GRE Verbal Flashcards: Identify Premises Evidence

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Identify Premises Evidence, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for GRE Verbal.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a counterpremise in GRE argument analysis?

Answer: A statement that counts against the conclusion. Counterpremises present opposing information that weakens or challenges the argument's conclusion, highlighting potential flaws or alternatives.

Flashcard 2: Which phrase most directly signals supporting evidence: "for instance" or "thus"?

Answer: For instance. Evidence indicators like 'for instance' introduce specific examples or data that illustrate and substantiate a claim or premise.

Flashcard 3: Which phrase most directly signals a premise: "because" or "however"?

Answer: Because. Premise indicators such as 'because' precede statements that offer reasons or justifications for accepting the argument's conclusion.

Flashcard 4: What is a conclusion in an argument, as used in GRE Verbal Reasoning?

Answer: The main claim the author is trying to establish. The conclusion represents the ultimate point or thesis that the argument aims to persuade the reader to accept based on provided support.

Flashcard 5: What is a premise in an argument, as used in GRE Verbal Reasoning?

Answer: A statement offered as support for a conclusion. In argument structure, premises provide the foundational reasons or justifications that lead to accepting the conclusion as true.

Flashcard 6: What is evidence in an argument, in GRE critical reasoning terms?

Answer: Facts or observations used to support a claim. Evidence consists of empirical data or specific examples that bolster the validity of premises or the overall argument in critical reasoning.

Flashcard 7: Identify the conclusion: "If demand falls, prices drop. Demand fell, so prices dropped."

Answer: Prices dropped. The conclusion is the final deduced outcome following 'so,' derived from the conditional and factual premises.

Flashcard 8: What is an intermediate conclusion in a multi-step argument?

Answer: A claim supported by premises that also supports the main conclusion. Intermediate conclusions serve as bridging claims, derived from initial premises and used to further support the argument's ultimate conclusion.

Flashcard 9: Identify the conclusion: "The report is incomplete; therefore, it should not be published."

Answer: It should not be published. The conclusion follows 'therefore' and represents the recommended action based on the premise of incompleteness.

Flashcard 10: Which phrase most directly signals a conclusion: "therefore" or "for example"?

Answer: Therefore. Conclusion indicators like 'therefore' introduce the inferred claim that follows logically from preceding premises or evidence.

Flashcard 11: Identify the premise: "Because the streets are wet, it must have rained."

Answer: The streets are wet. The premise follows 'because' and provides the observational reason supporting the argument's conclusion about rain.

Flashcard 12: What is a sub-premise (support for a premise) in argument structure?

Answer: A statement that supports another premise rather than the main conclusion. Sub-premises provide additional support to main premises, strengthening the foundational layer without directly addressing the primary conclusion.

Flashcard 13: What is background information (in argument analysis) as opposed to a premise?

Answer: Context that does not provide support for the conclusion. Background information sets the scene or provides necessary context without directly contributing to the logical support of the argument's conclusion.

Flashcard 14: What is the simplest test to identify a premise in a short argument?

Answer: Ask: "What reason is given to support the claim?". This question pinpoints premises by examining the justifications or grounds provided to make the conclusion more plausible.

Flashcard 15: Identify the conclusion: "The streets are wet, so it must have rained."

Answer: It must have rained. The conclusion is the inferred claim following 'so,' representing the main point deduced from the observed premise.

Flashcard 16: Identify the evidence phrase: "For example, three trials showed the same effect."

Answer: Three trials showed the same effect. The evidence is the specific illustrative detail following 'for example,' providing empirical support for a broader claim.

Flashcard 17: Which direction does support flow: from premises to conclusion, or from conclusion to premises?

Answer: From premises to conclusion. Logical support in arguments moves from foundational statements (premises) to the derived claim (conclusion), establishing justification unidirectionally.

Flashcard 18: Identify the intermediate conclusion: "Sales fell, so profits fell; thus, layoffs are likely."

Answer: Profits fell. The intermediate conclusion is derived from the initial premise and serves to support the main conclusion about layoffs.

Flashcard 19: Identify the main conclusion: "Sales fell, so profits fell; thus, layoffs are likely."

Answer: Layoffs are likely. The main conclusion is the ultimate claim following 'thus,' encompassing the overall argument's final inference.

Flashcard 20: What is the simplest test to identify the conclusion in a short argument?

Answer: Ask: "What is the author trying to prove?". This question isolates the argument's primary claim by focusing on the author's intent to convince the reader of a specific point.

Flashcard 21: Identify the counterpremise: "Although costs rose, profits increased, so the strategy worked."

Answer: Costs rose. The counterpremise, introduced by 'although,' acknowledges an opposing factor that contrasts with the positive conclusion.

Flashcard 22: Identify the premises: "If demand falls, prices drop. Demand fell, so prices dropped."

Answer: Premises: If demand falls, prices drop; Demand fell. These statements form the foundational support, with the conditional and fact leading logically to the conclusion.

Flashcard 23: Identify the premise: "The report should not be published since it is incomplete."

Answer: The report is incomplete. The premise follows 'since' and offers the reason why the report should not be published, supporting the conclusion.

Flashcard 24: What is a concession in an argument (for example, "granted that...")?

Answer: An acknowledged point that may oppose the conclusion. Concessions recognize potential counterarguments or opposing facts, often to strengthen the overall argument by addressing them preemptively.