Quick Summary
Bold-face questions in GMAT Critical Reasoning test the roles of bold parts within an argument. Start by identifying the main conclusion, then link each bold portion to it. Set broad expectations before reviewing answer choices, and apply elimination to find the correct option.
Overview
Boldface questions reward structural reading. This overview outlines a disciplined approach: first locate the passage’s main conclusion, then consider how each boldfaced statement relates to the main conclusion. Prephrase the likely role pairing before viewing options to reduce language noise and confirm logic. The video illustrates the workflow; the article supplies role labels and examples. These habits strengthen analytical focus during GMAT prep and support argument mapping valued in MBA admissions across practice sessions.
GMAT CR: Boldface Question Type
Understanding GMAT Boldface Questions
Among all Critical Reasoning question types on the GMAT, boldface questions are probably the most interesting and require the highest precision. In these questions, parts of an argument are highlighted in bold, and the test-taker is asked: “In the argument, the boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?” The challenge lies in not just understanding the argument but also navigating the heavy vocabulary and complex phrasing of the answer choices.
GMAT Boldface Critical Reasoning Questions: What They Look Like
GMAT boldface critical reasoning questions present an argument in which two specific statements are highlighted in bold. The question then asks you to identify the role that each boldfaced statement plays within the argument, such as whether it states evidence, a claim, a counterpoint, or the main conclusion.
Typical Question Stems
- Which of the following best indicates the main point of the argument?
How a Boldface CR Question Appears on the GMAT
Correct Answer: E
The Correct Strategy for Solving Boldface Questions
The strategy to handle these questions is clear and structured:
-
- Identify the conclusion – Spotting the main conclusion is the first and most crucial step.
- Link the boldfaced parts with the conclusion – Each boldfaced part must be understood in relation to the overall reasoning.
- Obtain a broad idea of expectation from the correct answer – Before reading the answer choices, form a clear mental picture of what role each boldface is playing. This step prevents confusion when the answer choices use difficult wording.
- Eliminate options – As always, the GMAT’s Verbal is about eliminating the wrong choices until one remains. This is especially important here because multiple options may seem partly correct, but only one fits completely.
Avoiding Traps
Students often get misled by answer choices that sound correct but do not match the logical structure of the argument. A frequent trap is an answer suggesting that a boldface opposes the conclusion when it merely provides context or evidence. Always check: does this boldface support, oppose, evaluate, or conclude? And how does it connect with the overall reasoning?
GMAT-style CR Boldface Question with Explanation
Written Explanation
Strategy: Determining the main conclusion of the argument and finding the relation of the boldfaced portions with this conclusion
Logic: The argument evaluates a hypothesis about an ancient city. The argument judges that the Spartans relied on conquest more than citizens of other cities and presents the hypothesis, as the first boldface states, that agricultural paucity drove the Spartans to acquire foreign territory. In support of this hypothesis, the argument mentions that comparing Sparta’s conquests and climate records of the time suggests, as the second boldface states, that in years in which agriculture suffered due to the climate, the Spartans engaged in a higher number of military campaigns. Based on this observation, the argument concludes that the hypothesis has some merit. In the context of the main conclusion – the first boldface is a proposed explanation that the main conclusion finds merit in; the second boldface is an observation based on which the main conclusion finds merit in the proposed explanation.
Main conclusion: The hypothesis that Spartans relied on conquest more than citizens of other cities has merit.
Broad expectation from the correct answer choice:
The first boldface is a proposed explanation that the main conclusion finds merit in.
The second boldface is an observation based on which the main conclusion finds merit in the proposed explanation.
A.
Merit(s):
The first boldface is a proposed explanation; therefore, it is correct to state that the first boldface is “an explanatory hypothesis”.
Demerit(s):
The second boldface is an observation based on which the main conclusion is established and itself is not the main conclusion; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the second boldface is the “argument’s main conclusion”.
Because this answer choice does not correctly highlight the roles played by the two portions in boldface, this answer choice is incorrect.
B.
Merit(s):
The first boldface is a proposed explanation; therefore, it is correct to state that the first boldface is “an explanatory hypothesis”.
The second boldface is a factual observation; therefore, it is correct to state that the second boldface is an “evidence”.
Demerit(s):
The second boldface supports the explanation in the first boldface; the argument does not mention an alternate explanation; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the second boldface “supports an alternative to the explanation in the first boldface”.
Because this answer choice does not correctly highlight the roles played by the two portions in boldface, this answer choice is incorrect.
C.
Merit(s):
The first boldface is a proposed explanation; therefore, it is correct to state that the first boldface is “an explanatory hypothesis”.
The second boldface is a factual observation; therefore, it is correct to state that the second boldface is an “evidence”.
The second boldface is an observation based on which the argument establishes support for the explanation in the first boldface; therefore, it is correct to state that the second boldface “tends to support the hypothesis in the first boldface”.
Demerit(s):
None
Because this answer choice correctly highlights the roles played by the two portions in boldface, this answer choice is correct.
D.
Merit(s):
The first boldface is a proposed explanation and thus indicates an opinion; therefore, it is broadly correct to state that the first boldface is a “position”.
The second boldface is a factual observation; therefore, it is correct to state that the second boldface is an “evidence”.
Demerit(s):
The argument concludes that the proposed explanation in the first boldface has some merit, thus accepting the first boldface; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the first boldface “is opposed by the argument”.
The second boldface supports the explanation in the first boldface; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the second boldface “undermines support for the position in the first boldface”.
Because this answer choice does not correctly highlight the roles played by the two portions in boldface, this answer choice is incorrect.
E.
Merit(s):
The first boldface is a proposed explanation and thus indicates an opinion; therefore, it is broadly correct to state that the first boldface is a “position”.
Demerit(s):
The argument concludes that the proposed explanation in the first boldface has some merit, thus accepting the first boldface; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the first boldface “is opposed by the argument”.
The second boldface is an observation based on which the main conclusion is established and itself is not the main conclusion; therefore, it is incorrect to state that the second boldface is the “argument’s main conclusion”.
Because this answer choice does not correctly highlight the roles played by the two portions in boldface, this answer choice is incorrect.
C is the Best Answer Choice.
Key Takeaways
Boldface questions test your ability to classify parts of an argument by their role – evidence, context, intermediate conclusion, main conclusion etc. Success lies in identifying the central claim, linking each boldfaced statement to it, and predicting the logical relationship before reviewing answer choices. Eliminate options that misstate roles or exaggerate opposition, focusing only on accurate pairings. Practicing this structured method in GMAT simulations sharpens recognition, reduces confusion from dense wording, and builds confidence in handling complex Critical Reasoning problems.
Parting Thought
Boldface questions remind us that life, like arguments, is made of parts that serve different roles—some provide context, others shape direction, and a few define the ultimate conclusion. In GMAT preparation, clarity emerges when you learn to see structure rather than get lost in detail. In MBA applications, the same principle applies—success depends on presenting facts, reasoning, and conclusions in harmony. In life, too, wisdom lies in recognizing how each element contributes to the whole. Each GMAT mock offers practice in building this clarity and balance.
