Resolve paradox
Add a fact that makes both observations compatible.
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GMAT Verbal
Resolve Paradox and Inference
Distinguish answers that reconcile surprising facts from answers that must follow from the evidence.
Distinction
Resolve Paradox and Inference ask for different logical jobs.
Paradox questions want a new fact that lets two surprising facts coexist. Inference questions want a statement forced by the existing evidence.
Resolve paradox
A paradox is an apparent contradiction, not a formal impossibility.
The correct answer explains how both stated facts can be true at the same time.
Paradox trap
A good resolution connects the two facts.
An answer that explains only one side, repeats the surprise, or introduces an unrelated fact does not resolve the tension.
Inference
An inference must follow from the evidence only.
Do not add assumptions or outside knowledge. The correct answer is often narrower than a tempting choice.
Inference traps
Be suspicious of unsupported strength.
- 01Always
- 02Never
- 03Only
- 04Completely
- 05All or none
Ask what the answer must accomplish.
Inference
State something that must be true given the evidence.
Mini application
Try this paradox: A store cut prices, yet total revenue increased.
What kind of fact could resolve it?
Solution
A resolution could be that the lower prices caused unit sales to rise enough to offset the price cut.
That fact allows lower prices and higher total revenue to coexist.
Remember this
Resolution adds an explanation; inference extracts a necessity.
Keep those jobs separate when evaluating choices.