Verbal ReasoningGMAT Focus Edition

GMAT Assumption – Necessary practice questions

Assumption – Necessary is a high-yield GMAT topic. Work through these practice questions to build accuracy and speed before test day.

Free Assumption – Necessary practice

4 sample questions

Practice Question 1easyCritical Reasoning

A retail store offered a 50% discount on all products during a holiday weekend. Sales increased by 30% compared to the previous weekend. The store manager concluded that the discount caused the increase in sales.

The argument above relies on which of the following assumptions?

The store's employees were properly trained to handle the increased customer traffic.

No other stores in the area were offering discounts on similar products at the same time.

Customers prefer shopping during holiday seasons.

The store's inventory levels were sufficient to meet the increased demand.

The store's advertising budget was increased during the sale period.

Practice Question 2mediumCritical Reasoning

An agricultural economist argues that farms in the region should switch to organic farming methods. While organic certification requires eliminating synthetic pesticides, the economist notes that pesticide expenses account for 30% of production costs, and studies show organic farms in similar climates maintain comparable yields. Therefore, the economist concludes, switching to organic methods would be economically justified.

The argument depends on assuming which of the following?

No new pest species will emerge that would be more difficult to control without synthetic pesticides.

Current pesticide usage levels exceed the minimum required for maintaining current crop yields.

The market price premium for organic crops will remain sufficient to offset any potential yield fluctuations.

Farmers in the region have access to organic certification programs and markets for their organic produce.

The reduction in pesticide use would not lead to an increase in labor costs for manual pest control that outweighs the pesticide cost savings.

Practice Question 3mediumCritical Reasoning

A recent report suggests that the manufacturing sector should invest in automation technologies to offset the rising cost of labor. The report argues that while wages for workers are increasing, the benefits of automation, such as reduced production costs and higher efficiency, justify the investment.

Which of the following is an assumption necessary for the argument to hold?

The productivity gains from automation are sufficient to offset both its implementation costs and higher wage expenses.

Workers in the manufacturing sector will not resist the implementation of automation technologies.

Competitors in the manufacturing sector are not already achieving greater efficiency through automation.

The demand for manufactured goods will remain stable despite automation-driven price changes.

Automation technologies will not require additional skilled labor that commands even higher wages.

Practice Question 4mediumCritical Reasoning

In a surprising result, traffic congestion in the city decreased significantly after the implementation of a new public transportation initiative. City officials concluded that the initiative successfully reduced congestion by encouraging residents to use public transportation instead of private vehicles.

Which of the following is an assumption necessary for the argument's conclusion to be valid?

The city's new public transportation initiative did not lead to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road.

Other cities implementing similar public transportation initiatives experienced comparable reductions in traffic congestion.

The city's public transportation initiative was funded entirely by local taxes.

The reduction in traffic congestion was not coincidental and directly resulted from the city's new public transportation initiative.

The city's residents unanimously supported the new public transportation initiative.

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GMAT Assumption – Necessary practice questions

Free Assumption – Necessary practice

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