Verbal: Reading Comprehension Inference Flashcards
7 cards from real GMAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Verbal: Reading Comprehension Inference flashcards as text
A passage describes a CEO who "declined to comment on the merger rumors." What can reasonably be inferred?
Answer: The passage does not establish the merger's status
Declining to comment provides no information confirming or denying the merger.
The author notes that "unlike its competitors, the firm reinvests most profits into research." What is implied?
Answer: Competitors reinvest less into research
"Unlike its competitors" implies competitors reinvest comparatively less into research.
A passage states: "The findings hold only under controlled laboratory conditions." What inference is best?
Answer: Real-world applicability is uncertain
Holding only in the lab implies uncertain applicability outside it.
An author writes that a tradition "persists despite official discouragement." What does this imply?
Answer: The tradition has strong popular support
Persisting against official discouragement implies enduring popular support.
The passage says: "Profits rose, though largely due to a one-time asset sale." What can be inferred about ongoing profitability?
Answer: Core operations may not be the source of the rise
A one-time asset sale driving profits implies core operations may not explain the rise.
An author observes that "the survey reached only homeowners." What inference follows about the results?
Answer: Renters' views may be underrepresented
Surveying only homeowners implies renters' perspectives may be underrepresented.
A passage notes a policy "achieved its short-term goals at the expense of long-term stability." What is implied?
Answer: There was a trade-off between near and far terms
Gaining short-term goals while sacrificing long-term stability implies a trade-off.