HOW TO ANSWER

WEAKEN QUESTIONS To score higher on the GMAT

Weaken Questions … A brief overview

• Provide New Information to make the conclusion less believable

1. Cast doubt on the validity of conclusion

2. Shatter the conclusion

WHAT IS TESTED?

1. Understanding how the argument is made

2. Incorporating new information to make the conclusion less believable

30% of CR Questions WHAT DOES WEAKEN MEAN?

New

Info

New

Info

Weaken Questions

1. What is the conclusion and how does the author arrive at it?

PROCESS

2. Prethink possible weakeners: what new

information can reduce your belief in the

conclusion?

3. Analyze the options.

Miami Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites. In 2011, there were

50,000 fewer hotel room night bookings than there were in 2010. Hotel owners are

blaming the apartment renting service by new website Miami@50 that not only sells

hotel room bookings at bargain prices but also allows people to rent out their houses.

The website owners dispute the charge, stating that they rented out only 8,000

apartments through their website. They claim that the weak economy and not their

website is responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room bookings.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the Miami@50 owners’ claim?

A. Miami@50 rents apartments at a much lower price then it rents hotel rooms.

B. Miami@50 rented out at least 8 times as many hotel room nights bookings as

apartments.

C. Most apartments that Miami@50 rented out were rented out multiple times.

D. Miami@50’s profit from renting out apartments was higher than it was for renting

out hotel rooms.

E. Most of Miami@50’s customers preferred renting an apartment to renting a hotel

room

Miami

1. Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites.

2. In 2011, there were 50,000 fewer hotel room night

bookings than there were in 2010.

3. Hotel owners are blaming the apartment renting service by

new website Miami@50 that not only sells hotel room

bookings at bargain prices but also allows people to rent out

their houses.

4. The website owners dispute the charge, stating that they

rented out only 8,000 apartments through their website.

5. They claim that the weak economy and not their website is

responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room

bookings.

Prethinking

Conclusion: only 8000 apartments were

rented out, so Miami@50 is not responsible

for the majority of the decrease.

Assumption: Each apartment: rented only

once

Anything that refutes these assumptions.

1. Each apartment rented out multiple times.

2. Each apartment has multiple rooms: i.e., it

replaced not one but multiple hotel rooms. E.g. an

apartment with four rooms for rent would be

equivalent to four hotel rooms, not one.

Weakeners

Answer Choice Analysis Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites. In 2011, there were 50,000 fewer

hotel room night bookings than there were in 2010. Hotel owners are blaming the apartment

renting service by new website Miami@50 that not only sells hotel room bookings at bargain prices

but also allows people to rent out their houses. The website owners dispute the charge, stating

that they only rented out only 8,000 apartments through their website. They claim that the weak

economy and not their website is responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room bookings.

A. Miami@50 rents apartments at a much lower

price then it rents hotel rooms

B. Miami@50 rented out at least 8 times as many

hotel room nights bookings as apartments.

C. Most apartments that Miami@50 rented out

were rented out multiple times.

D. Miami@50’s profit from renting out apartments

was higher than for renting out hotel rooms.

E. Most of Miami@50’s customers preferred

renting an apartment to renting a hotel room

A. Irrelevant: The number of rooms and not

the price of rooms is in question here.

B. Irrelevant: Miami@50’s rooms are already

accounted for in the total calculation.

C. Correct: Raises the possibility that each

apartment could have accounted for the loss

of multiple room bookings.

D. Irrelevant: no relation to conclusion.

E. Irrelevant: Customer preference is not an

issue here.

Vehicle Energy Harvesting Systems

An energy harvesting system is one that harvests energy that otherwise cannot be utilized in any

useful way. Vehicle Energy Harvesting (VEAH) systems comprise of a set of plates suspended on

the road as speed breakers that the vehicle must go over to generate energy. Since these systems

slow the vehicle down, they harvest energy that is possibly useful and otherwise could have been

utilized. Hence they are not true energy harvesting systems.

A. The vehicle energy harvesting systems are deployed in areas such as gas stations, drive

through lanes, traffic lights etc. where the vehicle is slowing down and needs to come to

a halt.

B. The vehicle energy harvesting systems while deriving energy from a vehicle do not

affect the efficiency of the vehicle’s engine.

C. The extra energy expensed by the vehicle would be so little that most people would not

even notice it on their monthly gasoline bill.

D. Vehicle energy harvesting systems could be used to provide power to areas where it’s

extremely inefficient to supply power through traditional means.

E. A research report by the DOE has proven that VEAH systems are more efficient than

most renewable energy systems such as hydro-electric and wind power.

Which of the statements below casts the most doubt on the claim made by the author?

Vehicle Energy Harvesting Systems

1. An energy harvesting system is one that harvests energy that

otherwise cannot be utilized in any useful way.

• Definition of energy harvesting system

2. Vehicle Energy Harvesting (VEAH) systems comprise of a set of

plates suspended on the road as speed breakers that the vehicle

must go over to generate energy.

• Tells us about VEAH, a particular type of energy harvesting

system

3. Since these systems slow the vehicle down, they harvest energy

that is possibly useful and otherwise could have been utilized.

• Note that ‘since’ gives you a reason for something

4. Hence they are not true energy harvesting systems.

• ‘Hence’ is like ‘therefore’: conclusion.

Logical Structure

VEAH is not true energy

harvesting system

VEAH uses energy that can

otherwise be used for useful

purposes

A. The vehicle energy harvesting systems are

deployed in areas such as gas stations, drive

through lanes, traffic lights etc. where the vehicle

is slowing down and needs to come to a halt.

B. The vehicle energy harvesting systems while

deriving energy from a vehicle do not affect the

efficiency of the vehicle’s engine.

C. The extra energy expensed by the vehicle would

be so little that most people would not even notice

it on their monthly gasoline bill.

D. Vehicle energy harvesting systems could be used

to provide power to areas where it’s extremely

inefficient to supply power through traditional

means.

E. A research report by the DOE has proven that

VEAH systems are more efficient than most

renewable energy systems such as hydro-electric

and wind power.

Correct

Incorrect

VEAH slows the vehicle down

Slowing down the vehicle means

using useful energy

Incorrect

Incorrect

Incorrect

Pundra (GMATPREP) Twelve years ago and again five years ago, there were extended periods when the Darfir

Republic’s currency, the Pundra, was weak : its value was unusually low relative to the world’s most

stable currencies. Both times a weak Pundra made Darfir’s manufactured products a bargain on

world markets, and Darfir’s exports were up substantially. Now some politicians are saying that, in

order to cause another similarly sized increase in exports, the government should allow the Pundra

to become weak again

A. Several of the politicians now recommending that the Pundra be allowed to become weak made that same recommendation before each of the last two periods of currency weakness.

B. After several decades of operating well below peak capacity, Darfir’s manufacturing sector is now

operating at near-peak levels.

C. The economy of a country experiencing a rise in exports will become healthier only if the country’s

currency is strong or the rise in exports is significant.

D. Those countries whose manufactured products compete with Darfir’s on the world market all

currently have stable currencies.

E. A sharp improvement in the efficiency of Darfir’s manufacturing plants would make Darfir’s

products a bargain on world markets even without any weakening of the Pundra relative to other

currencies.”

Which of the following, if true, provides the government with the strongest grounds to doubt that the politicians’ recommendation, if followed, will achieve its aim?

Logical Structure and Assumptions

If we reduce the value of

Pundra again, exports will

increase

Twice in history, weak

Pundra led to high

exports

Anything that puts the assumption in doubt

such as weak demand, lack of ability to

produce the goods for exports, increased

competition from other countries for goods

that showed the most increase.

Weakeners

What has played out in the past

will play out again.

Pundra (GMATPREP)

A. Several of the politicians now recommending that the Pundra be allowed to become weak made that same recommendation before each of the last two periods of currency weakness.

B. After several decades of operating well below peak

capacity, Darfir’s manufacturing sector is now

operating at near-peak levels.

C. The economy of a country experiencing a rise in

exports will become healthier only if the country’s

currency is strong or the rise in exports is significant.

D. Those countries whose manufactured products

compete with Darfir’s on the world market all

currently have stable currencies.

E. A sharp improvement in the efficiency of Darfir’s

manufacturing plants would make Darfir’s products a

bargain on world markets even without any

weakening of the Pundra relative to other

currencies.”

A. OFS: The rise in exports has little relationship to who is providing this recommendation.

B. Correct: Refutes the notion that even if there is demand, exports may not increase as Dafir cannot produce more to meet the demand.

C. OFS: The economy of the country is not at question here.

D. STR: States that the competing countries are unlikely to compete.

E. OFS: Provides an alternate plan to improve exports. Has little impact on the conclusion.

Twelve years ago and again five years ago, there were extended periods when the Darfir

Republic’s currency, the Pundra, was weak: its value was unusually low relative to the world’s most

stable currencies. Both times a weak Pundra made Darfir’s manufactured products a bargain on

world markets, and Darfir’s exports were up substantially. Now some politicians are saying that, in

order to cause another similarly sized increase in exports, the government should allow the Pundra

to become weak again

Cirque De Soleil

Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil

amounting to 40% of show’s insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed at

a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts performed

at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs by

requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

A. It is unlikely that the total stage times for acrobatic acts will reduce in the near future.

B. Most mishaps at 10 meters cost 15 percent lower than the average mishap cost at 50

meters

C. Only Cirque de Soleil’s best acrobats, those who have mastered the most demanding

moves are currently allowed to perform at 50 meters.

D. The overall mishap rate for acrobats in Cirque de Soleil has only improved slightly over

the past 2 years.

E. Most acrobatic mishaps result in serious injuries that take months to heal

Passage Analysis Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil

amounting to 40% of show’s insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed

at a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts

performed at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall

insurance costs by requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

Acrobatic Acts Impact w.r.t. show’s

insurance cost

Mishap Rate

Sub category: 50 mts

Sub category: 10/20 mts

____________ ________________________

Assume rate = B

∴ B < A/6

Assume rate = A

Conclusion : Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs…

???

Logical Structure and Assumptions

To reduce insurance costs,

recommend that all acrobats

perform at 50 meters

Acrobatic acts at 50

meters have 6 times

lower mishap rate than

those at 10/20 meters

Evidence refuting either assumption.

Weakeners

1. Performing at 50 meters and no other

skill factor causes lower mishap rate

2. Cost/mishap@50 meters is not

significantly higher.

Answer Choice Analysis Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil

amounting to 40% of show’s insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed at

a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts performed

at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs by

requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

A. It is unlikely that the total stage times for

acrobatic acts will reduce significantly in the near

future.

B. Most mishaps at 10 meters cost 15 percent

lower than the average mishap cost at 50 meters

C. Only Cirque de Soleil’s best acrobats, those who

have mastered the most demanding moves are

currently allowed to perform at 50 meters.

D. The overall mishap rate for acrobats in Cirque

de Soleil has only improved slightly over the past 2

years.

A. OFS: States that the overall stage time

may stay the same or increase. Unrelated to

the structure of argument.

B. Strengthener: Further indicates that moving

to 50 meters will save costs.

C. Correct: Provides additional information

to refute assumption 1.

D. OFS: no relation to conclusion

E. OFS: Does not establish any “new”

relation to insurance costs. E. Most acrobatic mishaps result in serious

injuries that take months to heal

Official Questions To Practice

OG 12: 1, 3, 4, 10, 15, 23, 30, 35, 36, 40, 45, 52, 55, 57, 60, 63, 73, 75, 81, 83, 87,

88, 90 96, 104, 106, 111, 114, 116, 118, 120, 123

Verbal Review (Blue): 4, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 31, 36, 39, 41, 46,

47, 49, 50, 65, 78, 80, 81, 83

OG 13: 2, 4, 20, 25, 32, 37, 43, 51, 58, 62, 71, 73, 79, 80, 82, 87, 88, 90, 97, 107,

112, 115, 117, 119, 122.

Thank You

EXTRA PRACTICE QUESTIONS

TOI and IHT

The problem with launching an edition of International Herald Tribune (IHT) in India is that Times of

India (TOI), a national daily, can be bought for one third of the proposed price of IHT, and the TOI,

which is just as reliable, covers more national news than IHT does. Even through IHT has wider

coverage of international events, most people in India are still more interested to know what is

happening around them than what is happening in some other part of the world, which they have

not even heard of. Thus a sufficient market for Indian edition of IHT may not exist in any part of the

country the near future

A. The hyper growth of the Indian economy has been and will continue to bring a large influx of

foreigners and expatriates to major metros .

B. Businesses in India have been constantly demanding for consulting services from IHT to help them

expand globally.

C. Over the last two years, IHT has expanded its coverage of events in India, especially those related

to Indian businesses and politics.

D. Other international newspapers who have tried to compete on price with TOI have had limited

success in some pockets of the country.

E. Most people in India subscribe to only one daily newspaper.

Which of the following if true will weaken the author’s claim that a sufficient market for IHT does not exist in any part of the country in the near future?

Logical Structure and Assumptions

A sufficient market for Indian

edition of IHT may not exist in

any part of the country the

near future

Most Indians are still

more interested in

local news than

international

1. TOI can be

purchased at 1/3rd of

price

2. TOI is as reliable

3. TOI covers more

local news

No part of the country has ppl

where people are as interested

in international news

1. Evidence of existence of an interested

group in some pockets.

Weakeners

Targeting only Indians in India

Answer Choice Analysis The problem with launching an edition of International Herald Tribune (IHT) in India is that Times of

India (TOI), a national daily, can be bought for one third of the proposed price of IHT, and the TOI,

which is just as reliable, covers more national news than IHT. Even through IHT has wider coverage

of international events, most people in India are still more interested to know what is happening

around them than what is happening in some other part of the world, which they have not even

heard of. Thus a sufficient market for Indian edition of IHT may not exist in any part of the country

the near future

A. The hyper growth of the Indian economy has been

and will continue to bring a large influx of foreigners

and expatriates to major metros.

B. Businesses in India have been constantly demanding

for consulting services from IHT to help them expand

globally.

C. Over the last two years, IHT has expanded its coverage

of events in India, especially those related to Indian

businesses and politics.

D. Other international newspapers who have tried to

compete on price with TOI have had limited success in

some pockets of the country.

A. Correct: Shows that in Metros there may

be a sufficient number of people in Metros

B. OFS: Talks about demand for consulting

services and not newspapers.

C. Irrelevant as in spite of the expanded

coverage it is far less than TOI

D. OFS: no relation to conclusion

E. Strengthen: Strengthens the notion that

most people will purchase TOI.

E. Most people in India subscribe to only one daily

newspaper.