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VerbalCritical Reasoning

Free GMAT Critical Reasoning Practice Question

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The city council reviewed three options for the vacant lot on Maple Street: a parking structure, a community garden, and a small playground. After public hearings showed that residents strongly preferred green space and that the neighborhood already had ample parking, the council voted to build the community garden. Therefore, the council chose the community garden over the parking structure and the playground.

Which of the following best expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

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Answer & Explanation

Correct answer

B

Find the claim the other statements support, and follow the signal word. The final sentence opens with Therefore, marking the point the argument drives toward. The reasons given, that residents preferred green space and that parking was already ample, lead to one outcome: the council picked the community garden over the other two options. That is choice B.

A is a premise reporting the hearing results, a reason offered for the vote, not the claim it supports. C is background evidence the council relied on, not the recommendation reached. D is scene-setting detail the argument never tries to prove. E reads like a conclusion because it is a general recommendation, but it is far broader than anything argued; the author concludes only about this one Maple Street lot. So the answer is B.