Critical Reasoning

Question 1

Critical Reasoning: Dialog Format (only practice)

Answer 1

In questions in the Dialog format the argument quotes two (or more) speakers.

The question is the same as in other types of Critical Reasoning questions (most commonly Conclusion Strengthening or Conclusion Weakening), referring to the argument made by one of the speakers.

If the question stem asks that you weaken that person’s claim you can also do so indirectly by strengthening the other person’s claim and vice versa.

Question 2

Critical Reasoning: “Complete The Argument” Format

Answer 2

Critical Reasoning: “Complete The Argument” Format

“Complete the Argument” questions begin with a question stem and include an incomplete argument. You are required to find the answer choice which most logically completes the argument.

To solve these questions:

1) Break down the argument and identify what part is missing (premise, conclusion, etc.)
2) According to the missing part, identify the question type
3) Solve the question as a standard question

Question 3

Critical Reasoning: Investigation Questions

Answer 3

Find the factor which is most crucial in evaluating the argument’s conclusion.

Remember! You are not asked to find a way to discredit or support the conclusion. You are asked to choose which of the answer choices is a factor which could make or break the conclusion.

Common phrasings: the phrasing of this question type usually, but not always, includes the words investigation, evaluation, or useful:

1. Which of the following investigations is most likely to yield significant information that would help evaluate the researcher’s hypothesis?
2. Which of the following, if it could be carried out, would be most useful in an evaluation of…
3. Which of the following would be most important to know in determining whether…

Question 4

Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Weakening Questions

Answer 4

Find a new premise which weakens the argument’s conclusion by:

1. Questioning or invalidating an assumption underlying the conclusion
2. Questioning or invalidating the conclusion itself
3. Providing an alternative explanation
4. Citing similar cases in which the conclusion does not hold

Beware of answer choices that (a) strengthen the conclusion rather than weaken it; or (b) are irrelevant and neither strengthen nor weaken the conclusion.

Identify these questions by the use of words such as weaken, call into question, cast doubt, undermine in the question stem.

Question 5

Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Strengthening Questions

Answer 5

Find a new premise which strengthens the argument’s conclusion by:

1. Identifying and strengthening an assumption underlying the conclusion
2. Strengthening or validating the conclusion itself
3. Ruling out alternative explanations - an answer choice can strengthen by saying that a potential “weakener” is NOT true
4. Citing similar cases in which the conclusion holds

Beware of answer choices that (a) weaken the conclusion rather than strengthen it; or (b) are irrelevant and neither strengthen nor weaken the conclusion.

Identify these questions by the use of words such as support or strengthen in the question stem.