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G-M > Introduction to Critical Reasoning > Flashcards

Introduction to Critical Reasoning Flashcards

1
Q

Identify the Assumption

A

Identify an assumtion upon which an argument depends on

- Which of the following is an assumptions logically necessary for coming to the conclusion of the above argument?

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2
Q

Weaken the argument

A

Weakens/hurt the argument

- Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

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3
Q

Strengthen the Argument

A

That would help an argument or support the conclusion: Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

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4
Q

Resolve a paradox

A

Find a statement that would resolve what appears to be (but is not actually) a paradox
paradox = contradiction

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5
Q

Inference

A

Find an unwritten conclusion that must be true given what a passage says
-> If the statement above are true, which of the following can be inferred from them?

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6
Q

Find a Conclusion

A

Ask us to find a conclusion that is supported by a passage

-> If the statement above are true, which of the following is most strongly supported by them?

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7
Q

Evaluate the argument

A

Determine whether an answer choice is well constructed or not
-> In evaluating the argument, it would be most useful to establish which of the following?

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8
Q

Logical Flaws

A

Flaws in the reasoning

-> Which of the following best describes the error of reasoning contained in the argument above?

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9
Q

Complete the passage

A

Find an answer that best completes an uncompleted passage

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10
Q

Method of reasoning

A

Identify the way in which a passage is logically organized or structured
-> The author develops the argument by

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11
Q

Determine the functions

A

-> In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

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12
Q

GMAT not a word matching game

A

We will not score high by choosing an answer that includes the word that appears in the passage

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13
Q

What is GMAT critical reasoning about

A
  • vision
  • attention to details
  • skills in the use of logic
  • avoiding falling into mental traps and cognitive biases
  • emphasizing careful, clear-thinking and minimizing shallow
  • good judgement
  • execution of best practices
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14
Q

Most GMAT critical reasoning based on

A

Argument

-> Argument = a series of statement that logically explain a point of view

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15
Q

Understand how an argument is structured

A
  • The conclusion
  • The Evidence
  • The Assumption
  • The Background Information
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16
Q

Conclusion

A

Sentence that states the argument’s point of view
= when author puts conclusion she is presenting what she believes in
= comes in the forms of ideas, viewpoints, recommendations, suggestions and plans of action

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17
Q

Conclusion key word

A
  • therefore
  • in conclusion
  • so
  • clearly
  • hence
  • this shows that
  • it can be concluded that
  • should
  • ought to be
  • must
  • as a result
  • thus
  • consequently
  • as a consequence
  • accordingly
  • it follows that
  • for this reason
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18
Q

Don’t expect conclusion to be in the end

A

Although quite often an argument’s conclusion is found at the end of the passage, the truth is that it can be found anywhere within the passage -> so don’t expect conclusion to be the last sentence of the passage

19
Q

Understand author’s intent/conclusion

A

To effectively answer a critical reasoning question that is based on an argument, we must relentlessly seek out and understand the argument’s conclusion

20
Q

Evidence or premises

A

support the conclusion and are used to build the argument

21
Q

Fact

A

never an opinion

22
Q

In answering critical reasoning

A

never argue with evidence presented

23
Q

Background Information

A

Always come in forms of statements of fact and they get us up to speed to understand the argument

24
Q

Assumption

A

unstated piece of information that must be true if the logic of the arguments is to work

25
Q

Conclusion

A

(any background info) + Evidence + Assumptions

26
Q

A few

A

not many, but more than one

27
Q

Several

A

three or more but not many

28
Q

Some

A

more than one, but possibly all

29
Q

Many

A

large number of but many is not necessary most

30
Q

Most

A

more than 50%

31
Q

Majority

A

more than 50%

32
Q

Solely

A

Only

33
Q

At least one

A

one or more

34
Q

Exclusively

A

only

35
Q

Uniquely

A

only -> connected to only one person or thing

36
Q

Always

A

all the time

37
Q

GO through all the choices

A

Even if you think you found the correct answer, we should go through all the five options before choosing a correct answer

38
Q

Only one right answer

A

In critical reasoning, there will be only one truly correct answer for every questions and the difference between the correct answer and the “runner-up” will be significant

39
Q

Don’t prethink

A

by pre-thinking, it will limit your ability to become skilled at critical reasoning questions

  • > you will try to find answer that will match with your pre-thinking thought and if it doesn’t then you will overlook it
  • > cognitive bias
40
Q

Don’t eliminate answer choice because of the presence of one word

A

people eliminate choices that includes “some” because they assume that a choice that uses “some” says something too vague to be a correct answer

41
Q

Read very word

A

Don’t skim through

42
Q

Passage that brings new information

A

Robotically eliminate choices that bring new answer choice is wrong (for inference you don’t want new info but things like weaken the argument and so on -> you need new info)

43
Q

When answering critical reasoning

A 
Address habits that leads to choosing incorrect answers 
- missed important details 
- pre-think 
and so on 
- use TTP's error log
44
Q

Don’t need advanced or specialized answer

A

Choice that would require having advanced or specialized knowledge in any particular area is incorrect

G-M (29 decks)

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