GMAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Set 3

A school implemented a program to test whether physical activity improves student academic performance. 500 students were required to take a bi-weekly dance class in addition to their regular coursework while the other 500 students in the school had a free period. After eight weeks, the school did indeed see a significant improvement in the grades of students who took dance classes while there was no change in the grades of the students who had a free period. The school administration concluded that physical activity improves student academic performance.

The school’s conclusion assumes which of the following?

Starting one’s own brand is exciting, but any new company can attest to the struggles of trying to sell an unproven product. New companies may be tempted to engage in unethical practices to acquire new customers and expand their sales. Some of these practices boil down to a lack of honesty and transparency; engaging in any one of them can undermine the integrity of a company.

One tactic some new companies use is to make overly optimistic promises to consumers about products, services, or future upgrades in order to make a sale or to upsell. A tech company, for example, may promise upgrades on an app knowing it isn’t likely to deliver. Though such a practice may earn customers in the short run, it won’t go unnoticed and will impact customer loyalty. Consumers may similarly be misled about promotions or financial commitments so that they owe more money than they may have expected. This practice doesn’t only damage customer retention, but can cause real harm to consumers.

Transparency is essential for consumer trust. While it’s important not to damage that trust with dishonest practices, it is equally important to foster it through good practices. Allowing consumers to sample products or services is a surefire way for a company to increase transparency. Trials help to promote products and also weed out potential unsatisfied customers, helping to keep a company’s image from attack. Ultimately, honesty and transparency are indispensable to the development of a new company and to the growth of its customer base.

The passage implies which of the following?

Starting one’s own brand is exciting, but any new company can attest to the struggles of trying to sell an unproven product. New companies may be tempted to engage in unethical practices to acquire new customers and expand their sales. Some of these practices boil down to a lack of honesty and transparency; engaging in any one of them can undermine the integrity of a company.

One tactic some new companies use is to make overly optimistic promises to consumers about products, services, or future upgrades in order to make a sale or to upsell. A tech company, for example, may promise upgrades on an app knowing it isn’t likely to deliver. Though such a practice may earn customers in the short run, it won’t go unnoticed and will impact customer loyalty. Consumers may similarly be misled about promotions or financial commitments so that they owe more money than they may have expected. This practice doesn’t only damage customer retention, but can cause real harm to consumers.

Transparency is essential for consumer trust. While it’s important not to damage that trust with dishonest practices, it is equally important to foster it through good practices. Allowing consumers to sample products or services is a surefire way for a company to increase transparency. Trials help to promote products and also weed out potential unsatisfied customers, helping to keep a company’s image from attack. Ultimately, honesty and transparency are indispensable to the development of a new company and to the growth of its customer base.

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason for companies to enforce honest and transparent policies?

Last month, the Department of Transportation released a progress report on the new bridge construction on Elmire Street. The bridge was originally predicted to be finished within six months. State regulations require the public to be notified if construction is behind by more than two months. It had only been four months of construction, instead of the full six months, since the bridge construction began when the Department of Transportation released the notice to the public.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the Department of Transportation’s reason for releasing the report?

Lawyer: Although there is no camera evidence of the crime, it is logically evident that the crime was committed by Johnston, Albright, or Simpson, all of whom were working on the docks in the export warehouse during the theft. Electronic timestamps indicate that all three men were loading trailers with merchandise during the estimated time of the theft. Simpson, the most senior employee with the highest pay, was supervising Johnston and Albright. Simpson testified that Johnston and Albright were both out of his sight numerous times throughout the shift. Therefore, Johnston or Albright had the most motive and opportunity to commit the crime.

The lawyer’s argument assumes which of the following?

The need for business management has been around for as long as businesses themselves. It is impossible to run a successful business without some practice of management. When business management is effective, it creates an environment of open communication and helps employees plan, focus on, and accomplish goals. Business goals require collaboration and effective management can foster this skill as well.

Successful business management must engage employees. A compelling method of doing this is to incite motivation and set achievable goals. Employees with a positive mindset produce better ideas and work effectively with others. Fostering this atmosphere has been shown to ignite pride within employees.

One aspect of strong business management that is often overlooked is rewarding employee efforts and achievements. This simple concept can motivate employees to continue working hard and striving to improve. Rewarding employees may include publicly acknowledging accomplishments. This technique not only encourages the rewarded employee but also proves to other employees that hard work will be noticed.

Not only is it important to focus on employees’ performance but also ensure that performance is producing quality results for the company. Quality results lead directly to satisfied customers which yield loyal customers and a strong brand reputation. Each of these results ultimately increases company revenue.

Before employee performance can be rewarded and quality can be ensured, it is imperative to present clear company goals. When companies are managed well, employees better understand the company’s goals. By clarifying goals, managers provide employees with the necessary knowledge of how each individual employee is responsible for helping them reach those goals. The effects that follow are personal accountability and company growth.

The key to achieving all of the aforementioned successes is communication. While this seems easy enough, communication has the power to solidify or break a company. Communication includes disseminating information to all employees, but the best management communication includes encouraging employees to communicate with management. Businesses thrive when management and employees work cohesively and respectfully with one another.

According to the passage, all of the following are characteristics of successful business management EXCEPT

The need for business management has been around for as long as businesses themselves. It is impossible to run a successful business without some practice of management. When business management is effective, it creates an environment of open communication and helps employees plan, focus on, and accomplish goals. Business goals require collaboration and effective management can foster this skill as well.

Successful business management must engage employees. A compelling method of doing this is to incite motivation and set achievable goals. Employees with a positive mindset produce better ideas and work effectively with others. Fostering this atmosphere has been shown to ignite pride within employees.

One aspect of strong business management that is often overlooked is rewarding employee efforts and achievements. This simple concept can motivate employees to continue working hard and striving to improve. Rewarding employees may include publicly acknowledging accomplishments. This technique not only encourages the rewarded employee but also proves to other employees that hard work will be noticed.

Not only is it important to focus on employees’ performance but also ensure that performance is producing quality results for the company. Quality results lead directly to satisfied customers which yield loyal customers and a strong brand reputation. Each of these results ultimately increases company revenue.

Before employee performance can be rewarded and quality can be ensured, it is imperative to present clear company goals. When companies are managed well, employees better understand the company’s goals. By clarifying goals, managers provide employees with the necessary knowledge of how each individual employee is responsible for helping them reach those goals. The effects that follow are personal accountability and company growth.

The key to achieving all of the aforementioned successes is communication. While this seems easy enough, communication has the power to solidify or break a company. Communication includes disseminating information to all employees, but the best management communication includes encouraging employees to communicate with management. Businesses thrive when management and employees work cohesively and respectfully with one another.

It can be inferred from the passage that businesses without successful management may have which of the following in common?

The need for business management has been around for as long as businesses themselves. It is impossible to run a successful business without some practice of management. When business management is effective, it creates an environment of open communication and helps employees plan, focus on, and accomplish goals. Business goals require collaboration and effective management can foster this skill as well.

Successful business management must engage employees. A compelling method of doing this is to incite motivation and set achievable goals. Employees with a positive mindset produce better ideas and work effectively with others. Fostering this atmosphere has been shown to ignite pride within employees.

One aspect of strong business management that is often overlooked is rewarding employee efforts and achievements. This simple concept can motivate employees to continue working hard and striving to improve. Rewarding employees may include publicly acknowledging accomplishments. This technique not only encourages the rewarded employee but also proves to other employees that hard work will be noticed.

Not only is it important to focus on employees’ performance but also ensure that performance is producing quality results for the company. Quality results lead directly to satisfied customers which yield loyal customers and a strong brand reputation. Each of these results ultimately increases company revenue.

Before employee performance can be rewarded and quality can be ensured, it is imperative to present clear company goals. When companies are managed well, employees better understand the company’s goals. By clarifying goals, managers provide employees with the necessary knowledge of how each individual employee is responsible for helping them reach those goals. The effects that follow are personal accountability and company growth.

The key to achieving all of the aforementioned successes is communication. While this seems easy enough, communication has the power to solidify or break a company. Communication includes disseminating information to all employees, but the best management communication includes encouraging employees to communicate with management. Businesses thrive when management and employees work cohesively and respectfully with one another.

Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

The results of a parent response survey showed that parents who paid for their child’s school lunch by the month sent a packed lunch with their child on average once a week. By contrast, parents who paid for their child’s school lunch by the semester sent a packed lunch with their child only twice a month. This indicates that the cost of school lunch is a key motivator in whether a parent packs their child’s lunch.

If true, which of the following answer choices calls into question the explanation above?

Freshman advisor: Strong study habits are difficult to build and true studying takes a lot of dedicated time. Freshman students adjusting to college life need to possess strong study skills as their time is limited. It is vital freshmen know the best ways to study efficiently to help save time. For this reason, freshmen should be required to attend weekly seminars on effective study habits in order to set them up for success right away.

Which of the following, if true, poses the most serious challenge to the argument?