Last year, the rate of inflation was about 1 percent, but for the current year, it has been 3 percent. We can conclude that inflation is on an upward trend and the rate will be as high as 7 percent next year.Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?

About a third of the questions that appear in the GMAT verbal section are critical reasoning questions.Typical questions that appear in critical reasoning (GMAT CR) include strengthening an argument, weakening an argument, identifying the assumption of an argument, mimic the reasoning, identify the reasoning, conclusion, inference, bold faced statements, and evaluating an argument.

Each of the critical reasoning questions is based on a short argument, a set of statements, or a plan of action.