Medium GRE Argument Essay Prompts Practice Questions

Concept Explanation

Medium GRE argument essay prompts require you to evaluate the logical soundness of a specific argument by identifying unstated assumptions and evidentiary gaps. Unlike the Issue essay, which asks for your opinion on a topic, the Argument essay demands a critique of someone else’s reasoning. You must examine the claims, the evidence provided, and the leaps in logic that the author makes to reach their conclusion. A successful response does not argue whether the conclusion is true or false in a vacuum; rather, it explains why the evidence presented is insufficient to prove the conclusion. This task is a core component of GRE Prep, as it tests your ability to think critically and communicate analytical findings clearly.

To excel on these prompts, you should focus on three specific areas: logical fallacies, alternative explanations, and the necessity of additional evidence. Common fallacies include the "post hoc" error (assuming correlation implies causation) and the "sampling error" (generalizing from a small or biased group). By pointing out these flaws, you demonstrate a high level of analytical writing. For more resources on the structure of these essays, you might find GRE Writing Strategy Questions helpful for refining your approach.

Solved Examples

Review these worked examples to understand how to deconstruct a medium-difficulty argument prompt effectively.

1. Prompt Example: "The city of Riverside should build a new stadium to increase local tax revenue. Two years ago, the city of Springfield built a stadium, and its tax revenue has since increased by 15%."

   1. Identify the Assumption: The author assumes that Springfield's revenue increase was caused specifically by the stadium and not by other economic factors (e.g., a new tech hub or general inflation).

   2. Analyze the Comparison: The author assumes Riverside and Springfield are comparable in size, demographics, and economic health.

   3. Identify Missing Evidence: We need data on the costs of building and maintaining the stadium; if costs exceed the 15% revenue gain, the plan is not viable.

   4. Conclusion: The argument is weak because it relies on a false analogy and a potential correlation-causation fallacy.

2. Prompt Example: "A survey of 100 students at Oakwood University showed that 80% prefer digital textbooks. Therefore, the university should replace all print books in the library with digital versions to save money."

   1. Identify Sampling Bias: 100 students may not represent the entire university population. Were they all tech majors?

   2. Evaluate the Financial Claim: The author assumes digital versions are cheaper, ignoring licensing fees or the cost of e-readers and infrastructure.

   3. Address the Logic: Preference for textbooks does not necessarily mean students want the entire library's research collection to be digital.

3. Prompt Example: "Last year, the number of accidents at the intersection of Main and Elm decreased after a new stoplight was installed. To reduce accidents citywide, we should install stoplights at every intersection."

   1. Identify Generalization: The author assumes what worked for one high-traffic intersection will work for low-traffic or residential ones.

   2. Alternative Explanations: Perhaps accidents decreased because of improved road paving or a decrease in local traffic, not the light itself.

   3. Analyze Negative Effects: Installing lights everywhere might increase rear-end collisions or cause traffic congestion that leads to accidents elsewhere.

Practice Questions

Apply your analytical skills to these medium GRE argument essay prompts. Focus on identifying the assumptions and the evidence needed to strengthen or weaken the claims.

1. The following appeared in a memo from the director of a large movie theater chain: "Last year, our theaters in the downtown district saw a 25% increase in popcorn sales after we switched to a new butter flavoring. To maximize profits across our entire national chain, we should implement this new flavoring in every theater immediately."

2. A letter to the editor of a local newspaper stated: "The recent decline in the number of honeybees in our county is due to the use of synthetic pesticides on local farms. Farmers should switch to organic methods to ensure the bee population returns to its previous levels."

3. The following is a recommendation from the personnel manager of a software company: "Our employees who take mid-day naps report feeling more productive in the afternoon. Therefore, we should install nap pods in the office to increase the overall company output."

4. A health magazine article claimed: "Studies show that people who exercise for 30 minutes every morning live five years longer than those who do not. Clearly, morning exercise is the key to longevity."

5. The following appeared in a business report: "Sales of 'Nature’s Way' organic frozen dinners increased by 40% in the city of Plainsville last year. This proves that there is a growing national demand for organic convenience foods."

6. A university administrator argued: "Last semester, students who attended optional tutoring sessions earned higher grades than those who did not. To improve the GPA of all students, we should make these tutoring sessions mandatory."

7. The manager of a retail clothing store noted: "When we played upbeat pop music in the store, daily sales were 10% higher than when we played classical music. We should play pop music exclusively to ensure high sales."

8. An editorial in a city newspaper stated: "The city of Westview reduced its crime rate by 20% by increasing the number of streetlights in high-crime areas. Our city should follow suit to achieve similar results."

Answers & Explanations

Each of the following explanations highlights the critical flaws in the practice questions provided above.

1. Popcorn Sales: The argument assumes the 25% increase was caused solely by the flavoring and not by other factors like a blockbuster movie release or a change in ticket prices. It also assumes that tastes in the "downtown district" are representative of the entire nation.

2. Honeybee Decline: This argument assumes correlation is causation. It fails to consider other factors like habitat loss, climate change, or parasites. Furthermore, it assumes that organic methods will automatically reverse the decline without providing evidence that organic farming is safe for bees.

3. Nap Pods: The manager relies on self-reported data from a specific group (those who already nap). These employees might be naturally more productive or have different work habits. Installing pods for everyone may not lead to a collective increase in output if other employees find napping disruptive.

4. Morning Exercise: This is a classic "selection bias" issue. People who exercise in the morning might have healthier diets, better sleep schedules, or higher socioeconomic status, all of which contribute to longevity independently of the exercise timing.

5. Organic Dinners: Plainsville may have unique demographics that do not reflect national trends. Additionally, a 40% increase in one city is a small sample size that cannot reliably predict national demand for GRE Essay Analysis Questions.

6. Mandatory Tutoring: The students who attended optional sessions were likely more motivated to begin with. Making sessions mandatory for unmotivated students might not result in the same grade improvements and could even lead to resentment or resource strain.

7. Store Music: The 10% increase might have occurred during a holiday sale or a weekend, unrelated to the music. Furthermore, the store should consider if pop music alienates a specific demographic that spends more per visit. For more on structuring these critiques, see GRE Essay Outline Examples.

8. Streetlights and Crime: Westview’s success might be due to increased police patrols that happened simultaneously. The argument also assumes that the geography and crime types of the two cities are similar enough for the same solution to work.

1. Which of the following is a common logical fallacy found in GRE Argument prompts?

• AUsing too much evidence
• BConfusing correlation with causation
• CWriting a conclusion that is too long
• DUsing formal vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an Issue essay and an Argument essay?

The Issue essay asks you to take a position on a general topic, while the Argument essay requires you to analyze the logical flaws in a provided statement. In the Argument task, your personal opinion on the subject matter is irrelevant.

How long should my GRE Argument essay be?

There is no specific word count requirement, but most high-scoring essays are between 400 and 600 words. Focus on providing 3-4 well-developed body paragraphs that each address a specific logical flaw.

Can I use outside knowledge in my Argument essay?

You should not use outside facts to disprove the prompt; instead, use logic to show why the prompt's own evidence is insufficient. You can, however, suggest hypothetical scenarios or "alternative explanations" to illustrate logical gaps.

How is the Argument essay scored?

The essay is scored on a scale of 0-6 based on your ability to identify important features of the argument, organize your ideas logically, and support your critique with relevant reasons. For more practice, you can try an Adaptive GRE Practice Test.

Should I point out every single flaw I find?

It is better to focus on the 3 or 4 most significant logical fallacies and develop them thoroughly than to list every minor error. Depth of analysis and clarity of expression are more important than the quantity of flaws identified.

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