GRE General Test practice questions
213 free questions with answers and explanations.
- 1.A city council is considering a proposal to invest heavily in public transportation, specifically expanding bus routes and increasing frequency. A council member argues, 'Our city's traffic congestion has reached unbearable levels, causing significant economic losses due to lost productivity and increased fuel consumption. Enhancing public transport will alleviate this congestion, making our city more efficient and environmentally friendly.' Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the council member's argument?Analytical Writing
- 2.A university is considering implementing a new policy requiring all undergraduate students to complete a 'global citizenship' course before graduation. Proponents argue this will broaden students' perspectives and prepare them for an interconnected world. Opponents claim this will unnecessarily burden students' schedules and detract from their major-specific studies. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the opponents' claim?Analytical Writing
- 3.A tech company CEO claims that their new AI-powered customer service chatbot has significantly improved customer satisfaction. The CEO cites data from a post-interaction survey, which shows that 85% of customers who interacted with the chatbot rated their experience as 'excellent' or 'good.' Which of the following, if true, would most seriously call into question the CEO's claim regarding improved customer satisfaction?Analytical Writing
- 4.A university is considering implementing a new policy that requires all faculty members to publish at least one peer-reviewed article every two years to maintain their employment. The administration argues this will significantly enhance the university's research output and academic reputation. Which of the following, if true, identifies a major flaw in the administration's reasoning?Analytical Writing
- 5.A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue and create jobs. A committee member argues, 'Economic growth is paramount for our city's future. This project will undoubtedly boost our economy, so it is the correct decision.' Which of the following principles, if accepted, would provide the strongest justification for the committee member's conclusion?Analytical Writing
- 6.A politician asserts that a proposed tax cut will stimulate the economy and create thousands of jobs, stating, 'Just as watering a plant makes it grow, reducing taxes will make our economy flourish.' Which of the following best describes the logical fallacy committed by the politician?Analytical Writing
- 7.A prominent economist argues that increased government spending on infrastructure projects will inevitably lead to significant job growth and a robust economic recovery. The economist cites historical data from a period after a major recession, during which similar spending policies were implemented, followed by a rapid rebound in employment. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the economist's argument?Analytical Writing
- 8.A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue and revitalize the urban core. Opponents argue that the park is essential for residents' mental well-being and provides crucial green space in a dense area. The committee responds that the city has other, albeit smaller, green spaces available. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively undermine the committee's claim that the other green spaces adequately compensate for the loss of the downtown park?Analytical Writing
- 9.A tech company executive claims that their new AI-powered customer service chatbot has improved customer satisfaction by 15%. This claim is based on a post-interaction survey where customers rated their experience. However, a significant number of customers (30%) abandoned the chat before completing their interaction. What potential issue should be considered when evaluating the executive's claim?Analytical Writing
- 10.A health official argues that a new public health campaign promoting daily fruit and vegetable consumption will significantly reduce the incidence of chronic diseases in the city. The campaign focuses on educational materials and public service announcements. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously undermine the effectiveness of this campaign?Analytical Writing
- 11.A university dean argues that requiring all students to complete a capstone research project in their final year significantly enhances their critical thinking skills. The dean cites a study showing that students who completed the capstone project scored 15% higher on a standardized critical thinking assessment than students who did not. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously undermine the dean's conclusion?Analytical Writing
- 12.A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue and revitalize the city center. They argue that this will significantly boost the local economy. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the committee's argument?Analytical Writing
- 13.A city council member argues that implementing a new recycling program, which requires residents to sort waste into five categories, will significantly reduce landfill waste. This reduction, the council member claims, will lead to a decrease in the city's overall environmental footprint. Which of the following is an assumption on which the council member's argument depends?Analytical Writing
- 14.A city council is considering a proposal to build a new public library. Proponents argue that it will foster a stronger sense of community and support local businesses by increasing foot traffic. Which of the following, if true, would most strongly support the claim that the library will support local businesses by increasing foot traffic?Analytical Writing
- 15.A university proposes to significantly increase tuition fees, arguing that the additional revenue is essential to maintain its high academic standards and attract top faculty. A student group counters that the fee increase will severely limit access for low-income students, making the university less diverse. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively counter the student group's accessibility claim?Analytical Writing
- 16.A CEO claims that a new employee wellness program has dramatically reduced absenteeism, citing a 25% drop in sick days taken by employees over the past six months. However, during the same period, the company also implemented a new policy that offers a significant bonus to employees with perfect attendance. Which of the following is the most likely alternative explanation for the observed reduction in sick days?Analytical Writing
- 17.A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue and create jobs. They argue this conversion is necessary to revitalize the struggling downtown economy. Opponents argue that the park provides essential green space and recreational opportunities, and its loss would detrimentally affect residents' quality of life. Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the committee's claim that the conversion is necessary to revitalize the downtown economy?Analytical Writing
- 18.A company is considering implementing a mandatory 'digital detox' policy, requiring employees to disconnect from work emails and messages after 6 PM. Proponents argue this will reduce employee stress and burnout, leading to increased productivity and retention. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively challenge the assumption that disconnecting after 6 PM will reduce stress and burnout for all employees?Analytical Writing
- 19.A city council is considering a proposal to ban single-use plastic bags, arguing that this measure will significantly reduce plastic pollution in local waterways. Which of the following statements, if true, would provide the most support for the council's argument?Analytical Writing
- 20.A school principal argues that implementing a mandatory school uniform policy will reduce bullying and improve academic performance. The principal states, 'I've heard from several parents whose children attend schools with uniforms, and they all reported positive changes in student behavior and focus.' Which of the following best describes the flaw in the principal's reasoning?Analytical Writing
- 21.A city council is debating whether to fund a new public art initiative. A council member argues, 'We must either invest in public art to uplift our city's culture or let our city's cultural landscape decay entirely. There is no middle ground.' What logical fallacy is this council member employing?Analytical Writing
- 22.A public health official proposes a city-wide ban on sugary drinks in schools, arguing that this measure will significantly reduce childhood obesity rates. The official cites a study from a small town where a similar ban was implemented, followed by a noticeable decrease in the town's average childhood obesity rate. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the official's argument?Analytical Writing
- 23.A university dean argues that requiring all students to complete a capstone research project will significantly enhance their critical thinking skills. The dean points to a survey where graduates who completed such projects reported feeling more prepared for advanced problem-solving than those who did not. Which of the following, if true, would be the most effective criticism of the dean's argument?Analytical Writing
- 24.A recent study found that individuals who regularly consume dark chocolate have lower rates of heart disease. A health blog concludes, 'Eating dark chocolate prevents heart disease.' What critical piece of information is most likely missing from the blog's conclusion?Analytical Writing
- 25.A community group is advocating for the installation of speed bumps on residential streets, arguing that this measure will significantly reduce traffic accidents involving pedestrians. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the community group's argument?Analytical Writing
- 26.A school district is considering implementing a mandatory 'mindfulness break' program for all students, arguing that it will reduce stress and improve academic performance. Opponents claim that this program will take away valuable instructional time and that its benefits are unproven. Which of the following would most strengthen the opponents' claim that the benefits are unproven?Analytical Writing
- 27.A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue, arguing that the city desperately needs new funding for public services. A local advocacy group opposes this, stating that the park provides essential green space and recreational opportunities for residents. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the advocacy group's opposition?Analytical Writing
- 28.A local school board is debating whether to implement a new curriculum focused on digital literacy for all students from kindergarten through high school. A board member argues, 'Given the increasing reliance on technology in daily life and future careers, it is imperative that our students are proficient in digital literacy. Therefore, we must adopt this new curriculum immediately to ensure their success.' Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the board member's conclusion?Analytical Writing
- 29.A city council is considering a proposal to ban plastic water bottles in all municipal buildings. Proponents argue that this ban will significantly reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability. Opponents counter that the ban is an unnecessary inconvenience for citizens and will have a negligible impact on overall plastic waste. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively counter the opponents' argument that the ban will have a 'negligible impact'?Analytical Writing
- 30.An environmental scientist argues that a proposed dam construction project will severely harm the local ecosystem by altering river flow and destroying critical habitats. A government official counters that the dam is necessary for economic development, providing electricity and irrigation, and that its environmental impact will be minimal and manageable. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively weaken the government official's counter-argument?Analytical Writing
- 31.A university proposes to significantly increase tuition fees, arguing that the additional revenue is essential to maintain academic excellence and attract top faculty. Opponents counter that such an increase will make the university less accessible to lower and middle-income students, thereby reducing diversity and potentially impacting the university's mission. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the opponents' claim that the tuition increase will make the university less accessible to lower and middle-income students?Analytical Writing
- 32.A public health official proposes a city-wide ban on sugary drinks in schools, arguing that this will significantly reduce childhood obesity rates. Opponents argue that such a ban infringes on personal choice and will likely be ineffective as students can still consume sugary drinks outside of school. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the opponents' argument that the ban will likely be ineffective?Analytical Writing
- 33.A politician asserts that a proposed tax cut will stimulate the economy and create thousands of jobs, citing a similar tax cut enacted in a different country that was followed by economic growth. What logical weakness is most apparent in the politician's argument?Analytical Writing
- 34.A tech startup is seeking investment, claiming their new AI-powered personal assistant app, "Cognito," will revolutionize productivity. They state that early beta testers, who were all employees of the company, reported a 30% increase in daily task completion. What is the most significant flaw in the startup's argument regarding Cognito's broad effectiveness?Analytical Writing
- 35.A tech startup is seeking investment, claiming their new AI-powered personal assistant app will achieve widespread adoption due to its ability to seamlessly integrate with all major operating systems and devices. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively challenge the claim of widespread adoption?Analytical Writing
- 36.A city council is debating whether to implement a new bike-share program, arguing that it will significantly reduce traffic congestion and promote a healthier lifestyle among residents. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively challenge the claim that the program will significantly reduce traffic congestion?Analytical Writing
- 37.A research team proposes that to improve public health, a city should allocate a significant portion of its budget to building new, state-of-the-art sports facilities. They argue that increased access to such facilities will directly lead to higher rates of physical activity among residents, thereby reducing the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the research team's argument?Analytical Writing
- 38.A city council is debating whether to implement a new bike-share program. Proponents argue that it will reduce traffic congestion and promote a healthier lifestyle among residents. Opponents contend that the program will primarily benefit tourists, not local residents, thereby providing little benefit to the city's overall health and traffic issues. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the opponents' specific counter-claim?Analytical Writing
- 39.A school district implemented a new educational software package, expecting it to significantly improve student test scores within one academic year. After the year, test scores remained largely unchanged. The software vendor claims that the lack of improvement is due to insufficient teacher training on the new software. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively disprove the vendor's remedial claim?Analytical Writing
- 40.A city council is debating whether to fund a new public art initiative. A council member argues, 'We must either invest in vital public services like road repair and sanitation, or we can waste taxpayer money on frivolous public art. There is no middle ground; our budget is limited, and we must prioritize.' Which of the following best describes the logical fallacy committed by the council member?Analytical Writing
- 41.A local government proposes to fund a new public park by reallocating funds from the city's existing public library budget. Proponents argue that the park will provide much-needed green space and recreational opportunities, benefiting the community more broadly than the library, which they claim is underutilized. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively weaken the claim that the library is underutilized?Analytical Writing
- 42.A climate activist asserts that the only way to avert a global environmental catastrophe is for all developed nations to immediately cease all fossil fuel consumption. A critic responds by saying, 'So, you're suggesting we should plunge billions into poverty and dark ages just to save a few polar bears? That's ridiculous!' What logical fallacy is the critic employing?Analytical Writing
- 43.A study found that children who regularly eat breakfast perform better academically than those who frequently skip it. Researchers concluded that eating breakfast directly improves cognitive function in children, leading to higher grades. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously undermine the researchers' conclusion?Analytical Writing
- 44.A public health official proposes a city-wide ban on sugary drinks in schools, arguing that this will significantly reduce childhood obesity rates. Critics argue that such a ban would simply lead students to purchase sugary drinks off-campus, thereby negating any positive health effects. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively counter this compensatory behavior argument?Analytical Writing
- 45.A city council is debating a proposal to implement a city-wide composting program, arguing that it will significantly reduce landfill waste and promote environmental sustainability. Opponents express concern that the program will be too expensive for residents, leading to low participation and ultimately failing to achieve its goals. Which of the following, if true, would most exacerbate the negative outcome predicted by the opponents?Analytical Writing
- 46.A school principal argues that implementing a mandatory school uniform policy will reduce bullying and improve academic performance. The principal supports this claim by citing anecdotal evidence from a few parents who reported their children felt safer and more focused after uniforms were introduced. What is the most significant limitation of the principal's argument?Analytical Writing
- 47.A marketing firm claims that a new advertising campaign increased product sales by 20%. Critics argue that this increase is merely a seasonal fluctuation, as sales typically rise during this period every year. What additional information would be most crucial to evaluate the marketing firm's claim and the critics' counter-argument?Analytical Writing
- 48.A city council is debating whether to invest in a new light rail system. Proponents argue that the system will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution by encouraging commuters to use public transportation instead of private vehicles. Opponents counter that the high cost of the project outweighs the potential benefits. Which of the following, if true, would most help the proponents respond to the opponents' concern about cost?Analytical Writing
- 49.A city council is debating whether to fund a new public art initiative. A council member argues, "Either we invest in this public art project, or we allow our city's cultural vibrancy to stagnate and decline into irrelevance." What logical fallacy is most evident in this council member's statement?Analytical Writing
- 50.A city council is debating a proposal to implement a city-wide composting program, arguing it will significantly reduce landfill waste and produce nutrient-rich soil. Opponents express concern that the program will be unhygienic, attracting pests and creating unpleasant odors, ultimately leading to low resident participation. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the opponents' concern about hygiene and odors?Analytical Writing