Lesson 8.2: Strengthen and Weaken Questions

Introduction

In the GMAT Critical Reasoning section, Strengthen and Weaken questions are designed to test your ability to analyze arguments by identifying additional support or evidence that could make an argument more or less convincing. The objective of this lesson is to guide you through the methods of approaching these question types effectively. By the end, you will be able to add or remove support for a conclusion, target the argument's gap directly, and avoid common traps associated with irrelevant or misleading options.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to strengthen or weaken a conclusion given in an argument.
• Directly target the gaps in arguments to determine where additional evidence is needed or where current evidence is misleading.
• Avoid choices that are out of scope or have a reversed effect on the argument.
• Select choices that most effectively reinforce or undermine an argument.
• Identify and reject choices that address the wrong link in the argument.

Understanding Strengthen and Weaken Questions

Strengthen and Weaken questions typically present you with an argument involving a conclusion supported by premises. Your goal is to find an answer choice that either strengthens the argument (adds support) or weakens it (removes support).

Key Concepts

• Conclusion: The statement that the argument is trying to prove.
• Premise: The evidence or reasons provided to support the conclusion.
• Gap: The point in the argument where additional evidence could either reinforce or undermine the conclusion.

Example Argument

Consider the following argument:

"Increased drinking of green tea reduces the risk of heart disease. Therefore, people who drink green tea regularly are less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who do not drink it."

Strengthening the Argument: A statement that provides further evidence linking green tea consumption to reduced heart disease risk would strengthen this argument.

Weakening the Argument: A statement indicating that other lifestyle choices (like diet or exercise) also play a significant role in heart disease risk would weaken the argument.

Critical Thinking Skills

When approaching Strengthen and Weaken questions, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Conclusion: Determine what the argument is trying to prove.
2. Find the Premises: Identify the supporting statements that lead to the conclusion.
3. Look for Gaps: Examine where additional information could affect the argument’s validity.
4. Evaluate Answer Choices: Assess how each answer could potentially strengthen or weaken the argument.

Example 1: Strengthen Question

Consider this argument:

"Exercise has been shown to improve mood. Therefore, individuals who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who do not."

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument?

A) Exercise leads to the release of endorphins.

B) Many people do not enjoy jogging.

C) Happiness levels are highly subjective.

D) Exercise can be performed in various forms, including yoga and swimming.

Analysis and Solution:

First, identify the conclusion: Regular exercise leads to increased happiness.

The correct answer supports the premise that links exercise to mood improvement.

Thus, A is correct because it directly supports the physiological explanation of why exercising improves mood.

Example 2: Weaken Question

Consider the argument:

"The city implemented new recycling programs, which resulted in a 20% increase in recycling rates. Hence, these programs effectively increase community participation in recycling."

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument?

A) Citizens are more likely to recycle when they are educated about its benefits.

B) The increase in recycling rates occurred during a period when community events focused heavily on sustainability.

C) Recycling programs in other cities have also shown increased participation.

D) Many households are not aware of the recycling guidelines.

Analysis and Solution:

The conclusion here is that the programs are effective in increasing participation.

B suggests that external factors, such as community events, led to the increase, thereby undermining the assertion that the programs were the main cause. Therefore, B is the best answer.

Common Misconceptions

1. Misunderstanding Conclusion and Premises: Students often confuse premises with the conclusion of an argument. Always pinpoint the conclusion first to understand what you need to strengthen or weaken.
2. Overlooking the Gap: Students may not identify gaps in arguments effectively. Finding where the evidence is lacking is crucial in selecting the right answer.
3. Relevance of Answer Choices: Some answer choices may sound valid but are out of the argument's scope. Ensure that the selected option directly pertains to the argument in question.

Conclusion

Strengthen and Weaken questions are vital in the GMAT Critical Reasoning section as they assess your analytical skills in evaluating arguments. By learning to identify conclusions, understand premises, and pinpoint gaps in reasoning, you can enhance your reasoning skills and increase your chances of selecting the correct options on these questions.

Practice identifying these elements in real-world examples to develop a keen understanding of how they function in arguments.

Study Notes

• Conclusion: A statement the argument aims to prove.
• Premise: Evidence supporting the conclusion.
• Gap: Points in the argument where additional information is required.
• Strengthening Example: A fact that bolsters an argument's conclusion.
• Weakening Example: A fact that challenges or undermines the given conclusion.
• Avoid out-of-scope or irrelevant choices; focus on direct correlation with the argument.
• Practice with a variety of arguments to improve recognition of gaps and real-world relevance.