GMAT Sample Questions

GMAT Verbal Section : GMAT Sample Critical Reasoning Questions

Questions 71-72 are based on the following

Meteorologists say that if only they could design an accurate mathematical model of the atmosphere with all its complexities, they could forecast the weather with real precision. But this is an idle boast, immune to any evaluation, for any inadequate weather forecast would obviously be blamed on imperfections in the model.

71. Which of the following, if true, could best be used as a basis for arguing against the author's position that the meteorologists' claim cannot be evaluated?
    1. Certain unusual configurations of data can serve as the basis for precise weather forecasts even though the exact causal mechanisms are not understood.
    2. Most significant gains in the accuracy of the relevant mathematical models are accompanied by clear gains in the precision of weather forecasts.
    3. Mathematical models of the meteorological aftermath of such catastrophic events as volcanic eruptions are beginning to be constructed.
    4. Modern weather forecasts for as much as a full day ahead are broadly correct about 80 percent of the time.
    5. Meteorologists readily concede that the accurate mathematical model they are talking about is not now in their power to construct.

    Answer : B

72. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most serious doubt on the meteorologists' boast, aside from the doubt expressed in the passage above?
    1. The amount of energy that the Earth receives from the Sun is monitored closely and is known not to be constant.
    2. Volcanic eruptions, the combustion of fossil fuels, and several other processes that also cannot be quantified with any accuracy are known to have a significant and continuing impact on the constitution of the atmosphere.
    3. As current models of the atmosphere are improved, even small increments in complexity will mean large increases in the number of computers required for the representation of the models.
    4. Frequent and accurate data about the atmosphere collected at a large number of points both on and above the ground are a prerequisite for the construction of a good model of the atmosphere.
    5. With existing models of the atmosphere, large scale weather patterns can be predicted with greater accuracy than can relatively local weather patterns.

    Answer : B

    Questions 73-74 are based on the following

    In the United States, the Postal Service has a monopoly on first-class mail, but much of what is sent first class could be transmitted electronically. Electronic transmittal operators argue that if the Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it would have an unfair advantage, since its electronic transmission service could be subsidized from the profits of the monopoly.

73. Which of the following, if each is true, would allay the electronic transmittal operators' fears of unfair competition?
    1. If the Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it could not make a profit on first-class mail.
    2. If the Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it would have a monopoly on that kind of service.
    3. Much of the material that is now sent by first-class mail could be delivered much faster by special package couriers, but is not sent that way because of cost.
    4. There is no economy of scale in electronic transmission-that is, the cost per transaction does not go down as more pieces of information are transmitted.
    5. Electronic transmission will never be cost-effective for material not sent by first-class mail such as newspapers and bulk mail.

    Answer : A

74. Which of the following questions can be answered on the basis of the information in the passage above?
    1. Is the Postal Service as efficient as privately owned electric transmission services?
    2. If private operators were allowed to operate first-class mail services, would they choose to do so?
    3. Do the electronic transmittal operators believe that the Postal Service makes a profit on first-class mail?
    4. Is the Postal Service prohibited from offering electronic transmission services ?
    5. Is the Postal Service expected to have a monopoly on electronic transmission?

    Answer : C

75. Lists of hospitals have been compiled showing which hospitals have patient death rates exceeding the national average. The data have been adjusted to allow for differences in the ages of patients.

    Each of the following, if true, provides a good logical ground for hospitals to object to interpreting rank on these lists as one of the indices of the quality of hospital care EXCEPT:

    1. Rank order might indicate insignificant differences, rather than large differences, in numbers of patient deaths.
    2. Hospitals that keep patients longer are likely to have higher death rates than those that discharge patients earlier but do not record deaths of patients at home after discharge.
    3. Patients who are very old on admission to a hospital are less likely than younger patients to survive the same types of illnesses or surgical procedures.
    4. Some hospitals serve a larger proportion of low-income patients, who tend to be more seriously ill when admitted to a hospital.
    5. For-profit hospitals sometimes do not provide intensive-care units and other expensive services for very sick patients but refer or transfer such patients to other hospitals.

    Answer : C