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GRE Quiz

GRE Quiz: Identify Argument Conclusion

Practice Identify Argument Conclusion in GRE with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

Question 1 / 20

0 of 20 answered

A research institute compared two grant-application formats: a long narrative and a shorter structured form. Reviewers spent 20% less time evaluating applications using the structured form, yet their final funding decisions closely matched those made under the narrative format in prior years. Because faster review allows the institute to process more applications without hiring additional staff, it should switch to the structured form for next year’s grants. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

Select an answer to continue

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Identify Argument Conclusion, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for GRE.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A research institute compared two grant-application formats: a long narrative and a shorter structured form. Reviewers spent 20% less time evaluating applications using the structured form, yet their final funding decisions closely matched those made under the narrative format in prior years. Because faster review allows the institute to process more applications without hiring additional staff, it should switch to the structured form for next year’s grants. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Reviewers spent less time evaluating applications using the structured form.
  2. Funding decisions under the structured form closely matched prior years’ decisions.
  3. The institute should use the structured grant-application form next year to increase processing capacity without added staff. (correct answer)
  4. The narrative format is unfair because it favors applicants who write well.
  5. Switching formats will guarantee that the best proposals are always funded.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage compares review times and decision consistency between formats, noting capacity gains from faster reviews. It builds to a switch recommendation for processing more applications without extra staff. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly expresses the argument’s advice to use the structured form next year. Conversely, choice A is merely a premise, offering time data as evidence without serving as the conclusion. Similarly, choice B acts as consistency evidence but does not capture the main point.

Question 2

A publishing house compared two approaches to editing: a traditional process and a new workflow that uses software to flag consistency issues before human review. In a six-month trial, books edited under the new workflow had 25% fewer post-publication corrections, and overall editing time per manuscript fell by 10%. Since the software license costs less than the labor savings from reduced editing time, the house should adopt the new workflow for all nonfiction titles. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Books edited under the new workflow had fewer post-publication corrections during the trial.
  2. Overall editing time per manuscript fell by 10% under the new workflow.
  3. The publishing house should adopt the new software-assisted workflow for all nonfiction titles. (correct answer)
  4. The software will eliminate the need for human editors.
  5. Fiction titles are inherently harder to edit than nonfiction titles.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage compares editing workflows, noting fewer corrections and time savings with the new method. It then weighs the software cost against labor savings, leading to an adoption recommendation for nonfiction. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly conveys the argument’s advice to implement the new workflow for efficiency gains. In contrast, choice A is merely a premise, providing data on corrections as evidence without being the main claim. Similarly, choice B serves as time-related evidence but does not represent the overall recommendation.

Question 3

A company that maintains public trails is deciding how to allocate its limited volunteer hours. It reports that sections repaired with stone steps eroded far less over two rainy seasons than sections repaired with wooden steps, and that stone steps require fewer follow-up repairs. Although stone steps take longer to install initially, the reduced maintenance means fewer total volunteer hours over time. Therefore, the company should favor stone steps over wooden steps when repairing steep trail sections. The author concludes that…

  1. Stone steps eroded less than wooden steps over two rainy seasons.
  2. Stone steps take longer to install initially than wooden steps.
  3. The company should generally use stone steps for steep trail repairs because they minimize long-term volunteer labor. (correct answer)
  4. Wooden steps should never be used on any trail under any circumstances.
  5. Trail erosion is caused primarily by hikers rather than by rainfall.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage compares erosion and maintenance for stone versus wooden steps, acknowledging initial time but emphasizing long-term savings. It builds to a preference for stone in steep repairs to minimize volunteer labor overall. Choice C best states the conclusion because it encapsulates the argument’s primary advice to use stone steps for efficiency. On the other hand, choice A is merely a premise, offering erosion data as supporting evidence rather than the conclusion. Likewise, choice B highlights an initial drawback but does not represent the resolved recommendation.

Question 4

An airline’s operations team reports that flights using a new boarding procedure—calling passengers by smaller groups—departed an average of three minutes earlier than comparable flights using the old procedure. Customer surveys also show a modest increase in reported satisfaction with the boarding experience. Since earlier departures reduce downstream delays and the new procedure requires no new equipment, the airline should roll out the smaller-group boarding procedure system-wide. The author concludes that…

  1. Flights using the new boarding procedure departed earlier on average than comparable flights using the old procedure.
  2. Customer surveys showed a modest increase in satisfaction with the boarding experience.
  3. The airline should implement the smaller-group boarding procedure across its network. (correct answer)
  4. Downstream delays are caused only by late boarding and not by weather or maintenance.
  5. The airline should stop offering carry-on luggage to ensure on-time departures.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage details earlier departures and satisfaction gains from the new procedure, noting no new equipment needed. It builds to a system-wide rollout for reducing delays efficiently. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly conveys the argument’s advice to implement the procedure network-wide. On the other hand, choice A is merely a premise, providing departure data as evidence to justify the rollout. Similarly, choice B serves as customer feedback evidence but does not represent the main claim.

Question 5

In a survey of 1,200 residents, those living within a half-mile of a new urban park reported exercising outdoors 30 minutes more per week, on average, than those living farther away. City health officials also note that building parks is cheaper per capita than subsidizing gym memberships. Consequently, the city should direct its next public-health funds toward creating additional neighborhood parks rather than expanding gym subsidies. Which statement is the author primarily trying to establish?

  1. Residents living near the new park exercise outdoors more than residents living farther away.
  2. Building parks is cheaper per capita than subsidizing gym memberships.
  3. The city should allocate its next public-health funds to building more neighborhood parks instead of expanding gym subsidies. (correct answer)
  4. Outdoor exercise is always more beneficial than indoor exercise.
  5. The survey proves that the park caused every nearby resident to increase exercise by exactly 30 minutes per week.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage presents survey data on increased exercise near parks and compares the per capita cost of parks to gym subsidies. It then directs future funds toward parks based on these advantages, forming a clear policy suggestion. Choice C best states the conclusion because it encapsulates the argument’s primary directive to allocate funds to parks over gym expansions. In contrast, choice A is merely a premise, supplying survey evidence to support the benefits of parks without being the main claim. Likewise, choice B serves as cost-related evidence but does not represent the argument’s ultimate recommendation.

Question 6

A beverage company tested two package designs for its sparkling water. In matched stores, the new design increased unit sales by 6% but also increased customer complaints about damaged cans during shipping. The logistics team reports that switching to a slightly thicker cardboard tray would reduce damage complaints to below the current level while adding only $0.01 per unit in packaging cost, far less than the profit from the additional sales. The main point of the argument is that…

  1. The new package design increased unit sales by 6% in matched stores.
  2. Customer complaints about damaged cans increased after the new design was introduced.
  3. The company should keep the new design and adopt the thicker tray to preserve sales gains while reducing damage. (correct answer)
  4. A $0.01 increase in packaging cost per unit will necessarily eliminate all customer complaints.
  5. The company should discontinue selling sparkling water because shipping damage harms its reputation.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage describes sales increases and complaints from the new design, then introduces a low-cost solution with thicker trays to address damage. It builds by noting that the added cost is outweighed by sales profits, leading to a balanced recommendation. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly conveys the argument’s advice to retain the design with the tray modification for sustained benefits. Conversely, choice A is merely a premise, providing sales data as evidence to support the recommendation rather than the conclusion itself. Similarly, choice B acts as evidence of the problem but does not capture the overall resolution proposed.

Question 7

A regional hospital system introduced a standardized discharge checklist for patients with congestive heart failure. In the following six months, 30-day readmissions for those patients declined from 18% to 13%, while readmissions for other conditions stayed roughly constant. Audits showed that the checklist increased the rate at which patients received follow-up appointments before leaving the hospital. Because avoidable readmissions are costly and the checklist requires no new equipment, the system’s administrators argue that the checklist should be adopted in all hospitals in the region.

Which statement is the author primarily trying to establish?

  1. Avoidable readmissions are costly for hospital systems.
  2. The discharge checklist increased the rate of scheduling follow-up appointments before discharge.
  3. The standardized discharge checklist should be adopted in all hospitals in the region. (correct answer)
  4. The decline in heart-failure readmissions was probably caused by improved discharge procedures.
  5. Readmissions for other conditions will also decline if the checklist is used.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify an argument's conclusion. A conclusion is the central claim the author wants readers to accept, supported by premises that provide evidence. The passage describes the positive results of a discharge checklist (reduced readmissions, increased follow-up appointments) and notes the cost concerns. These facts serve as premises leading to the administrators' recommendation. The Correct answer (C) states the conclusion: "The standardized discharge checklist should be adopted in all hospitals in the region." Choice D about the probable cause of reduced readmissions is an intermediate inference that supports the conclusion but is not the main point being established.

Question 8

A public health agency evaluated a smoking-cessation text-messaging program offered to adults who enrolled through clinics. Among participants who received messages, 6-month self-reported abstinence was 19%, compared with 12% among similar enrollees who did not opt in. The program’s per-person cost was low because messages were automated, and clinics reported no increase in staff workload. Given the agency’s goal of expanding effective interventions without adding staffing demands, it argues that the text-messaging program should be offered statewide.

Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. The text-messaging program should be offered statewide. (correct answer)
  2. Participants who received messages reported higher 6-month abstinence than similar enrollees who did not opt in.
  3. The program’s per-person cost was low because messages were automated.
  4. Automated health programs are generally more effective than in-person counseling.
  5. The agency’s goal is to expand effective interventions without adding staffing demands.

Explanation: This question tests identifying an argument's conclusion. Conclusions represent the main point an author wants to establish, while premises provide supporting reasons. The passage presents evidence about the text-messaging program's effectiveness (higher abstinence rates), low cost, and lack of staffing burden. These facts, combined with the agency's goals, all support the recommendation for expansion. The Aorrect answer (A) captures this conclusion: "The text-messaging program should be offered statewide." Choice B about the higher abstinence rates among participants is merely one piece of supporting evidence used to justify statewide implementation, not the conclusion itself.

Question 9

A university committee notes that in departments where first-year students are assigned a faculty mentor, retention into the second year is 8 percentage points higher than in departments without such assignments. The committee also found that the mentoring program costs less per student than expanding tutoring services. Therefore, if the university’s goal is to improve retention with minimal new spending, it should expand the faculty-mentoring program campus-wide. The author concludes that…

  1. Retention into the second year is higher in departments that assign faculty mentors to first-year students.
  2. The university should expand the faculty-mentoring program across the campus to improve retention cost-effectively. (correct answer)
  3. Tutoring services are ineffective at improving student retention.
  4. The university’s goal is to improve retention with minimal new spending.
  5. All departments with mentors use identical mentoring practices and therefore achieve identical retention gains.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage starts with data on higher retention in departments with mentoring and compares the program’s cost to that of tutoring services. It then ties this to the university’s goal of improving retention cheaply, leading to a campus-wide expansion suggestion. Choice B best states the conclusion because it encapsulates the argument’s primary recommendation for expanding the mentoring program to achieve cost-effective retention gains. On the other hand, choice A is merely a premise, offering statistical evidence of retention benefits to bolster the main claim without being the conclusion. Likewise, choice C serves as contrasting evidence against tutoring but does not represent the argument’s ultimate point.

Question 10

A city’s transportation department notes that after installing protected bike lanes on three major corridors, bicycle commuting increased by 22% and reported cyclist injuries on those corridors fell by 14% over the next year. During the same period, overall car travel times on adjacent parallel streets did not measurably increase, according to GPS-based traffic data. Because the department aims to reduce injuries without worsening congestion, it argues that the city should expand protected bike lanes to additional corridors with similar traffic patterns.

Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Bicycle commuting increased by 22% on the corridors where protected bike lanes were installed.
  2. The city should expand protected bike lanes to additional corridors with similar traffic patterns. (correct answer)
  3. The transportation department aims to reduce injuries without worsening congestion.
  4. Protected bike lanes can reduce injuries on some corridors without necessarily increasing nearby car travel times.
  5. Most commuters will switch from driving to cycling if the city builds enough protected bike lanes.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify an argument's conclusion. A conclusion is the main claim the author wants to establish, while premises provide supporting evidence or reasons for that claim. The passage presents data about protected bike lanes (increased cycling, reduced injuries, no traffic congestion) and then uses this evidence to argue for a specific action. The transportation department's goal and the positive results serve as premises building toward what should be done next. The Borrect answer (B) states that "The city should expand protected bike lanes to additional corridors with similar traffic patterns," which is the recommendation the argument aims to establish. Choice D merely restates one of the supporting observations about reduced injuries without increased congestion, making it a premise rather than the conclusion.

Question 11

An environmental economist observes that a city’s air-quality monitors recorded a 12% drop in average particulate pollution during a six-month pilot in which high-emitting trucks paid a surcharge to enter the downtown zone. During the same period, retail sales tax receipts from downtown businesses were unchanged relative to the previous year, suggesting no major decline in consumer activity. Because particulate pollution is linked to respiratory illness and the pilot did not appear to harm downtown commerce, the economist argues that the city should make the truck surcharge permanent.

Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Particulate pollution is linked to respiratory illness.
  2. Downtown retail sales tax receipts were unchanged during the pilot period.
  3. The truck surcharge pilot coincided with a 12% drop in average particulate pollution.
  4. The city should make the high-emitting-truck surcharge permanent. (correct answer)
  5. Most of the city’s particulate pollution is caused by trucks entering downtown.

Explanation: This question tests identifying an argument's conclusion. Conclusions express the central claim an author wants to prove, while premises provide the supporting rationale. The passage presents evidence about the truck surcharge pilot: reduced particulate pollution, unchanged retail receipts, and the health impacts of pollution. These facts build toward the economist's recommendation about what the city should do. The Dorrect answer (D) captures this conclusion: "The city should make the high-emitting-truck surcharge permanent." Choice C about the 12% pollution drop is merely one piece of supporting evidence used to justify making the surcharge permanent, not the conclusion itself.

Question 12

A restaurant group tested a smaller menu at one location and found that food waste fell by 18% while customer ratings for food quality rose slightly. The manager explains that a smaller menu allows the kitchen to focus on fewer ingredients, improving freshness and reducing spoilage. Since the streamlined menu did not reduce total revenue at the test location, the group should simplify menus at its other restaurants to reduce waste without sacrificing sales. Which statement is the author primarily trying to establish?

  1. Food waste fell by 18% at the location that tested the smaller menu.
  2. A smaller menu allows the kitchen to focus on fewer ingredients, improving freshness.
  3. The restaurant group should simplify menus at other locations to reduce waste without lowering revenue. (correct answer)
  4. Customers always prefer restaurants with the smallest possible menus.
  5. The group should stop serving any items that require perishable ingredients.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage details waste reductions and quality improvements from a smaller menu, noting stable revenue. It explains ingredient focus benefits, leading to a simplification recommendation for other locations. Choice C best states the conclusion because it captures the argument’s primary assertion to simplify menus group-wide. However, choice A is merely a premise, providing waste data as support rather than the conclusion. Likewise, choice B serves as explanatory evidence but is not the overall recommendation.

Question 13

A software firm notes that customer support tickets about password resets fell sharply after it introduced optional biometric login on its mobile app. The firm also found that each password-reset ticket costs several dollars in staff time. Because biometric login can be extended to the desktop version with minimal development effort, the firm argues that it should add biometric login there as well to reduce support costs. Which statement is the author primarily trying to establish?

  1. Password-reset tickets cost the firm several dollars each in staff time.
  2. Support tickets about password resets fell after optional biometric login was introduced on mobile.
  3. The firm should add biometric login to the desktop version to reduce customer support costs. (correct answer)
  4. Biometric login is more secure than all other authentication methods in every context.
  5. The decline in password-reset tickets proves that all users adopted biometric login on mobile.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage notes reduced password-reset tickets after mobile biometrics and quantifies ticket costs. It then proposes extending biometrics to desktop for similar low-effort savings. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly expresses the argument’s recommendation to add desktop biometrics for cost reduction. However, choice A is merely a premise, providing cost data as evidence without serving as the main claim. Similarly, choice B acts as evidence of the mobile success but does not encapsulate the extension proposal.

Question 14

A city’s transportation department reports that after it replaced several downtown traffic lights with roundabouts, average vehicle delay at those intersections fell by 22% and the number of injury accidents fell by 15% over the next year. Because the department’s budget for intersection upgrades is limited, it should prioritize roundabouts rather than installing additional adaptive-signal systems, which are more expensive to maintain and have shown only modest delay reductions in prior pilot programs. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Average vehicle delay at the converted intersections fell by 22% in the year after the roundabouts were installed.
  2. Adaptive-signal systems are more expensive to maintain than roundabouts.
  3. Given limited funds, the city should prioritize building roundabouts for intersection upgrades. (correct answer)
  4. The decline in injury accidents was caused entirely by the replacement of traffic lights with roundabouts.
  5. The city should eliminate traffic lights throughout the entire metropolitan area.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage begins by presenting data on the benefits of roundabouts, such as reduced delays and accidents, and then contrasts this with the higher maintenance costs and lesser effectiveness of adaptive-signal systems. It builds toward a recommendation by emphasizing the department’s limited budget as a key constraint. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly captures the argument’s primary recommendation to prioritize roundabouts given financial limitations. In contrast, choice A is merely a premise, providing factual evidence about delay reductions to support the main claim rather than serving as the conclusion itself. Similarly, choice B acts as supporting evidence by highlighting the cost disadvantages of adaptive systems, but it does not encapsulate the overall point of the argument.

Question 15

A museum director observes that attendance at evening events rose by 40% after the museum began offering a short, free lecture before each event. Because the lecture requires only existing staff time and no additional marketing expenses, the director argues that the museum should add a pre-event lecture to all weekend daytime programs as well. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Attendance at evening events rose by 40% after the museum began offering free pre-event lectures.
  2. The museum’s pre-event lecture requires only existing staff time and no additional marketing expenses.
  3. The museum should add a short, free lecture before all weekend daytime programs. (correct answer)
  4. The museum’s weekend daytime programs currently have lower attendance than evening events.
  5. All museums should replace paid tours with free lectures.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage highlights attendance gains from evening lectures and notes the low cost of implementation using existing resources. It extends this success to suggest applying lectures to daytime programs for similar benefits. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly expresses the argument’s recommendation to add lectures to weekend programs. However, choice A is merely a premise, providing attendance data as evidence to justify the expansion without serving as the conclusion. Similarly, choice B acts as supporting evidence on cost efficiency but does not encapsulate the main point.

Question 16

A national library system found that branches offering automatic renewal for eligible books had 12% fewer overdue items than branches requiring patrons to renew manually. Because fewer overdues reduce staff time spent on notices and collections, and because the software update needed for automatic renewal is already included in the system’s vendor contract, the system should enable automatic renewal at all branches. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Branches offering automatic renewal had fewer overdue items than branches requiring manual renewal.
  2. Fewer overdue items reduce staff time spent on notices and collections.
  3. The library system should enable automatic renewal at all branches. (correct answer)
  4. Automatic renewal will ensure that no library item is ever returned late.
  5. Patrons prefer automatic renewal because it allows them to keep books indefinitely.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage compares overdue rates between branches and explains staff time savings from fewer overdues. It notes the included software cost, leading to a system-wide enablement suggestion. Choice C best states the conclusion because it encapsulates the argument’s primary recommendation to enable automatic renewal everywhere. Conversely, choice A is merely a premise, supplying overdue data as supporting evidence rather than the conclusion. Likewise, choice B acts as efficiency evidence but does not capture the overall point.

Question 17

A museum tested a “pay-what-you-wish” admission policy on weekday afternoons for three months. Attendance during those periods increased by 28%, and gift-shop revenue rose by 10%, while total admission revenue for those afternoons decreased only slightly. Visitor surveys indicated that many attendees who paid less than the usual ticket price were first-time visitors. Because the museum’s strategic plan prioritizes increasing community access without materially reducing operating funds, the director argues that the museum should continue the policy on weekday afternoons.

The author concludes that…

  1. Many visitors who paid less than the usual ticket price were first-time visitors.
  2. Attendance increased by 28% during weekday afternoons when the policy was tested.
  3. The museum should continue the pay-what-you-wish policy on weekday afternoons. (correct answer)
  4. Pay-what-you-wish pricing is the best admission model for museums in general.
  5. Gift-shop revenue rose by 10% because visitors spent more time in the museum.

Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify an argument's conclusion. A conclusion expresses the main claim the author seeks to prove, while premises provide supporting evidence. The passage presents results from the pay-what-you-wish test: increased attendance, higher gift-shop revenue, minimal admission revenue loss, and new visitor attraction. These observations, along with the museum's strategic priorities, support the director's recommendation. The Correct answer (C) states the conclusion: "The museum should continue the pay-what-you-wish policy on weekday afternoons." Choice B about the 28% attendance increase is merely one of the supporting facts used to justify continuing the policy, not the conclusion itself.

Question 18

A city’s waste department found that neighborhoods given smaller trash bins and larger recycling bins reduced landfill-bound waste by 9% over six months. The department also notes that landfill tipping fees have risen steadily, making each ton diverted more valuable financially. Since swapping bins is cheaper than expanding landfill capacity, the city should adopt the bin-swap program in all neighborhoods to control long-term waste costs. The author concludes that…

  1. Landfill tipping fees have risen steadily in recent years.
  2. Neighborhoods given smaller trash bins and larger recycling bins reduced landfill-bound waste by 9%.
  3. The city should implement the bin-swap program citywide to reduce landfill costs over time. (correct answer)
  4. The bin-swap program will increase recycling rates in every neighborhood by exactly 9%.
  5. The city should outlaw all nonrecyclable packaging to solve its waste problem.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage presents waste reductions from bin swaps and rising tipping fees, comparing costs to landfill expansion. It advocates citywide implementation for long-term cost control. Choice C best states the conclusion because it encapsulates the argument’s primary suggestion to adopt the program everywhere. In contrast, choice A is merely a premise, highlighting fee trends as supporting evidence. Likewise, choice B provides pilot data but is not the overall point.

Question 19

A company’s human-resources department reports that employees who completed a short training on meeting facilitation scheduled 15% fewer meetings per month while maintaining the same project completion rates. Because the training is delivered online and requires no outside consultants, it is inexpensive to scale. Therefore, to reduce time spent in meetings without harming productivity, the company should require the facilitation training for all managers. Which of the following best states the conclusion of the argument?

  1. Employees who completed the training scheduled fewer meetings per month.
  2. The training is delivered online and requires no outside consultants.
  3. The company should require meeting-facilitation training for all managers to cut meeting time without reducing productivity. (correct answer)
  4. Managers are the primary cause of all unnecessary meetings in the company.
  5. The company should ban meetings altogether and rely only on written communication.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage details fewer meetings and maintained productivity post-training, emphasizing low scaling costs. It then recommends requiring training for managers to cut meeting time efficiently. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly conveys the argument’s advice for mandatory manager training. On the other hand, choice A is merely a premise, providing meeting data as evidence rather than the main claim. Similarly, choice B acts as cost evidence but does not represent the recommendation.

Question 20

A retail chain is deciding whether to replace paper receipts with digital receipts by default. In a pilot, stores that offered digital receipts as the default used 60% less receipt paper, and customer-service calls about lost receipts did not increase because receipts were accessible via email. Since paper costs and printer maintenance are significant expenses, the chain should adopt digital receipts by default across all stores. The main point of the argument is that…

  1. Stores in the pilot used substantially less receipt paper when digital receipts were the default.
  2. Receipts can be accessed via email when digital receipts are used.
  3. The chain should implement digital receipts by default across all stores to reduce costs without harming service. (correct answer)
  4. Customers strongly dislike paper receipts and will stop shopping at stores that provide them.
  5. The chain should stop issuing any receipts, digital or paper, to speed up checkout.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to identify an argument’s conclusion in a GRE Verbal Reasoning context. Conclusions are the main claims or recommendations that the argument aims to establish, while premises are the supporting evidence or reasons provided to justify that claim. The passage describes paper savings and unchanged service calls in the pilot, then highlights expense reductions. It advocates default digital receipts chain-wide for cost benefits without service harm. Choice C best states the conclusion because it directly expresses the argument’s recommendation to implement digital receipts broadly. In contrast, choice A is merely a premise, providing pilot data on paper use as evidence. Similarly, choice B serves as accessibility evidence but is not the main claim.