GMAT Verbal: Critical Reasoning Assumptions 2

Question 1

A city argues that adding bike lanes will reduce car accidents because cyclists will be safer. Which is a necessary assumption?

Accepted Answer

The presence of bike lanes does not increase overall traffic conflict

Answer

Bike lanes are cheap to build

Answer

Drivers prefer cars to bikes

Answer

Most residents own bicycles

Question 2

An ad claims a supplement boosts memory because users scored higher on a test after taking it. What assumption does this rely on?

Accepted Answer

No other factor caused the score improvement

Answer

The supplement is FDA approved

Answer

The test was difficult

Answer

Users took the supplement daily

Question 3

A manager concludes morale is high because few employees complained. The argument assumes that:

Accepted Answer

Employees feel free to voice complaints

Answer

The company pays well

Answer

Morale surveys are accurate

Answer

Managers are well trained

Question 4

A study of a single hospital shows a new drug works, so the company says it will work nationwide. The key assumption is that:

Accepted Answer

That hospital's patients are representative of the broader population

Answer

The drug is patented

Answer

The drug is inexpensive

Answer

Doctors prefer the drug

Question 5

A pundit says lower taxes will raise government revenue because economic activity will increase. This assumes that:

Accepted Answer

The increase in activity outweighs the lost revenue per transaction

Answer

Taxes are currently too high

Answer

Citizens dislike taxes

Answer

Revenue is needed for services

Question 6

A company claims its training reduced errors because error rates dropped after training began. A required assumption is that:

Accepted Answer

No simultaneous process change also reduced errors

Answer

Errors were costly

Answer

Training was mandatory

Answer

Employees enjoyed the training

Question 7

An editor argues a magazine should drop print because online readership is growing. The argument assumes that:

Accepted Answer

Print readers will not be lost without replacement

Answer

Online ads pay more

Answer

Readers prefer screens

Answer

Printing is expensive