GRE Quiz: Inference From Text

20 questions · exam conditions

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Inference From TextQuestion 1 of 20

A museum conservation lab tested two varnish-removal solvents on a set of 18th-century oil paintings with similar varnish composition. Solvent X removed varnish quickly but, under ultraviolet examination, left faint residues in micro-cracks that required a secondary cleaning step. Solvent Y removed varnish more slowly but left no detectable residue and did not require additional cleaning. When the lab calculated total treatment time, paintings treated with Solvent X took slightly longer on average because the secondary step was time-consuming, though the initial removal was faster. The lab also tracked pigment stability by measuring color shifts before and after treatment; both solvents produced shifts within the lab's acceptable threshold, but Solvent X showed greater variability across paintings. The lab director must recommend a default solvent for routine use when staff time is limited and minimizing process complexity is a priority.

The passage suggests which of the following?

Solvent Y would likely be preferred as the default choice for routine use under the stated priorities.

Solvent X is categorically unsafe for use on 18th-century paintings.

Solvent X removes varnish quickly.

Because both solvents meet the color-shift threshold, the choice between them is irrelevant.

The residues left by Solvent X will inevitably cause long-term pigment loss in all treated paintings.

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GRE Quiz

GRE Quiz: Inference From Text

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

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Inference From Text, 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

The passage suggests which of the following?

Solvent Y would likely be preferred as the default choice for routine use under the stated priorities. (correct answer)
Solvent X is categorically unsafe for use on 18th-century paintings.
Solvent X removes varnish quickly.
Because both solvents meet the color-shift threshold, the choice between them is irrelevant.
The residues left by Solvent X will inevitably cause long-term pigment loss in all treated paintings.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage notes that Solvent Y removed varnish more slowly but left no residue, required no additional cleaning, and resulted in total treatment times that were shorter on average than Solvent X, which needed a time-consuming secondary step despite faster initial removal. Additionally, both solvents met the color-shift threshold, but Solvent X showed greater variability, and the priorities emphasize limited staff time and minimizing process complexity. Therefore, Solvent Y would likely be preferred as the default choice for routine use, as it better aligns with reducing overall time and complexity without compromising safety thresholds. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option B, states that Solvent X is categorically unsafe for 18th-century paintings, but this is too strong, as the passage indicates it met the threshold despite variability. Another option like E speculates that residues from Solvent X will inevitably cause long-term pigment loss in all cases, which exceeds the evidence of faint residues requiring secondary cleaning.

Question 2

Read the passage and answer the question.

A political scientist studied the effects of open primary elections on candidate ideology in several states. In states that adopted open primaries, the average ideological score of winning candidates moved slightly toward the center over the next three election cycles. However, the shift was concentrated in competitive districts; in districts where one party routinely won by large margins, the average ideology of winners changed little. The researcher also found that turnout among self-identified independents rose modestly after open primaries were introduced, while turnout among strong partisans remained roughly stable. The study cautioned that district competitiveness can shape which voters campaigns prioritize.

The passage suggests which of the following?

Open primaries caused strong partisans to stop voting in primary elections.
In competitive districts, candidates may have greater incentive to appeal to independents whose participation increased under open primaries. (correct answer)
Open primaries always produce centrist winners regardless of local electoral conditions.
After open primaries were adopted, independent turnout rose modestly while partisan turnout stayed roughly stable.
District competitiveness has no relationship to campaign strategy because primaries determine nominees, not general-election outcomes.

Explanation: This question asks you to infer from the political science study on open primaries. Inferences must be supported by textual evidence rather than speculation. The passage indicates that ideological shifts toward the center were "concentrated in competitive districts" and that "district competitiveness can shape which voters campaigns prioritize." Combined with the finding that independent turnout rose under open primaries, this suggests candidates in competitive districts have more incentive to appeal to these newly participating independents. Option B correctly connects these pieces of evidence. Option C is too absolute ("always produce centrist winners"), while option E contradicts the passage's emphasis on competitiveness effects.

Question 3

A team of ecologists investigated why a particular invasive plant spread rapidly along a river corridor but remained sparse in adjacent upland areas. They found that seeds of the plant were frequently present in river sediment samples after seasonal floods, and germination rates were high in moist, nutrient-rich soils typical of floodplains. In upland soils, germination was lower, and seedlings that did emerge showed higher mortality during dry periods. The ecologists also observed that most mature plants in the corridor were clustered near points where floodwaters deposited debris, suggesting repeated seed delivery. They propose that managing floodplain disturbances could limit the invasion's expansion.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The invasive plant cannot survive in any upland environment under any circumstances.
Flood events likely contribute both to dispersal of seeds and to creation of favorable conditions for establishment along the river corridor. (correct answer)
Seeds were frequently present in river sediment samples after seasonal floods.
Because the plant is invasive, it must have been intentionally introduced by humans near the river.
Upland areas would show higher invasion levels if nutrient-rich soils were imported there, regardless of moisture conditions.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage notes seeds were frequently in flood sediments, with high germination in moist, nutrient-rich floodplain soils, and mature plants clustered near flood debris points, while uplands had lower germination and higher seedling mortality in dry periods. Floods thus deliver seeds and create favorable moist, nutrient conditions. Therefore, flood events likely contribute both to dispersal of seeds and to creation of favorable conditions for establishment along the river corridor, explaining the rapid spread there versus uplands. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, claims the plant cannot survive in any upland environment, but this is too absolute, as some germination occurred despite higher mortality. Another option like D assumes human introduction near the river, which is speculative and not mentioned.

Question 4

A botanist studying pollination in an alpine meadow compared seed set in a wildflower across two elevations. At lower elevation, the flower was visited by a diverse set of insects, including bees and flies, and seed set was high. At higher elevation, overall insect visitation was lower, but a single bumblebee species accounted for most visits; seed set remained moderate rather than collapsing. When the botanist experimentally excluded insects using mesh bags, seed set dropped sharply at both elevations. The botanist concludes that the flower depends on insect pollination but may rely on different pollinator assemblages across environments.

Which statement is most strongly supported by the information given?

At high elevation, the flower likely experiences some functional compensation from the dominant bumblebee species despite reduced overall visitation. (correct answer)
The flower is fully self-pollinating at high elevation and therefore does not depend on insects there.
At lower elevation, the flower was visited by bees and flies.
If the dominant bumblebee species disappears, the flower will certainly go extinct across its entire range.
The mesh bags increased seed set by protecting flowers from harsh alpine winds.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage indicates high-elevation seed set remained moderate despite lower overall visitation, dominated by one bumblebee species, while exclusion dropped seed set sharply at both elevations, showing insect dependence. Diverse insects visited at low elevation with high seed set. Therefore, at high elevation, the flower likely experiences some functional compensation from the dominant bumblebee species despite reduced overall visitation, maintaining moderate reproduction. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option B, claims the flower is fully self-pollinating at high elevation, but this contradicts the sharp drop with exclusion. Another option like D speculates extinction if the bumblebee disappears, which is too extreme and not supported.

Question 5

A political scientist studied how citizens evaluate policy proposals depending on the order in which information is presented. Participants read about a proposed housing policy along with two pieces of evidence: one from an academic study and one from an anecdotal news story. When the academic study was presented first, participants rated the proposal as more evidence-based, even when they later read the anecdote. When the anecdote was presented first, participants' ratings were lower and did not fully rebound after reading the academic study. The scientist notes that both groups received the same information; only the sequence differed.

It can be reasonably concluded that:

Participants who saw the anecdote first were unable to understand academic studies.
The academic study was fabricated and therefore persuaded participants only through deception.
Participants read both an academic study and an anecdotal news story.
Presenting rigorous evidence earlier can have a lasting influence on how subsequent information is interpreted. (correct answer)
Information order has no effect on policy evaluation because both groups received the same content.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage demonstrates that when the academic study was presented first, ratings of the policy as evidence-based remained higher even after the anecdote, while anecdote-first ratings were lower and did not fully rebound after the study. Both groups received the same information, differing only in sequence. Therefore, presenting rigorous evidence earlier can have a lasting influence on how subsequent information is interpreted, as the order affected final evaluations persistently. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option E, claims order has no effect because content was the same, but this ignores the observed differences in ratings. Another option like A speculates that anecdote-first participants were unable to understand studies, which is not supported and too dismissive.

Question 6

In a study of urban heat mitigation, researchers compared three neighborhoods that installed different combinations of interventions over a five-year period. Neighborhood L replaced most dark asphalt with high-albedo pavement but did not increase tree canopy; Neighborhood T expanded tree canopy substantially but left pavement largely unchanged; Neighborhood M implemented both measures at moderate levels. The researchers reported that summertime afternoon surface temperatures decreased in all three neighborhoods relative to baseline. However, only Neighborhood T showed a consistent reduction in overnight air temperatures during heat waves, and residents there reported fewer sleep disruptions. The researchers also noted that high-albedo pavement produced the largest midday surface-temperature reductions but coincided with increased glare complaints and no measurable change in nighttime air temperature. In Neighborhood M, modest reductions occurred for both midday surface temperatures and overnight air temperatures, though neither matched the largest reductions observed in L (midday) or T (overnight). City officials are considering which single intervention to prioritize in other areas where the primary public-health concern is heat-wave mortality, which is most strongly associated with sustained elevated nighttime air temperatures rather than peak daytime surface temperatures.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

High-albedo pavement is ineffective at reducing any type of heat exposure and should not be used in cities.
Because glare complaints increased, high-albedo pavement will likely be banned by the city in future projects.
If officials must choose only one intervention to address heat-wave mortality risk, expanding tree canopy is the better-supported option. (correct answer)
All three neighborhoods experienced lower summertime afternoon surface temperatures than at baseline.
Neighborhood M's combined strategy proves that moderate implementation always outperforms intensive implementation of a single measure.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage indicates that heat-wave mortality is most strongly associated with sustained elevated nighttime air temperatures, and only Neighborhood T, with expanded tree canopy, showed consistent reductions in overnight air temperatures during heat waves. In contrast, Neighborhood L's high-albedo pavement reduced daytime surface temperatures but did not affect nighttime air temperatures, while Neighborhood M's moderate approach yielded modest but not maximal reductions in either metric. Therefore, if officials must choose only one intervention to address heat-wave mortality risk, expanding tree canopy is the better-supported option, as it directly targets the key factor linked to mortality. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, claims high-albedo pavement is ineffective at reducing any type of heat exposure, but this is too absolute and ignores its stated effectiveness on daytime surface temperatures. Another option like E overgeneralizes Neighborhood M's results to claim moderate implementation always outperforms intensive single measures, which is speculative and not supported by the evidence.

Question 7

In an archival analysis, a historian compared the budgeting practices of two early 20th-century municipal governments. City R published detailed annual budgets and held public hearings before final approval; City S published only summary totals and did not record deliberations in accessible minutes. Over a 15-year span, both cities experienced similar economic shocks, but City R showed smaller year-to-year fluctuations in infrastructure spending. The historian also found that in City S, major spending increases often followed election years, whereas City R's spending increases were more evenly distributed. The historian cautions that publication practices do not automatically reveal motives but can affect how easily citizens and journalists scrutinize decisions.

Which statement is most strongly supported by the information given?

City S's officials were more corrupt than City R's officials.
City R's greater budget transparency likely made sustained public scrutiny of spending decisions easier than in City S. (correct answer)
City R published detailed annual budgets and held public hearings.
Because both cities experienced similar economic shocks, transparency has no relationship to spending patterns.
City S would have had stable infrastructure spending if it had held public hearings, regardless of all other factors.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage describes City R's detailed budgets and public hearings leading to smaller fluctuations in infrastructure spending, while City S's summary totals and inaccessible minutes correlated with larger, election-tied increases. The historian notes that publication practices affect scrutiny by citizens and journalists. Therefore, City R's greater budget transparency likely made sustained public scrutiny of spending decisions easier than in City S, contributing to more stable patterns. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, assumes City S's officials were more corrupt, but this is speculative and not supported by evidence. Another option like E overgeneralizes that public hearings alone would stabilize City S's spending regardless of other factors, which is too absolute.

Question 8

A journal editor examined citation patterns after introducing a double-blind peer-review policy (reviewers and authors anonymous to each other). In the three years before the change, papers from the journal's host institution accounted for 18% of accepted articles; in the three years after, they accounted for 11%. Over the same periods, the proportion of submissions from the host institution remained approximately constant. The editor also noted that acceptance rates for papers from institutions with which editorial-board members had past collaborations declined slightly after the policy change. Which statement is most strongly supported by the information given?

Double-blind review eliminated all forms of bias in the journal's decisions.
The policy change likely reduced advantages previously associated with institutional proximity to the journal's editors. (correct answer)
After the policy change, authors from the host institution stopped submitting to the journal.
Papers from the host institution were of lower quality after the policy change.
Host-institution papers accounted for 11% of accepted articles in the three years after the change.

Explanation: This question tests inference about the effects of policy changes. Valid inferences must be supported by the passage without being explicitly stated. The data shows that host-institution papers dropped from 18% to 11% of acceptances after double-blind review was introduced, while submission proportions stayed constant. This suggests the previous system gave host-institution authors an advantage, likely due to reviewers knowing their institutional affiliation. The correct answer infers that double-blind review reduced this proximity advantage. Option E merely restates a fact from the passage rather than making an inference, while option A overgeneralizes beyond what the evidence supports.

Question 9

Marine biologists assessed the recovery of a kelp forest after a severe storm. They monitored three sites: Site A was adjacent to a protected marine reserve with abundant sea otters; Site B had few otters due to historical hunting and ongoing boat traffic; Site C had intermediate otter presence. Over two years, kelp cover increased fastest at Site A and slowest at Site B. The researchers also counted sea urchins, which graze kelp: urchin densities remained low at Site A, increased at Site B, and fluctuated at Site C. The team noted that the storm initially reduced kelp at all sites to similarly low levels, suggesting comparable starting conditions.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Sea otters likely contributed to kelp recovery by limiting sea urchin populations. (correct answer)
Boat traffic is the sole cause of kelp decline in all coastal ecosystems.
Kelp cover increased fastest at Site A.
Sea urchins at Site A must have been completely absent throughout the study.
Because the storm affected all sites, predators cannot influence recovery rates afterward.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage reports that kelp cover increased fastest at Site A with abundant sea otters, slowest at Site B with few otters, and intermediate at Site C, while sea urchin densities remained low at A, increased at B, and fluctuated at C. Sea otters are known predators of urchins, which graze kelp, and the storm reduced kelp similarly at all sites initially. Therefore, sea otters likely contributed to kelp recovery by limiting sea urchin populations, as the patterns align with otter presence correlating to lower urchins and faster kelp regrowth. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option B, claims boat traffic is the sole cause of kelp decline everywhere, but this is too absolute and ignores the role of predators. Another option like D speculates that urchins were completely absent at Site A, which is not stated and exceeds the evidence of low densities.

Question 10

A chemist compared two catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into a useful chemical feedstock. Catalyst A achieved higher conversion efficiency in short laboratory runs but lost activity after repeated cycles, apparently due to surface restructuring. Catalyst B had lower initial efficiency but maintained stable activity across many cycles. When the chemist calculated total product generated over 100 cycles, Catalyst B yielded more cumulative product despite its lower per-run efficiency. The chemist notes that industrial processes often prioritize long-term throughput and stability over peak initial performance.

It can be reasonably concluded that:

Catalyst A will outperform Catalyst B in cumulative industrial output over long time horizons.
Catalyst B may be more suitable than Catalyst A for industrial deployment where repeated cycling is required. (correct answer)
Catalyst A achieved higher conversion efficiency in short laboratory runs.
Catalyst B's stability proves that it cannot undergo any surface changes during reaction.
Surface restructuring is always beneficial for catalyst performance.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage reports Catalyst A had higher initial efficiency but lost activity over cycles due to restructuring, while Catalyst B was stable with lower per-run efficiency but higher cumulative output over 100 cycles. Industrial processes prioritize long-term stability and throughput. Therefore, Catalyst B may be more suitable than Catalyst A for industrial deployment where repeated cycling is required, as its stability yields better overall performance. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, claims Catalyst A will outperform in cumulative output long-term, but this contradicts the 100-cycle calculation. Another option like E states surface restructuring is always beneficial, which ignores its role in A's activity loss.

Question 11

Read the passage and answer the question.

A materials scientist tested a biodegradable polymer film intended for food packaging. In laboratory composting conditions, the film lost 60% of its mass within eight weeks. In a separate test simulating a low-oxygen landfill environment, the same film lost only 10% of its mass over eight weeks. The scientist emphasized that biodegradation rates depend strongly on microbial activity and oxygen availability. A marketing team proposed labeling the product "rapidly biodegradable" without specifying the disposal environment. The scientist objected, noting that consumers dispose of packaging in varied waste streams.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The polymer film is not biodegradable under any conditions.
The claim "rapidly biodegradable" could mislead consumers because the film degrades much more slowly in some common disposal environments. (correct answer)
In composting conditions, the film lost 60% of its mass within eight weeks.
Landfills always prevent biodegradation because they contain no microbes.
If the film were made thicker, it would certainly degrade faster in landfills.

Explanation: This question tests inference about biodegradability claims and consumer understanding. Valid inferences should follow from the stated facts about degradation rates. The passage shows the film degraded 60% in composting but only 10% in landfill conditions, and the scientist objected to the "rapidly biodegradable" label without specifying disposal environment. This suggests the unqualified claim could mislead consumers who might dispose of the product in landfills where it degrades slowly. Option B correctly infers this potential for consumer confusion. Option A is too strong (the film does biodegrade), while option D makes unsupported claims about landfill microbes.

Question 12

Read the passage and answer the question.

An economist examined the introduction of a citywide bike-share program and its relationship to public transit use. In the first year after launch, subway ridership declined slightly on weekends but was unchanged on weekdays. Bus ridership increased modestly on routes that connected residential areas to newly installed bike-share stations, while bus ridership was flat on routes with no nearby stations. Survey data indicated that many users rode bikes for short trips that they previously made on foot or by bus, and a smaller share reported using bikes to reach subway stops. The economist noted that transit systems often experience different demand patterns on weekends than on weekdays.

Which statement is most strongly supported by the information given?

Bike-share caused a large decline in weekday subway ridership across the city.
Bike-share likely served as a complement to some bus routes near stations while having limited impact on weekday subway ridership. (correct answer)
Most bike-share users previously commuted by subway and switched entirely to biking.
Weekend subway ridership declined slightly in the first year after the program launched.
If the city removed bike-share stations, weekend subway ridership would certainly return to its previous level.

Explanation: This question requires inferring the relationship between bike-share and public transit use. Inferences must be supported by the data patterns described. The passage states bus ridership increased on routes connecting to bike-share stations while remaining flat elsewhere, and weekday subway ridership was unchanged. Survey data showed many users made trips previously done on foot or by bus, with some using bikes to reach subway stops. This pattern suggests bike-share complemented bus routes (helping people reach stations) while having minimal weekday subway impact. Option B accurately captures this nuanced relationship. Option A contradicts the data (weekday subway was unchanged), while option C overstates the switching behavior.

Question 13

Read the passage and answer the question.

An astronomy team compared two methods for estimating the mass of a distant galaxy cluster: gravitational lensing measurements and X-ray observations of hot intracluster gas. For relaxed clusters (those with smooth, symmetric X-ray profiles), the two methods produced similar mass estimates. For disturbed clusters (those with irregular X-ray profiles suggesting recent mergers), lensing-based masses were systematically higher than X-ray-based masses. The team noted that X-ray methods assume the gas is in hydrostatic equilibrium, an assumption more plausible in relaxed clusters than in disturbed ones. The researchers did not claim that either method was universally superior; instead, they emphasized that each rests on different physical assumptions.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

X-ray mass estimates for disturbed clusters may be biased low because the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption is less valid for those clusters. (correct answer)
Gravitational lensing measurements are inaccurate for relaxed clusters.
All clusters are either relaxed or disturbed, with no intermediate cases.
The two methods produced similar mass estimates for relaxed clusters.
Recent mergers always increase the true mass of a cluster, explaining the higher lensing estimates.

Explanation: This question tests inference about galaxy cluster mass estimation methods. Valid inferences must be grounded in the passage's scientific observations. The text states that for disturbed clusters, X-ray masses were systematically lower than lensing masses, and notes that X-ray methods assume hydrostatic equilibrium—an assumption "more plausible in relaxed clusters than in disturbed ones." This suggests the violated assumption in disturbed clusters causes X-ray methods to underestimate mass. Option A correctly infers this bias mechanism. Option B is unsupported (the methods agreed for relaxed clusters), while option E speculates about merger effects on actual mass rather than measurement bias.

Question 14

Read the passage and answer the question.

A linguist analyzed recordings of a minority language spoken in two neighboring towns. In Town A, speakers frequently used a particular suffix to mark evidentiality (whether the speaker personally witnessed an event). In Town B, the same suffix appeared less often in spontaneous conversation, though speakers still judged sentences containing it as grammatical in elicitation tasks. The linguist also found that Town B had substantially more bilingual speakers who used the national language daily for work and schooling. In the national language, evidentiality is typically expressed through separate adverbs rather than suffixes. The linguist emphasized that reduced frequency of a form in casual speech does not necessarily imply that the form has disappeared from the grammar.

The passage suggests which of the following?

Town B speakers have entirely lost the evidential suffix from their language.
The evidential suffix is used less frequently in Town B partly because bilingual speakers may rely on alternative strategies influenced by the national language. (correct answer)
In Town A, the national language is never used for work or schooling.
Town B speakers consider sentences containing the evidential suffix grammatical in elicitation tasks.
Town B's reduced use of the suffix proves that the language is undergoing rapid extinction.

Explanation: This question tests inference skills regarding language change and bilingualism. Valid inferences must be grounded in textual evidence rather than speculation. The passage indicates Town B has more bilingual speakers who use the national language daily, and that the national language expresses evidentiality through adverbs rather than suffixes. Combined with Town B's reduced suffix use in conversation, this suggests bilingual speakers may be influenced by the national language's patterns. Option B correctly infers this connection between bilingualism and alternative strategies. Option A is contradicted by the text (speakers still judge it as grammatical), while option E makes an unsupported leap to "rapid extinction."

Question 15

An economist examined the effects of a new commuter rail line on small businesses near stations. Using tax records, she found that in the first year after the line opened, retail sales increased most in neighborhoods that also relaxed zoning rules for mixed-use development. In neighborhoods where zoning remained restrictive, sales increases were smaller and were concentrated in businesses that already had high foot traffic before the rail line. The economist also noted that commercial rents rose in all station areas, but the steepest rent increases occurred in the mixed-use neighborhoods. Interviews with business owners suggested that some long-standing low-margin shops closed after rents increased, while newly opened businesses tended to be higher-margin services. The economist cautioned that raw sales growth alone could obscure changes in the composition of businesses.

Which statement is most strongly supported by the information given?

Relaxing zoning rules guarantees that all existing small businesses near stations will thrive after rail expansion.
In mixed-use station areas, some of the observed sales growth may reflect a shift toward higher-margin businesses rather than uniform gains among incumbents. (correct answer)
Commercial rents did not rise in any station area where zoning remained restrictive.
Retail sales increased most in neighborhoods where zoning remained restrictive.
The commuter rail line had no effect on business outcomes because rents rose everywhere.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage reports that retail sales increased most in mixed-use neighborhoods with relaxed zoning, but also notes steep rent increases there, closures of low-margin shops, and openings of higher-margin businesses. The economist cautions that raw sales growth could obscure changes in business composition, suggesting that some growth reflects shifts rather than uniform gains. Therefore, in mixed-use station areas, some observed sales growth may reflect a shift toward higher-margin businesses rather than uniform gains among incumbents, as supported by the interviews and the caution about raw data. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, claims that relaxing zoning guarantees all small businesses will thrive, but this is too absolute and ignores evidence of closures due to rents. Another option like E overstates that the rail line had no effect because rents rose everywhere, which contradicts the reported sales increases.

Question 16

In a study of workplace training, a firm offered an optional online course on spreadsheet automation. Employees who completed the course were, on average, promoted sooner than employees who did not. However, before the course began, the completers already had higher performance-review scores and were more likely to have requested additional responsibilities from managers. The course content was identical for all participants, and completion required self-paced work outside normal hours. The passage suggests which of the following?

The course caused the earlier promotions among those who completed it.
Employees who completed the course likely differed from noncompleters in motivation or prior performance. (correct answer)
Most employees in the firm completed the course.
Noncompleters were prevented by managers from enrolling in the course.
The course content was identical for all participants.

Explanation: This question tests inference about causation versus correlation. Valid inferences must be supported by evidence without being directly stated. The passage reveals that course completers already had higher performance scores and had requested more responsibilities before the course began. This pre-existing difference suggests that completers likely differed from non-completers in motivation or prior performance, rather than the course causing their success. The correct answer recognizes this selection bias without overstating the case. Option A incorrectly assumes causation, while option D speculates about prevention without textual support.

Question 17

A city's transportation department piloted two bus-route changes. On Route M, buses were scheduled every 10 minutes instead of every 15; on Route N, the schedule was unchanged but real-time arrival displays were installed at major stops. After three months, on-time performance improved by 2 percentage points on Route M and by 9 percentage points on Route N. Passenger counts rose modestly on both routes, but customer-service calls complaining about "unpredictable waits" fell sharply only on Route N. The department noted that traffic patterns during the pilot were typical for the season. It can be reasonably concluded that:

Increasing frequency is generally ineffective for improving on-time performance.
Real-time arrival information likely reduced riders' perception of waiting unpredictability more than the frequency change did. (correct answer)
Route M's ridership increased because buses were more comfortable.
Traffic congestion decreased during the pilot, causing Route N's improvement.
On-time performance improved on both routes during the pilot.

Explanation: This question requires inferring conclusions from comparative data. Inferences must be logically supported by the evidence without being explicitly stated. The passage shows that Route N, which only added real-time displays, had much better on-time performance improvement (9% vs 2%) and was the only route where complaints about "unpredictable waits" fell sharply. This suggests that real-time information addressed riders' perception of unpredictability more effectively than increased frequency did. The correct answer follows logically because it explains why Route N saw better results despite having no schedule change. Option E is tempting but is explicitly stated rather than inferred, while option A is too broad and contradicted by Route M's modest improvement.

Question 18

An energy analyst compared household electricity use before and after a utility introduced time-of-use pricing (higher rates during peak evening hours, lower rates overnight). In the first two months after the change, total monthly consumption per household remained nearly unchanged, but the share of electricity used between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. fell. The utility simultaneously launched an information campaign explaining how to shift appliance use to off-peak hours; participation in the campaign was voluntary. The analyst observed that households with smart thermostats showed the largest reduction in peak-hour share. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Time-of-use pricing reduced overall electricity consumption for most households.
Households shifted some electricity use away from peak hours without substantially reducing total use. (correct answer)
The information campaign caused all households to reduce their peak-hour usage.
Smart thermostats are the only effective tool for reducing energy bills.
Peak-hour rates were lower than overnight rates after the change.

Explanation: This question tests inference from usage patterns. Valid inferences must be supported by evidence without being explicitly stated. The passage indicates total consumption stayed nearly unchanged while peak-hour share fell, which logically means households shifted usage to off-peak times rather than reducing overall use. This inference is supported by the smart thermostat observation, suggesting automated shifting of heating/cooling loads. The Borrect answer captures this shift pattern accurately. Option A incorrectly claims reduction in total use, which contradicts the stated "nearly unchanged" total consumption.

Question 19

A neuroscience study compared two training regimens intended to improve older adults' memory. Group S practiced memorizing word lists using spaced repetition; Group G played a commercially available "brain game" marketed for memory enhancement. After eight weeks, Group S improved on the specific word-list test used in training and also showed modest improvement on a different verbal recall test. Group G improved on the game itself but showed no statistically significant change on either memory test. The researchers note that transfer of training effects to untrained tasks is often considered stronger evidence of genuine cognitive improvement than gains limited to the practiced activity.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Commercial brain games can never improve any cognitive ability in any population.
Because Group G improved on the game, it must have improved equally on real-world memory tasks.
Spaced repetition is more likely than the brain game to produce benefits that generalize beyond the trained activity. (correct answer)
Group S practiced memorizing word lists using spaced repetition.
The brain game harmed participants' memory, causing declines on both memory tests.

Explanation: This question tests the ability to make a valid inference from the passage. A correct inference must be logically supported by the information provided without being directly stated. The passage shows Group S improved on trained and untrained memory tests via spaced repetition, while Group G improved only on the game itself, with no significant memory test changes. Transfer to untrained tasks is noted as stronger evidence of cognitive improvement. Therefore, spaced repetition is more likely than the brain game to produce benefits that generalize beyond the trained activity, as it demonstrated broader transfer effects. A tempting incorrect choice, such as option A, claims brain games can never improve any ability, but this is too categorical, as game-specific gains occurred. Another option like B assumes equal real-world improvement from game gains, which contradicts the lack of test changes.

Question 20

Read the passage and answer the question.

To reduce electricity demand during summer afternoons, a utility offered households a time-of-use (TOU) pricing plan with higher rates from 3–7 p.m. and lower rates at other times. Enrollment was voluntary. After one season, enrolled households showed lower peak-period consumption than non-enrolled households. However, total seasonal consumption (kWh) was similar between the two groups. A separate analysis within the enrolled group found that households with programmable thermostats shifted more usage out of the peak window than those without, but both subgroups reduced peak-period consumption relative to their own pre-TOU baselines. The utility noted that households choosing TOU may already be more attentive to energy use than the average customer.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

TOU pricing reduced overall electricity consumption across the season for enrolled households.
The observed difference in peak-period consumption between enrolled and non-enrolled households may partly reflect self-selection rather than the pricing plan alone. (correct answer)
Non-enrolled households increased their peak-period consumption after the TOU plan was introduced.
Households with programmable thermostats were the only ones capable of shifting usage out of the peak window.
The utility should eliminate voluntary enrollment because mandatory TOU would certainly cut total kWh consumption.

Explanation: This question asks you to infer from information about the electricity pricing study. Inferences must follow logically from given facts without being explicitly stated. The passage notes that enrollment was voluntary and that "households choosing TOU may already be more attentive to energy use." This suggests a self-selection effect where energy-conscious households were more likely to enroll. Therefore, the observed differences between enrolled and non-enrolled households may reflect pre-existing characteristics rather than just the pricing plan's effect. Option B correctly identifies this potential confound. Option D is too restrictive ("only ones capable"), while option E makes unsupported claims about mandatory enrollment.