GRE Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning questions test the ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate arguments. Some of the abilities tested by specific questions include identifying the roles played by specific phrases or sentences in an argument, recognizing the point of an argument, recognizing assumptions on which an argument is based" drawing conclusions and forming hypotheses, identifying methods of argumentation, evaluating arguments and counter-arguments, and analyzing evidence.
Each of the Critical Reasoning questions is based on a short argument, a set of statements, or a plan of action. For each question, select the best answer of the choices given.
The use of the term “neat” as a general term of approval is an unfortunate development in colloquial English. The original meaning of “neat” is “tidy.” Therefore, the use of “neat” as a general term of approval is incorrect and should be discouraged.
#1
The price of maple syrup has jumped from 22 dollars a gallon three years ago to 40 dollars a gallon today. It can be concluded that maple-syrup harvesters have been artificially inflating prices and that governmental price regulations are necessary to control rising prices.
#2
In 1988 unemployment in some regions of the United States dropped to the lowest rate in ten years, while the rate in other regions reached an all- time high. In 1978 similar conditions led to large migrations of workers from regions with high unemployment to regions with low unemployment. There was, however, significantly less such migration in 1988.
#3
Scientists now believe that artificial-hip implants, previously thought to be safe, may actually increase the risk of cancer in recipients about 45 years of use. Though these implants do improve the quality of recipients’ lives, the increased risk of cancer is an unacceptable price to pay for these improvements. Therefore, they should be banned.
#4
When released into the atmosphere, the refrigerant Freon damages the Earth’s ozone layer. A new kind of refrigerant does not have this effect. The manufacturer claims that replacing Freon with the new refrigerant in both new and existing refrigerators will prevent any further Freon damage to the ozone layer apart from that being done by the Freon already in the atmosphere.
#5
Any United States flag manufactured outside the United States should be banned from importation. since some foreign manufacturers superimpose images on the United States flag and sell such products with relative impunity. United States manufacturers, on the other hand, would face penalties for such violations of the United States flag code.