Critical reasoning strengthen
59 flashcards covering Critical reasoning strengthen for the GMAT Verbal section.
Critical reasoning strengthen questions ask you to evaluate an argument and identify information that makes it more convincing. In these questions, you're typically given a short passage with a conclusion based on certain evidence, and your task is to choose an answer that bolsters the argument's logic without introducing new weaknesses. This skill is essential because it tests your ability to think critically about assumptions and evidence, which is a key part of analytical reasoning.
On the GMAT Verbal section, strengthen questions appear as multiple-choice items within the critical reasoning subsection, often mixed with weaken or assumption questions. Common traps include distractors that seem relevant but actually introduce irrelevant details or strengthen a different argument altogether, so watch for answers that directly support the core conclusion. Focus on identifying the argument's premises, conclusion, and any unstated assumptions to effectively evaluate options.
Always start by pinpointing the main conclusion.
Terms (59)
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Strengthen Question
A Critical Reasoning question type on the GMAT that asks you to identify the answer choice which, if true, would most effectively support or strengthen the given argument by making its conclusion more likely.
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Argument Structure
The basic framework of a Critical Reasoning argument, consisting of premises that provide evidence or reasons and a conclusion that is the main claim being argued.
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Premise
A statement in an argument that provides evidence or support for the conclusion, often presented as facts or assumptions that the argument relies on.
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Conclusion
The main claim or inference in an argument that the premises are intended to support, and which a strengthen question aims to make more credible.
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Assumption
An unstated belief or connection in an argument that, if true, bridges the premises to the conclusion; strengthening often involves supporting these.
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Hidden Assumption
An implicit assumption that is not directly stated but is necessary for the argument to hold; identifying and supporting these can strengthen the argument.
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Causal Argument
An argument that claims one event causes another, and strengthening it might involve ruling out alternative causes or providing evidence of the causal link.
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Correlation Evidence
Evidence showing a relationship between two variables, which can strengthen a causal argument if it suggests a possible cause-effect link without proving it.
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Alternative Causes
Other potential explanations for the observed effect in a causal argument; strengthening involves evidence that eliminates these alternatives.
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Survey Evidence
Data from surveys or polls that can strengthen an argument by providing representative samples that support the conclusion.
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Statistical Evidence
Quantitative data, such as percentages or averages, that can bolster an argument by showing patterns or trends that align with the conclusion.
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Expert Opinion
Statements from authorities in a field that can strengthen an argument by lending credibility and specialized knowledge to the premises.
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Analogous Situation
A similar case or example that can strengthen an argument by showing that the same logic applies in another context, making the conclusion more plausible.
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Counter Objection
Evidence that addresses and dismisses potential challenges to the argument, thereby strengthening it by removing doubts about the conclusion.
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Scope of Argument
The range or boundaries of what the argument claims; strengthening involves evidence that fits within this scope without overgeneralizing.
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Generalization
Drawing a broad conclusion from specific evidence; strengthening requires ensuring the evidence is sufficient and representative to support the generalization.
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Sufficient Evidence
Information that, if added, would make the argument's conclusion highly likely; in strengthen questions, look for choices that provide this.
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Necessary Condition
A condition that must be true for the conclusion to hold; strengthening can involve confirming that this condition is met.
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Conditional Statement
A logical if-then statement where the 'if' part is a premise and the 'then' part relates to the conclusion; strengthening affirms the connection.
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Relevance of Evidence
How directly the evidence supports the conclusion; in strengthen questions, choose options that are highly relevant without introducing unrelated details.
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Common Trap: Irrelevant Information
Answer choices that provide interesting but unrelated facts, which do not actually strengthen the argument and can mislead test-takers.
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Common Trap: Weakening Disguised
Options that appear to strengthen but actually weaken the argument by introducing contradictory evidence; avoid these in strengthen questions.
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Strategy: Identify Weak Points
Before evaluating answers, locate the vulnerabilities in the argument, such as gaps between premises and conclusion, to know what kind of evidence would strengthen it.
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Strategy: Predict the Answer
Anticipate what type of evidence would strengthen the argument based on its structure, then match it to the choices to avoid traps.
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Strategy: Eliminate Extremes
Rule out answer choices that are too absolute or go beyond the argument's scope, as they often do not genuinely strengthen it.
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Most Strongly Supports
A phrase in question stems meaning you should select the choice that provides the strongest reinforcement to the argument, even if others offer minor support.
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Weaken vs. Strengthen
While weaken questions undermine arguments, strengthen questions bolster them; understand the difference to avoid selecting the wrong type of evidence.
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Evidence Types
Various forms of support like facts, examples, or data that can strengthen an argument; evaluate which type best addresses the conclusion.
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Anecdotal Evidence
Personal stories or specific instances that can strengthen an argument if they illustrate a broader pattern, though they are less reliable than statistical data.
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Historical Evidence
Past events or precedents that can strengthen an argument by showing similar outcomes in comparable situations.
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Predictive Evidence
Information about future possibilities that can strengthen an argument by aligning with the conclusion's implications.
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Quantifiable Support
Evidence that includes numbers or measurements, which can make an argument more convincing by providing concrete backing.
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Logical Gap
A missing link in the argument's reasoning; strengthening involves filling this gap with appropriate evidence.
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Assumption Question Link
Strengthen questions often relate to assumption questions, as supporting key assumptions can fortify the argument.
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Evaluation of Choices
In strengthen questions, assess each answer by asking if it makes the conclusion more likely, rather than just adding information.
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Common Pattern: Cause and Effect
Many strengthen questions involve causal claims, so evidence that establishes or reinforces the cause-effect relationship is key.
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Common Pattern: Recommendations
Arguments suggesting actions or policies; strengthening comes from evidence that shows the recommendation would achieve the desired outcome.
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Flaw Identification for Strengthening
Recognizing flaws like hasty generalizations allows you to select evidence that corrects them, thus strengthening the argument.
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Balanced Evidence
Evidence that considers multiple perspectives but ultimately supports the conclusion, making the argument more robust.
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Time-Sensitive Evidence
Data that accounts for timing in causal relationships, such as events happening in sequence, to strengthen the argument.
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Sample Size
In arguments using surveys, a large and representative sample can strengthen the conclusion by making it more generalizable.
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Bias in Evidence
Addressing potential biases in sources can strengthen an argument by making the evidence more trustworthy.
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Counterexample Absence
Strengthening an argument by showing that no counterexamples exist to contradict the conclusion.
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Hypothetical Scenario
Using a plausible hypothetical to illustrate how evidence would support the argument, though real evidence is preferred.
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Advanced: Conditional Strengthening
In arguments with if-then logic, strengthening involves evidence that confirms the 'if' condition leads to the 'then' outcome.
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Advanced: Probabilistic Support
Evidence that increases the probability of the conclusion being true, even if it doesn't prove it outright.
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Advanced: Multi-Factor Analysis
In complex arguments, strengthening requires evidence that accounts for multiple variables influencing the outcome.
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Advanced: Indirect Support
Evidence that doesn't directly prove the conclusion but strengthens it by supporting a key intermediate step.
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Advanced: Scope Limitation
Strengthening by providing evidence that limits the argument's scope to avoid overreach, making it more defensible.
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Worked Example: Simple Causal
For an argument that exercise causes weight loss, evidence showing that increased exercise correlates with weight loss in a study strengthens it.
A study finds that participants who exercised regularly lost an average of 5 pounds.
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Worked Example: Survey Based
If an argument claims a policy reduced crime, survey data showing decreased crime rates in areas with the policy strengthens it.
A survey reports a 20% drop in crime in cities implementing the policy.
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Worked Example: Expert Based
An argument about economic trends is strengthened by a quote from an economist supporting the conclusion.
An economist states that current indicators predict a recession.
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Worked Example: Analogy Based
To strengthen a claim that a new drug works, evidence from a similar drug's success in trials can be used.
A prior drug with similar properties reduced symptoms in 80% of patients.
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Common Trap: Out of Scope
Answer choices that address issues not mentioned in the argument, failing to strengthen it because they don't connect to the conclusion.
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Common Trap: Partial Support
Options that only weakly support the argument or support a different conclusion, which isn't sufficient for strengthening.
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Strategy: Prioritize Direct Evidence
Focus on answer choices that directly link the premises to the conclusion, as they are more effective for strengthening.
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Strategy: Consider Context
Evaluate evidence in the context of the argument's assumptions to ensure it genuinely strengthens rather than just adds detail.
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Advanced: Bayesian Strengthening
Evidence that updates the probability of the conclusion based on new information, a nuanced approach in probabilistic arguments.
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Advanced: Interdependent Assumptions
In arguments with multiple assumptions, strengthening one can reinforce the others, creating a stronger overall case.