Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to analyze, evaluate, and manipulate arguments presented in a passage or short statement. Instead of asking what the passage says, they ask how the reasoning works—its assumptions, strengths, weaknesses, and logical structure.
Key Elements of Critical Reasoning
- Premises: Statements or facts that support the argument.
- Conclusion: The main claim the author wants you to accept.
- Assumptions: Unstated ideas necessary for the argument to hold.
- Strengtheners: Evidence that makes the conclusion more convincing.
- Weakeners: Evidence that undermines the conclusion.
- Inference: A conclusion that logically follows from the given premises.
Common Types of Critical Reasoning Questions
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assumption | Identify what the author takes for granted. | Argument: “Exercise improves memory, so students should exercise before exams.” <br> Assumption: Exercise benefits apply immediately before exams. |
| Strengthen | Find info that makes the conclusion more valid. | Extra evidence: A study shows memory improves right after exercise. |
| Weaken | Find info that undermines the argument. | Counterpoint: Exercise makes students too tired to focus. |
| Inference | Derive a logical conclusion from given facts. | Premise: All cats are mammals; some mammals are pets. <br> Inference: Some cats may be pets. |
| Evaluate | Decide what info would help judge the argument’s strength. | Question: Would the results change if students exercised the night before instead? |
How to Approach Critical Reasoning Questions
- Identify conclusion vs premises: Ask “What is being argued? What supports it?”
- Spot assumptions: What must be true for the conclusion to work?
- Test strength/weakness: Imagine additional info that would help or hurt.
- Use elimination: Wrong options are usually irrelevant or too extreme.
- Stick to given info: Don’t add outside knowledge unless implied.
Conceptual Tips and Common Mistakes
- Don’t confuse facts with opinions: Only conclusions need evaluation.
- Beware of irrelevant options: If it doesn’t affect the logic, eliminate it.
- Assumption ≠ fact: Assumptions are hidden links, not stated evidence.
- Look for scope shifts: If premises talk about “students” but conclusion is about “all people,” that’s a logical gap.
Examples
Example 1 — Assumption
Argument: “Online courses improve learning; therefore, all schools should adopt them.”
Assumption: All students have access to the internet.
Example 2 — Strengthen
Argument: “A new drug reduces headaches within 10 minutes.”
Strengthener: Clinical trials show 90% of patients report relief in 10 minutes.
Example 3 — Weaken
Argument: “Raising salaries will improve employee productivity.”
Weakener: Research shows higher salaries improve retention but not productivity.
Example 4 — Evaluate
Argument: “Electric cars will cut pollution by half.”
Evaluation: Would overall electricity production (from coal or renewable sources) affect this outcome?