HOW TO ANSWER

WEAKEN QUESTIONS
To score higher on the GMAT

Weaken Questions A brief overview

WHAT DOES WEAKEN MEAN?

30% of CR Questions

Provide New Information to make the conclusion less believable

1. Cast doubt on the validity of conclusion
2. Shatter the conclusion

New
Info

New
Info

WHAT IS TESTED?

1. Understanding how the argument is made

2. Incorporating new information to make the conclusion less
believable

Weaken Questions
PROCESS

1. What is the conclusion and how does the author arrive at it?
2. Prethink possible weakeners: what new
information can reduce your belief in the
conclusion?
3. Analyze the options.

Miami
Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites. In 2011, there were
50,000 fewer hotel room night bookings than there were in 2010. Hotel owners are
blaming the apartment renting service by new website Miami@50 that not only sells
hotel room bookings at bargain prices but also allows people to rent out their houses.
The website owners dispute the charge, stating that they rented out only 8,000
apartments through their website. They claim that the weak economy and not their
website is responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room bookings.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the Miami@50 owners claim?

A. Miami@50 rents apartments at a much lower price then it rents hotel rooms.
B. Miami@50 rented out at least 8 times as many hotel room nights bookings as
apartments.
C. Most apartments that Miami@50 rented out were rented out multiple times.
D. Miami@50s profit from renting out apartments was higher than it was for renting
out hotel rooms.
E. Most of Miami@50s customers preferred renting an apartment to renting a hotel
room

Miami
1. Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites.
2. In 2011, there were 50,000 fewer hotel room night
bookings than there were in 2010.
3. Hotel owners are blaming the apartment renting service by
new website Miami@50 that not only sells hotel room
bookings at bargain prices but also allows people to rent out
their houses.
4. The website owners dispute the charge, stating that they
rented out only 8,000 apartments through their website.
5. They claim that the weak economy and not their website is
responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room
bookings.

Prethinking
Conclusion: only 8000 apartments were
rented out, so Miami@50 is not responsible
for the majority of the decrease.
Assumption: Each apartment: rented only
once

Weakeners
Anything that refutes these assumptions.
1. Each apartment rented out multiple times.
2. Each apartment has multiple rooms: i.e., it
replaced not one but multiple hotel rooms. E.g. an
apartment with four rooms for rent would be
equivalent to four hotel rooms, not one.

Answer Choice Analysis

Hotel bookings in Miami are only done through travel websites. In 2011, there were 50,000 fewer
hotel room night bookings than there were in 2010. Hotel owners are blaming the apartment
renting service by new website Miami@50 that not only sells hotel room bookings at bargain prices
but also allows people to rent out their houses. The website owners dispute the charge, stating
that they only rented out only 8,000 apartments through their website. They claim that the weak
economy and not their website is responsible for the majority of the decline in hotel room bookings.
A. Miami@50 rents apartments at a much lower
price then it rents hotel rooms

A. Irrelevant: The number of rooms and not

the price of rooms is in question here.

B. Miami@50 rented out at least 8 times as many

hotel room nights bookings as apartments.

B. Irrelevant: Miami@50s rooms are already

accounted for in the total calculation.

C. Most apartments that Miami@50 rented out

were rented out multiple times.

C. Correct: Raises the possibility that each

apartment could have accounted for the loss
of multiple room bookings.

D. Miami@50s profit from renting out apartments

was higher than for renting out hotel rooms.

D. Irrelevant: no relation to conclusion.

E. Most of Miami@50s customers preferred

renting an apartment to renting a hotel room

E. Irrelevant: Customer preference is not an

issue here.

Vehicle Energy Harvesting Systems

An energy harvesting system is one that harvests energy that otherwise cannot be utilized in any
useful way. Vehicle Energy Harvesting (VEAH) systems comprise of a set of plates suspended on
the road as speed breakers that the vehicle must go over to generate energy. Since these systems
slow the vehicle down, they harvest energy that is possibly useful and otherwise could have been
utilized. Hence they are not true energy harvesting systems.

Which of the statements below casts the most doubt on the claim made by the author?
A. The vehicle energy harvesting systems are deployed in areas such as gas stations, drive
through lanes, traffic lights etc. where the vehicle is slowing down and needs to come to
a halt.
B. The vehicle energy harvesting systems while deriving energy from a vehicle do not
affect the efficiency of the vehicles engine.
C. The extra energy expensed by the vehicle would be so little that most people would not
even notice it on their monthly gasoline bill.
D. Vehicle energy harvesting systems could be used to provide power to areas where its
extremely inefficient to supply power through traditional means.
E. A research report by the DOE has proven that VEAH systems are more efficient than
most renewable energy systems such as hydro-electric and wind power.

Vehicle Energy Harvesting Systems

1. An energy harvesting system is one that harvests energy that
otherwise cannot be utilized in any useful way.
Definition of energy harvesting system
2. Vehicle Energy Harvesting (VEAH) systems comprise of a set of
plates suspended on the road as speed breakers that the vehicle
must go over to generate energy.
Tells us about VEAH, a particular type of energy harvesting
system
3. Since these systems slow the vehicle down, they harvest energy
that is possibly useful and otherwise could have been utilized.
Note that since gives you a reason for something
4. Hence they are not true energy harvesting systems.
Hence is like therefore: conclusion.

Logical Structure
VEAH slows the vehicle down

Slowing down the vehicle means

using useful energy

VEAH uses energy that can

otherwise be used for useful
purposes

VEAH is not true energy

harvesting system

A. The vehicle energy harvesting systems are

Correct
deployed in areas such as gas stations, drive
through lanes, traffic lights etc. where the vehicle
is slowing down and needs to come to a halt.
B. The vehicle energy harvesting systems while
Incorrect
deriving energy from a vehicle do not affect the
efficiency of the vehicles engine.
C. The extra energy expensed by the vehicle would Incorrect
be so little that most people would not even notice
it on their monthly gasoline bill.
D. Vehicle energy harvesting systems could be used
to provide power to areas where its extremely Incorrect
inefficient to supply power through traditional
means.
E. A research report by the DOE has proven that
Incorrect
VEAH systems are more efficient than most
renewable energy systems such as hydro-electric
and wind power.

Pundra (GMATPREP)
Twelve years ago and again five years ago, there were extended periods when the Darfir
Republics currency, the Pundra, was weak : its value was unusually low relative to the worlds most
stable currencies. Both times a weak Pundra made Darfirs manufactured products a bargain on
world markets, and Darfirs exports were up substantially. Now some politicians are saying that, in
order to cause another similarly sized increase in exports, the government should allow the Pundra
to become weak again

Which of the following, if true, provides the government with the strongest grounds to
doubt that the politicians recommendation, if followed, will achieve its aim?
A. Several of the politicians now recommending that the Pundra be allowed to become weak made
that same recommendation before each of the last two periods of currency weakness.
B. After several decades of operating well below peak capacity, Darfirs manufacturing sector is now
operating at near-peak levels.
C. The economy of a country experiencing a rise in exports will become healthier only if the countrys
currency is strong or the rise in exports is significant.
D. Those countries whose manufactured products compete with Darfirs on the world market all
currently have stable currencies.
E. A sharp improvement in the efficiency of Darfirs manufacturing plants would make Darfirs
products a bargain on world markets even without any weakening of the Pundra relative to other
currencies.

Logical Structure and Assumptions

Twice in history, weak
Pundra led to high
exports

If we reduce the value of

Pundra again, exports will
increase

What has played out in the past

will play out again.

Weakeners
Anything that puts the assumption in doubt
such as weak demand, lack of ability to
produce the goods for exports, increased
competition from other countries for goods
that showed the most increase.

Pundra (GMATPREP)
Twelve years ago and again five years ago, there were extended periods when the Darfir
Republics currency, the Pundra, was weak: its value was unusually low relative to the worlds most
stable currencies. Both times a weak Pundra made Darfirs manufactured products a bargain on
world markets, and Darfirs exports were up substantially. Now some politicians are saying that, in
order to cause another similarly sized increase in exports, the government should allow the Pundra
to become weak again
A.

Several of the politicians now recommending that the

Pundra be allowed to become weak made that same
recommendation before each of the last two periods
of currency weakness.

B.

After several decades of operating well below peak

capacity, Darfirs manufacturing sector is now
operating at near-peak levels.

C.

The economy of a country experiencing a rise in

exports will become healthier only if the countrys
currency is strong or the rise in exports is significant.

D.

Those countries whose manufactured products

compete with Darfirs on the world market all
currently have stable currencies.

E.

A sharp improvement in the efficiency of Darfirs

manufacturing plants would make Darfirs products a
bargain on world markets even without any
weakening of the Pundra relative to other
currencies.

A.

OFS: The rise in exports has little

relationship to who is providing this
recommendation.

B.

Correct: Refutes the notion that even if

there is demand, exports may not
increase as Dafir cannot produce more
to meet the demand.

C. OFS: The economy of the country is not

at question here.
D. STR: States that the competing
countries are unlikely to compete.
E. OFS: Provides an alternate plan to
improve exports. Has little impact on
the conclusion.

Cirque De Soleil
Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil
amounting to 40% of shows insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed at
a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts performed
at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs by
requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

. It is unlikely that the total stage times for acrobatic acts will reduce in the near future.
A.

B. Most mishaps at 10 meters cost 15 percent lower than the average mishap cost at 50
meters
C. Only Cirque de Soleils best acrobats, those who have mastered the most demanding
moves are currently allowed to perform at 50 meters.
D. The overall mishap rate for acrobats in Cirque de Soleil has only improved slightly over
the past 2 years.
E. Most acrobatic mishaps result in serious injuries that take months to heal

Passage Analysis
Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil
____________
amounting to ________________________
40% of shows insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed
at a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts
performed at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall
insurance costs by requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

Acrobatic Acts

Sub category: 50 mts

Sub category: 10/20 mts

Impact w.r.t. shows

insurance cost
???

Mishap Rate

Assume rate = B
B < A/6
Assume rate = A

Conclusion : Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs

Logical Structure and Assumptions

Acrobatic acts at 50
meters have 6 times
lower mishap rate than
those at 10/20 meters

1.
2.

To reduce insurance costs,

recommend that all acrobats
perform at 50 meters

Performing at 50 meters and no other

skill factor causes lower mishap rate
Cost/mishap@50 meters is not
significantly higher.

Weakeners

Evidence refuting either assumption.

Answer Choice Analysis

Acrobatic acts account for 20% of the stage time yet cause 30% of mishaps for Cirque de Soleil
amounting to 40% of shows insurance cost. The most daring of these acrobatic acts performed at
a height of 50 meters however had a 6 times lower mishap rate than the acrobatic acts performed
at 20 meters and 10 meters. Therefore, Cirque de Soleil can lower its overall insurance costs by
requiring that all the acrobats perform their acts at 50 meters.

A. It is unlikely that the total stage times for

acrobatic acts will reduce significantly in the near
future.

A. OFS: States that the overall stage time

may stay the same or increase. Unrelated to
the structure of argument.

B. Most mishaps at 10 meters cost 15 percent

B. Strengthener: Further indicates that moving

to 50 meters will save costs.

lower than the average mishap cost at 50 meters

C. Only Cirque de Soleils best acrobats, those who
have mastered the most demanding moves are
currently allowed to perform at 50 meters.

C. Correct: Provides additional information

to refute assumption 1.

D. The overall mishap rate for acrobats in Cirque

de Soleil has only improved slightly over the past 2
years.

D. OFS: no relation to conclusion

E. Most acrobatic mishaps result in serious

injuries that take months to heal

E. OFS: Does not establish any new

relation to insurance costs.

Official Questions To Practice

OG 12: 1, 3, 4, 10, 15, 23, 30, 35, 36, 40, 45, 52, 55, 57, 60, 63, 73, 75, 81, 83, 87,
88, 90 96, 104, 106, 111, 114, 116, 118, 120, 123

Verbal Review (Blue): 4, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 31, 36, 39, 41, 46,
47, 49, 50, 65, 78, 80, 81, 83
OG 13: 2, 4, 20, 25, 32, 37, 43, 51, 58, 62, 71, 73, 79, 80, 82, 87, 88, 90, 97, 107,
112, 115, 117, 119, 122.

Thank You

EXTRA PRACTICE QUESTIONS

TOI and IHT

The problem with launching an edition of International Herald Tribune (IHT) in India is that Times of
India (TOI), a national daily, can be bought for one third of the proposed price of IHT, and the TOI,
which is just as reliable, covers more national news than IHT does. Even through IHT has wider
coverage of international events, most people in India are still more interested to know what is
happening around them than what is happening in some other part of the world, which they have
not even heard of. Thus a sufficient market for Indian edition of IHT may not exist in any part of the
country the near future

Which of the following if true will weaken the authors claim that a sufficient market for IHT
does not exist in any part of the country in the near future?
A. The hyper growth of the Indian economy has been and will continue to bring a large influx of
foreigners and expatriates to major metros .
B. Businesses in India have been constantly demanding for consulting services from IHT to help them
expand globally.
C. Over the last two years, IHT has expanded its coverage of events in India, especially those related
to Indian businesses and politics.
D. Other international newspapers who have tried to compete on price with TOI have had limited
success in some pockets of the country.
E. Most people in India subscribe to only one daily newspaper.

Logical Structure and Assumptions

1. TOI can be
purchased at 1/3rd of
price
2. TOI is as reliable
3. TOI covers more
local news

Most Indians are still

more interested in
local news than
international

Targeting only Indians in India

A sufficient market for Indian

edition of IHT may not exist in
any part of the country the
near future

No part of the country has ppl

where people are as interested
in international news

Weakeners

1. Evidence of existence of an interested

group in some pockets.

Answer Choice Analysis

The problem with launching an edition of International Herald Tribune (IHT) in India is that Times of
India (TOI), a national daily, can be bought for one third of the proposed price of IHT, and the TOI,
which is just as reliable, covers more national news than IHT. Even through IHT has wider coverage
of international events, most people in India are still more interested to know what is happening
around them than what is happening in some other part of the world, which they have not even
heard of. Thus a sufficient market for Indian edition of IHT may not exist in any part of the country
the near future
A. The hyper growth of the Indian economy has been
and will continue to bring a large influx of foreigners
and expatriates to major metros.

A. Correct: Shows that in Metros there may

be a sufficient number of people in Metros

B. Businesses in India have been constantly demanding

for consulting services from IHT to help them expand
globally.

B. OFS: Talks about demand for consulting

services and not newspapers.

C. Over the last two years, IHT has expanded its coverage
of events in India, especially those related to Indian
businesses and politics.

C. Irrelevant as in spite of the expanded

coverage it is far less than TOI

D. Other international newspapers who have tried to

compete on price with TOI have had limited success in
some pockets of the country.

D. OFS: no relation to conclusion

E. Most people in India subscribe to only one daily

newspaper.

E. Strengthen: Strengthens the notion that

most people will purchase TOI.