or more answer choices are very tempting? Use the Least Extreme Negation (LEN) technique. - negate answer choices to see whether the argument fails - use the least extreme negation possible. If the conclusion can still follow
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
29. 1. Draw a large T - leaving more room on the left 'pro' side than the right 'con' side. 2. Look for the conclusion and write it on the top of the T. 3. Read the argument sentence by sentence. Write any pro premises on the left and cons on the right.
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Finding the Conclusion
Boundary Words
The T Diagram
30. 1. Focus on the essential meaning. 2. Use EXTREME shorthand.3. Keep terms the same - try to keep exact wording of key points. 4. Make sure you understand what you are writing.
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Argument Structure
31. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Argument Structure
Fill in a logic gap
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
32. Provides an assumption that is not actually necessary for the conclusion to be logically valid. - breaks up a category subtype
The T Diagram
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
33. Answer choice provides the opposite of what you are looking for
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
LEN Examples
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
34. To help the process of elimination: 1. Write down letters A-E. 2. Evaluate each answer choice and note whether a. It strengthens the conclusion with an S b. it weakens the conclusion with a W c. Is irrelevant to the conclusion with a slash through it
Major Question Types
The T Diagram
S-W-Slash Chart
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
35. Stated pieces of information or evidence that provide support for the conclusion (facts - opinions or claims).
Negating an assumption
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Premise
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
36. The conclusion you select should be supported by at least some of the premises. The conclusion does NOT need to address all of the premises. A correct answer may be a mathematical or logical deduction. In this type of question - the entire body of th
Signal Words for Premises
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
37. A category of assumption - Reflects opinions or claims and that these are true or that a sequence of events will occur in a way the argument assumes.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
'Fill in the Blank'
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
38. 1. Expose a faulty or tenuous assumption OR 2. Negatively impacts the conclusion directly
Draw a Conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
What Correct answers do
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
39. If you have two claims X & Y - ask yourself which leads to the other. A) 'X - therefore Y'. If this works - Y is the conclusion. B) 'Y - therefore X'. If this works - X is the conclusion. The deduction that takes place last logically in the sequence
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40. Extreme words make the answer choices incorrect - unless the argument explicitly justifies/states extreme words. A correct answer choice must be 100% true. When you see boundary or extreme words in an answer - ask 'what is the most extreme example I
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
The 'Therefore' test
41. An answer choice that weakens the conclusion without requiring significant leaps of logic is likely correct. Use an S-W-slash chart on EXCEPT questions with confusing wording. Four answer choices will weaken - one will not. The correct answer choice
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42. A category of assumption - cause and effect conclusions; correlation is not causation. - look for an assumption that eliminates an alternate model of causation - you must rule out the causality in the other direction
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
43. A powerful technique. If an answer choice in a question is negated and the argument becomes nonsensical - then the answer choice is almost certainly correct. An argument might depend on several assumptions - any of which could be the answer. However
Extreme Words
Negating an assumption
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
44. The answer choice MUST be true!
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
45. Presented in 3 common ways - so read the question first! 1. Question contains the conclusion. 2. Question hints at the conclusion in the argument. 3. Argument contains an obvious conclusion - indicated by a clear signal word. Some GMAT questions ask
Weaken the Conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
46. A category of assumption - 'how do we logically get from Point A to Point B?' - key words: therefore - because - for this reason - etc. - fact-based or background information; occasionally reflects an opinion or claim
'Fill in the Blank'
Fill in a logic gap
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
47. Tied to a premise and provides unnecessary information about a premise - if the premise is already a stated fact - it doesn't need support - make sure the answer choice is not simply related to the conclusion but supports it
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Argument Structure
48. Conclude something from a given set of premises - the conclusion you draw must be true as a result of only the given premises; it should not require any additional assumptions. Sample question stems: 'If the statements above are true - which of the f
Weaken the Conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Draw a Conclusion
49. Use your paper to visibly eliminate answer choices A-E. Cross out incorrect choices and circle the correct answers. Check all of the answer choices even if you believe you have found the correct one. You may find that another answer choice is potenti
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
The 'Therefore' test
50. If an argument involves percentages - use real - concrete numbers. The words inference - assertion - prediction and claim are all synonyms for conclusion.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Major Question Types
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference