Chapter 5

Critical Reasoning Strategy

Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

• Describe the format of a Critical Reasoning question
• State the steps of the Kaplan Method for Critical Reasoning
• Define argument as it is used in Critical Reasoning questions on the Verbal section
  

Below is a typical Critical Reasoning question. In this chapter, we’ll look at how to apply the Kaplan Method to this question, discuss the logical structures being tested, and go over the basic principles and strategies that you want to keep in mind on every Critical Reasoning question.

1. A study of 20 overweight males revealed that each man experienced significant weight loss after adding SlimDown, an artificial food supplement, to his daily diet. For three months, each man consumed one SlimDown portion every morning after exercising and then followed his normal diet for the rest of the day. Clearly, all adult males who consume one portion of SlimDown every day for at least three months will lose weight and will look and feel their best.

   Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

   1. The men in the study will gain back the weight they lost if they discontinue the SlimDown program.
   2. No other dietary supplement will have the same effect on overweight men.
   3. The daily exercise regimen was not responsible for the effects noted in the study.
   4. Women will not experience similar weight reductions if they adhere to the SlimDown program for three months.
   5. Overweight men will achieve only partial weight loss if they do not remain on the SlimDown program for a full three months.

Before you move on, take a minute to think about what you see in this question and answer some questions about how you think it works:

• The question refers to the paragraph as an “argument.” What does this term mean?
• What does it mean for an argument to depend on an assumption?
• Notice that the question comes after the argument. Is it a better idea to read the argument first or the question first?
• What GMAT Core Competencies are most essential to success on this question?