Top GMAT Verbal Practice Questions to Boost Your Score: How to Effectively Use Them for Success

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Preparing for the GMAT can be challenging, especially when it comes to the Verbal Reasoning section. A strong GMAT Verbal score is essential for securing a high overall score, yet many test-takers struggle with Critical Reasoning (CR) and Reading Comprehension (RC). To maximize your GMAT exam preparation, practicing high-quality GMAT verbal practice questions and analysing your answer carefully is key. The right GMAT coaching or GMAT online prep program can help refine your skills, improve accuracy, and boost confidence.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most effective GMAT Verbal practice questions, break down their solutions, and offer expert strategies for mastering them. These carefully selected questions will help you develop the analytical skills necessary to tackle the exam successfully.

GMAT Verbal Practice Questions –

Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions and Explanations

Question 1: Strengthening the Argument

3) A chemical company claims that, since only one of 520 rats that were given high doses of a new artificial sweetener developed cancer while all the others remained healthy, the sweetener is not carcinogenic for human beings and ought to be approved for human consumption.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the chemical company’s claim?

(A) Chemicals that are carcinogenic for rats are usually also carcinogenic for other animals, such as guinea pigs, used in experiments.

(B) The spontaneous incidence of cancer in this particular strain of rat is approximately one in 540.

(C) Tests conducted on a certain strain of mouse show that, of 500 mice given a dose of sweetener similar to that given the rats, 53 developed cancer.

(D) Certain chemicals that are carcinogenic for human beings have been shown not to be carcinogenic for rats.

(E) The average lifespan of the strain of rat used in the experiment is 2 years; the chemical company terminated the experiment when the rats were 13 months old.

Question Type: Support

Passage Analysis:

F: A chemical company claims that only one out of 520 rats given high doses of a new artificial sweetener developed cancer.

C: The sweetener is not carcinogenic for humans and should be approved for consumption.

To Prove: The sweetener is not carcinogenic for humans and should be approved for consumption.

Explanation for Options:

(A) Chemicals that are carcinogenic for rats are usually also carcinogenic for other animals, such as guinea pigs, used in experiments.

This option doesn’t categorically mention humans and is therefore irrelevant.

Incorrect.

(B) The spontaneous incidence of cancer in this particular strain of rat is approximately one in 540.

This option directly supports the chemical company’s claim. If the natural rate of cancer in this strain of rats is roughly 1 in 540, the result of 1 out of 520 developing cancer is consistent with what would occur naturally, even without exposure to the sweetener.

Correct.

(C) Tests conducted on a certain strain of mouse show that, of 500 mice given a dose of sweetener similar to that given to the rats, 53 developed cancer.

This option doesn’t talk about humans. Also, it shows that the sweetner is harmful which is opposite of what we need to prove.

Incorrect.

(D) Certain chemicals that are carcinogenic for human beings have been shown not to be carcinogenic for rats.

This option weakens because if the chemicals that are cancerous for humans are not cancerous for rats then they are not the right test subjects. It weakens are conclusion.

Incorrect.

(E) The average lifep of the strain of rat used in the experiment is 2 years; the chemical company terminated the experiment when the rats were 13 months old.

This option implies the experiment might not have run long enough for cancer to develop, casting doubt on the results. The option thus weakens.

Incorrect.

Final Answer: (B) The spontaneous incidence of cancer in this particular strain of rat is approximately one in 540.

Question 2: Weakening the Argument

Two experimental garden plots were each planted with the same number of tomato plants. Magnesium salts were added to the first plot but not to the second. The first plot produced 20 pounds of tomatoes and the second plot produced 10 pounds. Since nothing else but water was added to either plot, the higher yields in the first plot must have been due to the magnesium salts.

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

1. A small amount of the magnesium salts from the first plot leached into the second plot

2. Tomato plants in a third experimental plot, to which a high-nitrogen fertilizer was added, but no magnesium salts, produced 15 pounds of tomatoes

3. Four different types of tomatoes were grown in equal proportions in each of the plots

4. Some weeds that compete with tomatoes cannot tolerate high amounts of magnesium salts in the soil

5. The two experimental plots differed from each other with respect to soil texture and exposure to sunlight

Correct Answer: E

Explanation:

Summary of the Argument:- The argument concludes that magnesium must be the cause of higher tomato yields since both the plots have the same number of plants and nothing else but water was added to both the plots.

Our Aim:- We need to prove that Magnesium was not the reason for the higher yields.

Analysis:-

The argument states that Magnesium salts were responsible for the higher yields in the first plot. The argument type here is causal flaw so In order to weaken this (causal) argument, we could find an option that says there is some other reason for the high yields.

1. A small amount of the magnesium salts from the first plot leached into the second plot

   INCORRECT. Doesn’t weaken the argument since a small amount leached into the other plot this will not matter.

2. Tomato plants in a third experimental plot, to which a high-nitrogen fertilizer was added, but no magnesium salts, produced 15 pounds of tomatoes

   INCORRECT. Doesn’t address the plots in question; adds a new variable . Therefore this is out of scope and irrelevant.

3. Four different types of tomatoes were grown in equal proportions in each of the plots

   INCORRECT. If they were grown in equal proportions then it strengthens the argument instead of weakening it because it adds to the fact that the two plots were identical and does not provide another reason for the difference in yields.

4. Some weeds that compete with tomatoes cannot tolerate high amounts of magnesium salts in the soil

   INCORRECT. Strengthens the argument: some weeds that compete with tomatoes died in the 1st plot while they may have grown in the second, affecting the yield of the second plot.

5. The two experimental plots differed from each other with respect to soil texture and exposure to sunlight

   CORRECT – If true, the argument gets weakened, showing that we couldn’t compare the two plots, and other variables (soil texture and exposure to sunlight) could have been responsible for difference in yields between the two plots

Question 3: Assumption

The reason much refrigerated food spoils is that it ends up out of sight at the back of the shelf. So why not have round shelves that rotate? Because such rotating shelves would have just the same sort of drawback, i.e. things would fall off the shelves’ edges into the rear corners.

Which of the following is presupposed in the argument against introducing rotating shelves?

Refrigerators would not be made so that their interior space is cylindrical

Refrigerators would not be made to have a window in front for easy viewing of their contents without opening the door

The problem of spoilage of refrigerated food is not amenable to any solution based on design changes

Refrigerators are so well designed that there are bound to be drawbacks to any design change

Rotating shelves would be designed to rotate only while the refrigerator door was open.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Summary of the Argument:-

Refrigerated food spoils when hidden at the back because it is out of sight. Rotating shelves won’t help; items would still fall into rear corners.

Our Aim:- We want to prove that even if the shelves were rotating the food would still spoil as things would fall into the rear corners.

Analysis:-

This is an assumption question, in such types of questions, we must find that missing fact without which the argument will not stand as valid. The missing information should be from within the scope of the argument and, when stated, must prove the conclusion to be further true.

This would also be a great question on which to use the NEGATION test – Options B), D), and E) are clearly irrelevant and out of scope. Let’s look at the opposite of choices A) and C) and see what impact they have on the argument.

1. Refrigerators WOULD be made so that their interior space is cylindrical.

   The negation of A) says “ Refrigerators WOULD NOT be made so that their interior space is cylindrical.” Well, if the interior were cylindrical, then there would be no corners and, consequently, the author’s objection would be irrelevant. This weakens the argument and therefore A) is a necessary assumption. This is the CORRECT answer.

2. Refrigerators would not be made to have a window in front for easy viewing of their contents without opening the door

   If we negate Option B, we can see that even if a window was provided, food can be pushed to the rear corners where it will remain out of sight, so this does not weaken the conclusion. Hence B) can be eliminated.

3. The problem of spoilage of refrigerated food IS amenable to any design solution.

   Well, just because it’s amenable to a solution, does not prove that even if the shelves were rotating the food would still spoil as things would fall into the rear corners. The negation of C) doesn’t help us evaluate the argument, therefore C) is also outside the scope of the argument.

4. Refrigerators are so well designed that there are bound to be drawbacks to any design change

   Option D) is out of scope as we are not concerned with what drawbacks any design change may or may not have. It does not affect my conclusion. Therefore, Option D) cannot be the answer.

5. Rotating shelves would be designed to rotate only while the refrigerator door was open.

   This still does not prove that if the shelves were rotating the food would still spoil as things would fall into the rear corners. It is out of scope and therefore can be eliminated.

Question 4: Inference

The country of Virodia has, until now, been barely self-sufficient in both meat and grain. Greater prosperity there has gone hand in hand with steadily increasing per capita consumption of meat, and it takes several pounds of grain used as feed to produce one pound of meat. Per capita income is almost certain to rise further, yet increases in domestic grain production are unlikely.

Which of the following is most strongly supported by the information given?

1. Some land in Virodia that is currently used for grain production will soon be turned into pastureland for grazing cattle for meat.

2. In the future, per capita income in Virodia is unlikely to increase as rapidly as it has in the past.

3. In Virodia, the amount of grain it takes to produce one pound of meat is likely to increase in coming years.

4. Grain is soon likely to make up a larger proportion of the average Virodian’s diet than ever before.

5. Virodia is likely to become an importer of grain or meat or both.

Explanation:

Argument Summary:

Virodia, barely self-sufficient in meat and grain, faces rising meat consumption (linked to increasing prosperity) that requires more grain for feed. Despite expected further income growth (implying continued higher meat demand), domestic grain production is unlikely to rise. This creates a deficit risk, as current grain output barely meets needs, and increased meat demand would strain grain resources.

Analysis:-

1. Some land in Virodia that is currently used for grain production will soon be turned into pastureland for grazing cattle for meat.

   The argument provides no evidence and indication that land used for grain production will be converted to pasture land.

2. In the future, per capita income in Virodia is unlikely to increase as rapidly as it has in the past.

3. The premise explicitly states per capita income is “almost certain to rise further.” This directly contradicts B, making it incorrect.

4. In Virodia, the amount of grain it takes to produce one pound of meat is likely to increase in coming years.

   The argument notes it currently takes “several pounds of grain” for meat but offers no indication of changes in agricultural efficiency or technology. The ratio is assumed constant so this option is incorrect as it has no basis

5. Grain is soon likely to make up a larger proportion of the average Virodian’s diet than ever before.

   There is nothing in the passage that supports the increase in grain consumption. This also cannot be proved true by the passage hence is eliminated.

6. Virodia is likely to become an importer of grain or meat or both.

   With stagnant grain production and rising demand (due to meat production needs), domestic supply will fall short. To meet demand, Virodia must import grain (for feed), meat (to bypass grain constraints), or both. This aligns directly with the premise’s logic. Correct.

Correct Answer: E

Question 5: Paradox Questions

Archaeologists have found wheeled ceramic toys made by the Toltec, twelfth-century inhabitants of what is now Veracruz. Although there is no archaeological evidence that the Toltec used wheels for anything but toys, some anthropologists hypothesize that wheeled utility vehicles were used to carry materials needed for the monumental structures which the Toltec produced.

Which of the following, if true, would most help the anthropologists explain the lack of evidence noted above?

1. The Toltec sometimes incorporated into their toys representations of utensils or other devices that served some practical purpose

2. Any wheeled utility vehicles used by the Toltec could have been made entirely of wood, and unlike ceramic, wood decays rapidly in the humid climate of Veracruz

3. Carvings in monument walls suggest that the Toltec’s wheeled ceramic toys sometimes had ritual uses in addition to being used by both children and adults as decorations and playthings

4. Wheeled utility vehicles were used during the twelfth century in many areas of the world, but during this time wheeled toys were not very common in areas outside Veracruz

5. Some of the wheeled ceramic toys were found near the remains of monumental structures

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Summary of the Argument:-

Archaeologists found wheeled toys made by the Toltec. While there’s no proof they used wheels for anything other than toys, some anthropologists suggest they might have used wheeled vehicles to help build their large structures. This is just a theory based on the toys, not on actual evidence of such vehicles.

Our Aim:- We need to reconcile two facts here. The first one says that there is no archaeological proof of wheels being used for anything but toys. The second one says that some scientists hypothesize that they might have used wheeled vehicles to help build their large structures.

Analysis:-

(A) The Toltec sometimes incorporated into their toys representations of utensils or other devices that served some practical purpose

INCORRECT. This does not explain if wooden utility vehicles were used by these Toltec folks for practical purpose.

(B) Any wheeled utility vehicles used by the Toltec could have been made entirely of wood, and unlike ceramic, wood decays rapidly in the humid climate of Veracruz

CORRECT. It helps to explain why the wooden utility vehicles have not left behind any archaeological evidence ass they decayed whereas the toys made od ceramic remained. This option explains both fact 1 and fact 2.

(C) Carvings in monument walls suggest that the Toltec’s wheeled ceramic toys sometimes had ritual uses in addition to being used by both children and adults as decorations and playthings

INCORRECT. Ritual uses of wheeled ceramic toys is again not our concern because it does not explain why some scientists hypothesize that they might have used wheeled vehicles to help build their large structures.

(D) Wheeled utility vehicles were used during the twelfth century in many areas of the world, but during this time wheeled toys were not very common in areas outside Veracruz

INCORRECT.This is definitely beyond the scope. Wheeled utility vehicles and their uses in other parts of the world is irrelevant.

(E) Some of the wheeled ceramic toys were found near the remains of monumental structures

INCORRECT. It doesn’t matter if the wheeled toys were found near the monumental structure as it still doesn’t justify the use of wheeled vehicles to build it.

Reading Comprehension (RC) Passage and Questions

Passage:

The growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in business has transformed industries by automating tasks, improving efficiency, and providing data-driven insights. However, concerns about job displacement and ethical considerations persist. Some experts argue that AI will create more jobs than it eliminates, while others believe it could lead to mass unemployment. Companies must strike a balance between technological advancement and workforce sustainability.

Question 1: Main Idea

What is the main idea of the passage?

A) AI is a threat to the job market.

B) AI is revolutionizing industries while posing challenges.

C) Businesses should avoid using AI to protect jobs.

D) AI’s impact on employment is unpredictable.

E) AI should only be used in specific industries.

Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Author’s Tone

What is the author’s tone in the passage?

A) Strongly optimistic

B) Neutral and informative

C) Alarmist

D) Critical of AI

E) Sarcastic

Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Inference

What can be inferred from the passage?

A) AI will definitely create more jobs than it eliminates.

B) Businesses should stop using AI to prevent unemployment.

C) Ethical concerns about AI remain unresolved.

D) AI has no impact on business efficiency.

E) Companies are hesitant to adopt AI.

Correct Answer: C

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