GMAT Section 3 Verbal Ability

GMAT Section 3 Verbal Ability practice questions, page 21 of 30, with answer review and explanations.

Question 101

Increasing the speed limit to 65 miles per hour or more on highways is dangerous and only leads to more accidents. Whenever the highway speed has been increased, accident rates have increased in that state. Maine raised its turnpike speed to 65 mph in November, and more fatal accidents occurred in December than any other month in the year. Highway fatalities in December and January combined were up 18% from November. All of the following are valid criticisms of this argument EXCEPT

  1. it does not explain why the speed limit was originally set at 55 mph.
  2. it does not specify whether the accident rate increase was in accidents only on the highways where the speed limit was increased or on all highways.
  3. it does not consider other possible causes for increases in accidents, such as winter weather driving conditions in Maine.
  4. it only cites statistics for one state.
  5. it does not acknowledge that speed is not the only cause of accidents.

Question 102

Dont be surprised if we have an unusually cold winter this year. The last time we had a very cold winter was 12 years ago, and the last time before that was 12 years earlier, and the time before that was also 12 years earlier. Brace yourself for another cold one. Which of the following would most strengthen this argument?

  1. a chart showing the average temperature of winters over the last 11 years
  2. a chart comparing the actual winter temperatures to predictions for the last 36 years
  3. a chart with the average winter temperatures for the last 36 years
  4. weather predictions from the National Weather Center
  5. a discussion of weather patterns that create colder winters

Question 103

The main principle of feng shui is that our environment must be ordered to permit and encourage the free flow of energy. One of the fundamental steps is to eliminate clutter, which blocks the flow of energy. Based upon the previous information, which of the following statements is also likely to be true?

  1. Proper ventilation will improve the flow of energy.
  2. Objects should be dispersed as evenly as possible around the room.
  3. Square objects should be placed in corners.
  4. Walls should be kept bare except for mirrors.
  5. Light colored paints are best.

Question 104

Of course, the Task Force on Crime is going to conclude that crime is on the way up. If they conclude its on the way down, they would have to disband, wouldnt they? Which of the following assumptions is most pivotal to this argument?

  1. The Task Force is more concerned with its own existence than with carrying out its mission.
  2. The Task Force is led by an adversary of the speaker.
  3. The speaker was not asked to serve on the Task Force.
  4. The speaker’s leadership ability will be questioned by the findings of the Task Force.
  5. The Task Force wants to hire more police officers and other law enforcement personnel.

Question 105

Organic farmers are looking for non-chemical methods to rid their crops of pests. Giving crops a slight electric shock has no ill effect on crops but rids them of caterpillars. This method should be employed by organic farmers all over the country. Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the view that it would not be advisable to try to eradicate agricultural pests with the method mentioned above?

  1. Most species of caterpillar are subject to some natural predators.
  2. Many agricultural pests do not go through a caterpillar stage.
  3. This method also kills insects that are agriculturally beneficial.
  4. Since caterpillars of different species appear at different times of the year, several shocks would be necessary.
  5. No large-scale production facilities exist today for the product that electrifies crops.