**GRE Analytical Writing: How to Solve "Analyze an Argument" — Evidence Questions**

GRE Analytical Writing: How to Solve "Analyze an Argument" — Evidence Questions

(Strengthen/Weaken the Argument)

What This Is

The GRE Argument Task asks you to evaluate a short argument’s logical soundness by identifying its assumptions and assessing whether evidence would strengthen or weaken it. This skill is tested because graduate programs value the ability to dissect flawed reasoning—a critical skill in research, law, and business. A strong response (4.5–6.0) demonstrates precision, not just opinion.

Real-GRE Example:
“The city council claims that installing speed bumps on Main Street will reduce traffic accidents. This claim is supported by a study showing that neighborhoods with speed bumps have 20% fewer accidents than those without. Therefore, the city should install speed bumps immediately.” Question: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the city council’s argument? (A) The study only examined neighborhoods with similar traffic volumes.
(B) Most accidents in the study occurred at night, when speed bumps are harder to see.
(C) The neighborhoods with speed bumps also had better street lighting.
(D) Speed bumps increase emergency vehicle response times.

Key Concepts & Techniques

1. Identify the Core Claim & Premise
2. What to do: Underline the argument’s conclusion (e.g., “install speed bumps”) and its premise (e.g., “a study shows 20% fewer accidents”).

3. When to use: First step in every Argument Task. Without this, you can’t spot gaps.

4. Spot the Assumption (Gap in Logic)

5. What to do: Ask: “What must be true for the premise to prove the conclusion?”
   • Example: The argument assumes the study’s neighborhoods are comparable to Main Street (same traffic patterns, lighting, etc.).

6. When to use: Before reading answer choices. Predict the assumption to avoid trap answers.

7. Strengthen vs. Weaken: Direction Matters

8. Strengthen: Evidence that fills the gap (e.g., “Main Street has the same traffic volume as the study’s neighborhoods”).
9. Weaken: Evidence that exposes the gap (e.g., “Main Street has poor lighting, unlike the study’s neighborhoods”).

10. When to use: After identifying the assumption. Match the answer to the gap.

11. Correlation ≠ Causation (Classic Trap)

12. What to do: If the argument says “X is linked to Y, so X causes Y,” look for:
    • Alternative causes (e.g., “better lighting caused fewer accidents, not speed bumps”).
    • Reverse causation (e.g., “fewer accidents led to speed bumps, not vice versa”).

13. When to use: When the premise is a study or statistic. ETS loves this trap.

14. Scope Shifts (Irrelevant Evidence)

15. What to do: Check if the answer changes the argument’s focus (e.g., from “accidents” to “emergency response times”).

16. When to use: To eliminate wrong answers. If the answer doesn’t address the core claim, it’s wrong.

17. Extreme Language = Red Flag

18. What to do: Words like “always,” “never,” “only,” or “proves” often signal overreach.

19. When to use: To spot weak answers. The GRE prefers moderate, specific evidence.

20. “If True” Rule

21. What to do: Treat every answer choice as factually true, even if it seems unrealistic (e.g., “speed bumps glow in the dark”).
22. When to use: To avoid dismissing answers based on real-world skepticism. Focus on logic, not plausibility.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Step 1: Read the Argument & Underline the Conclusion

• Action: Highlight the main claim (e.g., “install speed bumps”) and the premise (e.g., “a study shows 20% fewer accidents”).
• Why: Forces you to focus on the argument’s structure, not its topic.

Step 2: Identify the Assumption (Gap)

• Action: Ask: “What must be true for the premise to prove the conclusion?”
• Example: The argument assumes the study’s neighborhoods are identical to Main Street in all relevant ways.
• Why: The assumption is the target for strengthen/weaken questions.

Step 3: Predict the Answer

• Action: Before reading choices, ask:
• To strengthen: “What evidence would make the assumption more likely?”
• To weaken: “What evidence would make the assumption less likely?”
• Example (weaken): “Main Street has worse lighting than the study’s neighborhoods.”
• Why: Predicting prevents you from being swayed by trap answers.

Step 4: Evaluate Answer Choices

• Action: For each choice, ask:
• Does it address the assumption?
• Does it strengthen or weaken the argument (per the question)?
• Is it specific and moderate (no extreme language)?
• Why: Eliminates 3–4 wrong answers quickly.

Step 5: Confirm the Best Answer

• Action: Compare remaining choices. Pick the one that most directly attacks or supports the assumption.
• Why: The GRE rewards precision, not “close enough.”

Fully Worked GRE-Style Example

Argument:
“A recent study found that employees who work from home are 15% more productive than those who work in offices. Therefore, companies should allow all employees to work remotely to increase productivity.”

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument?

Step 1: Underline Conclusion & Premise
- Conclusion: Companies should allow all employees to work remotely.
- Premise: A study found 15% higher productivity for remote workers.

Step 2: Identify the Assumption
- The argument assumes: 1. The study’s remote workers are comparable to all employees (e.g., same roles, skills).
2. Productivity gains apply to all employees, not just the study’s sample.
3. Remote work causes productivity (not the other way around).

Step 3: Predict a Weakener
- Evidence that: - The study only included highly self-motivated employees (not all workers).
- Remote work hurts collaboration, offsetting productivity gains.

Step 4: Evaluate Answer Choices
(A) The study only measured productivity for employees in creative roles, not administrative ones.
- Analysis: Exposes a scope limitation (not all employees). Weakens the argument.
(B) Remote workers report higher job satisfaction.
- Analysis: Strengthens the argument (irrelevant to productivity).
(C) Office workers take more sick days than remote workers.
- Analysis: Strengthens (supports remote work).
(D) The study was funded by a company that sells remote-work software.
- Analysis: Weakens (bias), but less directly than (A).
(E) Some employees lack home offices.
- Analysis: Irrelevant (doesn’t address productivity).

Step 5: Confirm Best Answer
- (A) is the best weakener: It shows the study’s results don’t apply to all employees, undermining the conclusion.

Common Mistakes

1. Mistake: Choosing an answer that strengthens when the question asks to weaken (or vice versa).
2. Why it happens: Skipping Step 1 (underlining the conclusion).

3. Correct approach: Circle “strengthen” or “weaken” before reading choices.

4. Mistake: Picking an answer that attacks the premise (e.g., “the study is flawed”) instead of the assumption.

5. Why it happens: Confusing the premise with the argument’s logic.

6. Correct approach: Focus on the gap between premise and conclusion.

7. Mistake: Ignoring scope shifts (e.g., answer talks about “cost” when the argument is about “productivity”).

8. Why it happens: Not predicting the assumption first.

9. Correct approach: Ask: “Does this answer address the core claim?”

10. Mistake: Overlooking alternative causes (e.g., “better lighting caused fewer accidents, not speed bumps”).

11. Why it happens: Assuming correlation = causation.
12. Correct approach: Always ask: “Could something else explain this?”

GRE Traps & Timing

Traps to Avoid

1. The “Reverse” Trap
2. Trap: An answer weakens the premise (e.g., “the study is unreliable”) instead of the conclusion.

3. How to spot: If the answer doesn’t address the assumption, it’s wrong.

4. The “Extreme” Trap

5. Trap: Answers with words like “all,” “never,” or “proves” are usually wrong.

6. How to spot: The GRE prefers moderate, specific evidence.

7. The “Irrelevant Detail” Trap

8. Trap: An answer provides new information that doesn’t affect the argument’s logic.
9. How to spot: Ask: “Does this change the assumption?”

Timing

• Total time per Argument Task: 30 minutes (including planning, writing, and proofreading).
• Time for Evidence Questions (if standalone): 1–2 minutes per question.
• Pro Tip: Spend 1 minute predicting the answer before reading choices. This saves time by eliminating wrong answers faster.

Quick Practice

Argument:
“A survey of 1,000 college students found that those who studied abroad had higher GPAs than those who did not. Therefore, universities should require all students to study abroad to improve academic performance.”

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument? (A) The survey only included students from top-tier universities.
(B) Students who study abroad are more likely to receive scholarships.
(C) The GPA difference was only 0.2 points.
(D) Studying abroad improves cultural awareness.

Answer: (A)
Explanation: The argument assumes the survey’s results apply to all students, but (A) shows the sample was not representative (only top-tier universities), weakening the conclusion.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

1. Underline the conclusion and premise first. No exceptions.
2. Identify the assumption: “What must be true for the premise to prove the conclusion?”
3. Strengthen = fill the gap; weaken = expose the gap.
4. Correlation ≠ causation: Look for alternative explanations.
5. Scope shifts = wrong answers. If it doesn’t address the core claim, eliminate it.
6. Extreme language (“always,” “never”) = usually wrong.
7. “If true” rule: Treat every answer as factually true, even if it’s unrealistic.
8. Predict before reading choices. Saves time and avoids traps.
9. Weakening the premise ≠ weakening the argument. Focus on the assumption.
10. ⚠️ Trap: The answer that seems relevant but doesn’t address the gap (e.g., “cost” when the argument is about “productivity”).

Final Note: The GRE Argument Task rewards logical precision, not creativity. Stick to the strategy, and you’ll consistently score 5.0+.