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GMAT Focus Edition — Critical Reasoning: Boldface & Method of Reasoning

6 free practice questions with full explanations.

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Question 1

A city planner argues: "Building more highways to reduce traffic congestion is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt -- it addresses the symptom rather than the underlying cause, and may even make the real problem worse by encouraging more driving." Which of the following best describes the technique used in this argument?

A) Citing statistical data to support a claim.
B) Using an analogy to illustrate why a proposed solution may be counterproductive.
C) Appealing to the authority of urban planning experts.
D) Presenting a series of hypothetical outcomes.

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Correct answer: B) Using an analogy to illustrate why a proposed solution may be counterproductive.

The planner compares building highways to loosening a belt to address obesity -- a comparison (analogy) meant to show that the proposed solution treats a surface symptom rather than the root cause, and could worsen the actual problem.

Question 2

Editorial: Some critics argue that raising the minimum wage always leads to job losses. But in three states that raised their minimum wage last year, employment in low-wage industries actually increased slightly. Therefore, the claim that raising the minimum wage always leads to job losses is false. Which of the following best describes the method used in the editorial's argument?

A) It appeals to the authority of economic experts.
B) It uses specific counterexamples to refute a universal claim.
C) It redefines a key term to avoid the critics' point.
D) It attacks the motives of the critics rather than their argument.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B) It uses specific counterexamples to refute a universal claim.

The critics make a universal claim ("always leads to job losses"). The editorial cites specific real cases where this did not happen, which is a classic counterexample strategy for disproving an absolute claim -- one true counterexample is sufficient to refute an "always" statement.

Question 3

A nutritionist argues: "My opponent claims that all processed foods are unhealthy. But my opponent eats potato chips regularly and appears to be in good health, so processed foods must not be that harmful." Which of the following best describes a flaw in the nutritionist's reasoning?

A) It relies on a single anecdotal case to refute a general claim about health outcomes across a population.
B) It fails to define what counts as a processed food.
C) It assumes that all processed foods have the same nutritional content.
D) It appeals to popular opinion rather than evidence.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A) It relies on a single anecdotal case to refute a general claim about health outcomes across a population.

One individual's apparent good health despite eating processed food is a single anecdote, which is generally insufficient to disprove a broader claim about population-level health effects; long-term or population-wide health effects cannot be reliably judged from one visible case.

Question 4

Critics of a proposed park renovation argue that the project is too expensive. **The renovation budget has increased by 30% since the initial proposal.** Supporters counter that the added funds will pay for expanded accessibility features that were not part of the original plan. **This added scope, they argue, justifies the higher cost.** In the argument, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A) The first is a fact cited by critics as evidence for their objection; the second is the supporters' response explaining that fact.
B) The first and second both belong to the critics' argument.
C) The first is the supporters' main claim; the second is the critics' rebuttal.
D) The first is irrelevant detail; the second is the argument's central conclusion.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A) The first is a fact cited by critics as evidence for their objection; the second is the supporters' response explaining that fact.

The first boldface is the budget-increase fact that critics use to support their claim of excessive cost. The second boldface is the supporters' justification, explaining that the added scope (accessibility features) accounts for that cost increase.

Question 5

**Some economists predict that automation will eliminate more jobs than it creates over the next decade.** Historical data from past waves of automation, however, shows that while certain jobs were eliminated, new categories of jobs eventually emerged to replace them, often in unexpected sectors. **Therefore, current predictions of net job loss from automation may be overly pessimistic.** In the argument, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A) The first presents a prediction that the argument goes on to question; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
B) The first is the main conclusion; the second is a prediction that supports it.
C) Both boldface portions state the same prediction in different words.
D) The first is evidence; the second restates that evidence.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A) The first presents a prediction that the argument goes on to question; the second is the argument's main conclusion.

The passage opens with a prediction (the boldface claim about net job loss), then presents historical evidence that complicates it, and concludes that the prediction may be too pessimistic. The first boldface is the claim under scrutiny; the second is the conclusion drawn from questioning it.

Question 6

Many people believe that reading fiction has no practical benefit for professional success. **However, several studies have found that people who read fiction regularly score higher on tests of empathy and social reasoning.** **These skills are increasingly valued by employers in collaborative work environments.** Therefore, reading fiction may indirectly support professional success. In the argument, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A) The first is a conclusion; the second is evidence against that conclusion.
B) The first is evidence supporting the argument's main conclusion; the second provides further evidence connecting that finding to the conclusion.
C) The first is an opposing viewpoint; the second refutes it directly.
D) The first and second are both restatements of the same claim.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B) The first is evidence supporting the argument's main conclusion; the second provides further evidence connecting that finding to the conclusion.

The overall conclusion is that fiction may support professional success. The first boldface (empathy/social reasoning scores) is evidence for that idea, and the second boldface (employers valuing those skills) is additional evidence linking the first finding to professional success, together building toward the stated conclusion.

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