GMAT CR DIAGNOSTIC QUIZ – MODULE 1 – FOUNDATIONS

Argument:

“TechCore Industries must improve employee productivity because recent financial reports show declining profit margins. The company implemented an open-office floor plan last year, eliminating private offices and cubicles. Since that redesign, employee surveys show that workers feel more connected to their colleagues and report higher job satisfaction. Therefore, the open-office design has been successful in achieving management’s goal of improving productivity.”

Question: The argument’s conclusion depends on which of the following assumptions?

Argument:

“A recent study examined reading comprehension levels among elementary school students who participated in a summer reading program. Researchers found that students in the program scored an average of 15% higher on standardized reading tests than they had scored before the program began. The study’s authors concluded that summer reading programs are an effective intervention for improving reading comprehension among all elementary school students. To maximize educational outcomes, school districts should implement similar summer reading programs district-wide.”

Question: Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

Argument:

“Riverside Community College is experiencing declining enrollment, particularly in its evening classes. To reverse this trend, the college administration has proposed extending library hours until midnight on weekdays and opening the library on Sundays. Currently, the library closes at 6 PM on weekdays and remains closed on weekends. Administrators believe that many potential students, especially working adults, avoid enrolling because they cannot access library resources outside of traditional work hours. By providing extended library access, the college expects to attract more students and increase overall enrollment.”

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the administration’s argument?

Argument:

“Health officials in Brookfield have noticed a significant decrease in heart disease rates over the past five years. During the same period, the city implemented a comprehensive public transportation expansion, adding three new bus routes and extending subway service hours. Officials attribute the decline in heart disease to the new transportation options, reasoning that improved public transit has enabled more residents to walk to and from transit stops, thereby increasing their daily physical activity levels and improving cardiovascular health.”

Question: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the officials’ reasoning?

Argument:

“EcoWaste Solutions, a recycling company, processes both paper and plastic materials. The company’s paper recycling division operates at 85% capacity and generates $2 million in annual profit. Its plastic recycling division operates at only 60% capacity but generates $3 million in annual profit. The company has funds available to expand one division by 20% of its current capacity. Company executives note that expanding the plastic division would require purchasing new machinery costing $1.5 million, while expanding the paper division would require only $800,000 in new equipment.”

Question: If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true?