Overview: Evaluate the Argument | Verbal for GMAT PDF Download

Introduction

In "Evaluate" questions in critical reasoning, we're essentially checking the assumptions behind an argument. 

Imagine a scenario where a company, MillCo, plans to cut costs by laying off non-essential employees to boost profits. The assumption here is that cutting costs won't hurt revenues so much that it offsets the expected savings.

For instance, a typical "Evaluate" question might ask, "What would be useful to know to evaluate MillCo's plan?" 

A good answer would provide two possible outcomes: one supporting the argument and another weakening it.

Think of it like a science experiment. The author's claim is the hypothesis. A correct answer should offer two paths—one making the argument a bit more likely (validating the hypothesis) and the other making it a bit less likely (invalidating the hypothesis).

On the flip side, incorrect answers also present two paths, but whether the answer is "yes" or "no" doesn't really impact the argument's validity. These distractors might suggest alternative ways to increase profits, sidetracking us from the main task—assessing the existing argument's strength. 

Focus on whether the information helps us judge if the author's claim holds up.

How to Tackle Evaluate Type of Questions

Let us look at an example to learn how to solve these type of questions

Columnist: Individuals should avoid using a specific artificial sweetener promoted as a solution for those whose healthcare professionals have recommended reducing their sugar intake. Despite this sweetener being a sugar substitute without the negative health effects, it possesses a significant drawback: it impedes the absorption of certain essential nutrients, hindering their utilization by the body.

In assessing the columnist's standpoint, it would be most beneficial to determine which of the following?

(a) Whether increasing one's intake of the nutrients can compensate for the effects of the artificial sweetener
(b) Whether the nutrients that the artificial sweetener hinders are present in foods that contain the sweetener
(c) Whether having an extremely low sugar intake for an extended period can jeopardize health
(d) Whether there are any foods that cannot be prepared using the artificial sweetener as a substitute for other sweeteners
(e) Whether people are generally able to detect differences in taste between foods prepared using the artificial sweetener and foods that are similar except for the use of other sweeteners.

Step 1: Identify the Question
First, examine the question stem:

• In assessing the dietician’s viewpoint, it would be most beneficial to establish which of the following?
• The key phrases here are clear indicators of an Evaluate problem type.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

• The dietician is expressing a stance: individuals should refrain from using a specific artificial sweetener recommended for those advised to cut down on sugar. The dietician acknowledges two conflicting facts. Firstly, the artificial sweetener lacks the adverse health effects of sugar. However, it comes with a significant drawback - it hinders the absorption of certain essential nutrients, impeding their utilization by the body.

Your notes could look something like this:

C: Avoid AS (Conclusion)
AS > sugar in some ways
BUT AS hinders absorb some nut

The 'C' with a circle indicates the conclusion, and the '>' symbol denotes 'better than.'

In simpler terms, the dietician suggests not using the artificial sweetener due to its notable drawback. The assumption is that there's no way to address or circumvent this drawback; otherwise, there might be a reason to use the sweetener.

Step 3: State the Goal

• The aim is to find a statement with two potential outcomes, testing one of the dietician's assumptions. If the assumption is valid, the argument is somewhat stronger. If the assumption is invalid, the argument is somewhat weaker. Consider potential traps that might be present in the answer choices, as Evaluate questions often address premises without directly engaging with the conclusion or attempt to explore alternative routes to the conclusion.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right
(A) Whether increasing one’s intake of the nutrients can compensate for the effects of the artificial sweetener

If the answer is yes: It implies individuals could consume the sweetener and still obtain necessary nutrients, weakening the dietician’s claim.

If the answer is no: It supports the dietician’s claim, indicating that the drawback of hindered nutrient absorption remains a valid concern. This option effectively tests the assumption and remains a potential choice.

This option appears promising; keep it for now.

(B) Whether the nutrients that the artificial sweetener hinders are present in foods that contain the sweetener
Consider a real-life scenario. If the sweetener hinders essential nutrients present in foods containing it, the dietician's recommendation gains strength. If not, it doesn't necessarily impact the argument. This doesn't directly engage with the assumption about the overall impact of the sweetener on nutrient absorption, so eliminate this choice.

(C) Whether having an extremely low sugar intake for an extended period can jeopardize health

If the answer is yes: It suggests individuals should be cautious about extremely low sugar intake. However, the argument doesn’t focus on people with an extremely low sugar intake, making this option irrelevant.

If the answer is no: It doesn't provide insights into the impact of the artificial sweetener on nutrient absorption. Eliminate this choice.

(D) Whether there are any foods that cannot be prepared using the artificial sweetener as a substitute for other sweeteners

If the answer is yes: It implies limitations on using the sweetener in certain foods. However, the argument doesn’t claim that the sweetener must be usable in all foods, so this doesn't address the main concern.

If the answer is no: It doesn't significantly impact the dietician's argument. Eliminate this choice.

(E) Whether people are generally able to detect differences in taste between foods prepared using the artificial sweetener and foods that are similar except for the use of other sweeteners

If the answer is yes: It might influence people's preference for the sweetener based on taste. However, this doesn’t directly relate to the dietician’s concern about nutrient absorption.

If the answer is no: It doesn’t provide information on nutrient absorption. Eliminate this choice.

After careful consideration, option (A) remains the most relevant choice, as it directly addresses the assumption underlying the dietician's recommendation.

Takeaways for Solving Evaluate CR Problems

1. Learn to identify this type of question. Look for words like evaluate, determine, or find out in the question.
2. Understand how to approach Evaluate questions. Find the main idea the author is saying and figure out the main reasons they give. Then, think about the assumptions they might be making. Our aim is to find an answer that tests those assumptions. It's like being a scientist testing a hypothesis — the answer could make the claim more believable or less believable, depending on what we find.
3. The right answer should be able to make the claim a bit stronger and a bit weaker, depending on how the information goes. Incorrect answers might only make the claim stronger, or they might talk about something in the argument that doesn't really matter to the main idea. Stay focused on what helps or hurts the main point.

Tips and Tricks

Look for Keywords:

• Keep an eye out for words like "evaluate," "determine," or phrases like "useful to know." These are clues that you're dealing with an Evaluate question.

Identify the Main Points:

• Find what the author is saying and what supports that idea. Think of it like a hypothesis — something they believe. Your job is to figure out the missing pieces and find an answer that tests those missing parts.

Spot the Gaps:

• If there's a gap between what the author believes (the conclusion) and what they provide as evidence (premises), point it out. This helps you understand what assumptions they might be making.

Think "Whether or Not":

• The answer choices will usually present a "whether or not" situation, meaning they provide information that might be true or might not be true. The correct answer should be able to do two things: make the author's idea a bit stronger and a bit weaker, depending on the information.

Test the Hypothesis:

• Consider the author's conclusion as their hypothesis. Your goal is to test whether that hypothesis is solid or has some weaknesses. The right answer should help you see both sides.

Avoid Strengthening the Conclusion:

• Remember, your goal is not to make the author's idea more likely to be correct. It's about testing it. Don't fall into the trap of choosing an answer that only makes the conclusion stronger.

In simpler terms, when you see words like "evaluate" or "determine," focus on finding what the author thinks, what backs it up, and then look for an answer that tests if their idea is really solid or has some holes.