Critical Reasoning Questions Explained: Practice & Solutions

Critical reasoning questions assess skills vital to academic success and professional life. These include:

• Analytical thinking
• Logical evaluation
• Decision-making under pressure
• The ability to spot flaws in arguments

Regular critical reasoning practice can improve your accuracy, speed, and confidence—skills that are valuable far beyond test day.

Successfully addressing critical reasoning questions is essentially a methodical task. So the major steps to follow are:

• Read Carefully: First, read the passage or statement carefully. Notice the main claim, the supporting evidence, and any conclusion drawn.
• Identify the Question Type: Figure out if you are asked to find an assumption, an inference, a flaw, or you are asked to strengthen/weaken an argument. Question type identification will narrow down your focus.
• Break Down the Argument: Distinguish between facts and opinions. Recognize the structure of the argument, the conclusion, the premises, and any unstated assumptions.
• Evaluate the Answer Choices: Remove choices that have nothing to do with the question, are too extreme, or are not supported by the passage. Then compare the remaining choices to the argument's logic.
• Check for Logical Consistency: Verify that the answer you selected correctly addresses the question and that it logically matches the given information.
• Reflect and Review: Once you answer the question, go over the explanation (if any) to figure out that reasoning of the correct choice and to avoid repeating errors.

Quick Note: Approaching each question with this methodical process will improve both your accuracy and confidence when facing critical reasoning questions.

Mastering critical reasoning takes practice and the right strategies. Here are some practical tips to help you improve:

• Regular Practice: Practicing consistently allows you to develop familiarity with patterns of questions you might see on the exam as well as the logic behind finding correct answers so that recognizing those correct answers may be easier for you.
• Rely on Logic Not Outside Knowledge: Your responses should be based on what is found in the passage rather than your own personal experience or opinion.
• Eliminate Incorrect Response Options: Before attempting to answer the critical reasoning question, eliminate any response options that are very clearly irrelevant, extreme, or not supported by the passage so that you have reduced your options to a smaller number of possible responses to choose from.
• Look for Assumptions & Gaps: While reading the critical reasoning question, look for any unstated assumptions or gaps in logic contained within the argument itself - these will generally help you locate the answer you seek.
• Practice with Time Limits: Practicing under timed conditions will allow you to improve your reading speed & develop skills in managing exam-related stress.
• Look Over Mistakes Carefully: When going over both correct & incorrect responses to critical reasoning questions, study how you came up with each response and why you answered incorrectly; then, attempt to do better next time.

Quick Recap: By applying these tips consistently, you’ll develop stronger analytical skills and greater confidence when tackling critical reasoning questions.

One of the most efficient methods to familiarize yourself with critical reasoning formats and logic is by working through sample questions.

When you not only look at the question but also the explanation, it helps you learn how to tackle similar issues during your test.

Here is an example for you to start with:

1. Statement:
   All employees at Company X are required to attend weekly training sessions.
   Question: What can be inferred from the statement?
   A) Some employees at Company X do not attend training.
   B) Weekly training is optional at Company X.
   C) Every employee at Company X must go to training each week.
   D) Only new employees attend training.
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The statement says all employees are required, so everyone must attend.
2. Argument:
   Eating fruits daily boosts immunity. Therefore, people who fall sick often do not eat enough fruits.
   Question: What assumption does this argument rely on?
   A) Only fruits can boost immunity.
   B) People who fall sick often have weak immunity.
   C) People who eat fruits never fall sick.
   D) Immunity cannot be boosted in any other way.
   Answer: B
   Explanation: The argument assumes a direct link between immunity and frequency of illness.
3. Passage:
   The city council banned cars from downtown to reduce pollution.
   Question: Which of the following, if true, weakens the council’s action?
   A) Public transport use increased after the ban.
   B) Businesses downtown reported fewer customers after the ban.
   C) Pollution levels fell by 10%.
   D) Residents enjoyed quieter streets.
   Answer: B
   Explanation: This shows a negative consequence, weakening the justification.
4. Statement:
   No fish can survive out of water. Goldfish are a type of fish.
   Question: What conclusion follows?
   A) Goldfish can survive without water.
   B) Goldfish cannot survive out of water.
   C) Goldfish are not fish.
   D) Goldfish need sunlight.
   Answer: B
   Explanation: Goldfish, being fish, cannot survive out of water.
5. Argument:
   School uniforms improve discipline among students.
   Question: Which of the following, if true, strengthens the argument?
   A) Students in uniformed schools have fewer disciplinary issues.
   B) Uniforms are expensive.
   C) Some students dislike uniforms.
   D) Uniforms are uncomfortable.
   Answer: A
   Explanation: This provides evidence that uniforms achieve the intended effect.
6. Passage:
   Despite a rise in petrol prices, car sales have increased this year.
   Question: Which best explains the paradox?
   A) Public transport fares also increased.
   B) People are earning more this year.
   C) Car manufacturers offered huge discounts.
   D) Petrol prices fell last year.
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Discounts could offset the effect of higher petrol prices.
7. Statement:
   All roses are flowers. Some flowers fade quickly.
   Question: What can be inferred?
   A) All roses fade quickly.
   B) Some roses fade quickly.
   C) No roses fade quickly.
   D) Some roses may fade quickly.
   Answer: D
   Explanation: Since some flowers fade quickly and roses are flowers, it’s possible some roses do.
8. Argument:
   Advertising a product increases its sales.
   Question: What is assumed here?
   A) Customers are influenced by advertising.
   B) Advertising is expensive.
   C) Only new products are advertised.
   D) All customers watch TV.
   Answer: A
   Explanation: The argument relies on the idea that advertising affects buying behavior.
9. Passage:
   John: “Our store’s profits fell because we opened a new branch.”
   Question: Which, if true, weakens John’s claim?
   A) The new branch is very popular.
   B) Profits fell before the new branch opened.
   C) The store’s expenses increased.
   D) Other branches also saw profit drops.
   Answer: B
   Explanation: If profits fell before the new branch, the cause must be something else.
10. Statement:
    If it rains, the match will be canceled.
    Question: What can be inferred if the match is not canceled?
    A) It did not rain.
    B) It rained.
    C) The match is indoors.
    D) The players left early.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: If rain causes cancellation, and cancellation did not happen, then it did not rain.

11. Argument:
    The museum’s visitor numbers increased after it opened a café.
    Question: What assumption is made?
    A) The café is popular.
    B) Visitors came specifically for the café.
    C) The café caused the increase in visitors.
    D) The museum improved its exhibits.
    Answer: C
    Explanation: The argument links the café to increased visitors.
12. Statement:
    All mammals have backbones. Dolphins are mammals.
    Question: What conclusion follows?
    A) Dolphins have backbones.
    B) Dolphins are fish.
    C) Dolphins live in the sea.
    D) Dolphins lay eggs.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: Dolphins, being mammals, have backbones.
13. Passage:
    A new law reduced traffic accidents by 20%.
    Question: Which, if true, weakens the law’s effectiveness?
    A) Fewer cars were on the road due to a fuel shortage.
    B) The law is popular.
    C) Accidents increased in neighboring cities.
    D) The police enforced the law strictly.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The drop could be due to fewer cars, not the law.
14. Argument:
    More people are buying electric cars, so petrol demand will fall.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) Electric cars will replace petrol cars.
    B) Petrol cars will become cheaper.
    C) People prefer electric cars.
    D) Petrol stations will close.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The argument assumes substitution, not just addition.
15. Statement:
    No students passed the exam without studying.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) Some students passed without studying.
    B) All students who passed studied.
    C) Studying is unnecessary.
    D) No one passed.
    Answer: B
    Explanation: Passing required studying.
16. Passage:
    Despite heavy rain, the parade continued as scheduled.
    Question: Which explains this?
    A) The parade was held indoors.
    B) The rain stopped before the parade.
    C) The parade was canceled.
    D) The parade was rescheduled.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: An indoor venue would allow the parade to continue despite rain.
17. Argument:
    The new phone model sold out in one day; therefore, it must be very good.
    Question: What assumption is made?
    A) Only good phones sell quickly.
    B) The phone was expensive.
    C) Advertising was effective.
    D) People prefer new models.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The argument equates quick sales with quality.
18. Statement:
    Some cats are black. All black animals are not dangerous.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) Some cats are dangerous.
    B) All cats are black.
    C) Some black cats are not dangerous.
    D) No cats are dangerous.
    Answer: C
    Explanation: Some cats are black, and black animals are not dangerous.
19. Passage:
    After a new park opened, neighborhood crime decreased.
    Question: Which, if true, strengthens the idea that the park caused the decrease?
    A) The park is well-lit at night.
    B) Police patrols increased at the same time.
    C) Crime decreased in other neighborhoods too.
    D) The park attracted more families to the area.
    Answer: D
    Explanation: More families may deter crime, linking the park to the decrease.
20. Argument:
    If the factory operates at night, noise complaints increase.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) The factory is noisy at night.
    B) The factory operates only at night.
    C) Daytime operations are quiet.
    D) People complain only at night.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The link is based on the factory making noise at night.

21. Statement:
    All apples are fruits. Some fruits are sour.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) All apples are sour.
    B) Some apples are sour.
    C) No apples are sour.
    D) Some apples may be sour.
    Answer: D
    Explanation: Since some fruits are sour and apples are fruits, some apples may be sour.
22. Argument:
    The new policy improved worker productivity.
    Question: Which, if true, weakens the argument?
    A) Productivity increased before the policy.
    B) Workers like the policy.
    C) The policy was expensive to implement.
    D) Other companies adopted similar policies.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: If productivity was rising before, the policy may not be the cause.
23. Passage:
    A study shows people who exercise daily have lower stress levels.
    Question: What assumption is made?
    A) Exercise causes lower stress.
    B) Only healthy people exercise.
    C) Stress causes people to exercise.
    D) People with lower stress are happier.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The argument assumes causation, not just correlation.
24. Statement:
    If a country increases exports, its economy grows.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) All growing economies export more.
    B) Increasing exports can help economic growth.
    C) Imports do not matter.
    D) Only exports matter for growth.
    Answer: B
    Explanation: The statement supports that increasing exports can contribute to growth.
25. Argument:
    The new software reduced errors in billing.
    Question: Which, if true, strengthens the argument?
    A) Error rates dropped after the software was installed.
    B) Employees received training on the new software.
    C) Customers complained less about billing.
    D) Other departments also installed new software.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: A direct drop in errors supports the claim.
26. Passage:
    Despite a new recycling program, landfill waste increased.
    Question: Which best explains this?
    A) More people moved into the city.
    B) The recycling program was not advertised.
    C) People did not separate their waste.
    D) The city collected more data.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: More people would naturally increase total waste.
27. Statement:
    All birds can fly. Penguins are birds.
    Question: What conclusion follows?
    A) Penguins can fly.
    B) Penguins are mammals.
    C) Penguins cannot swim.
    D) Penguins live in cold places.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: If all birds can fly and penguins are birds, then penguins can fly (though in reality, this is factually incorrect, but logically follows from the premises).
28. Argument:
    If the company increases salaries, employee satisfaction will rise.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) Employees are dissatisfied with current salaries.
    B) Only salary matters for satisfaction.
    C) Employees compare their salaries to others.
    D) Satisfaction does not depend on work environment.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The link assumes dissatisfaction is due to salary.
29. Passage:
    A new highway reduced traffic in the city center.
    Question: Which, if true, strengthens this result?
    A) Fewer cars are seen downtown.
    B) More people use public transport.
    C) The highway connects suburbs to downtown.
    D) The city center banned trucks.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: Fewer cars downtown supports the claim.
30. Statement:
    If the alarm rings, the guard will check the building.
    Question: What can be inferred if the guard did not check the building?
    A) The alarm did not ring.
    B) The guard was absent.
    C) There was no emergency.
    D) The building was empty.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: If the check depends on the alarm, and there was no check, the alarm did not ring.

31. Argument:
    Increasing the price of cigarettes will reduce smoking rates.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) Smokers are sensitive to price changes.
    B) Cigarettes are addictive.
    C) Only price affects smoking.
    D) People will switch to other products.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The argument relies on price influencing behavior.
32. Statement:
    All students who attend tutorials pass the exam.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) Only students who attend tutorials pass.
    B) Some students who pass did not attend tutorials.
    C) Attending tutorials helps passing.
    D) No student failed the exam.
    Answer: C
    Explanation: Attendance is linked to passing.
33. Passage:
    The restaurant’s sales rose after it started home delivery.
    Question: Which, if true, weakens the link?
    A) A new office complex opened nearby.
    B) Home delivery was free.
    C) The menu was expanded.
    D) The restaurant renovated its interiors.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The sales rise may be due to new customers from the office, not home delivery.
34. Argument:
    A new vaccine will eliminate the disease.
    Question: Which, if true, weakens the argument?
    A) The vaccine is expensive.
    B) Some people refuse vaccinations.
    C) The disease is rare.
    D) The vaccine has side effects.
    Answer: B
    Explanation: If not everyone gets vaccinated, the disease may not be eliminated.
35. Statement:
    If a product is defective, it will be returned.
    Question: What can be inferred if a product was not returned?
    A) It was not defective.
    B) The customer liked it.
    C) The product was cheap.
    D) The store is far away.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: If all defective products are returned, and this one was not, it was not defective.
36. Passage:
    Despite a new gym opening, membership at the old gym increased.
    Question: Which explains this?
    A) The old gym lowered prices.
    B) The new gym is farther away.
    C) The old gym improved its facilities.
    D) The old gym offered free classes.
    Answer: C
    Explanation: Better facilities could attract more members.
37. Argument:
    Recycling reduces environmental pollution.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) Pollution is caused by waste.
    B) People know how to recycle.
    C) Recycling is cost-effective.
    D) Only cities recycle.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The link is based on waste contributing to pollution.
38. Statement:
    All cars in the parking lot are red.
    Question: What can be inferred?
    A) Some cars are not red.
    B) All vehicles are red.
    C) Every car in the lot is red.
    D) No cars are parked.
    Answer: C
    Explanation: The statement is clear: all cars in the lot are red.
39. Passage:
    The number of people using bicycles increased after bike lanes were built.
    Question: Which, if true, strengthens the link?
    A) Other cities saw similar results.
    B) Bike shops reported higher sales.
    C) The city promoted cycling.
    D) Traffic congestion decreased.
    Answer: B
    Explanation: Higher sales indicate more people are cycling.
40. Argument:
    If the weather is good, the picnic will be outdoors.
    Question: What is assumed?
    A) The picnic cannot be outdoors in bad weather.
    B) The weather is unpredictable.
    C) The picnic is canceled in bad weather.
    D) People prefer indoor picnics.
    Answer: A
    Explanation: The outdoor plan depends on good weather.

Quick Recap: Sample questions help you understand the logic behind each answer and prepare for real test scenarios.

Developing a competitive edge in reasoning begins by observing the techniques used by professionals. Educators and the most successful individuals often stress making decisions using logic instead of emotion or preconceptions. Consider these four proven ways to gain excellence through best practice:

• Use Logic, Not Emotion: When analyzing arguments, always be as objective as possible. Do not allow beliefs or personal feelings to interfere with your evaluation of the argument. Reasoning flaws are rewarded when logic prevails over reasoning.
• Identify both strong and weak Arguments: Look for the strongest of many arguments. Strong arguments are comprised of logical, supported by facts, and not based on an assumption or lack of logical flaw.
• Use Official Practice Questions: The best way to become familiar with how to succeed at any testing process is to practice with actual examples of that test (e.g., GMAT, GRE, CAT, CLAT, etc.). Doing this will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the most common reasoning traps and patterns.
• Eliminate Extreme or Biased Choices: Typically, choices that are extreme or use emotion-based language are incorrect. Instead, try to identify the reasonable and balanced choice that addresses the question directly.
• Deconstruct Arguments: Break every passage down into its claim, evidence, assumptions, and conclusion, as this structure will lend itself to easily identifying any weaknesses or gaps in logic.
• Consistent Review and Reflection: After practicing, review not just the correct answers, but also the explanations. Understanding why an answer is right (or wrong) sharpens your reasoning skills for future questions.

Bottom Line: By following these expert-backed strategies, you can improve your ability to evaluate arguments, avoid common pitfalls, and consistently select the strongest answer on critical reasoning questions.

Broadening the skill set in critical reasoning should not be confined to just solving practice questions. By using different resources, you can better get a grasp of the question types, identify the reasoning patterns, and develop your exam day confidence. Below are some excellent means and materials that can be a great aid to your preparation:

• Practice Sets: You can find official practice questions and sample sets of the GMAT, GRE, CAT, and CLAT examinations. They typically come with solutions and explanations, which can be very helpful in learning from errors.
• Video Explanations: Numerous platforms and exam prep websites provide video explanations of critical reasoning questions. Such videos can be very helpful in solving the intricacies of logical reasoning and can also be a source of expert problem-solving skills.
• Editorials and Opinion Articles: Examining editorials and opinion articles in newspapers or magazines daily can help enhance your analytical reading speed, and you will also get acquainted with the process of identifying arguments, assumptions, and conclusions in tangible situations.
• Guides and eBooks: Frequently, at test prep sites, you will find downloadable guides and starter eBooks that are packed with a wide range of tips on how to handle various kinds of critical reasoning questions effectively.

Critical reasoning questions are more than just a test of your intelligence—they assess your ability to think clearly, logically, and objectively. By understanding question types, practicing regularly, and reviewing your approach, you can develop strong critical reasoning skills that will serve you well in exams and beyond.

Why It Matters?

Strong critical reasoning skills are essential for exam success and make you a better problem-solver in academics, your career, and daily life. They empower you to analyze information, make logical decisions, and communicate clearly.

Practical Advice for Learners

• Practice different question types regularly, including those from real exams.
• Focus on logic, not outside knowledge or opinions.
• Analyze explanations for both correct and incorrect answers.
• Use official and reputable practice resources for the most realistic prep.
• Time yourself to simulate exam conditions and build speed.
• Review and learn from your mistakes consistently.

What are the most common types of critical reasoning questions? 

Most typical types are assumption, inference, strengthen/weaken, cause & effect, statement & conclusion, and paradox/resolution questions. 

How can I improve my analytical reading speed? 

Read editorials, opinion articles and exam-style passages consistently as your daily practice. Quickly spot the argument structure and main point.

Are there video explanations available for critical reasoning questions? 

Yes, most exam preparation platforms and educational websites offer video solutions that explain the logic behind the questions and the answer choices.

What skills do critical reasoning questions test? 

They test your ability to break down arguments, spot assumptions, assess evidence, make logical conclusions, and make wise choices.

Where can I get more practice questions with answers and explanations? 

Official exam websites, prep books, and reliable online platforms provide carefully selected sets of questions along with detailed solutions for GMAT, GRE, CAT, CLAT, and many more.