GMAT Causal Reasoning in Arguments Quiz

1. Sales increased 30% after the company launched a new marketing campaign. Which assumption does this causal claim rely on?

The campaign was the sole cause of the sales increase

Previous campaigns were less effective

Competitors did not increase their marketing

The increase would not have occurred without the campaign

The statement assumes the campaign directly caused the increase, ignoring other possible factors.

Explanation

The statement assumes the campaign directly caused the increase, ignoring other possible factors.

2. Students who attend tutoring sessions score higher on exams. This necessarily means tutoring improves exam performance. Which flaw does this reasoning contain?

Hasty generalization

Confusing correlation with causation

Circular reasoning

Appeal to authority

Higher-scoring students may be more motivated to attend tutoring; tutoring may not be the cause of higher scores.

Explanation

Higher-scoring students may be more motivated to attend tutoring; tutoring may not be the cause of higher scores.

3. Company X implemented stricter safety protocols. Subsequently, workplace injuries declined by 15%. What additional information would most strengthen the causal claim?

Other companies also reduced injuries that year

The decline began shortly after protocols were implemented

Employees received training on the new protocols

Injuries had been declining for five years prior

Evidence that employees understood and applied the protocols strengthens the causal link.

Explanation

Evidence that employees understood and applied the protocols strengthens the causal link.

4. People who drink coffee have higher stress levels than non-coffee drinkers. Therefore, coffee causes stress. What alternative explanation weakens this conclusion?

Coffee is consumed worldwide

Stressed people may drink coffee to cope

Some coffee is caffeine-free

Stress levels vary by age

Reverse causation (stress causing coffee consumption) is an alternative explanation the argument ignores.

Explanation

Reverse causation (stress causing coffee consumption) is an alternative explanation the argument ignores.

5. A study shows that regular exercise correlates with lower heart disease rates. To establish causation, researchers would need to rule out which factor?

Exercise frequency varies by gender

Diet and genetics also affect heart health

Heart disease rates differ by country

Exercise equipment costs vary

Confounding variables like diet and genetics must be controlled to isolate exercise as the cause.

Explanation

Confounding variables like diet and genetics must be controlled to isolate exercise as the cause.

6. After a new CEO took office, company profits doubled. The board concluded the CEO caused the increase. What assumption is most questionable?

The CEO made strategic decisions

No other factors contributed to the increase

Profits were measured accurately

The CEO had profit-sharing incentives

Market conditions, industry trends, or prior initiatives could also explain the profit increase.

Explanation

Market conditions, industry trends, or prior initiatives could also explain the profit increase.

7. Schools with lower test scores receive more funding. Therefore, increased funding causes lower test scores. Which logical error is committed?

Assuming the direction of causation

Overgeneralizing from limited data

Begging the question

False dilemma

More likely, lower-performing schools receive funding to improve; the causation likely runs the opposite direction.

Explanation

More likely, lower-performing schools receive funding to improve; the causation likely runs the opposite direction.

8. A medication reduces fever in 85% of patients. A doctor claims the medication cures fever. What weakens this causal claim?

15% of patients do not respond

Fever typically resolves on its own in days

The medication has side effects

Other medications also reduce fever

If fever naturally resolves, the medication's causal role in recovery is unclear.

Explanation

If fever naturally resolves, the medication's causal role in recovery is unclear.

9. Employees who work from home report higher job satisfaction. The company concludes remote work causes job satisfaction. What confounding variable is most likely overlooked?

Remote workers have longer commutes

Self-selected employees with higher satisfaction chose remote work

Remote work requires internet access

Office workers earn higher salaries

Causation may run backward; happier employees may have been permitted or preferred remote work.

Explanation

Causation may run backward; happier employees may have been permitted or preferred remote work.

10. A politician's approval rating rose after a tax cut. The politician claims the tax cut caused the increase. Which evidence would most undermine this claim?

Approval rose in other regions without tax cuts

The tax cut affected middle-income earners

Previous tax cuts had similar effects

Public opinion polls are sometimes inaccurate

If approval rose elsewhere without the tax cut, the tax cut is not the necessary cause.

Explanation

If approval rose elsewhere without the tax cut, the tax cut is not the necessary cause.

11. Children who watch educational videos show improved reading scores. Researchers conclude videos improve reading. To establish causation, what must be demonstrated?

Videos are widely available

Reading scores increased during the study period

Motivated children selected educational videos, not that videos motivated learning

Videos cover reading-related topics

Selection bias must be ruled out; more motivated children may watch videos and also score higher.

Explanation

Selection bias must be ruled out; more motivated children may watch videos and also score higher.

12. A company's revenue increased after hiring a new marketing director. The CEO attributes the increase to the director's strategy. What is the strongest objection to this causal inference?

Marketing directors have varied experience

Revenue increases are always temporary

Market conditions or seasonal demand may explain the increase

The director's salary is a business expense

External factors independent of the director's actions could account for the revenue growth.

Explanation

External factors independent of the director's actions could account for the revenue growth.

13. Vitamin D supplements are taken by people with low vitamin D levels. A researcher claims low vitamin D causes people to take supplements. What is the logical error?

Affirming the consequent

Confusing cause and effect

Hasty generalization

Ad hominem attack

The actual cause is low vitamin D levels; taking supplements is the effect, not the cause.

Explanation

The actual cause is low vitamin D levels; taking supplements is the effect, not the cause.

14. After implementing a new customer service protocol, customer complaints dropped 40%. The manager claims the protocol caused the decrease. Which factor would most challenge this claim?

Complaints had been declining before the protocol was introduced

The protocol was implemented company-wide

Employees received training on the protocol

Customers value quick response times

If complaints were already declining, the protocol may not be the cause of the recent decrease.

Explanation

If complaints were already declining, the protocol may not be the cause of the recent decrease.

15. People who exercise regularly live longer than sedentary people. Therefore, exercise causes longevity. Which statement best identifies why this causal claim requires caution?

Exercise is practiced in many countries

Health-conscious people both exercise and avoid unhealthy behaviors

Longevity varies by age and generation

Some exercisers experience injuries

Confounding variables—diet, sleep, stress management—correlate with both exercise and longevity.

Explanation

Confounding variables—diet, sleep, stress management—correlate with both exercise and longevity.

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Causal Reasoning in Arguments Quiz

1. Sales increased 30% after the company launched a new marketing campaign. Which assumption does this causal claim rely on?

2.

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

2. Students who attend tutoring sessions score higher on exams. This necessarily means tutoring improves exam performance. Which flaw does this reasoning contain?

3. Company X implemented stricter safety protocols. Subsequently, workplace injuries declined by 15%. What additional information would most strengthen the causal claim?

4. People who drink coffee have higher stress levels than non-coffee drinkers. Therefore, coffee causes stress. What alternative explanation weakens this conclusion?

5. A study shows that regular exercise correlates with lower heart disease rates. To establish causation, researchers would need to rule out which factor?

6. After a new CEO took office, company profits doubled. The board concluded the CEO caused the increase. What assumption is most questionable?

7. Schools with lower test scores receive more funding. Therefore, increased funding causes lower test scores. Which logical error is committed?

8. A medication reduces fever in 85% of patients. A doctor claims the medication cures fever. What weakens this causal claim?

9. Employees who work from home report higher job satisfaction. The company concludes remote work causes job satisfaction. What confounding variable is most likely overlooked?

10. A politician's approval rating rose after a tax cut. The politician claims the tax cut caused the increase. Which evidence would most undermine this claim?

11. Children who watch educational videos show improved reading scores. Researchers conclude videos improve reading. To establish causation, what must be demonstrated?

12. A company's revenue increased after hiring a new marketing director. The CEO attributes the increase to the director's strategy. What is the strongest objection to this causal inference?

13. Vitamin D supplements are taken by people with low vitamin D levels. A researcher claims low vitamin D causes people to take supplements. What is the logical error?

14. After implementing a new customer service protocol, customer complaints dropped 40%. The manager claims the protocol caused the decrease. Which factor would most challenge this claim?

15. People who exercise regularly live longer than sedentary people. Therefore, exercise causes longevity. Which statement best identifies why this causal claim requires caution?