GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

CRITICAL REASONING TEST SECTION 10 30 Minutes 20 Questions 1. In 1985 in the country of Alissia, farmers rought to mar!et a roccoli crop that "as one#an$#a#half times as large as the 1985 roccoli crop in its neigh# or country, %ar era. &et total 'uantities of roccoli a(aila le for sale to consumers in Alissia "ere smaller than "ere total 'uantities in %ar era in 1985. )hich of the follo"ing, if true in 1985, contri utes most to an e*planation of "hy there "as less roc# coli a(aila le for sale to consumers in Alissia than in %ar era+ ,A- %ar era.s farmers pro$uce$ much more ca age than $i$ Alissia.s farmers. ,%-%ar era.s farmers pro$uce$ fe"er hea$s of roccoli per acre than $i$ Alissia.s farmers. ,C- Alissia e*porte$ a much higher proportion of its roccoli crop than $i$ %ar era. ,/- %roccoli "as much more popular among consumers in Alissia than in %ar era. ,0- Alissia ha$ more lan$ suita le for gro"ing roccoli than $i$ %ar era. 1. A manufacturer of men.s $ress soc!s sought to increase profits y increasing sales. The si2e of its customer pool "as remaining stea$y, "ith the a(er# age customer uying t"el(e pairs of $ress soc!s per year. The company.s plan "as to increase the num er of promotional $iscount#sale perio$s to one e(ery si* months. )hich of the follo"ing, if it is a realistic possi ility, casts the most serious $ou t on the (ia ility of the company.s plan+ ,A- 3e" manufacturing capacity "oul$ not e re'uire$ if the company "ere to increase the num er of pairs of soc!s sol$. ,%- In(entory stoc!s of merchan$ise rea$y for sale "oul$ e high prece$ing the increase in the num er of $iscount#sale perio$s. ,C- The manufacturer.s competitors "oul$ match its $iscounts $uring sale perio$s, an$ its customers "oul$ learn to "ait for those times to ma!e their purchases.
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,/- 3e" styles an$ colors "oul$ increase customers. consciousness of fashion in $ress soc!s, ut the customers. re'uirements for ol$er styles an$ colors "oul$ not e re$uce$. ,0- The cost of the manufacturer.s ra" materials "oul$ remain stea$y, an$ its customers "oul$ ha(e more $isposa le income.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

4. 5re(ious stu$ies ha(e in$icate$ that eating chocolate increases the li!elihoo$ of getting heart $isease. 6o"e(er, a ne", more relia le stu$y has in$icate$ that eating chocolate $oes not increase the li!eli# hoo$ of getting heart $isease. )hen the results of the ne" stu$y ecome !no"n, consumption of chocolate "ill un$ou te$ly increase. )hich of the follo"ing is an assumption on "hich the conclusion a o(e is ase$+ ,A- Most people "ho eat a great $eal of chocolate "ill not get heart $isease. ,%- Although they elie(e that eating chocolate increases the li!elihoo$ of getting heart $isease, some people still eat as much chocolate as they "ant. ,C- 5eople "ho ha(e hear$ that eating chocolate increases the li!elihoo$ of getting heart $isease $o not elie(e it. ,/- There are people "ho currently eat as much chocolate as they "ant ecause they ha(e not hear$ that eating chocolate increases the li!elihoo$ of getting heart $isease. ,0- There are people "ho currently limit their consumption of chocolate only ecause they elie(e that eating chocolate increases the li!elihoo$ of getting heart $isease. 7. The fossil recor$ sho"s that the climate of 3orth America "arme$ an$ $rie$ at the en$ of the 5leis# tocene perio$. Most of the species of large mammals then li(ing on the continent ecame e*tinct, ut the smaller mammalian species sur(i(e$. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es the est asis for an e*planation of the contrast $escri e$ a o(e et"een species of large mammals an$ species of small mammals+ ,A- In$i(i$ual large mammals can, in general, tra(el further than small mammals an$ so are more a le to migrate in search of a hospita le en(ironment. ,%- The same pattern of comparati(e success in smaller, as oppose$ to larger, species that is o ser(e$ in mammals is also foun$ in ir$ species of the same perio$.
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,C- The fossil recor$ from the en$ of 5leis# tocene perio$ is as clear for small mammals as it is for large mammals.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,/- 8arger mammals ha(e greater foo$ an$ space re'uirements than smaller mammals an$ are thus less a le to "ithstan$ en(ironmental change. ,0- Many more of the species of larger mammals than of the species of smaller mammals li(ing in 3orth America in that perio$ ha$ origi# nate$ in climates that "ere "armer than "as that of 3orth America efore the en$ of the 5leistocene perio$. 5. %onuses at /9R In$ustries cannot e a"ar$e$ unless profits e*cee$ a ten percent return on stoc!# hol$ers. in(estments in the company. 6igher profits mean higher onuses. Therefore, onuses in a year of general economic recession "ill e consi$era ly lo"er than onuses in a year of pea! profits at /9R. The conclusion a o(e $epen$s on the assumption that ,A- the firm "ill ha(e relati(ely lo" profits in reces# sion years ,%- the amount represente$ y a ten percent return on stoc!hol$ers. in(estments in the company "ill increase from year to year ,C- profits rarely e*cee$ a ten percent return on stoc!hol$ers. in(estments in the company ,/- profits in e*cess of a ten percent return on stoc!hol$ers. in(estments in the company are all $istri ute$ in the form of onuses ,0- onuses at /9R ne(er $rop to 2ero :uestions ;#< are ase$ on the follo"ing. = 9uita le ha itats for gray "ol(es ha(e greatly $imin# ishe$ in area. In spite of this fact, the most sensi le course "oul$ e to refrain from reesta lishing gray "ol(es in places "here pre(iously they ha(e een hunte$ out of e*istence. 9tri(ing to ring ac! these animals to places "here they "ill only face lethal human hostility is immoral. ;. The argument a o(e $epen$s on ,A- an appeal to an authority ,%- a elief that gray "ol(es are $angerous to human eings an$ li(estoc!
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,C- an assumption that t"o e(ents that occur together must e causally connecte$ ,/- an assumption that the future "ill e li!e the past ,0- a threat of (iolence against those persons presenting the opposing (ie"

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

<. The argument a o(e "oul$ e most significantly "ea!ene$ if "hich of the follo"ing "ere true+ ,A- 0ffecti(e la"s against the hunting of gray "ol(es ha(e een enacte$. ,%- Ranchers, farmers, an$ hunters still ha(e an ingraine$ ias against gray "ol(es. ,C- %y the 194>.s ounty hunters ha$ e*terminate$ most of the gray "ol(es in the ?nite$ 9tates. ,/- 5rograms for increasing the gray "olf popula# tion are not ai$e$ y fe$eral la"s that re'uire the licensing of hunters of certain pre$ators. ,0- 9uggeste$ programs for increasing the gray "olf population ha(e een critici2e$ y en(iron# mentalists an$ iologists. 8. @or the safety#conscious 9"e$ish mar!et, a ?nite$ 9tates manufacturer of $es!top computers $e(el# ope$ a special $isplay screen that pro$uces a much "ea!er electromagnetic fiel$ surroun$ing the user than $o or$inary screens. /espite an a$(antage in this respect o(er its competitors, the manufacturer is intro$ucing the screen into the ?nite$ 9tates mar!et "ithout a$(ertising it as a safety impro(ement. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es a rationale for the manufacturer.s approach to a$(ertising the screen in the ?nite$ 9tates+ ,A- Many more $es!top computers are sol$ each year in the ?nite$ 9tates mar!et than are sol$ in the 9"e$ish mar!et. ,%- The manufacturer $oes not "ant its competitors to ecome a"are of the means y "hich the company has achie(e$ this a$(ance in tech# nology. ,C- Most usiness an$ scientific purchasers of $es!# top computers e*pect to replace such e'uip# ment e(entually as etter technology ecomes a(aila le on the mar!et. ,/- An emphasis on the comparati(e safety of the ne" screen "oul$ call into 'uestion the safety of the many screens the manufacturer has alrea$y sol$ in the ?nite$ 9tates. ,0- Concern has een e*presse$ in the ?nite$ 9tates o(er the health effects of the large elec# tromagnetic fiel$s surroun$ing electric po"er lines.
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GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

9. In the su ur s surroun$ing Mi$$leto"n, there is an a(erage of 1.7 automo iles per family, an$ thus (ery fe" su ur an resi$ents use pu lic uses. The su ur# an communities, therefore, "oul$ $eri(e little ene# fit from continuing to su si$i2e the portion of Mi$$leto"n.s pu lic us system that ser(es the su ur s. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, casts the most serious $ou t on the conclusion $ra"n a o(e+ ,A- The real#estate ta* rate in Mi$$leto"n is higher than it is in the su ur s. ,%- 8ast year (oters in the su ur an communities $efeate$ y a narro" margin a ill $esigne$ to increase su si$ies for pu lic us routes. ,C- Many su ur an shops can attract enough employees to remain in usiness only ecause su si$i2e$ pu lic transportation from Mi$$leto"n is a(aila le. ,/- 5u lic uses operate$ "ith less than a 45 percent occupancy rate pro$uce more pollu# tion per passenger mile than "oul$ the oper# ation of pri(ate automo iles for each passenger. ,0- Most (oters in Mi$$leto"n.s su ur an commu# nities are un"illing to continue su si$ies for pu lic uses ne*t year if ri$ership on those uses $rops elo" current le(els. 1>. Any ta* relief recei(e$ y the solar in$ustry "oul$ not enefit the homeo"ner "ho installs a solar# energy system. 0(en though homeo"ners "oul$ pay a lo"er price for solar#energy system installations ecause of this ta* relief, "ith the go(ernment paying the alance, go(ernment re(enues come from the pu lic. The argument a o(e is ase$ on "hich of the follo"ing assumptions+ ,A- The ta* relief "oul$ cause the homeo"ner to lose, through ta*es or re$uce$ go(ernment enefits or oth, an amount at least e'ual to the re$uction in the price of that home# o"ner.s solar#energy system installation. ,%- The ta* relief that "oul$ e recei(e$ y solar# energy in$ustries "oul$ not e offere$ at the same time as any ta* relief for other in$us#
95

tries. ,C- A$(ertisements of the solar#energy in$ustry, y failing to i$entify the source of go(ernment re(enues e*plicitly to the pu lic, mas! the a$(antage the in$ustry recei(es from the pu lic.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,/- 6omeo"ners generally elie(e that they enefit from any ta* relief offere$ to the solar#energy in$ustry. ,0- Ta* relief "oul$ encourage solar in$ustries to sell solar#energy systems at higher prices. 11. 8ess than 5> percent of a certain tropical country.s "il$lan$s remains intact. 0fforts are un$er "ay to restore iological $i(ersity in that country y restor# ing some $estroye$ "il$ ha itats an$ e*ten$ing some relati(ely intact portions of forests. 6o"e(er, opponents argue that these efforts are not nee$e$ ecause there is still plenty of "il$lan$ left. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most significantly "ea!ens the argument of the opponents of conser(ation efforts+ ,A- As much, if not more, effort is re'uire$ to restore a "il$ ha itat as to preser(e an intact ha itat. ,%- The opponents of restoration efforts are, for the most part, mem ers of the "ealthier classes in their o"n (illages an$ cities. ,C- 0*isting conser(ation la"s ha(e een (ery effec# ti(e in preser(ing iological $i(ersity "ithin the "il$lan$s that remain intact. ,/- @or many tropical species nati(e to that coun# try, the tropical "il$lan$s that are still rela# ti(ely intact $o not pro(i$e appropriate ha itats for repro$uction. ,0- If a suita le population of plants an$ animals is intro$uce$ an$ is permitte$ to $isperse an$ gro", tropical ha itats can most certainly e restore$.

9;

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

11. A stu$y comparing a group of chronically $epresse$ in$i(i$uals "ith an other"ise matche$ group of in$i(i$uals free from $epression foun$ significantly more $isor$ers of the immune system among the $epresse$ group. Accor$ing to the researchers, these results strongly support the hypothesis that mental states influence the o$y.s (ulnera ility to infection. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, casts the most seri# ous $ou t on the researchers. interpretation of their fin$ings+ ,A- The researchers. (ie" $oes little more than echo a familiar theme in fol!lore an literature. ,%- Chronically $epresse$ in$i(i$uals are no less careful than others to a(oi$ e*posure to infections. ,C- /isor$ers of the immune system cause many of those in$i(i$uals "ho ha(e them to ecome chronically $epresse$. ,/- In$i(i$uals "ho ha(e pre(iously een free from $epression can ecome $epresse$ 'uite su$$enly. ,0- A high fre'uency of infections can stem from an unusually high le(el of e*posure rather than from any $isor$er of the immune system. 14. 0*ports of ?nite$ 9tates "oo$ pulp "ill rise consi$# era ly $uring this year. The reason for the rise is that the falling (alue of the $ollar "ill ma!e it cheaper for paper manufacturers in Aapan an$ )est# ern 0urope to uy American "oo$ pulp than to get it from any other source. )hich of the follo"ing is an assumption ma$e in $ra"ing the conclusion a o(e+ ,A- @actory output of paper pro$ucts in Aapan an$ )estern 0urope "ill increase sharply $uring this year. ,%- The 'uality of the "oo$ pulp pro$uce$ in the ?nite$ 9tates "oul$ e a$e'uate for the purposes of Aapanese an$ )estern 0uropean paper manufacturers. ,C- 5aper manufacturers in Aapan an$ )estern 0urope "oul$ prefer to use "oo$ pulp pro$uce$ in the ?nite$ 9tates if cost "ere not a factor.
9<

,/- /eman$ for paper pro$ucts ma$e in Aapan an$ )estern 0urope "ill not increase sharply $uring this year. ,0- 5ro$uction of "oo$ pulp y ?nite$ 9tates companies "ill not increase sharply $uring this year.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

17. A company.s personnel $irector sur(eye$ employees a out their satisfaction "ith the company.s system for a"ar$ing employee performance ratings. The sur(ey $ata in$icate$ that employees "ho recei(e$ high ratings "ere (ery satisfie$ "ith the system. The personnel $irector conclu$e$ from these $ata that the company.s est#performing employees li!e$ the system. The personnel $irector.s conclusion assumes "hich of the follo"ing+ ,A- 3o other performance rating system is as goo$ as the current system. ,%- The company.s est#performing employees recei(e$ high ratings. ,C- 0mployees "ho recei(e$ lo" ratings "ere $issatisfie$ "ith the system. ,/- 0mployees "ho recei(e high ratings from a performance#rating system "ill li!e that system. ,0- The company.s est#performing employees "ere moti(ate$ to perform "ell y the !no"le$ge that they "oul$ recei(e performance ratings. 15. In Argonia the a(erage rate $ri(ers pay for car acci# $ent insurance is regulate$ to allo" insurance companies to ma!e a reasona le profit. ?n$er the regulations, the rate any in$i(i$ual $ri(er pays ne(er $epen$s on the actual $istance $ri(en y that $ri(er each year. Therefore, Argonians "ho $ri(e less than a(erage partially su si$i2e the insurance of those "ho $ri(e more than a(erage. The conclusion a o(e "oul$ e properly $ra"n if it "ere also true that in Argonia ,A- the a(erage acci$ent insurance rate for all $ri(# ers rises "hene(er a su stantial num er of ne" $ri(ers uy insurance ,%- the a(erage cost to insurance companies of insuring $ri(ers "ho $ri(e less than the annual a(erage is less than the a(erage cost of insuring $ri(ers "ho $ri(e more than the annual a(erage ,C- the lo"er the age of a $ri(er, the higher the insurance rate pai$ y that $ri(er ,/- insurance company profits "oul$ rise su stan#
98

tially if $ri(ers "ere classifie$ in terms of the actual num er of miles they $ri(e each year ,0- $ri(ers "ho ha(e cause$ insurance companies to pay costly claims generally pay insurance rates that are e'ual to or lo"er than those pai$ y other $ri(ers

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

1;. In the 19<>.s there "as an o(ersupply of college gra$uates. The o(ersupply cause$ the a(erage annual income of college gra$uates to fall to a le(el only 18 percent greater than that of "or!ers "ith only high school $iplomas. %y the late 198>.s the a(erage annual income of college gra$uates "as 74 percent higher than that of "or!ers "ith only high school $iplomas, e(en though et"een the 19<>.s an$ the late 198>.s the supply of college gra$uates $i$ not $ecrease. )hich of the follo"ing, if true in the late 198>.s, est reconciles the apparent $iscrepancy $escri e$ a o(e+ ,A- The economy slo"e$, thus creating a $ecrease$ $eman$ for college gra$uates. ,%- The 'uality of high school e$ucation impro(e$. ,C- Compare$ to the 19<>.s, a greater num er of high schools offere$ (ocational gui$ance programs for their stu$ents. ,/- The proportion of the population "ith at least a college#le(el e$ucation increase$. ,0- There "as for the first time in 1> years an o(er# supply of Bo see!ers "ith only high school $iplomas. 1<. )or!ing shorter "or!"ee!s causes managers to feel less stress than $oes "or!ing longer "or!"ee!s. In a$$ition, greater percei(e$ control o(er one.s "or! life re$uces stress le(els. It can e conclu$e$, there# fore, that shorter "or!"ee!s cause managers to feel they ha(e more control o(er their "or! life. The argument ma$e a o(e uses "hich of the follo"# ing 'uestiona le techni'ues+ ,A- Associating t"o con$itions as cause an$ effect on the asis of their eing causally associate$ "ith the same phenomenon ,%- Ta!ing for grante$ that t"o factors that ha(e a certain effect in$i(i$ually pro$uce that effect more strongly "hen oth act together. ,C- Assuming "hat it sets out to pro(e ,/- ?sing an irrele(ant point in or$er to $ra" a conclusion ,0- %asing a conclusion on preconcei(e$ (ie"s a out the nee$s of managers
99

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

18. There are fun$amentally t"o possi le changes in an economy that "ill each cause inflation unless other compensating changes also occur. There changes are either re$uctions in the supply of goo$s an$ ser(ices or increases in $eman$. In a pre an!ing economy the 'uantity of money a(aila le, an$ hence the le(el of $eman$, is e'ui(alent to the 'uantity of gol$ a(aila le. If the statements a o(e are true, then it is also true that in a pre an!ing economy ,A- any inflation is the result of re$uctions in the supply of goo$s an$ ser(ices ,%- if other factors in the economy are unchange$, increasing the 'uantity of gol$ a(aila le "ill lea$ to inflation ,C- if there is a re$uction in the 'uantity of gol$ a(aila le, then, other things eing e'ual, inflation must result ,/- the 'uantity of goo$s an$ ser(ices purchasa le y a gi(en amount of gol$ is constant ,0- "hate(er changes in $eman$ occur, there "ill e compensating changes in the supply of goo$s an$ ser(ices 19. In$ustrialists from the country /istopia "ere accuse$ of promoting the /istopian inter(ention in the Arca$ian ci(il "ar merely to insure that the in$ustrialists. facilities in Arca$ia ma$e su stantial profits $uring the "ar. &et this cannot e the moti(e since, as the /istopians foresa", /istopia.s fe$eral e*penses for the inter(ention "ere eight illion $ollars, "hereas, $uring the "ar, profits from the /istopian in$ustrialistsC facilities in Arca$ia totale$ only four illion $ollars. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, e*poses a serious fla" in the argument ma$e in the secon$ sentence a o(e+ ,A- /uring the Arca$ian "ar, many /istopian in$ustrialists "ith facilities locate$ in Arca$ia e*perience$ a significant rise in pro$ucti(ity in their facilities locate$ in /istopia ,%- The largest proportion of /istopia.s fe$eral e*penses is orne y those "ho recei(e no
1>>

significant in$ustrial profits. ,C- Most /istopian in$ustrialists. facilities locate$ in Arca$ia are e*pecte$ to maintain the le(el of profits they achie(e$ $uring the "ar.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,/- /istopian in$ustrialists. facilities in Arca$ia ma$e su stantial profits efore the e(ents that triggere$ the ci(il "ar. ,0- Many /istopians e*presse$ concern o(er the suffering that Arca$ians un$er"ent $uring the ci(il "ar. 1>. In the ?nite$ 9tates, inBuries to passengers in(ol(e$ in automo ile acci$ents are typically more se(ere than in 0urope, "here la"s re'uire a $ifferent !in$ of safety elt. It is clear from this that the ?nite$ 9tates nee$s to a$opt more stringent stan$ar$s for safety elt $esign to protect automo ile passengers etter. 0ach of the follo"ing, if true, "ea!ens the argument a o(e 0DC05TE ,A- 0uropeans are more li!ely to "ear safety elts than are people in the ?nite$ 9tates. ,%- ?nli!e ?nite$ 9tates $ri(ers, 0uropean $ri(ers recei(e training in ho" est to react in the e(ent of an acci$ent to minimi2e inBuries to themsel(es an$ to their passengers. ,C- Cars uilt for the 0uropean mar!et ten$ to ha(e more stur$y construction than $o cars uilt for the ?nite$ 9tates mar!et. ,/- Automo ile passengers in the ?nite$ 9tates ha(e a greater statistical chance of eing in(ol(e$ in an acci$ent than $o passengers in 0urope. ,0- 9tates that ha(e recently egun re'uiring the 0uropean safety elt ha(e e*perience$ no re$uction in the a(erage se(erity of inBuries suffere$ y passengers in automo ile acci$ents.

CRITICAL REASONING TEST SECTION 11 30 Minutes 20 Questions 1. The school oar$ has $etermine$ that it is necessary to re$uce the num er of teachers on the staff. Rather than $eci$ing "hich teachers "ill e lai$ off on the asis of seniority, the school oar$ plans to lay off the least effecti(e teachers first. The school oar$.s plan assumes that ,A- there is a "ay of $etermining the effecti(eness of teachers ,%- "hat one in$i(i$ual $efines as effecti(e teaching "ill not e $efine$ as effecti(e teaching y another in$i(i$ual ,C- those "ith the most e*perience teaching are the est teachers ,/- those teachers "ho are pai$ the most are generally the most 'ualifie$ ,0- some teachers "ill e more effecti(e "or!ing "ith some stu$ents than "ith other stu$ents 1. 9ince applie$ scientific research is re'uire$ for tech# nological a$(ancement, many ha(e rightly urge$ an increase$ emphasis in uni(ersities on applie$ research. %ut "e must not gi(e too little attention to asic research, e(en though it may ha(e no foresee# a le application, for tomorro".s applie$ research "ill $epen$ on the asic research of to$ay. If the statements a o(e are true, "hich of the follo"ing can e most relia ly inferre$+ ,A- If future technological a$(ancement is $esire$,
1>1

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

asic research shoul$ recei(e greater emphasis than applie$ research. ,%- If asic research is (alue$ in uni(ersities, applie$ research shoul$ e gi(en less emphasis than it currently has. ,C- If future technological a$(ancement is $esire$, research shoul$ e limite$ to that "ith some foreseea le application. ,/- If too little attention is gi(en to asic research to$ay, future technological a$(ancement "ill e Beopar$i2e$. ,0- If technological a$(ancement is gi(en insuffi# cient emphasis, asic research "ill also recei(e too little attention.

4. The @irst %an!ing Group.s $ecision to in(est in an electronic net"or! for transferring fun$s "as ase$ on a cost a$(antage o(er a nonelectronic system of a out ten $ollars per transaction in using an elec# tronic system. 0*ecuti(es reasone$ further that the system "oul$ gi(e them an a$(antage o(er competi# tors. )hich of the follo"ing, if it is a realistic possi ility, most seriously "ea!ens the e*ecuti(es. proBection of an a$(antage o(er competitors+ ,A- The cost a$(antage of using the electronic sys# tem "ill not increase sufficiently to match the pace of inflation. ,%- Competitors "ill for the same reasons install electronic systems, an$ the resulting o(erca# pacity "ill lea$ to mutually $amaging price "ars. ,C- The electronic system "ill pro(i$e a means for faster transfer of fun$s, if the @irst %an!ing Group "ishes to pro(i$e faster transfer to its customers. ,/- 8arge an!s from outsi$e the area ser(e$ y the @irst %an!ing Group ha(e recently esta # lishe$ ranches in that area as competitors to the @irst %an!ing Group. ,0- 0'uipment use$ in the electronic net"or! for transferring fun$s "ill e compati le "ith e'uipment use$ in other such net"or!s. 7. )hich of the follo"ing est completes the argument elo"+ Fne effect of the intro$uction of the electric refriger#
1>1

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

ator "as a collapse in the mar!et for ice. @ormerly househol$ers ha$ ought ice to !eep their ice o*es cool an$ the foo$ store$ in the ice o*es fresh. 3o" the ice o*es cool themsel(es. 9imilarly, the intro$uc# tion of crops genetically engineere$ to e resistant to pests "ill#####. ,A- increase the si2e of crop har(ests ,%- increase the cost of see$s ,C- re$uce $eman$ for chemical pestici$es ,/- re$uce the (alue of farmlan$ ,0- re$uce the num er of farmers !eeping li(estoc!

5. In 1985 the city.s @ine Arts Museum sol$ 4>,>>> single#entry tic!ets. In 198; the city.s @ol! Arts an$ Interior /esign museums opene$, an$ these three museums together sol$ o(er 8>,>>> such tic!ets that year. These museums "ere "orth the cost, since more than t"ice as many citi2ens are no" enBoying the arts. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously "ea!# ens the author.s assertion that more than t"ice as many citi2ens are no" enBoying the arts+ ,A- Most (isitors to one museum also (isit the other t"o. ,%- The cost of uil$ing the museums "ill not e co(ere$ y re(enues generate$ y the sale of museum tic!ets. ,C- As the t"o ne" museums ecome etter !no"n, e(en more citi2ens "ill (isit them. ,/- The city.s @ine Arts Museum $i$ not e*perience a $ecrease in single#entry tic!ets sol$ in 198;. ,0- @e"er museum entry tic!ets "ere sol$ in 198; than the museum planners ha$ hope$ to sell. ;. @E )e ought not to test the safety of ne" $rugs on sentient animals, such as $ogs an$ ra its. Fur enefit means their pain, an$ they are e'ual to us in the capacity to feel pain. GE )e must carry out such testsG other"ise, "e "oul$ irresponsi ly sacrifice the human li(es that coul$ ha(e een sa(e$ y the $rugs. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, is the est o Bection that coul$ e ma$e from @.s point of (ie" to coun# ter G.s point+

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Critical Reasoning

,A- 0(en though it is not necessary for people to use cosmetics, cosmetics are also eing teste$ on sentient animals. ,%- Me$ical science alrea$y has at its $isposal a great num er of $rugs an$ other treatments for serious illnesses. ,C- It is not possi le to o tain scientifically a$e# 'uate results y testing $rugs in the test tu e, "ithout ma!ing tests on li(ing tissue. ,/- 9ome of the $rugs to e teste$ "oul$ sa(e human eings from great pain. ,0- Many tests no" performe$ on sentient animals can e performe$ e'ually "ell on fertili2e$ chic!en eggs that are at a (ery early stage of $e(elopment.

<. )hich of the follo"ing est completes the passage elo"+ The unemployment rate in the ?nite$ 9tates fell from <.5 percent in 1981 to ;.9 percent in 198;. It cannot, ho"e(er, e properly conclu$e$ from these statistics that the num er of unemploye$ in 198; "as lo"er than it ha$ een in 1981 ecause#####. ,A- help#"ante$ a$(ertisements increase$ et"een 1981 an$ 198; ,%- many of the high#paying in$ustrial Bo s a(ail# a le in 1981 "ere replace$ y lo"#"age ser# (ice Bo s in 198;, resulting in $isplacements of hun$re$s of thousan$s of "or!ers ,C- in some mi$"estern in$ustrial states, the unem# ployment rate "as much higher in 198; than it ha$ een in 1981 ,/- the total a(aila le "or! force, inclu$ing those "ith an$ "ithout employment, increase$ et"een 1981 an$ 198; ,0- the a(erage time that employees stay in any one Bo $roppe$ $uring the perio$ 1981 to 198; 8. To re$uce costs, a company is consi$ering a $rastic re$uction in the num er of mi$$le#le(el managers. This re$uction "oul$ e accomplishe$ y first offering early retirement to those 5> years of age or ol$er "ith 15 years of ser(ice, an$ then y firing enough of the others to ring the o(erall re$uction to 5> percent. 0ach of the follo"ing, assuming that it is a realistic possi ility, is a possi le $isa$(antage to the
1>7

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Critical Reasoning

company of the plan 0DC05TE ,A- 8oyalty to the company "ill e re$uce$ among those sur(i(ing the re$uction, ecause they "ill percei(e the status of e(en goo$ managers as uncertain. ,%- The restructuring of managerial Bo s "ill allo" usiness units to e a$apte$ to fit a changing usiness en(ironment. ,C- The company "ill ha(e a smaller pool of managers from "hich to choose in selecting future senior managers. ,/- 9ome of the est managers, unsure of their security against eing fire$, "ill choose early retirement. ,0- The increase$ "or!loa$ of managers remaining "ith the company "ill su Bect them to stress that "ill e(entually affect their performance.

9. In or$er to relie(e congestion in the airspace near the airports of a certain country, transportation offi# cials propose sen$ing passengers y ne" rapi$ trains et"een the country.s maBor airport an$ se(eral small cities "ithin a 4>>#mile ra$ius of it. This plan "as propose$ e(en though the officials reali2e$ that it is the maBor airport that is congeste$, not those in the small cities. The plan to relie(e congestion "oul$ "or! est if "hich of the follo"ing "ere true a out the maBor airport+ ,A- Rail tic!ets et"een the airport an$ the small cities "ill most li!ely cost more than the current air tic!ets for those routes. ,%- Most passengers "ho fre'uently use the airport prefer to reach their cities of $estination e*clusi(ely y air, e(en if they must change planes t"ice. ,C- There are feasi le changes in the airport.s traffic control system "hich "oul$ signifi# cantly relie(e congestion. ,/- 9ome of the congestion the airport e*periences coul$ e relie(e$ if more flights "ere sche$# ule$ at night an$ at other off#pea! hours. ,0- A significant proportion of the airport.s traffic consists of passengers transferring et"een international flights an$ flights to the small cities. :uestions 1>#11 are ase$ on the follo"ing. An annually con$ucte$, nation"i$e sur(ey sho"s a continuing mar!e$ $ecline in the use of illegal $rugs y high school seniors o(er the last three years. 1>. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, casts most

1>5

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Critical Reasoning

$ou t on the rele(ance of the sur(ey results $escri e$ a o(e 11. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ pro(i$e for $ra"ing conclusions a out illegal $rug use in the most teen#age population as a "hole+ support for conclu$ing from the sur(ey results ,A- %ecause of cuts in fun$ing, no sur(ey of illegal $escri e$ a o(e that the use of illegal $rugs y $rug use y high school seniors "ill e people elo" the age of 1> is $eclining+ con$ucte$ ne*t year. ,A- Changes in the le(el of $rug use y high ,%- The $ecline unco(ere$ in the sur(ey has occurre$ school $espite the $ecreasing cost of illegal $rugs. seniors are sel$om matche$ y changes in ,C- Illegal $rug use y teen#agers is highest in those the areas of the country "here teen#agers are least le(el of $rug use y other people elo" the li!ely to stay in high school for their senior year. age of 1>. ,/- 9ur(ey participants are more li!ely no" than ,%- In the past, high school seniors "ere consis# they "ere three years ago to $escri e as tently the population group most li!ely to HheroicH people "ho "ere a$$icte$ to illegal $rugs use an$ ha(e een a le to 'uit. illegal $rugs an$ most li!ely to use them ,0- The proportion of high school seniors "ho say hea(ily. that they strongly $isappro(e of illegal $rug ,C- The percentage of high school seniors "ho use has $ecline$ o(er the last three years. use illegal $rugs is consistently (ery similar to the percentage of all people elo" the age of 1> "ho use illegal $rugs. ,/- The $ecline re(eale$ y the sur(eys is the result of $rug e$ucation programs specifically targete$ at those elo" the age of 1>. ,0- The num er of those sur(eye$ "ho a$mit to ha(ing sol$ illegal $rugs has $ecline$ e(en faster than has the num er "ho ha(e use$ $rugs. 11. 5resi$ent of the ?nite$ 9tatesE I ha(e recei(e$ o(er 1,>>> letters on this issue, an$ the (ast maBority of them support my current position. These letters pro(e that most of the people in the country agree "ith me. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most "ea!ens the 5resi$ent.s conclusion+ ,A- The issue is a (ery $i(isi(e one on "hich
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Critical Reasoning

many people ha(e strong opinions. ,%- 9ome mem ers of Congress $isagree "ith the 5resi$ent.s position. ,C- 5eople "ho $isagree "ith the 5resi$ent feel more strongly a out the issue than $o people "ho agree "ith him. ,/- 5eople "ho agree "ith the 5resi$ent are more li!ely to "rite to him than are people "ho $isagree "ith him. ,0- /uring the presi$ential campaign, the 5resi$ent state$ a position on this issue that "as some# "hat $ifferent from his current position.

14. 9ome go(ernments ha(e trie$ to ma!e alcohol an$ to acco less attracti(e to consumers y regulating "hat can e sho"n in a$(ertisements for these pro$# ucts, rather than y anning a$(ertising of them altogether. 6o"e(er, the nee$ to o ey the letter of these restrictions has actually stimulate$ a$(ertisers to create a$(ertisements that are more in(enti(e an$ humorous than they "ere prior to the restrictions. intro$uction. "hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$, in conBunc# tion "ith the statements a o(e, est support the conclusion that the go(ernment policy $escri e$ a o(e fails to achie(e its o Becti(e+ ,A- %ecause of the re(enues gaine$ from the sale of alcohol an$ to acco, go(ernments ha(e no real interest in ma!ing these pro$ucts less attracti(e to consumers. ,%- A$(ertisers ten$ to create in(enti(e an$ humor# ous a$(ertisements only if they ha(e some particular reason to $o so. ,C- %anning a$(ertising of alcohol an$ to acco is a particularly effecti(e "ay of ma!ing these pro$ucts less attracti(e to consumers. ,/- )ith the policy in place, a$(ertisements for alcohol an$ to acco ha(e ecome far more in(enti(e an$ humorous than a$(ertisements for other !in$s of pro$ucts. ,0- The more in(enti(e an a$(ertisement is, the more attracti(e it ma!es the a$(ertise$ pro$uct appear.

1><

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

17. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est completes the argument elo"+ Comparisons of the a(erage stan$ar$s of li(ing of the citi2ens of t"o countries shoul$ reflect the cit# i2ens. comparati(e access to goo$s an$ ser(ices. Relia le figures in a country.s o"n currency for the a(erage income of its citi2ens are easily o taine$. %ut it is $ifficult to get an accurate comparison of a(erage stan$ar$s of li(ing from these figures. ecause#####. ,A- there are usually no figures comparing ho" much of t"o $ifferent currencies must e spent in or$er to purchase a gi(en 'uantity of goo$s an$ ser(ices ,%- "age le(els for the same Bo (ary greatly from country to country, $epen$ing on cultural as "ell as on purely economic factors ,C- these figures must e calculate$ y $i(i$ing the gross national pro$uct of a country y the si2e of its population

,/- comparati(e access to goo$s an$ ser(ices is only one of se(eral factors rele(ant in $etermining 'uality of life ,0- the "ealth, an$ hence the stan$ar$ of li(ing, of a country.s citi2ens is (ery closely relate$ to their income 15. The le(el of lea$ contamination in ?nite$ 9tates ri(# ers $ecline$ et"een 19<5 an$ 1985. @e$eral regula# tions re'uiring a $rop in in$ustrial $ischarges of lea$ "ent into effect in 19<5, ut the maBor cause of the $ecline "as a <5 percent $rop in the use of lea$e$ gasoline et"een 19<5 an$ 1985. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est supports the claim that the maBor cause of the $ecline in the le(el of lea$ contamination in ?nite$ 9tates ri(es "as the $ecline in the use of lea$e$ gasoline+ ,A- The le(el of lea$ contamination in ?nite$ 9tates ri(ers fell sharply in oth 19<5 an$ 1984. ,%- Most of the $ecline in in$ustrial $ischarges of lea$ occurre$ efore 19<;, ut the largest $ecline in the le(el of ri(er contamination occurre$ et"een 198> an$ 1985. ,C- 8e(els of lea$ contamination in ri(ers fell sharply in 19<5#19<; an$ rose (ery slightly o(er the ne*t nine years. ,/- 8e(els of lea$ contamination rose in those ri(ers "here there "as re$uce$ ri(er flo" $ue to $rought. ,0- Although the use of lea$e$ gasoline $ecline$ <5 percent et"een 19<5 an$1985, 8> percent

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Critical Reasoning

of the $ecline too! place in 1985. 1;. George %ernar$ 9ha" "roteE H That any sane nation, ha(ing o ser(e$ that you coul$ pro(i$e for the supply of rea$ y gi(ing a!ers a pecuniary interest in a!ing for you, shoul$ go on to gi(e a surgeon a pecuniary interest in cutting off your leg is enough to ma!e one $espair of political humanity.H 9ha".s statement "oul$ est ser(e as an illustration in an argument critici2ing "hich of the follo"ing+ ,A- /entists "ho perform unnecessary $ental "or! in or$er to earn a profit ,%- /octors "ho increase their profits y speciali2# ing only in $iseases that affect a large per# centage of the population ,C- Grocers "ho raise the price of foo$ in or$er to increase their profit margins ,/- Fil companies that $ecrease the price of their oil in or$er to increase their mar!et share ,0- %a!ers an$ surgeons "ho earn a profit y sup# plying other peoples. asic nee$s

1<. 9ince 19<5 there has een in the ?nite$ 9tates a $ra# matic $ecline in the inci$ence of tra$itional chil$hoo$ $iseases such as measles. This $ecline has een accom# panie$ y an increase$ inci$ence of 5eterson.s $isease, a hitherto rare (iral infection, among chil$ren. @e" a$ults, ho"e(er, ha(e een affecte$ y the $isease. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ est help to e*plain the increase$ inci$ence of 5eterson.s $isease among chil$ren+ ,A- 6ere$itary factors $etermine in part the $egree to "hich a person is suscepti le to the (irus that causes 5eterson.s $isease. ,%- The $ecrease in tra$itional chil$hoo$ $iseases an$ the accompanying increase in 5eterson.s $isease ha(e not een foun$ in any other country. ,C- Chil$ren "ho contract measles $e(elop an immunity to the (irus that causes 5eterson.s $isease. ,/- 5ersons "ho $i$ not contract measles in chil$# hoo$ might contract measles in a$ulthoo$, in "hich case the conse'uences of the $isease "oul$ generally e more se(ere. ,0- Those "ho ha(e contracte$ 5eterson.s $isease are at increase$ ris! of contracting chic!en po*. 18. Many plant (arieties use$ in in$ustrially $e(elope$ nations to impro(e culti(ate$ crops come from less#

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Critical Reasoning

$e(elope$ nations. 3o compensation is pai$ on the groun$s that the plants use$ are Hthe common her# itage of humanity.H 9uch reasoning is, ho"e(er, fla"e$. After all, no one suggests that coal, oil, an$ ores shoul$ e e*tracte$ "ithout payment.

19. It is "i$ely assume$ that a museum is helpe$ finan# cially "hen a generous patron $onates a potential e*hi it. In truth, ho"e(er, $onate$ o Bects re'uire )hich of the follo"ing est $escri es an aspect of storage space, "hich is not free, an$ routine the metho$ use$ y the author in the argument a o(e+ conser# ,A- The author procee$s from a num er of specific (ation, "hich is rather e*pensi(e. Therefore, o ser(ations to a tentati(e generali2ation. such gifts ,%- The author applies to the case un$er $iscussion e*acer ate rather than lighten the $eman$s facts a out phenomena assume$ to e similar ma$e on in some rele(ant respect. a museum.s financial resources. ,C- A position is strengthene$ y sho"ing that the opposite of that position "oul$ ha(e logically )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously a sur$ conse'uences. "ea!ens the argument a o(e+ ,/- A line of reasoning is calle$ into 'uestion on ,A- To !eep patrons "ell $ispose$, a museum the groun$s that it confuses cause an$ effect "ill in a causal relation. fin$ it a$(isa le to put at least some ,0- An argument is analy2e$ y separating state# $onate$ ments of fact from in$i(i$ual (alue Bu$gments. o Bects on e*hi it rather than merely in storage. ,%- The people "ho are most li!ely to $onate (alu# a le o Bects to a museum are also the people "ho are most li!ely to ma!e cash gifts to it. ,C- A museum cannot sa(e money y resorting to cheap storage un$er less than a$e'uate con# $itions, ecause so $oing "oul$ $ri(e up the cost of conser(ation. ,/- 5atrons e*pect a museum to !eep $onate$ o Bects in its possession rather than to raise cash y selling them. ,0- F Bects $onate$ y a patron to a museum are often of such importance that the museum "oul$ e o lige$ to a$$ them to its collec# tion through purchase if necessary. 1>. /espite the approach of "inter, oil prices to in$us# trial customers are e*ceptionally lo" this year an$
11>

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

li!ely to remain so. Therefore, unless the "inter is especially se(ere, the price of natural gas to in$us# trial customers is also li!ely to remain lo".

CRITICAL REASONING TEST SECTION 12 30 Minutes 20 Questions

1. The country of Mara(ia has se(ere air pollution, )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es the most 8> percent of "hich is cause$ y the e*haust support for the conclusion a o(e+ fumes ,A- 8ong#term "eather forecasts pre$ict a mil$ "inter. of cars. In or$er to re$uce the num er of cars on ,%- The in$ustrial users "ho consume most natural the gas can 'uic!ly an$ cheaply s"itch to using roa$, the go(ernment is raising ta*es on the cost oil instea$. of ,C- The largest sources of supply for oth oil an$ uying an$ running a car y 1> percent. This ta* natural gas are in su tropical regions unli!ely increase, therefore, "ill significantly re$uce air to e affecte$ y "inter "eather. pollu# ,/- The fuel re'uirements of in$ustrial users of nat# tion in Mara(ia. ural gas are not seriously affecte$ y the "eather. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously ,0- Fil $istri ution is more li!ely to e affecte$ y "ea!ens the argument a o(e+ se(ere "inter "eather than is the $istri ution ,A- The go(ernment of Mara(ia is in the process of natural gas. of uil$ing a significant num er of roa$"ays. ,%- Mara(ia is an oil#pro$ucing country an$ is a le to refine an amount of gasoline sufficient for the nee$s of its population. ,C- Mara(ia has ha$ an e*cellent pu lic transporta# tion system for many years. ,/- 3inety percent of the population of Mara(ia is (ery prosperous an$ has a su stantial amount of $isposa le income. ,0- In Mara(ia, cars that emit relati(ely lo" le(els of pollutants cost 1> percent less to operate, on a(erage, than $o cars that emit high le(els of pollutants. 1. Consumer income reports pro$uce$ y the go(ern# ment $istinguish et"een househol$s an$ families y means of the follo"ing $efinitionE HA family is a househol$ containing a househol$er an$ at least one person relate$ to the househol$er.H 0*cept for the
111

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

homeless an$ people in group li(ing 'uarters, most people li(e in househol$s. Accor$ing to the $efinition a o(e, "hich of the follo"ing must e true+ ,A- All househol$ers are mem ers of families. ,%- All families inclu$e a househol$er. ,C- All of the people relate$ to a househol$er form a family. ,/- 9ome people resi$ing in group li(ing 'uarters are mem ers of families. ,0- 9ome homeless people resi$e in group li(ing 'uarters.

:uestions 4#7 are ase$ on the follo"ing. The proportion of manufacturing companies in Alame$a that use microelectronics in their manufactur# ing processes increase$ from ; percent in 19<9 to ;; percent in 199>. Many la or lea$ers say that the intro# $uction of microelectronics is the principal cause of the great increase in unemployment $uring that perio$ in Alame$a. In actual fact, ho"e(er, most of the Bo losses "ere $ue to organi2ational changes. Moreo(er, accor$# ing to ne" figures release$ y the la or $epartment, there "ere many more people employe$ in Alame$a in the manufacturing in$ustry in 199> than in 19<9. 4. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est reconciles the $iscrepancy et"een the increase in unemployment an$ the increase in Bo s in the manufacturing in$us# try of Alame$a+ ,A- Many pro$ucts that contain microelectronic components are no" assem le$ completely y machine. ,%- )or!ers in(ol(e$ in the (arious aspects of the manufacturing processes that use microelec# tronic technology nee$ e*tensi(e training. ,C- It is $ifficult to e(aluate numerically "hat impact on Bo security the intro$uction of microelectronics in the "or!place ha$ efore 19<9. ,/- In 199> o(er 9> percent of the Bo s in Alame$a.s manufacturing companies "ere fille$ y "or!ers "ho mo(e$ to Alame$a ecause they ha$ s!ills for "hich there "as no $eman$ in Alame$a prior to the intro$uc#
111

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

tion of microelectronics there. ,0- Many "or!ers "ho ha(e retire$ from the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a since 19<9 ha(e not een replace$ y younger "or!ers. 7. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ most strengthen the la or lea$ers. claim concerning the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a+ ,A- @rom 19<9 to 199>, fe"er employees of manu# facturing companies in Alame$a lost their Bo s ecause of the intro$uction of microelec# tronics than $i$ employees of manufacturing companies in the near y community of Roc!si$e. ,%- The figures on the use of microelectronics that "ere ma$e pu lic are the result of in'uiries ma$e of managers in the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a.

,C- The organi2ational changes that le$ to Bo losses in all sectors of the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a "ere primarily the result of the intro$uction of microelectronics. ,/- @igures on Bo losses in the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a for the late si*ties an$ early se(enties ha(e not een ma$e a(aila le. ,0- A fe" Bo s in the manufacturing in$ustry in Alame$a coul$ ha(e een sa(e$ if "or!ers ha$ een "illing to ecome !no"le$gea le in microelectronics. 5. The num er of musicians employe$ to play accom# paniment for ra$io an$ tele(ision commercials has sharply $ecrease$ o(er the past ten years. This has occurre$ e(en though the num er of commercials pro$uce$ each year has not significantly change$ for the last ten years. )hich of the follo"ing, if it occurre$ $uring the past ten years, "oul$ contri ute 80A9T to an e*planation of the facts a o(e+ ,A- The type of music most popular for use in commercials has change$ from a type that re'uires a large num er of instruments to a type that re'uires (ery fe" instruments. ,%- There has een an increase in the num er of commercials that use only the spo!en "or$ an$ soun$ effects, rather than musical accompaniment. ,C- There has een an increase in the num er of commercials that use a synthesi2er, an instru# ment on "hich one musician can repro$uce the soun$ of many musicians playing together. ,/- There has een an increase in the num er of commercials that use prerecor$e$ music as
114

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

their only source of music. ,0- There has een an increase in the num er of commercials that use musicians Bust starting in the music in$ustry rather than musicians e*perience$ in accompanying commercials.

;. Recent au$its re(eale$ that %an'ueCar$, a cre$it ser(ice, has erre$ in calculating the interest it charges its clients. %ut %an'ueCar$.s chief accountant reasone$ that the profits that the company sho"s "oul$ remain unaffecte$ y a re(ision of its clientsC, cre$it statements to correct its pre(ious illing errors, since Bust as many clients ha$ een o(ercharge$ as un$ercharge$. )hich of the follo"ing is a reasoning error that the accountant ma!es in conclu$ing that correcting its clients. statements "oul$ lea(e %an'ueCar$.s profits unaffecte$+ ,A- Relying on the reputation of %an'ueCar$ as a trust"orthy cre$it ser(ice to maintain the company.s clientele after the error ecomes "i$ely !no"n ,%- @ailing to esta lish that %an'ueCar$ charges the same rates of interest for all of its clients ,C- F(erloo!ing the possi ility that the amount y "hich %an'ueCar$.s clients ha$ een o(er# charge$ might e greater than the amount y "hich they ha$ een un$ercharge$ ,/- Assuming that the clients "ho ha$ een o(er# charge$ y %an'ueCar$ ha$ not notice$ the error in their cre$it ills ,0- 5resupposing that each one of %an'ueCar$.s clients ha$ either een o(ercharge$ or else ha$ een un$ercharge$ y the illing error <. 3ot 9core$ 8. Resi$ents of an apartment comple* are consi$ering t"o possi le plans for collecting recycla le trash. 5lan 1#Resi$ents "ill $eposit recycla le trash in
117

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

municipal $umpsters locate$ in the par!ing lot. The trash "ill e collecte$ on the first an$ the fifteenth $ays of each month. 5lan 1#Resi$ents "ill e gi(en in$i(i$ual containers for recycla le trash. The containers "ill e place$ at the cur t"ice a "ee! for trash collection. )hich of the follo"ing points raise$ at a meeting of the resi$ents, if (ali$, "oul$ most fa(or one of the recycling plans o(er the other+ ,A- Resi$ents "ill e re'uire$ to e*ercise care in separating recycla le trash from nonrecy# cla le trash. ,%- @or trash recycling to e successful, resi$ents must separate recycla le ottles an$ cans from recycla le paper pro$ucts.

,C- 5enalties "ill e le(ie$ against resi$ents "ho fail to sort their trash correctly. ,/- In$i(i$ual recycling containers "ill nee$ to e ma$e of a strong an$ $ura le material. ,0- Recycla le trash that is allo"e$ to accumulate for t"o "ee!s "ill attract ro$ents. 9. In 199> all of the people "ho applie$ for a Bo at 0(co also applie$ for a Bo at Ra$eco, an$ 0(co an$ Ra$eco each offere$ Bo s to half of these appli# cants. Therefore, e(ery one of these applicants must ha(e een offere$ a Bo in 199>. The argument a o(e is ase$ on "hich of the follo"ing assumptions a out these Bo applicants+ ,A- All of the applicants "ere (ery "ell 'ualifie$ for a Bo at either 0(co or Ra$eco. ,%- All of the applicants accepte$ a Bo at either 0(co or Ra$eco. ,C- 3one of the applicants "as offere$ a Bo y oth 0(co an$ Ra$eco. ,/- 3one of the applicants ha$ applie$ for Bo s at places other than 0(co an$ Ra$eco. ,0- 3one of the applicants ha$ per(iously "or!e$ for either 0(co or Ra$eco. 1>. The geese that gather at the pon$ of a large corpora# tion create a ha2ar$ for e*ecuti(es "ho use the corporate helicopter, "hose lan$ing site is 7> feet a"ay from the pon$. To sol(e the pro lem, the corporation plans to import a large num er of her$# ing $ogs to !eep the geese a"ay from the helicopter.

115

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Critical Reasoning

)hich of the follo"ing, if a realistic possi ility, "oul$ cast the most serious $ou t on the prospects for success of the corporation.s plan+ ,A- The $ogs "ill form an uncontrolla le pac!. ,%- The $ogs "ill re'uire training to learn to her$ the geese. ,C- The $ogs "ill frighten a"ay fo*es that prey on ol$ an$ sic! geese. ,/- It "ill e necessary to !eep the $ogs in 'uaran# tine for 4> $ays after importing them. ,0- 9ome of the geese "ill mo(e to the pon$ of another corporation in or$er to a(oi$ eing her$e$ y the $ogs.

11. )hen a person is un$er intense psychological stress, his or her car$io(ascular response is the same as it is $uring (igorous physical e*ercise. 5sychological stress, then, must e eneficial for the heart as is (igorous physical e*ercise. The argument a o(e relies on "hich of the follo"ing assumptions+ ,A- 0*ercise is an effecti(e means of relie(ing psychological stress. ,%- The o$y.s short#term car$io(ascular response to any acti(ity in$icates that acti(ity.s long# term effect on the o$y. ,C- Car$io(ascular response $uring an acti(ity is an a$e'uate measure of ho" eneficial the acti(# ity is for the heart. ,/- 5sychological stress can ha(e a positi(e effect on the o$y. ,0- Iigorous e*ercise is the most relia le metho$ of maintaining a healthy heart. 11. After gra$uating form high school, people rarely multiply fractions or $iscuss ancient Rome, ut they are confronte$ $aily "ith $ecisions relating to home economics. &et "hereas mathematics an$ history are re'uire$ courses in the high school curriculum, home economics is only an electi(e, an$ fe" stu$ents choose to ta!e it. )hich of the follo"ing positions "oul$ e est supporte$ y the consi$erations a o(e+

11;

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,A- If mathematics an$ history "ere not re'uire$ 14. 6ouses uilt $uring the last ten years ha(e een courses, fe" stu$ents "oul$ choose to ta!e them. foun$ to contain in$oor air pollution at le(els ,%- )hereas home economics "oul$ e the most that useful su Bect for people facing the $ecisions are, on a(erage, much higher than the le(els they must ma!e in $aily life, often mathematics foun$ an$ history can also help them face these $ecisions. in ol$er houses. The reason air#pollution le(els ,C- If it is important to teach high school stu$ents are su Bects that relate to $ecisions that "ill higher in the ne"er houses is that many such confront them in their $aily li(es, then home houses economics shoul$ e ma$e an important part are uilt near the sites of ol$ "aste $umps or of the high school curriculum. "here ,/- Mathematics, history, an$ other courses that automo ile emissions are hea(y. are not $irectly rele(ant to a person.s $aily life shoul$ not e a re'uire$ part of the high )hich of the follo"ing, if true, calls into school curriculum. 'uestion ,0- ?nless high schools put more emphasis on the e*planation a o(e+ nonaca$emic su Bects li!e home economics, ,A- Many ne" houses are uilt "ith air# people gra$uating from high school "ill filtration ne(er feel comforta le a out ma!ing the =systems that remo(e from the house pollu# $ecisions that "ill confront them in their =tants that are generate$ in$oors. $aily li(es. ,%- The easing of stan$ar$s for smo!estac! emis# =sions has le$ to an increase in air#pollution =le(els in homes. ,C- 3e" houses uilt in seclu$e$ rural areas are =relati(ely free of air pollutants. ,/- )arm#"eather con$itions ten$ to slo" $o"n =the mo(ement of air, thus !eeping pollution =trappe$ near its source. ,0- 5ress oar$, an ine*pensi(e ne" ply"oo$ su sti# =tute no" often use$ in the construction of =houses, emits the pollutant formal$ehy$e into =the house.

11<

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

17. The most important aspect of mo(iema!ing is con(eying a scene.s rhythm. Con(eying rhythm $epen$s less on the artistic 'uality of the in$i(i$ual photographic images than on ho" the shots go together an$ the or$er in "hich they highlight $ifferent aspects of the action ta!ing place in front of the camera. If the statements a o(e are true, "hich of the follo"ing must e true on the asis of them+ ,A- The artistic 'uality of the in$i(i$ual photo# =graphic image is unimportant in mo(ie =photography. ,%- 5hotographers !no"n for the super artistic ='uality of their photographs are sel$om effec# =ti(e as mo(iema!ers. ,C- 6a(ing the a ility to pro$uce photographs of =super artistic 'uality $oes not in itself guar# =antee ha(ing the a ility to e a goo$ =mo(iema!er. ,/- Mo(ie photographers "ho are goo$ at their =Bo s rarely gi(e serious thought to the artistic ='uality of the photographs they ta!e. ,0- To con(ey a scene.s rhythm effecti(ely, a =mo(iema!er must highlight many $ifferent =aspects of the action ta!ing place. 15. 6uman eings can see the spatial relations among o Bects y processing information con(eye$ y light. 9cientists trying to uil$ computers that can $etect spatial relations y the same !in$ of process ha(e so far $esigne$ an$ uilt stationary machines. 6o"e(er, these scientists "ill not achie(e their goal until they pro$uce such a machine that can mo(e aroun$ in its en(ironment. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ est support the pre$iction a o(e+ ,A- 6uman eings are $epen$ent on (isual cues =form motion in or$er to $etect spatial rela=tions. ,%- 6uman eings can often easily $etect the spatial =relations among o Bects, e(en "hen those =o Bects are in motion. ,C- /etecting spatial relations among o Bects =re'uires $ra"ing inferences from the infor# =mation con(eye$ y light. ,/- Although human eings can $iscern spatial
118

=relations through their sense of hearing, =(ision is usually the most important means of =$etecting spatial relations. ,0- Information a out the spatial relations among =o Bects can e o taine$ y noticing such =things as sha$o"s an$ the relati(e si2es of =o Bects.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

1;. In a stu$y of the effect of color on pro$ucti(ity, 5> of 1>> factory "or!ers "ere mo(e$ from their $ra "or!room to a rightly colore$ "or!room. %oth these "or!ers an$ the 5> "ho remaine$ in the $ra "or!room increase$ their pro$ucti(ity, pro a# ly as a result of the interest ta!en y researchers in the "or! of oth groups $uring the stu$y. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ cast most $ou t upon the author.s interpretation of the stu$y results gi(en a o(e+ ,A- The 5> "or!ers mo(e$ to the rightly colore$ =room performe$ precisely the same manufac# =turing tas! as the "or!ers "ho remaine$ in =the $ra "or!room. ,%- The $ra "or!room "as $esigne$ to pro(i$e =a$e'uate space for at most ;5 "or!ers. ,C- The 5> "or!ers "ho mo(e$ to the rightly colore$ "or!room "ere matche$ as closely as possi le in age an$ le(el of training to the 5> "or!ers "ho remaine$ in the $ra "or!#room. ,/- 3early all the "or!ers in oth groups ha$ =(olunteere$ to mo(e to the rightly colore$ ="or!room. ,0- Many of the "or!ers "ho mo(e$ to the = rightly colore$ "or!room reporte$ that =they li!e$ the $ra "or!room as "ell as or = etter than they li!e$ the rightly colore$ ="or!room. 18. ManagerE Accounting an$ %illing are locate$ right ne*t to each other an$ the t"o $epart# ments $o similar !in$s of "or!G yet e*pen$itures for clerical supplies charge$ to %illing are much higher. Is %illing "asting supplies+ 6ea$ of %illingE 3ot at all. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est supports the position of the 6ea$ of %illing+ ,A- There are more staff mem ers in Accounting =than in %illing. ,%- T"o years ago, e*pen$itures in Accounting for =clerical supplies "ere the same as "ere e*pen# =$itures that year in %illing for clerical supplies. ,C- The "or! of %illing no" re'uires a "i$er (ari#
119

=ety of clerical supplies than it $i$ in the past. ,/- 9ome of the paper#an$#pencil "or! of oth =Accounting an$ %illing has een replace$ y ="or! $one on computers. ,0- Mem ers of Accounting foun$ the clerical# =supplies ca inet of %illing more con(enient to =go to for supplies than their o"n $epart# =ment.s ca inet.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

19. Most geologists elie(e oil results from chemical transformations of hy$rocar ons $eri(e$ from organisms urie$ un$er ancient seas. 9uppose, instea$, that oil actually results from acterial action on other comple* hy$rocar ons that are trappe$ "ithin the 0arth. As is "ell !no"n, the (olume of these hy$rocar ons e*cee$s that of urie$ organ# isms. Therefore, our oil reser(es "oul$ e greater than most geologists elie(e. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, gi(es the strongest support to the argument a o(e a out our oil reser(es+ ,A- Most geologists thin! optimistically a out the =0arth.s reser(es of oil. ,%- Most geologists ha(e performe$ accurate chem# =ical analyses on pre(iously $isco(ere$ oil =reser(es. ,C- Ancient seas are urie$ "ithin the 0arth at =many places "here fossils are a un$ant. ,/- The only acteria yet foun$ in oil reser(es coul$ =ha(e lea!e$ $o"n $rill holes from surface =contaminants. ,0- Chemical transformations re$uce the (olume of = urie$ hy$rocar ons $eri(e$ from organisms = y roughly the same proportion as acterial =action re$uces the (olume of other comple* =hy$rocar ons. 1>. The "il$ mouflon sheep of the islan$ of Corsica are $irect $escen$ants of sheep that escape$ from $omestication on the islan$ 8,>>> years ago. They therefore pro(i$e archaeologists "ith a picture of "hat some early $omesticate$ sheep loo!e$ li!e, efore the $eli erate selecti(e ree$ing that pro$uce$ mo$ern $omesticate$ sheep egan. The argument a o(e ma!es "hich of the follo"ing assumptions+ ,A- The $omesticate$ sheep of 8,>>> years ago "ere ='uite $issimilar from the "il$ sheep of the =time. ,%- There are no other e*isting ree$s of sheep that =escape$ from $omestication at a out the =same time as the fore ears of the mouflon. ,C- Mo$ern $omesticate$ sheep are $irect $escen#
11>

=$ants of sheep that "ere "il$ 8,>>> years ago. ,/- Mouflon sheep are more similar to their fore# = ears of 8,>>> years ago than mo$ern $omes# =ticate$ sheep are to theirs. ,0- The climate of Corsica has not change$ at all in =the last 8,>>> years.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

CRITICAL REASONING TEST SECTION 13 25 Minutes 16 Questions 1. Ca le#tele(ision spo!espersonE 9u scriptions to ca le tele(ision are a argain in comparison to HfreeH tele(ision. Remem er that HfreeH tele(i# sion is not really free. It is consumers, in the en$, "ho pay for the costly a$(ertising that supports HfreeH tele(ision. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, is most $amaging to the position of the ca le#tele(ision spo!esperson+ ,A- Consumers "ho $o not o"n tele(ision sets are =less li!ely to e influence$ in their purchasing =$ecisions y tele(ision a$(ertising than are =consumers "ho o"n tele(ision sets. ,%- 9u scriptions to ca le tele(ision inclu$e access =to some pu lic#tele(ision channels, "hich $o =not accept a$(ertising. ,C- @or locations "ith poor tele(ision reception, ca le =tele(ision pro(i$es picture 'uality superior to =that pro(i$e$ y free tele(ision. ,/- There is as much a$(ertising on many ca le# =tele(ision channels as there is on HfreeH tele# =(ision channels. ,0- Ca le#tele(ision su scri ers can choose "hich =channels they "ish to recei(e, an$ the fees =(ary accor$ingly. 1. )oo$smo!e contains $angerous to*ins that cause changes in human cells. %ecause "oo$smo!e presents such a high health ris!, legislation is nee$e$ to regu# late the use of open#air fires an$ "oo$# urning sto(es. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es the most support for the argument a o(e+ ,A- The amount of $angerous to*ins containe$ in ="oo$smo!e is much less than the amount =containe$ in an e'ual (olume of automo ile =e*haust. ,%- )ithin the Buris$iction co(ere$ y the propose$ =legislation, most heating an$ coo!ing is $one ="ith oil or natural gas. ,C- 9mo!e pro$uce$ y coal# urning sto(es is signif# =icantly more to*ic than smo!e from "oo$# = urning sto(es.
111

,/- 3o significant eneficial effect on air 'uality "oul$ =result if open#air fires "ere anne$ "ithin the =Buris$iction co(ere$ y the propose$ legislation. ,0- In (alleys "here "oo$ is use$ as the primary =heating fuel, the concentration of smo!e results =in poor air 'uality.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

4. )ithin 1> years it "ill pro a ly e possi le to i$en# tify the genetic suscepti ility an in$i(i$ual may ha(e to"ar$ any particular $isease. 0(entually, effecti(e strategies "ill e $isco(ere$ to counteract each such suscepti ility. Fnce these effecti(e strategies are foun$, therefore, the people "ho follo" them "ill ne(er get sic!. The argument a o(e is ase$ on "hich of the follo"# ing assumptions+ ,A- @or e(ery $isease there is only one strategy that =can pre(ent its occurrence. ,%- In the future, genetics "ill e the only me$ical specialty of any importance. ,C- All human sic!nesses are in part the result of in$i(i$uals. genetic suscepti ilities. ,/- All humans are genetically suscepti le to some =$iseases. ,0- 5eople "ill follo" me$ical a$(ice "hen they are =con(ince$ that it is effecti(e. 7. Most employees in the computer in$ustry mo(e from company to company, changing Bo s se(eral times in their careers. 6o"e(er, 9ummit Computers is !no"n throughout the in$ustry for retaining its employees. 9ummit cre$its its success in retaining employees to its informal, nonhierarchical "or! en(ironment. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most strongly supports 9ummit.s e*planation of its success in retaining employees+ ,A- 9ome people employe$ in the computer in$us# =try change Bo s if they ecome ore$ "ith =their current proBects ,%- A hierarchical "or! en(ironment hin$ers the =cooperati(e e*change of i$eas that computer =in$ustry employees consi$er necessary for =their "or!. ,C- Many of 9ummit.s senior employees ha$ pre(i# =ously "or!e$ at only one other computer =company. ,/- In a nonhierarchical "or! en(ironment, people =a(oi$ eha(ior that might threaten group =harmony an$ thus a(oi$ $iscussing "ith their =colleagues any $issatisfaction they might ha(e
111

="ith their Bo s. ,0- The cost of li(ing near 9ummit is relati(ely lo" =compare$ to areas in "hich some other =computer companies are locate$.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

5. @inancing for a large construction proBect "as pro(i$e$ y a group of an!s. )hen the money "as gone efore the proBect "as complete$, the an!s appro(e$ a$$i# tional loans. 3o", "ith fun$s use$ up again an$ completion still not at han$, the an!s refuse to e*ten$ further loans, although "ithout those loans, the proBect is $oome$. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est e*plains "hy the an!.s current reaction is $ifferent from their reaction in the pre(ious instance of $epletion of fun$s+ ,A- The an!s ha(e reassesse$ the income potential =of the complete$ proBect an$ ha(e conclu$e$ =that total income genera le "oul$ e less than =total interest $ue on the ol$ plus the nee$e$ =ne" loans. ,%- The an!s ha(e i$entifie$ se(eral other proBects =that offer faster repayment of the principal if =loans are appro(e$ no" to get those proBects =starte$. ,C- The an!s ha$ agree$ "ith the orro"ers that =the construction loans "oul$ e secure$ y =the complete$ proBect. ,/- The cost o(erruns "ere largely $ue to unforesee# =a le pro lems that arose in the most $ifficult =phase of the construction "or!. ,0- The proBect stimulate$ the $e(elopment an$ =refinement of se(eral ne" construction tech# =ni'ues, "hich "ill ma!e it easier an$ cheaper =to carry out similar proBects in the future. ;. 8o"#income families are often una le to affor$ as much chil$ care as they nee$. Fne go(ernment program "oul$ a"ar$ lo"#income families a refun$ on the income ta*es they pay of as much as J1,>>> for each chil$ un$er age four. This program "oul$ ma!e it possi le for all lo"#income families "ith chil$ren un$er age four to o tain more chil$ care than they other"ise "oul$ ha(e een a le to affor$. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously calls into 'uestion the claim that the program "oul$ ma!e it possi le for all lo"#income families to o tain more chil$ care+ ,A- The a(erage family "ith chil$ren un$er age four =spen$s more than J1,>>> a year on chil$ care.
114

,%- 9ome lo"#income families in "hich one of the =parents is usually a(aila le to care for chil# =$ren un$er age four may not "ant to spen$ =their income ta* refun$ on chil$ care.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,C- The re$uction in go(ernment re(enues stem# =ming from the income ta* refun$ "ill necessi# =tate cuts in other go(ernment programs, such =as grants for higher e$ucation. ,/- Many lo"#income families "ith chil$ren un$er =age four $o not pay any income ta*es = ecause their total income is too lo" to e =su Bect to such ta*es. ,0- Income ta*es ha(e increase$ su stantially o(er =the past t"enty years, re$ucing the money =that lo"#income families ha(e a(aila le to = spen$ on chil$ care. <. 3ot score$ 8. Although parapsychology is often consi$ere$ a pseu$oscience, it is in fact a genuine scientific enter# prise, for it uses scientific metho$s such as controlle$ e*periments an$ statistical tests of clearly state$ hypotheses to e*amine the 'uestions it raises The conclusion a o(e is properly $ra"n if "hich of the follo"ing is assume$+ ,A- If a fiel$ of stu$y can conciusi(ely ans"er the 'uestions it raises, then it is a genuine science. ,%- 9ince parapsychology uses scientific metho$s, it "ill pro$uce cre$i le results. ,C- Any enterprise that $oes not use controlle$ e*periments an$ statistical tests is not genuine science. ,/- Any fiel$ of stu$y that employs scientific meth# o$s is a genuine scientific enterprise. ,0- 9ince parapsychology raises clearly stata le 'uestions, they can e teste$ in controlle$ e*periments. 9. 6otco oil urners, $esigne$ to e use$ in asphalt plants, are so efficient that 6otco "ill sell one to the Clifton Asphalt plant for no payment other than the cost sa(ings et"een the total amount the asphalt plant actually pai$ for oil using its former urner $uring the last t"o years an$ the total amount it "ill pay for oil using the 6otco urner $uring the ne*t t"o years. Fn installation, the plant "ill ma!e an esti# mate$ payment, "hich "ill e a$Buste$ after t"o years to e'ual the actual cost sa(ings.
117

)hich of the follo"ing, if it occurre$, "oul$ consti# tute a $isa$(antage for 6otco of the plan $escri e$ a o(e+

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

,A- Another manufacturer.s intro$uction to the =mar!et of a similarly efficient urner ,%- The Clifton Asphalt plant.s nee$ for more than =one ne" urner ,C- Iery poor efficiency in the Clifton Asphalt =plant.s ol$ urner ,/- A $ecrease in the $eman$ for asphalt ,0- A stea$y increase in the price of oil eginning =soon after the ne" urner is installe$ 1>.To$ay.s lo" gasoline prices ma!e consumers "illing to in$ulge their preference for larger cars, "hich consume greater amounts of gasoline as fuel. 9o ?nite$ 9tates automa!ers are un"illing to pursue the $e(elopment of ne" fuel#efficient technologies aggressi(ely. The particular reluctance of the ?nite$ 9tates automo ile in$ustry to $o so, ho"e(er, coul$ threaten the in$ustry.s future.

11. An e*periment "as $one in "hich human su Bects recogni2e a pattern "ithin a matri* of a stract $esigns an$ then select another $esign that completes that pattern. The results of the e*periment "ere surprising. The lo"est e*pen$iture of energy in neurons in the rain "as foun$ in those su Bects "ho performe$ most successfully in the e*periments. )hich of the follo"ing hypotheses est accounts for the fin$ings of the e*periment+ ,A- The neurons of the rain react less "hen a =su Bect is trying to recogni2e patterns than ="hen the su Bect is $oing other !in$s of =reasoning. ,%- Those "ho performe$ est in the e*periment =e*perience$ more satisfaction "hen "or!ing ="ith a stract patterns than $i$ those "ho =performe$ less "ell. ,C- 5eople "ho are etter at a stract pattern recog# =nition ha(e more energy#efficient neural =connections. ,/- The energy e*pen$iture of the su Bects rains =increases "hen a $esign that completes the =initially recogni2e$ pattern is $etermine$. ,0- The tas! of completing a gi(en $esign is more =capa ly performe$ y athletes, "hose energy =e*pen$iture is lo"er "hen they are at rest =than is that of the general population.

)hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ pro(i$e the most support for the claim a o(e a out the future of the ?nite$ 9tates automo ile in$ustry+ ,A- A prototype fuel#efficient (ehicle, uilt fi(e years =ago, achie(es a (ery high 81 miles per gallon =on the high"ay an$ ;4 in the city, ut its =materials are relati(ely costly. ,%- 9mall cars sol$ y manufacturers in the ?nite$ 9tates are more fuel efficient no" than efore =the su$$en Bump in oil prices in 19<4. ,C- Automa!ers else"here in the "orl$ ha(e slo"e$ =the intro$uction of fuel#efficient technologies = ut ha(e presse$ ahea$ "ith research an$ =$e(elopment of them in preparation for a =pre$icte$ rise in "orl$ oil prices. ,/- There are many technological opportunities for =re$ucing the "aste of energy in cars an$ light =truc!s through "eight, aero$ynamic $rag, =an$ ra!ing friction. ,0- The promotion of mass transit o(er automo iles =as an alternati(e mo$e of transportation has =encountere$ consumer resistance that is $ue 11. A researcher stu$ying $rug a$$icts foun$ that, =in part to the failure of mass transit to accom# on =mo$ate the "i$e $ispersal of points of origin a(erage, they ten$ to manipulate other people a =an$ $estinations for trips. great $eal more than nona$$icts $o. The researcher conclu$e$ that people "ho fre'uently
115

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Critical Reasoning

manipulate other people are li!ely to ecome a$$icts. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously "ea!# ens the researcher.s conclusion+ ,A- After ecoming a$$icte$ to $rugs, $rug a$$icts =learn to manipulate other people as a "ay of =o taining $rugs. ,%- )hen they are imprisone$, $rug a$$icts often =use their a ility to manipulate other people to =o tain etter li(ing con$itions. ,C- 9ome nona$$icts manipulate other people more =than some a$$icts $o. ,/- 5eople "ho are li!ely to ecome a$$icts e*hi it =unusual eha(ior patterns other than =fre'uent manipulation of other people ,0- The a$$icts that the researcher stu$ie$ "ere =often unsuccessful in o taining "hat they ="ante$ "hen they manipulate$ other people.

14. Fne "ay to Bu$ge the performance of a company is to compare it "ith other companies. This techni'ue, commonly calle$ H enchmar!ing,H permits the manager of a company to $isco(er etter in$ustrial practices an$ can pro(i$e a Bustification for the a$option of goo$ practices. Any of the follo"ing, if true, is a (ali$ reason for enchmar!ing the performance of a company against companies "ith "hich it is not in competi# tion rather than against competitors 0DC05TE ,A- Comparisons "ith competitors are most li!ely =to focus on practices that the manager ma!ing =the comparisons alrea$y employs. ,%- Getting Hinsi$eH information a out the uni'ue =practices of competitors is particularly $ifficult. ,C- 9ince companies that compete "ith each other are li!ely to ha(e compara le le(els of efficiency, only enchmar!ing against noncompetitors is li!ely to re(eal practices that "oul$ ai$ in eating competitors. ,/- Managers are generally more recepti(e to ne" i$eas that they fin$ outsi$e their o"n in$ustry. ,0- Much of the success of goo$ companies is $ue to their a$option of practices that ta!e a$(antage of the special circumstances of their pro$ucts of mar!ets.

11;

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

17. Among the more effecti(e !in$s of pu licity that 15. In 9"art!ans territory, archaeologists pu lishers can get for a ne" oo! is to ha(e e*cerpts $isco(ere$ of it pu lishe$ in a high#circulation maga2ine soon charre$ one fragments $ating ac! 1 million efore the oo! is pu lishe$. The enefits of such years. e*cerption inclu$e not only a sure increase in sales Analysis of the fragments, "hich came from a ut also a fee pai$ y the maga2ine to the oo!.s pu lisher. (ari# ety of animals, sho"e$ that they ha$ een )hich of the follo"ing conclusions is est supporte$ heate$ to y the information a o(e+ temperatures no higher than those pro$uce$ in ,A- The num er of people for "hom seeing an e*perimental campfires ma$e from ranches of =e*cerpt of a oo! in a maga2ine pro(i$es an "hite stin!"oo$, the most common tree aroun$ =a$e'uate su stitute for rea$ing the "hole 9"art!ans. = oo! is smaller than the num er for "hom =the e*cerpt stimulates a $esire to rea$ the oo!. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$, together ,%- %ecause the financial a$(antage of e*cerpting a "ith =ne" oo! in a maga2ine usually accrues to the information a o(e, pro(i$e the est asis =the oo!.s pu lisher, maga2ine e$itors are for the =un"illing to pu lish e*cerpts from ne" oo!s. claim that the charre$ one fragments are ,C- In calculating the total num er of copies that a oo! e(i$ence has sol$, pu lishers inclu$e sales of copies of of the use of fire y early homini$s+ maga2ines that feature$ an e*cerpt of the oo!. ,A- The "hite stin!"oo$ tree is use$ for ,/- The effecti(eness of ha(ing e*cerpts of a oo! uil$ing =pu lishe$ in a maga2ine, measure$ in terms =material y the present#$ay inha itants of =of increase$ sales of a oo!, is proportional =9"art!ans. =to the circulation of the maga2ine in "hich ,%- @orest fires can heat "oo$ to a range of =the e*cerpts are pu lishe$. =temperatures that occur in campfires. ,0- %oo!s that are suita le for e*cerpting in high# ,C- The one fragments "ere fitte$ together y =circulation maga2ines sell more copies than the = oo!s that are not suita le for e*cerpting. =archaeologists to form the complete s!eletons =of se(eral animals. ,/- Apart from the 9"art!ans $isco(ery, there is =relia le e(i$ence that early homini$s use$ fire =as many as 5>> thousan$ years ago. ,0- The one fragments "ere foun$ in se(eral =$istinct layers of limestone that containe$ =primiti(e cutting tools !no"n to ha(e een =use$ y early homini$s. 1;. @or a tra$e em argo against a particular country to succee$, a high $egree of oth international accor$ an$ a ility to pre(ent goo$s from entering or
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Critical Reasoning

lea(# ing that country must e sustaine$. A total loc!a$e of 5atria.s ports is necessary to an em argo, ut such an action "oul$ e li!ely to cause international $iscor$ o(er the em argo. The claims a o(e, if true, most strongly support "hich of the follo"ing conclusions+ ,A- The alance of opinion is li!ely to fa(or 5atria =in the e(ent of a loc!a$e. ,%- As long as international opinion is unanimously =against 5atria, a tra$e em argo is li!ely to =succee$. ,C- A na(al loc!a$e of 5atria.s ports "oul$ ensure =that no goo$s enter or lea(e 5atria. ,/- Any tra$e em argo against 5atria "oul$ e =li!ely to fail at some time. ,0- @or a loc!a$e of 5atria.s ports to e success# =ful, international opinion must e unani# mous.

CRITICAL REASONING TEST SECTION 14 25 Minutes 16 Questions 1. The local oar$ of e$ucation foun$ that, ecause the current physics curriculum has little $irect rele(ance to to$ayCs "orl$, physics classes attracte$ fe" high school stu$ents. 9o to attract stu$ents to physics classes, the oar$ propose$ a curriculum that emphasi2es princi# ples of physics in(ol(e$ in pro$ucing an$ analy2ing (isual images. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es the strongest reason to e*pect that the propose$ curriculum "ill e successful in attracting stu$ents+ ,A- 9e(eral of the fun$amental principles of physics are in(ol(e$ in pro$ucing an$ analy2ing (isual images. ,%- Kno"le$ge of physics is ecoming increasingly important in un$erstan$ing the technology use$ in to$ayCs "orl$. ,C- 0'uipment that a large pro$ucer of photographic e'uipment has $onate$ to the high school coul$ e use$ in the propose$ curriculum. ,/- The num er of stu$ents intereste$ in physics to$ay is much lo"er than the num er of stu$ents intereste$ in physics 5> years ago. ,0- In to$ayCs "orl$ the pro$uction an$ analysis of (isual images is of maBor importance in communications, usiness, an$ recreation. 1. Many companies no" ha(e employee assistance programs that ena le employees, free of charge, to

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impro(e their physical fitness, re$uce stress, an$ learn 4. ?nli!e the "holesale price of ra" "ool, the "ays to stop smo!ing. These programs increase "or!er "holesale pro$ucti(ity, re$uce a senteeism, an$ lessen insurance price of ra" cotton has fallen consi$era ly in the costs for employee health care. Therefore, these last programs enefit the company as "ell as the employee. year. Thus, although the retail price of cotton clothing )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most significantly at retail clothing stores has not yet fallen, it "ill strengthens the conclusion a o(e+ ine(ita ly fall. ,A- 5hysical fitness programs are often the most =popular ser(ices offere$ to employees. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously ,%- 9tu$ies ha(e sho"n that training in stress manage# "ea!ens =ment is not effecti(e for many people. the argument a o(e+ ,C- Regular e*ercise re$uces people.s ris! of heart ,A- The cost of processing ra" cotton for cloth =$isease an$ pro(i$es them "ith increase$ has =energy. increase$ $uring the last year. ,/- 5hysical inBuries sometimes result from entering a ,%- The "holesale price of ra" "ool is typically =strenuous physical fitness program too 'uic!ly. higher than that of the same (olume of ra" ,0- 0mployee assistance programs re'uire companies cotton. =to hire people to super(ise the (arious programs ,C- The operating costs of the a(erage retail =offere$. clothing store ha(e remaine$ constant $uring the last year. ,/- Changes in retail prices al"ays lag ehin$ changes in "holesale prices. ,0- The cost of har(esting ra" cotton has increase$ in the last year. 7. 9mall# usiness groups are lo ying to $efeat propose$ fe$eral legislation that "oul$ su stantially raise the fe$eral minimum "age. This opposition is surprising since the legislation they oppose "oul$, for the first time, e*empt all small usinesses from paying any minimum "age. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, "oul$ est e*plain the opposition of small# usiness groups to the propose$ legislation+ ,A- ?n$er the current fe$eral minimum#"age
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la", 5. Re(ie"erE The oo! Art.s /ecline argues that =most small usinesses are re'uire$ to pay no 0uropean painters to$ay lac! s!ills that "ere =less than the minimum "age to their common =employees. among 0uropean painters of prece$ing centuries. ,%- In or$er to attract "or!ers, small companies must In =match the "ages offere$ y their larger this the oo! must e right, since its analysis of =competitors, an$ these competitors "oul$ not 1>> = e e*empt un$er the propose$ la"s. paintings, 5> ol$ an$ 5> contemporary, ,C- The e*act num er of companies that are currently $emonstrates =re'uire$ to pay no less than the minimum "age con(incingly that none of the contemporary = ut that "oul$ e e*empt un$er the propose$ paintings =la"s is un!no"n. are e*ecute$ as s!illfully as the ol$er paintings. ,/- 9ome states ha(e set their o"n minimum "ages### =in some cases, 'uite a it a o(e the le(el of the )hich of the follo"ing points to the most =minimum "age man$ate$ y current fe$eral serious logi# =la"###for certain !ey in$ustries. cal fla" in the re(ie"er.s argument+ ,0- 9er(ice companies ma!e up the maBority of small ,A- The paintings chosen y the oo!.s author for = usinesses an$ they generally employ more analysis =employees per $ollar of re(enues than $o retail coul$ e those that most support the oo!.s =or manufacturing usinesses. thesis. ,%- There coul$ e criteria other than the technical =s!ill of the artist y "hich to e(aluate a painting. ,C- The title of the oo! coul$ cause rea$ers to =accept the oo!.s thesis e(en efore they rea$ =the analysis of the paintings that supports it. ,/- The particular metho$s currently use$ y =0uropean painters coul$ re'uire less artistic =s!ill than $o metho$s use$ y painters in other =parts of the "orl$. ,0- A rea$er "ho "as not familiar "ith the language =of art criticism might not e con(ince$ y the = oo!.s analysis of the 1>> paintings. ;. The pharmaceutical in$ustry argues that ecause ne" $rugs "ill not e $e(elope$ unless hea(y $e(elopment costs can e recoupe$ in later sales, the current 1> years of protection pro(i$e$ y patents shoul$ e
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Critical Reasoning

e*ten$e$ in the case of ne"ly $e(elope$ $rugs. 6o"e(er, in other in$ustries ne"#pro$uct $e(elopment continues $espite high $e(elopment costs, a fact that in$icates that the e*tension is unnecessary.

:uestions <#8 are ase$ on the follo"ing. %an! $epositors in the ?nite$ 9tates are all financially protecte$ against an! failure ecause the go(ernment )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most strongly supports insures all in$i(i$uals. an! $eposits. An economist the pharmaceutical in$ustry.s argument against the argues that this insurance is partly responsi le for challenge ma$e a o(e+ the high rate of an! failures, since it remo(es from ,A- 3o in$ustries other than the pharmaceutical in$us# $epositors any financial incenti(e to fin$ out =try ha(e as!e$ for an e*tension of the 1>#year "hether the an! that hol$s their money is secure =limit on patent protection. against failure. If $epositors "ere more selecti(e, ,%- Clinical trials of ne" $rugs, "hich occur after the then an!s "oul$ nee$ to e secure in or$er to =patent is grante$ an$ efore the ne" $rug can compete for $epositors. money. = e mar!ete$, often no" ta!e as long as =1> years to complete. <. The economist.s argument ma!es "hich of the ,C- There are se(eral in$ustries in "hich the ratio of follo"# =research an$ $e(elopment costs to re(enues is ing assumptions+ =higher than it is in the pharmaceutical in$ustry. ,A- %an! failures are cause$ "hen ig orro"ers ,/- An e*isting patent for a $rug $oes not legally =$efault on loan repayments. =pre(ent pharmaceutical companies from ring# ,%- A significant proportion of $epositors =ing to mar!et alternati(e $rugs, pro(i$e$ they maintain =are sufficiently $issimilar to the patente$ $rug. =accounts at se(eral $ifferent an!s. ,0- Much recent in$ustrial inno(ation has occurre$ in ,C- The more a $epositor has to $eposit, the =pro$ucts###for e*ample, in the computer an$ more =electronics in$ustries###for "hich patent protec# =careful he or she ten$s to e in selecting a =tion is often (ery ineffecti(e. = an!. ,/- The $ifference in the interest rates pai$ to $eposi# =tors y $ifferent an!s is not a significant =factor in an! failures. ,0- 5otential $epositors are a le to $etermine "hich = an!s are secure against failure. 8. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously "ea!ens the economist.s argument+ ,A- %efore the go(ernment starte$ to insure $epositors =against an! failure, there "as a lo"er rate of = an! failure than there is no". ,%- )hen the go(ernment $i$ not insure $eposits, =fre'uent an! failures occurre$ as a result of =$epositors. fears of losing money in an!
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fail# =ures. ,C- 9ur(eys sho" that a significant proportion of =$epositors are a"are that their $eposits are =insure$ y the go(ernment. ,/- There is an upper limit on the amount of an in$i# =(i$ual.s $eposit that the go(ernment "ill insure, = ut (ery fe" in$i(i$uals. $eposits e*cee$ this =limit. ,0- The security of a an! against failure $epen$s on =the percentage of its assets that are loane$ out =an$ also on ho" much ris! its loans in(ol(e.

9. 5assengers must e*it airplanes s"iftly after acci$ents, since gases release$ follo"ing acci$ents are to*ic to humans an$ often e*plo$e soon after eing release$. In or$er to pre(ent passenger $eaths from gas inhalation, safety officials recommen$ that passengers e pro(i$e$ "ith smo!e hoo$s that pre(ent inhalation of the gases. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, constitutes the strongest reason not to re'uire implementation of the safety officials. recommen$ation+ ,A- Test e(acuations sho"e$ that putting on the smo!e =hoo$s a$$e$ consi$era ly to the o(erall time it =too! passengers to lea(e the ca in. ,%- 9ome airlines are un"illing to uy the smo!e =hoo$s ecause they consi$er them to e =prohi iti(ely e*pensi(e. ,C- Although the smo!e hoo$s protect passengers =from the to*ic gases, they can $o nothing to =pre(ent the gases from igniting. ,/- 9ome e*perience$ flyers fail to pay attention to =the safety instructions gi(en on e(ery commer# =cial flight efore ta!eoff. ,0- In many airplane acci$ents, passengers "ho "ere =a le to reach emergency e*its "ere o(ercome = y to*ic gases efore they coul$ e*it the =ariplane. 1>. In 19;>, 1> percent of e(ery $ollar pai$ in automo ile insurance premiums "ent to pay costs arising from

141

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inBuries incurre$ in car acci$ents. In 199>, 5> percent 11. Caterpillars of all species pro$uce an i$entical of e(ery $ollar pai$ in automo ile insurance premiums hormone calle$ HBu(enile hormoneH that "ent to"ar$ such costs, $espite the fact that cars "ere maintains much safer in 199> than in 19;>. fee$ing eha(ior. Fnly "hen a caterpillar has gro"n to )hich of the follo"ing, if true, est e*plains the the right si2e for pupation to ta!e place $oes a $iscrepancy outline$ a o(e+ special ,A- There "ere fe"er acci$ents in 199> than in 19;>. en2yme halt the pro$uction of Bu(enile ,%- Fn a(erage, people $ro(e more slo"ly in 199> hormone. This =than in 19;>. en2yme can e synthesi2e$ an$ "ill, on eing ,C- Cars gre" increasingly more e*pensi(e to repair ingeste$ =o(er the perio$ in 'uestion. y immature caterpillars, !ill them y stopping ,/- The price of insurance increase$ more rapi$ly them =than the rate of inflation et"een 19;> an$ from fee$ing. =199>. ,0- 6ealth#care costs rose sharply et"een 19;> an$ )hich of the follo"ing, if true, most strongly =199>. supports the (ie" that it "oul$ not e a$(isa le to try to era$i# cate agricultural pests that go through a caterpillar stage y spraying croplan$s "ith the en2yme mentione$ a o(e+ ,A- Most species of caterpillar are su Bect to some =natural pre$ation. ,%- Many agricultural pests $o not go through a cater# =pillar stage. ,C- Many agriculturally eneficial insects go through =a caterpillar stage. ,/- 9ince caterpillars of $ifferent species emerge at =$ifferent times, se(eral sprayings "oul$ e =necessary. ,0- Although the en2yme has een synthesi2e$ in the =la oratory, no large#scale pro$uction facilities =e*ist as yet. 11. Although aspirin has een pro(en to eliminate mo$er# ate fe(er associate$ "ith some illnesses, many $octors
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no longer routinely recommen$ its use for this 14. %ecause postage rates are rising, 6ome purpose. /ecorator A mo$erate fe(er stimulates the acti(ity of the o$y.s maga2ine plans to ma*imi2e its profits y $isease#fighting "hite loo$ cells an$ also inhi its the re$ucing y gro"th of many strains of $isease#causing acteria. one half the num er of issues it pu lishes each year. If the statements a o(e are true, "hich of the The 'uality of articles, the num er of articles follo"ing pu lishe$ per year, an$ the su scription price conclusions is most strongly supporte$ y them+ "ill not ,A- Aspirin, an effecti(e pain!iller, alle(iates the pain change. Mar!et research sho"s that neither =an$ $iscomfort of many illnesses. su scri ers ,%- Aspirin can prolong a patient.s illness y eliminat# nor a$(ertisers "ill e lost if the maga2ine.s =ing mo$erate fe(er helpful in fighting some plan is =$iseases. institute$. ,C- Aspirin inhi its the gro"th of "hite loo$ cells, ="hich are necessary for fighting some illnesses. )hich of the follo"ing, if true, pro(i$es the ,/- The more "hite loo$ cells a patient.s o$y strongest =pro$uces, the less se(ere the patient.s illness e(i$ence that the maga2ine.s profits are li!ely ="ill e. to ,0- The focus of mo$ern me$icine is on inhi iting the $ecline if the plan is institute$+ =gro"th of $isease#causing acteria "ithin the ,A- )ith the ne" postage rates, a typical issue = o$y. un$er =the propose$ plan "oul$ cost a out one# thir$ =more to mail than a typical current issue "oul$. ,%- The maBority of the maga2ine.s su scri ers are =less concerne$ a out a possi le re$uction in the ='uantity of the maga2ine.s articles than a out a =possi le loss of the current high 'uality of its =articles. ,C- Many of the maga2ine.s long#time su scri ers ="oul$ continue their su scriptions e(en if the =su scription price "ere increase$. ,/- Most of the a$(ertisers that purchase a$(ertising =space in the maga2ine "ill continue to spen$ =the same amount on a$(ertising per issue as =they ha(e in the past.
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,0- 5ro$uction costs for the maga2ine are e*pecte$ to =remain sta le. 17. A stu$y of marital relationships in "hich one partner.s sleeping an$ "a!ing cycles $iffer from those of the other partner re(eals that such couples share fe"er acti(ities "ith each other an$ ha(e more (iolent argu# ments than $o couples in a relationship in "hich oth partners follo" the same sleeping an$ "a!ing patterns. Thus, mismatche$ sleeping an$ "a!ing cycles can seri# ously Beopar$i2e a marriage.

)hich of the follo"ing, if true, most seriously "ea!ens the argument a o(e+ ,A- Marrie$ couples in "hich oth spouses follo" the =same sleeping an$ "a!ing patterns also occa# =sionally ha(e arguments than can Beopar$i2e the =couple.s marriage. :uestions 15#1; are ase$ on the follo"ing. ,%- The sleeping an$ "a!ing cycles of in$i(i$uals Rolan$E The alarming fact is that 9> percent of the =ten$ to (ary from season to season. people in this country no" report that they !no" someone "ho is unemploye$. 9haronE %ut a normal, mo$erate le(el of unemployment is 5 percent, "ith 1 out of 1> "or!ers unem# ploye$. 9o at any gi(en time if a person !no"s appro*imately 5> "or!ers, 1 or more "ill (ery li!ely e unemploye$. 15. 9haron.s argument is structure$ to lea$ to "hich of the follo"ing as a conclusion+ ,A- The fact that 9>L of the people !no" someone ="ho is unemploye$ is not an in$ication that =unemployment is a normally high. ,%- The current le(el of unemployment is not mo$erate. ,C- If at least 5L of "or!ers are unemploye$, the =result of 'uestioning a representati(e group
145

,C- The in$i(i$uals "ho ha(e sleeping an$ "a!ing =cycles that $iffer significantly from those of =their spouses ten$ to argue little "ith colleagues =at "or!. ,/- 5eople in unhappy marriages ha(e een foun$ to =e*press hostility y a$opting a $ifferent sleep# =ing an$ "a!ing cycle from that of their =spouses. ,0- Accor$ing to a recent stu$y, most people.s sleep# =ing an$ "a!ing cycles can e controlle$ an$ =mo$ifie$ easily.

GMAT plus

Critical Reasoning

of =people cannot e the percentage Rolan$ cites. ,/- It is unli!ely that the people "hose statements =Rolan$ cites are gi(ing accurate reports. ,0- If an unemployment figure is gi(en as a certain =percent, the actual percentage of those "ithout =Bo s is e(en higher. 1;. 9haron.s argument relies on the assumption that ,A- normal le(els of unemployment are rarely =e*cee$e$ ,%- unemployment is not normally concentrate$ in geographically isolate$ segments of the population ,C- the num er of people "ho each !no" someone ="ho is unemploye$ is al"ays higher than 9>L =of the population ,/- Rolan$ is not consciously $istorting the statistics =he presents ,0- !no"le$ge that a personal ac'uaintance is unem# =ploye$ generates more fear of losing one.s Bo =than $oes !no"le$ge of unemployment statis=tics

14;