GRE: Intro to Argument Task

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The "Analyze an Argument" task assesses your ability to understand, analyze and evaluate arguments according to specific instructions and to convey your evaluation clearly in your writing. Each topic consists of a brief passage in which the author makes a case for some course of action or interpretation of events by presenting claims backed by reasons and evidence.
Your task is to discuss the logical soundness of the author's case by critically examining the line of reasoning and the use of evidence. This task requires you to read the argument and instructions carefully. You might want to read the argument more than once and make brief notes about points you want to develop more fully in your response. In reading the argument, you should pay special attention to:


  • what is offered as evidence, support or proof
  • what is explicitly stated, claimed or concluded
  • what is assumed or supposed, perhaps without justification or proof
  • what is not stated, but necessarily follows from or underlies what is stated
In addition, you should consider the structure of the argument — the way in which these elements are linked together to form a line of reasoning; i.e., you should recognize the separate, sometimes implicit steps in the thinking process and consider whether the movement from each step to the next is logically sound. In tracing this line, look for transition words and phrases that suggest the author is attempting to make a logical connection (e.g., however, thus, therefore, evidently, hence, in conclusion).


"Analyze an Argument" is a critical thinking task requiring a written response. Consequently, the analytical skills displayed in your evaluation carry great weight in determining your score; however, the clarity with which you convey ideas is also important to your overall score.
Following is a video explanation of Argument Task


GRE: Absolute Value Equations

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Absolute value is the magnitude of a real number without regard to its sign and the equations containing absolute values are called absolute value equations.
Following are the basic steps to solve an equation involving absolute values:
  • Step 1: Isolate the absolute value expression.
  • Step2: Set the quantity inside the absolute value notation equal to + and - the quantity on the other side of the equation.
  • Step 3:Solve for the unknown in both equations.
  • Step 4:Check your answer analytically or graphically.

For more details please see the following video tutorial: