1. The Logic Roadmap
To dominate GMAT Verbal, you must stop reading for "content" and start reading for "structure." Just as an engineer identifies load-bearing walls, you must identify the Logical Role of every sentence.
| Marker Word | Logical Role | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| Since / Because | Premise (Evidence) | Stop! The text following this is a Reason supporting a claim. |
| In Consequence / Therefore | Conclusion | This is the Destination or Main Point. |
| However / Nevertheless | Pivot / Rebuttal | Attack! The author is about to reject a previous claim. |
2. Level 1: Linear Support (Easy)
At the foundational level, every component points to a single peak. Watch for "Intermediate Conclusions" that act as both a conclusion (to a premise) and a premise (to the main point).
"A condominium generally offers more value for its cost than an individual house because of economies of scale. The homeowners in a condominium association can collectively buy products and services that they could not afford on their own. And since a professional management company handles maintenance of common areas, condominium owners spend less time and money on maintenance than individual homeowners do."
The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
- (A) The first is the argument's main conclusion; the second is another conclusion supporting the first.
- (B) The first is a premise, for which no evidence is provided; the second is the argument's only conclusion.
- (C) The first is a conclusion supporting the second; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
- (D) The first is the argument's only conclusion; the second is a premise, for which no evidence is provided.
- (E) Both are premises, for which no evidence is provided, and both support the argument's only conclusion.
Solution Walkthrough: The Condominium
Identify the direction of support.
Step 1Analyze Boldface 1
"A condominium generally offers more value..."
This is a broad generalization. The rest of the passage provides reasons ('because of economies of scale'). This is the Main Conclusion.
Step 2Analyze Boldface 2
"...owners spend less time and money..."
This follows 'since a professional company handles maintenance'. So it is a conclusion based on that fact.
BUT, it also supports Boldface 1 (it's an example of 'value').
Step 3The Correct Role (Option A)
Boldface 2 is an Intermediate Conclusion. It is supported by the 'since' clause, and it supports the Main Conclusion (BF1).
3. Level 2: Reactive Logic (Medium)
Here, the argument is defensive. The author is not just proving a point, but rejecting a critic's objection.
"Aroca city currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of 3 percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that 3 percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of 6 percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially."
The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
- (A) The first presents a plan that the argument concludes is unlikely to achieve its goal; the second expresses that conclusion.
- (B) The first presents a plan that the argument concludes is unlikely to achieve its goal; the second presents evidence in support of that conclusion.
- (C) The first presents a plan that the argument contends is the best available; the second is a conclusion drawn by the argument to justify that contention.
- (D) The first presents a plan one of whose consequences is at issue in the argument; the second is the argument's conclusion about that consequence.
- (E) The first presents a plan that the argument seeks to defend against a certain criticism; the second is that criticism.
Solution Walkthrough: Aroca City
Structure: Plan -> Criticism -> Rebuttal.
Step 1Analyze Boldface 1
"Aroca City plans to introduce..."
This describes the Plan. It is factual context. It is the subject of the debate.
Step 2The Pivot
The author admits the critics are right about current sales, BUT uses 'Nevertheless' to pivot.
Step 3Analyze Boldface 2
"...will probably not reduce the money..."
This is the author's prediction/claim. It rejects the critics' fear. It is the Main Conclusion.
Step 4The Correct Role (Option D)
BF1 is the Plan at issue. BF2 is the Conclusion about the consequence of that plan (funding will not drop).
4. Level 3: Dialectical Complexity (Hard)
The highest level involves "Nested Arguments." You must distinguish between the Author's Conclusion and a Third Party's Conclusion (which the author might reject).
"Historian: Newton developed mathematical concepts and techniques that are fundamental to modern calculus. Leibniz developed closely analogous concepts and techniques. It has traditionally been thought that these discoveries were independent. Researchers have, however, recently discovered notes of Leibniz's that discuss one of Newton's books on mathematics. Several scholars have argued that since the book includes a presentation of Newton's calculus concepts and techniques, and since the notes were written before Leibniz's own development of calculus concepts and techniques, it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false. A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz's notes are limited to early sections of Newton's book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton's calculus concepts and techniques are presented."
In the historian's reasoning, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
- (A) The first is a claim that the historian rejects; the second is a position that that claim has been used to support.
- (B) The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion about which the historian expresses reservations; the second is that conclusion.
- (C) The first provides evidence in support of a position that the historian defends; the second is that position.
- (D) The first and the second each provide evidence in support of a position that the historian defends.
- (E) The first has been used in support of a position that the historian rejects; the second is a conclusion that the historian draws from that position.
Solution Walkthrough: Newton vs Leibniz
Who owns the conclusion? The Scholars or the Historian?
Step 1Analyze Boldface 1
"since the book includes..."
The word 'since' marks this as a Premise (Evidence). Who uses it? The 'Scholars'.
Step 2Analyze Boldface 2
"the traditional view is false"
This is what the Scholars believe based on BF1. It is the Scholars' Conclusion.
Step 3The Author's Stance
The Historian says 'A more cautious conclusion is called for'.
The Historian disagrees (or has reservations) about BF2.
Step 4The Correct Role (Option B)
BF1 is Evidence used to support BF2 (the Conclusion). The Historian expresses reservations about BF2.
Summary: Expert Heuristics
- Map Logical Duality: If a statement follows 'since' but supports a larger claim, it is an Intermediate Conclusion.
- Verify Ownership: Is this the Author's conclusion or a Critic's/Scholar's conclusion?
- Spot the Pivot: 'However' often signals that the author is about to reject the preceding Boldface.
