GRE Verbal Quiz: Strengthen Argument

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Strengthen Argument, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for GRE Verbal.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. The university also began a campaign encouraging students to bring reusable water bottles during the same semester.
2. Cafeterias that complied most consistently with placing compostable cutlery in compost bins showed the largest reductions in landfill-bound waste. (correct answer)
3. Compostable cutlery costs the dining service slightly more per unit than plastic cutlery did.
4. Some students report that they prefer the feel of plastic cutlery to compostable cutlery.
5. The dining service weighed landfill waste using the same scale and schedule as in prior semesters.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that switching to compostable cutlery caused the reduction in landfill waste and recommends expansion, based on the observed decrease after the change. A vulnerability is that other factors, like concurrent campaigns or inconsistent implementation, might have contributed to the reduction instead. Choice B strengthens the argument by linking consistent compliance with compostable cutlery to larger waste reductions, supporting causation. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, such as the reusable bottle campaign, which could explain the reduction independently. Choice C is irrelevant, as cost differences do not address the causal impact on waste reduction.

Question 2

1. During the same year, the city increased fines for speeding on residential streets.
2. The three corridors with new protected bike lanes were selected because they had the highest collision rates in the city.
3. On the three corridors, bicycle traffic volume remained approximately the same as in the prior year.
4. Surveys show that many residents support additional investments in cycling infrastructure.
5. Comparable cities that installed protected bike lanes on most major corridors saw citywide bicycle–car collisions decline, even when overall traffic volume stayed constant. (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that installing protected bike lanes on the remaining major corridors will reduce bicycle-car collisions citywide, based on a decline in collisions on three specific corridors after installation. A vulnerability is that the three corridors may not be representative of the city as a whole, or other factors might have influenced the decline, making generalization uncertain. Choice E strengthens the argument by providing evidence from comparable cities where widespread installation led to citywide reductions, even with constant traffic, supporting the causal link and broader applicability. In contrast, choice B is a distractor that weakens the argument by suggesting the corridors were selected for high collision rates, making them unrepresentative. Choice D is irrelevant, as resident support for infrastructure does not address collision reduction effectiveness.

Question 3

1. The downtown area receives more pedestrian traffic than most other neighborhoods.
2. The temperature measurements were taken using calibrated sensors placed at the same height on all streets.
3. Over the two-year period, the city also replaced several dark asphalt surfaces with lighter paving materials.
4. Other cities with similar climates have observed citywide temperature reductions after increasing tree canopy coverage across many neighborhoods. (correct answer)
5. Residents generally prefer streets with mature trees to streets without trees.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that planting trees throughout the city will reduce overall summer heat, based on lower temperatures on downtown streets with new trees. A vulnerability is that the downtown results may not generalize citywide, or other changes could have contributed to the cooling. Choice D strengthens the argument by providing evidence from similar cities where widespread tree planting led to citywide temperature reductions, supporting broader efficacy. In contrast, choice C is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like lighter paving, which could explain the cooling independently. Choice A is irrelevant, as pedestrian traffic does not address heat reduction causation.

Question 4

1. Some users say they prefer choosing their own study times rather than following a schedule.
2. Users who enabled the scheduling feature showed larger increases in lessons completed than users who did not enable it. (correct answer)
3. The app also released new advanced-level content shortly after the scheduling feature launched.
4. The app's marketing campaign increased the number of new downloads during the same period.
5. Many competing language-learning apps offer some form of daily reminder.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that the scheduling feature increases engagement and recommends making it mandatory, based on more lessons completed after launch. A vulnerability is that new content or marketing might have driven increases, not the feature. Choice B strengthens the argument by showing greater increases among feature users, linking it to engagement. In contrast, choice C is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like new content. Choice A is irrelevant, as preferences do not address engagement causation.

Question 5

1. Several downtown building owners also lowered rents during the same two-year period.
2. Most of the storefronts that became occupied during the two years were renovated by businesses that claimed the tax credit. (correct answer)
3. The downtown area has more restaurants than it did five years ago.
4. Some residents prefer locally owned shops to national chain stores.
5. Downtown vacancies are lower than vacancies in some suburban shopping centers.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that the tax credit caused the decline in vacant storefronts and recommends increasing it, based on fewer vacancies after offering. A vulnerability is that rent reductions or other factors might have filled storefronts, not the credit. Choice B strengthens the argument by showing most filled storefronts used the credit, linking it to the decline. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like lower rents. Choice C is irrelevant, as restaurant counts do not address vacancy causation.

Question 6

1. During the same year, the company increased salaries for some hard-to-fill roles.
2. Exit interviews indicate that employees who left the company rarely mentioned performance feedback as a reason for leaving.
3. Departments in which managers consistently held quarterly check-ins experienced larger decreases in turnover than departments in which check-ins were often skipped. (correct answer)
4. Many employees say they prefer quarterly check-ins to annual reviews.
5. The company's turnover rate is still higher than the industry average.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that quarterly check-ins reduce turnover and recommends further investment, based on lower turnover after replacement. A vulnerability is that salary changes or varying implementation might explain the drop, not check-ins. Choice C strengthens the argument by linking consistent check-ins to larger turnover decreases, supporting causation. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like salary increases. Choice E is irrelevant, as industry comparisons do not address internal causation.

Question 7

1. The museum's shop began selling a new line of branded merchandise during the same three months.
2. On free Friday evenings, the average shop spending per visitor was similar to the average spending per visitor at other times. (correct answer)
3. The museum's exhibits were reviewed favorably by a local newspaper earlier in the year.
4. Many visitors report that they enjoy the museum's café as well as its shop.
5. Saturday afternoons typically have higher attendance than Friday evenings.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that free Friday evenings caused increased shop revenue and recommends extending to Saturdays, based on revenue rise after implementation. A vulnerability is that new merchandise or reviews might have driven revenue, not free admission. Choice B strengthens the argument by showing similar spending per visitor on free evenings, suggesting increased visitors from free admission boosted revenue. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like new merchandise, which could explain the increase. Choice E is irrelevant, as attendance comparisons do not address revenue causation.

Question 8

1. Some customers complain about the taste of tap water even when it is not discolored.
2. Laboratory tests of pipe samples from the distribution system showed lower corrosion rates after the compound was introduced. (correct answer)
3. The utility's customer service department hired additional staff during the year.
4. Discolored water complaints tend to be more frequent after heavy rainfall.
5. The compound is used by many utilities in other regions.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that the compound reduced pipe corrosion and recommends continuation, based on fewer discolored water complaints after addition. A vulnerability is that staffing or weather might have affected complaints, not corrosion reduction. Choice B strengthens the argument by providing lab evidence of lower corrosion rates, directly supporting the causal link. In contrast, choice C is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like more staff handling complaints. Choice A is irrelevant, as taste complaints do not address discoloration causation.

Question 9

1. Some patients do not have unlimited texting plans on their mobile phones.
2. The clinic also reduced average appointment length slightly during the same quarter.
3. Patients who received a reminder were less likely to miss appointments than patients who did not receive a reminder because they had opted out of texts. (correct answer)
4. The clinic's staff found the reminder software easy to use.
5. No-show rates tend to be higher in winter months than in summer months.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that text reminders reduce no-shows and recommends network-wide implementation, based on a rate drop after starting reminders. A vulnerability is that opt-outs or other changes might bias results, not reflecting true causation. Choice C strengthens the argument by showing lower no-shows among reminder recipients versus opt-outs, directly linking reminders to reductions. In contrast, choice B is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like shorter appointments, which could explain the drop. Choice A is irrelevant, as texting plans do not address reminder effectiveness.

Question 10

1. The factory's managers stated that the new filtration system was expensive to install.
2. Weather patterns in the measurement period were similar to those in the previous year, and no other major pollution-control measures were introduced near the factory. (correct answer)
3. Particulate pollution can come from vehicle traffic as well as from factories.
4. The agency has recently increased staffing for its regional inspection program.
5. The filtration system also reduces certain odors emitted by the factory.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that requiring the filtration system at similar factories will reduce regional particulate pollution, based on a decline near one factory after installation. A vulnerability is that weather changes or other measures could have caused the decline, not the system. Choice B strengthens the argument by ruling out weather and other interventions, isolating the system's effect. In contrast, choice C is a distractor that is off-target, as other pollution sources do not address the system's impact on factory emissions. Choice A is irrelevant, as installation costs do not bolster pollution reduction claims.

Question 11

1. The emergency department hired two additional nurses shortly before the new protocol began.
2. Patient satisfaction scores increased slightly during the same three-month period.
3. The number of emergency department visits during those three months was approximately the same as during the previous three months. (correct answer)
4. Urgent-care clinics typically treat less severe cases than emergency departments do.
5. The new protocol requires staff to complete an additional online training module each year.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that the new triage protocol improves efficiency and should be adopted elsewhere, based on reduced wait times after implementation. A vulnerability is that changes in visit volume or staffing could have influenced wait times, confounding the protocol's effect. Choice C strengthens the argument by confirming similar visit numbers, ruling out reduced demand as an alternative explanation. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like additional nurses, which could explain the wait time reduction. Choice E is irrelevant, as training requirements do not address efficiency improvements.

Question 12

1. Many respondents said they value investigative reporting more than opinion columns.
2. The survey was conducted online using the newspaper's existing subscriber email list.
3. In a pilot test, subscribers who received the summary feature were no more likely to cancel after a $2 price increase than subscribers who did not receive the feature. (correct answer)
4. The newspaper's primary competitor does not currently offer article summaries.
5. The newspaper's costs for producing the summaries would be relatively low.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that adding article summaries and raising prices by $2 will increase subscription revenue, based on survey willingness to pay. A vulnerability is that stated willingness may not translate to actual behavior, especially with price increases potentially leading to cancellations. Choice C strengthens the argument by showing in a pilot that the feature prevented cancellations despite the price hike, supporting revenue gains. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that is off-target, as valuing certain content does not address willingness to pay more for summaries. Choice B is irrelevant, as survey method does not strengthen the behavioral prediction.

Question 13

1. Several employees reported that they used their commuting time to exercise more often.
2. During the six months, the company also adopted a new project-management tool that automatically assigns tasks.
3. Teams that made the greatest use of remote days showed larger reductions in completion time than teams that rarely used remote days. (correct answer)
4. Some employees prefer to collaborate face-to-face rather than by video call.
5. The company's main competitor offers fully remote positions for many roles.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that remote work improves productivity and recommends expansion, based on decreased project completion time after allowing two remote days. A vulnerability is that other tools or varying remote usage might have driven the improvement, not remote work itself. Choice C strengthens the argument by showing greater reductions in teams using remote days more, linking remote work directly to productivity gains. In contrast, choice B is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like the new project-management tool, which could explain the decrease. Choice D is irrelevant, as collaboration preferences do not address overall productivity impacts.

Question 14

1. The district's high schools also introduced a new attendance-tracking software system that year.
2. Middle school students generally require fewer hours of sleep than high school students do.
3. High schools in neighboring districts that kept earlier start times did not see a similar decrease in absences during the same year. (correct answer)
4. Teachers reported that some students seemed more alert in first-period classes.
5. The district's bus routes became slightly longer after the start-time change.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that later start times reduce absences and recommends adoption for middle schools, based on decreased high school absences after the change. A vulnerability is that external factors, like software or district-wide trends, might have influenced absences. Choice C strengthens the argument by showing no similar decrease in neighboring districts without the change, supporting causation. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like new attendance software, which could explain the decrease. Choice B is irrelevant, as sleep differences between age groups do not address high school causation.

Question 15

1. Employees who attended the workshop reported that they enjoyed meeting colleagues from other departments.
2. Managers evaluating employees for promotion were not informed which employees had attended the workshop. (correct answer)
3. The workshop included a module on writing professional emails.
4. The company's promotion rate increased slightly across all departments that year.
5. Some employees who did not attend the workshop cited scheduling conflicts as the reason.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that the workshop increases promotion likelihood and recommends requiring attendance, based on higher promotion rates among participants. A vulnerability is that self-selection or evaluator bias might explain the difference, not the workshop. Choice B strengthens the argument by ruling out evaluator awareness of participation, reducing bias as an alternative. In contrast, choice D is a distractor that is off-target, as company-wide promotion increases do not isolate the workshop's effect. Choice A is irrelevant, as enjoyment does not address promotion causation.

Question 16

1. The library's LED bulbs have a longer expected lifespan than fluorescent bulbs.
2. The library's operating hours and average daily occupancy were about the same in both years. (correct answer)
3. Some patrons prefer the color temperature of fluorescent lighting.
4. The town recently negotiated a new electricity supply contract for municipal buildings.
5. The library also upgraded its computer servers during the same year.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that LED lighting caused electricity savings and recommends switches elsewhere, based on cost drops after replacement. A vulnerability is that changes in hours, occupancy, or contracts could have reduced costs, not LEDs. Choice B strengthens the argument by confirming similar hours and occupancy, isolating LEDs' effect. In contrast, choice D is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like a new contract, which could explain savings. Choice C is irrelevant, as patron preferences do not address cost causation.

Question 17

1. Participants who ate nuts frequently also reported exercising more on average than other participants.
2. In a randomized follow-up trial, participants assigned to add a daily serving of nuts showed a greater LDL reduction than a control group with similar baseline LDL levels. (correct answer)
3. Nuts contain unsaturated fats and various micronutrients.
4. Some participants reported that nuts are more expensive than other snack foods.
5. Lower LDL cholesterol is associated with reduced risk of heart disease.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that increasing nut consumption lowers LDL and recommends adding nuts for heart health, based on lower LDL in frequent nut eaters. A vulnerability is that correlational data might reflect lifestyle confounders, not causation. Choice B strengthens the argument by providing randomized trial evidence of LDL reduction from nuts, supporting causation. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces a confounder, like more exercise among nut eaters. Choice C is irrelevant, as nutrient content does not prove causal effects.

Question 18

1. The town's beach cleanups were advertised more widely after the filters were installed.
2. Rainfall totals and storm frequency were similar in the two six-month periods. (correct answer)
3. Many volunteers say they feel more motivated when they see less litter on the beach.
4. The filters require periodic maintenance to remain effective.
5. Plastic litter on beaches can also come from visitors leaving trash behind.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that storm-drain filters reduced ocean-bound plastic and recommends county-wide installation, based on less litter collected after filters. A vulnerability is that weather or advertising changes might have affected litter, not filters. Choice B strengthens the argument by confirming similar weather and storms, isolating filters' effect. In contrast, choice A is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like wider cleanup advertising. Choice E is off-target, as visitor trash sources do not address filter efficacy.

Question 19

1. Most of the increase in sales came from required textbooks rather than from clothing or gifts.
2. The bookstore's prices for textbooks were unchanged from last year.
3. Students who made purchases during the extended-hour time slots would otherwise have been unable to visit the bookstore during regular hours. (correct answer)
4. The university enrolled slightly more students this year than last year.
5. The bookstore's online ordering system experienced occasional delays during the first week of the semester.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to strengthen an argument by identifying evidence that supports the conclusion. Strengthening an argument involves providing information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true given the premises. The argument concludes that extended hours caused sales increase and recommends full-semester extension, based on higher sales during the period. A vulnerability is that enrollment growth or other factors might have driven sales, not hours. Choice C strengthens the argument by showing extended-hour purchases were from otherwise inaccessible students, linking hours to new sales. In contrast, choice D is a distractor that introduces an alternative cause, like more students. Choice A is off-target, as sales composition does not address hour causation.