GMAT AWA Unstated Assumptions in Arguments Quiz

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 6575 | Total Attempts: 67,424
| Questions: 15 | Updated: May 7, 2026
Please wait...
Question 1 / 16
🏆 Rank #--
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100

1. An argument states: 'Company X increased advertising spending by 20%, and sales rose 15% the following quarter. Therefore, the advertising campaign caused the sales increase.' Which unstated assumption does this argument rely on?

Explanation

The argument assumes that advertising is the sole influence on sales, disregarding other potential factors like market conditions or consumer behavior. It implies that without the increased advertising, sales would not have risen at all. Thus, the conclusion about the effectiveness of the advertising campaign relies on these unexamined assumptions.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
GMAT Awa Unstated Assumptions In Arguments Quiz - Quiz

Master the critical skill of identifying unstated assumptions in GMAT analytical writing arguments. This quiz helps you recognize hidden premises that authors rely on without explicitly stating them. Understanding unstated assumptions is essential for crafting strong counterarguments and evaluating argument strength on the GMAT AWA. Strengthen your ability to challenge... see moreweak reasoning and construct persuasive essays. Key focus: GMAT AWA Unstated Assumptions in Arguments Quiz. see less

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. A politician argues: 'Our city's crime rate decreased after we hired 200 additional police officers. We should hire 500 more to cut crime in half.' What assumption underlies this argument?

Explanation

The politician's argument relies on the assumption that increasing the number of police officers will lead to a proportional reduction in crime and that this effect will continue consistently. It overlooks other potential factors that may have contributed to the initial decrease in crime, thus simplifying the relationship between police presence and crime rates.

Submit

3. An argument claims: 'University graduates earn 40% more than high school graduates on average. Therefore, attending university guarantees financial success.' Which unstated assumption is most critical to this argument?

Explanation

The argument assumes that the increased earnings of university graduates are directly attributable to their degrees, ignoring other factors that might contribute to financial success, such as experience, networking, or field of employment. This assumption is critical, as it underpins the conclusion that a university education guarantees higher income.

Submit

4. A company argues: 'Our new product is better than competitors' because it has more features.' What unstated assumption does this rely on?

Explanation

The company's argument assumes that an increase in features directly correlates with improved quality. This overlooks the possibility that more features may not enhance the overall user experience or effectiveness of the product, leading to the flawed conclusion that quantity equates to superiority.

Submit

5. An argument states: 'Students who attend tutoring sessions improve their test scores. Therefore, tutoring is the cause of score improvement.' What assumption is not stated?

Explanation

The argument assumes that tutoring is the sole factor leading to score improvement, disregarding other potential influences. It also implies that students who seek tutoring would not have improved without it and assumes that these students are not already high achievers. All these assumptions are crucial for the argument's validity.

Submit

6. A researcher argues: 'Countries with higher coffee consumption have lower depression rates. Therefore, drinking coffee reduces depression.' Which assumption is problematic?

Explanation

The assumption that correlation proves causation is problematic because it overlooks the possibility that other factors may influence both coffee consumption and depression rates. Just because two variables are correlated does not imply that one causes the other; there could be confounding variables at play that affect the observed relationship.

Submit

7. An argument claims: 'Company Y's stock price doubled after hiring a new CEO. The new CEO caused this success.' What unstated assumption might be false?

Explanation

The argument assumes that the CEO is the sole reason for the stock price increase, overlooking other potential influences such as market conditions, company strategies, or external economic factors. This assumption could be false, as multiple variables can contribute to stock performance, making it inaccurate to attribute success solely to the CEO's arrival.

Submit

8. An argument states: 'Schools with newer buildings have higher test scores. Therefore, building renovations improve student performance.' What assumption is unstated?

Explanation

The argument assumes that newer buildings lead to improved teaching quality and that wealthier districts, which can afford new buildings, also provide better educational resources. This implies that building age is not the sole factor influencing test scores, but rather a combination of infrastructure and financial investment in education.

Submit

9. A marketing claim states: 'Customers who use our app report higher satisfaction. Buy our app to be satisfied.' Which unstated assumption is problematic?

Explanation

This assumption implies a direct causal relationship between app usage and customer satisfaction, overlooking the possibility that inherently satisfied customers may be more inclined to choose the app. It fails to consider other factors influencing satisfaction, making it a flawed basis for the marketing claim.

Submit

10. An argument claims: 'Exercise increases life expectancy because health-conscious people who exercise live longer.' What unstated assumption does this contain?

Explanation

The argument assumes that exercise is the primary factor influencing longevity, disregarding other potential influences like genetics and diet. It implies that health-conscious individuals rely solely on exercise for their well-being, overlooking other healthy habits they may practice. Therefore, it assumes that these factors do not significantly contribute to lifespan differences.

Submit

11. An argument states: 'Countries that ban certain pesticides have lower cancer rates. Therefore, banning pesticides reduces cancer.' What hidden assumption is crucial?

Explanation

The argument assumes that pesticide exposure is the main factor contributing to cancer rates. If other significant causes of cancer are present, the correlation between banning pesticides and lower cancer rates may not imply causation. This assumption is essential to validate the claim that banning pesticides directly leads to reduced cancer incidence.

Submit

12. A study argues: 'People who read books daily earn higher incomes. Therefore, reading books causes financial success.' What unstated assumption is most questionable?

Explanation

The assumption that reading is the sole factor in earning potential overlooks other significant influences such as education, experience, networking, and skills. Financial success is typically the result of a combination of various factors, making it overly simplistic to attribute it solely to reading habits.

Submit

13. An argument claims: 'Fast-food restaurants near schools correlate with childhood obesity. Fast-food availability causes obesity in children.' What assumption is unstated?

Submit

14. An argument states: 'Employees who work from home report higher productivity. Companies should allow all employees to work remotely.' Which unstated assumption might not hold?

Submit

15. An argument claims: 'Students who attend private schools score higher on standardized tests. Private school education is superior.' What critical unstated assumption might be flawed?

Submit
×
Saved
Thank you for your feedback!
View My Results
Cancel
  • All
    All (15)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
An argument states: 'Company X increased advertising spending by 20%,...
A politician argues: 'Our city's crime rate decreased after we hired...
An argument claims: 'University graduates earn 40% more than high...
A company argues: 'Our new product is better than competitors' because...
An argument states: 'Students who attend tutoring sessions improve...
A researcher argues: 'Countries with higher coffee consumption have...
An argument claims: 'Company Y's stock price doubled after hiring a...
An argument states: 'Schools with newer buildings have higher test...
A marketing claim states: 'Customers who use our app report higher...
An argument claims: 'Exercise increases life expectancy because...
An argument states: 'Countries that ban certain pesticides have lower...
A study argues: 'People who read books daily earn higher incomes....
An argument claims: 'Fast-food restaurants near schools correlate with...
An argument states: 'Employees who work from home report higher...
An argument claims: 'Students who attend private schools score higher...
play-Mute sad happy unanswered_answer up-hover down-hover success oval cancel Check box square blue
Alert!