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Advertisement: Most power hedge trimmers on the market do an adequate job of trimming hedges, but many power hedge trimmers are dangerous to operate and can cause serious injury when used by untrained operators. Bolter Industries' hedge trimmer has been tested by National Laboratories, the most trusted name in safety t... | The answer to which one of the following questions would be most useful in evaluating the truth of the conclusion drawn in the advertisement? | [
"What were the results of National Laboratories' tests of Bolter Industries' hedge trimmer?",
"Has National Laboratories performed safety tests on other machines made by Bolter Industries?",
"Does any other power hedge trimmer on the market do a better job of trimming hedges than does Bolter Industries' hedge t... | 0 | train_2100 |
Some anthropologists argue that the human species could not have survived prehistoric times if the species had not evolved the ability to cope with diverse natural environments. However, there is considerable evidence that Australopithecus afarensis, a prehistoric species related to early humans, also thrived in a dive... | The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument | [
"confuses a condition's being required for a given result to occur in one case with the condition's being sufficient for such a result to occur in a similar case",
"fails to consider the possibility that, even if a condition caused a result to occur in one case, it was not necessary to cause the result to occur i... | 0 | train_2101 |
Data from satellite photographs of the tropical rain forest in Melonia show that last year the deforestation rate of this environmentally sensitive zone was significantly lower than in previous years. The Melonian government, which spent millions of dollars last year to enforce laws against burning and cutting of the f... | Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the government's claim? | [
"Much of the money that was designated last year for forest preservation has been spent on research and not on enforcement.",
"The inaccessibility of much of the rain forest has made it impossible to confirm the satellite data by direct observation from the field.",
"Rainfall during the usually dry 6-month annu... | 2 | train_2102 |
Statistician: A financial magazine claimed that its survey of its subscribers showed that North Americans are more concerned about their personal finances than about politics. One question was: "Which do you think about more: politics or the joy of earning money? " This question is clearly biased. Also, the readers of ... | Each of the following, if true, would strengthen the statistician's argument EXCEPT: | [
"Other surveys suggest that North Americans are just as concerned about politics as they are about finances.",
"The conclusions drawn in most magazine surveys have eventually been disproved.",
"Other surveys suggest that North Americans are concerned not only with politics and finances, but also with social iss... | 2 | train_2103 |
Curator: The decision to restore the cloak of the central figure in Veronese' s painting from its present red to the green found underneath is fully justified. Reliable x-ray and chemical tests show that the red pigment was applied after the painting had been completed, and that the red paint was not mixed in Veronese'... | The assertion that a later artist tampered with Veronese's painting serves which one of the following functions in the curator's argument? | [
"It is a clarification of a key term of the argument.",
"It is a particular instance of the general position to be defended.",
"It is a subsidiary conclusion that supports the argument's main conclusion.",
"It is a reiteration of the main point that is made for the sake of emphasis."
] | 2 | train_2104 |
Essayist: Politicians deserve protection from a prying press. No one wants his or her private life spread across the pages of the newspapers. Furthermore, the press' s continual focus on politicians' private lives dissuades talented people from pursuing a career in politics and turns reporters into character cops who w... | Each of the following, if true, strengthens the essayist's argument EXCEPT: | [
"Much writing on politicians'private lives consists of rumors circulated by opposing candidates.",
"Politicians' personality flaws often ultimately affect their performance on the job.",
"In recent elections, the best local politicians have refused to run for national office because of the intrusiveness of pres... | 1 | train_2105 |
When there is less rainfall than normal, the water level of Australian rivers falls and the rivers flow more slowly. Because algae whose habitat is river water grow best in slow-moving water, the amount of algae per unit of water generally increases when there has been little rain. By contrast, however, following a per... | Which of the following, if true, does most to explain the contrast described above? | [
"Except during periods of extreme drought, algae levels tend to be higher in rivers in which the flow has been controlled by damming than in rivers that flow freely.",
"Australian rivers dry up completely for short intervals in periods of extreme drought.",
"During periods of extreme drought, the populations of... | 1 | train_2106 |
Lawyer: This witness acknowledges being present at the restaurant and watching when my client, a famous television personality, was assaulted. Yet the witness claims to recognize the assailant, but not my famous client. Ttherefore, the witness' s testimony should be excluded. | The lawyer's conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"There are other witnesses who can identify the lawyer's client as present during the assault.",
"The testimony of a witness to an assault should be included only if the witness claims to recognize both parties involved in the assault.",
"It is impossible to determine whether the witness actually recognized the... | 1 | train_2107 |
Because it was long thought that few people would watch lengthy televised political messages, most televised political advertisements, like commercial advertisements, took the form of short messages. Last year, however, one candidate produced a half-hour-long advertisement. At the beginning of the half-hour slot a subs... | Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? | [
"The candidate who produced the half-hour-long advertisement did not win election at the polls.",
"In general a regular-length television program that features debate about current political issues depends for its appeal on the personal qualities of the program's moderator.",
"The half-hour-long advertisement w... | 3 | train_2108 |
Cecile' s association requires public disclosure of an officer' s investments in two cases only: when an officer is authorized to disburse association funds, and when an officer sits on the board of a petrochemical company. Cecile, an officer who is not authorized to disburse funds, sits on the board of just one compan... | The conclusion of the argument follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"The association's requirements provide the only reasons there might be for Cecile to disclose her investments.",
"Cecile's office and her position on the timber business's board create no conflicts of interest.",
"Cecile owns no investments in the petrochemical industry.",
"The timber business on whose board... | 0 | train_2109 |
The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels' habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels. The officia... | Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the officials' argument? | [
"The owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed by the gray squirrels feed primarily on rodents.",
"The officials' plan entails adding the poison to food sources that are usually eaten by rodents but not by other animals.",
"No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangere... | 0 | train_2110 |
To be horrific, a monster must be threatening. Whether or not it presents psychological, moral or social dangers, or triggers enduring infantile fears, if a monster is physically dangerous then it is threatening. In fact, even a physically benign monster is horrific if it inspires revulsion. | Which one of the following logically follows from the statements above? | [
"Any horror-story monster that is threatening is also horrific.",
"If a monster triggers infantile fears but is not physically dangerous, then it is not horrific.",
"All monsters that are not physically dangerous, but that are psychologically dangerous and inspire revulsion, are threatening.",
"If a monster i... | 2 | train_2111 |
The arousal of anger is sometimes a legitimate artistic aim, and every legitimate artwork that has this aim calls intentionally for concrete intervention in the world. Even granting that most art is concerned with beauty in some way, it follows that those critics who maintain that a concern for beauty is a characterist... | The conclusion of the argument follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"No works of art that call for intervention are concerned with beauty.",
"Only works that call for intervention are legitimate works of art.",
"Only those works that are exclusively concerned with beauty are legitimate works of art.",
"There are works that are concerned with beauty but that are not legitimate... | 0 | train_2112 |
We are in a new industrial revolution that requires management trainees to develop "action learning" from real experience within business and industry, rather than getting tied up with theory and academia. Business schools seem unable, on their own, to tear themselves away from their largely academic roots and move clo... | The argument relies on which one of the following assumptions? | [
"Academics in business schools deal only with hypothetical situations in their business case studies.",
"Academics are not capable of teaching curricula suitable for relevant management training.",
"Today's business executives have valuable insight into business that academics in business schools do not have.",... | 2 | train_2113 |
Although there is no record of poet Edmund Spenser's parentage, we do know that as a youth Spenser attended the Merchant Tailors' School in London for a period between 1560 and 1570. Records from this time indicate that the Merchant Tailors' Guild then had only three members named Spenser: Robert Spenser, listed as a g... | Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"The fact that Edmund Spenser attended the Merchant Tailors' School did not necessarily mean that he planned to become a tailor.",
"No member of the Guild could become Guild warden in sixteenth century London unless he was a gentleman.",
"Anybody in sixteenth century London who made clothing professionally woul... | 3 | train_2114 |
Moderate exercise lowers the risk of blockage of the arteries due to blood clots, since anything that lowers blood cholesterol levels also lowers the risk of hardening of the arteries, which in turn lowers the risk of arterial blockage due to blood clots; and, if the data reported in a recent study are correct, moderat... | The conclusion drawn above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"The data reported in the recent study are correct.",
"The recent study investigated the relationship between exercise and blood cholesterol levels.",
"Hardening of the arteries increases the risk of blockage of the arteries due to blood clots.",
"Lowering blood cholesterol levels lowers the risk of blockage ... | 0 | train_2115 |
Many scientists believe that bipedal locomotion (walking on two feet) evolved in early hominids in response to the move from life in dense forests to life in open grasslands. Bipedalism would have allowed early hominids to see over tall grasses, helping them to locate food and to detect and avoid predators. However, be... | Which one of the following statements is most supported by the information above? | [
"Bipedal locomotion would have helped early hominids gather food.",
"For early hominids, forest environments were generally more hospitable than grassland environments.",
"For early hominids, gathering food was more relevant to survival than was detecting and avoiding predators.",
"Bipedal locomotion actually... | 0 | train_2116 |
Over 40, 000 lead seals from the early Byzantine Empire remain today. Apart from the rare cases where the seal authenticated a document of special importance, most seals had served their purpose when the document was opened. Lead was not expensive, but it was not free: most lead seals would have been recast once they h... | Which one of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the argument? | [
"Most of the lead seals produced during the early Byzantine Empire were affixed to documents that have since been destroyed.",
"During the time of the early Byzantine Empire there were fewer than 40, 000 seals affixed to documents at any given time.",
"Most of the lead seals produced during the early Byzantine ... | 2 | train_2117 |
Critic: Although some people claim it is inconsistent to support freedom of speech and also support legislation limiting the amount of violence in TV programs, it is not. We can limit TV program content because the damage done by violent programs is more harmful than the decrease in freedom of speech that would result ... | Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the critic's reasoning? | [
"One can support freedom of speech while at the same time recognizing that it can sometimes be overridden by other interests.",
"When facing a choice between restricting freedom of speech or not, we must decide based on what would make the greatest number of people the happiest.",
"If the exercise of a basic fr... | 0 | train_2118 |
Alcohol consumption has been shown to be a health hazard; ttherefore, governments should ban all alcohol sales. | Which one of the following principles, if established, most strongly supports the argument? | [
"The government should not permit people to use products that pose health hazards.",
"People will tend to decide not to use harmful products without government assistance.",
"Smoking is more hazardous to a person's health than is alcohol consumption.",
"People will use harmful products unless the government s... | 0 | train_2119 |
Activist: Although the environmental bill before the legislature is popular with voters, it will have mainly negative economic consequences if it is passed, especially when we try to lure new businesses to our country. Great leaders have the courage to look beyond popularity to what is sound policy; legislators ought t... | The activist's argumentation is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it | [
"takes for granted that if a bill is popular, it will not be sound economically",
"presumes, without providing justification, that a bill is less likely to pass if it is deemed to have negative economic consequences",
"fails to consider whether there are noneconomic reasons for supporting the bill that outweigh... | 2 | train_2120 |
Doctor: There will be more local cases of flu infection this year than there were last year. In addition to the strains of flu that were present in this area last year, a new strain has infected some people this year. | The conclusion of the doctor's argument can be properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"It is rare for new strains of flu to appear.",
"The new strain of flu cannot be addressed with the approaches used to deal with the strains of flu that were present last year.",
"There will be no decline this year in the number of cases of flu infection due to strains that were present last year.",
"The new ... | 2 | train_2121 |
Insufficient rain can cause crops to falter and agricultural prices to rise. Records indicate that during a certain nation' s recent crisis, faltering crops and rising agricultural prices prompted the government to take over food distribution in an effort to prevent starvation. Thus, the weather must have played an imp... | The argument's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument | [
"infers, merely from the fact that one event could have caused a second event, that the first event in fact caused the second",
"uses the term \"crisis\" equivocally in the reasoning, referring to both a political crisis and an economic crisis",
"concludes, merely from the fact that the period of insufficient r... | 0 | train_2122 |
Rachel: Though contemporary artists are pleased to be free of the constraints that bound their predecessors, this freedom has caused a decline in the quality of art. Great art can be produced only when artists struggle to express themselves within externally imposed boundaries. James: People have always been critical o... | On the basis of their statements, Rachel and James are committed to disagreeing with each other about whether | [
"great art is produced only when an artist struggles against limitations",
"inferior art from past eras is generally forgotten",
"one can correctly assess the quality of art only if it was produced in past eras",
"contemporary art is of lower quality than earlier art"
] | 3 | train_2123 |
A recent study revealed that the percentage of people treated at large, urban hospitals who recover from their illnesses is lower than the percentage for people treated at smaller, rural hospitals. | Each of the following, if true, contributes to an explanation of the difference in recovery rates EXCEPT: | [
"Because space is relatively scarce in large hospitals, doctors are encouraged to minimize the length of time that patients are held for observation following a medical procedure.",
"The less friendly, more impersonal atmosphere of large hospitals can be a source of stress for patients at those hospitals.",
"Al... | 2 | train_2124 |
Millions of homes are now using low-energy lighting, but millions more have still to make the switch, a fact that the government and the home lighting industry are eager to change. Although low-wattage bulbs cost more per bulb than normal bulbs, their advantages to the homeowner are enormous, and ttherefore everyone sh... | Information about which one of the following would be LEAST useful in evaluating the argument? | [
"the opinion of current users of low-wattage bulbs as to their effectiveness",
"the profits the home lighting industry expects to make from sales of low-wattage bulbs",
"the specific cost of a low-wattage bulb compared with that of a normal bulb",
"the actual cost of burning low-wattage bulbs compared to that... | 1 | train_2125 |
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 discus... | In the historian's reasoning, the two portions in <b> boldface </b> play which of the following roles? | [
"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.",
"The first provides evidence in support of a position that the historian defends; the second is that position.",
"The first is evidence that has been used to su... | 2 | train_2126 |
If the majority of the residents of the apartment complex complain that their apartments are infested with ants, then the management of the complex will have to engage the services of an exterminator. But the majority of the residents of the complex indicate that their apartments are virtually free of ants. Ttherefore,... | Which one of the following arguments contains a flawed pattern of reasoning parallel to that contained in the argument above? | [
"Either the school's principal or two-thirds of the parent council must approve a change in the school dress code in order for the code to be changed. Since the principal will not approve a change in the dress code, the code will not be changed.",
"Most employees will attend the company picnic if the entertainmen... | 1 | train_2127 |
Laird: Pure research provides us with new technologies that contribute to saving lives. Even more worthwhile than this, however, is its role in expanding our knowledge and providing new, unexplored ideas. Kim: Your priorities are mistaken. Saving lives is what counts most of all. Without pure research, medicine would n... | Laird and Kim disagree on whether pure research | [
"expands the boundaries of our knowledge of medicine",
"should have the saving of human lives as an important goal",
"has its most valuable achievements in medical applications",
"derives its significance in part from its providing new technologies"
] | 2 | train_2128 |
For years, university administrators, corporations, and government agencies have been predicting an imminent and catastrophic shortage of scientists and engineers. But since there is little noticeable upward pressure on the salaries of scientists and engineers, and unemployment is as high in these fields as any other, ... | Which one of the following would, if true, most strengthen the argument above? | [
"The proportion of all research in science and engineering being carried out by corporations is larger than it was five years ago.",
"The knowledge and skills acquired during university programs in science and engineering need to be kept current through periodic retraining and professional experience.",
"Most s... | 3 | train_2129 |
The dean of computing must be respected by the academic staff and be competent to oversee the use of computers on campus. The only deans whom academics respect are those who hold doctoral degrees, and only someone who really knows about computers can competently oversee the use of computers on campus. Furthermore, the ... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"All academics who hold doctoral degrees are respected by their academic colleagues.",
"Academics respect only people who hold doctoral degrees.",
"At this university, every professor who holds a doctoral degree in computer science really knows about computers.",
"Among this university's staff members with do... | 3 | train_2130 |
Tea made from camellia leaves is a popular beverage. However, studies show that regular drinkers of camellia tea usually suffer withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue drinking the tea. Furthermore, regular drinkers of camellia tea are more likely than people in general to develop kidney damage. Regular consumption of ... | Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? | [
"Many people who regularly consume camellia tea also regularly consume other beverages suspected of causing kidney damage.",
"Most people who regularly drink camellia tea do not develop kidney damage.",
"Addictive chemicals are unlikely to cause kidney damage solely by virtue of their addictive qualities.",
"... | 0 | train_2131 |
A new process enables ordinary table salt to be fortified with iron. This advance could help reduce the high incidence of anemia in the world' s population due to a deficiency of iron in the diet. Salt is used as a preservative for food and a flavor enhancer all over the globe, and people consume salt in quantities tha... | Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the statement that people consume salt in quantities that would provide iron in significant amounts? | [
"It illustrates a principle that underlies the argument.",
"It is a claim that the argument is directed against.",
"It is the conclusion of the argument.",
"It provides support for the conclusion of the argument."
] | 3 | train_2132 |
In Western economies, more energy is used to operate buildings than to operate transportation. Much of the decline in energy consumption since the oil crisis of 1973 is due to more efficient use of energy in homes and offices. New building technologies, which make lighting, heating, and ventilation systems more efficie... | On which one of the following assumptions does the argument rely? | [
"Technology used to make buildings energy efficient will not become prohibitively expensive over the next century.",
"Energy-efficient technologies based on new scientific principles will be introduced in the next 50 to 100 years.",
"Energy bills in the West will be $200 billion lower in the next 50 to 100 year... | 0 | train_2133 |
There are two supposedly conflicting hypotheses as to what makes for great national leaders: one is that such leaders successfully shape public opinion, and the other is that they are adept at reacting to it. However, treating these hypotheses as mutually exclusive is evidently a mistake. All leaders who have had succe... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"Having success getting programs passed by the legislature is indicative of being a great national leader.",
"It is impossible to successfully shape public opinion without in some way reacting to it.",
"To lead, one must either successfully shape public opinion or be adept at reacting to it, or both.",
"Havin... | 0 | train_2134 |
Car companies solicit consumer information on such human factors as whether a seat is comfortable or whether a set of controls is easy to use. However, designer interaction with consumers is superior to survey data; the data may tell the designer why a feature on last year' s model was given a low rating, but data will... | The reasoning above conforms most closely to which one of the following propositions? | [
"A car will have unappealing features if consumers are not consulted during its design stage.",
"Car companies traditionally conduct extensive postmarket surveys.",
"Getting consumer input for design modifications can contribute to successful product design.",
"Designers aim to create features that will appea... | 2 | train_2135 |
Professor: Members of most species are able to communicate with other members of the same species, but it is not true that all communication can be called "language. " The human communication system unquestionably qualifies as language. In fact, using language is a trait without which we would not be human. | Student: I understand that communication by itself is not language, but how do you know that the highly evolved communication systems of songbirds, dolphins, honeybees, and apes, for example, are not languages? The student has interpreted the professor's remarks to mean that | [
"different species can have similar defining traits",
"every human trait except using language is shared by at least one other species",
"using language is a trait humans do not share with any other species",
"humans cannot communicate with members of other species"
] | 2 | train_2136 |
Principle: It is healthy for children to engage in an activity that promotes their intellectual development only if engaging in that activity does not detract from their social development. Application: Although Megan' s frequent reading stimulates her intellectually, it reduces the amount of time she spends interactin... | The application of the principle is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds? | [
"It takes for granted that any decrease in the amount of time a child spends interacting with others detracts from that child's social development.",
"It overlooks the possibility that the benefits of a given activity may sometimes be important enough to outweigh the adverse health effects.",
"It takes a necess... | 0 | train_2137 |
Economist: Some sociologists argue that because capitalism intrinsically involves competition, it weakens the ties between the people of a community. Although this may formerly have been true, modern capitalism requires that there be large corporations. Thus, modern capitalism promotes, rather than weakens, communal ti... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the economist's argument depends? | [
"Modern capitalism is designed primarily to distribute goods and services, not to create communal ties between people.",
"Few economic systems are more successful than modern capitalism in fostering communal ties between citizens.",
"Corporations that compete with each other must develop some ties to each other... | 3 | train_2138 |
Medieval Arabs had manuscripts of many ancient Greek texts, which were translated into Arabic when there was a demand for them. Medieval Arab philosophers were very interested in Aristotle' s Poetics, an interest that evidently was not shared by medieval Arab poets, because a poet interested in the Poetics would certai... | Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument above? | [
"Medieval Arabic story cycles, such as the Arabian Nights, are in some ways similar to parts of the Homeric epics.",
"Aristotle's Poetics is largely concerned with drama, and dramatic works were written and performed by medieval Arabs.",
"A number of medieval Arab translators possessed manuscripts of the Homeri... | 2 | train_2139 |
It is often said that high rates of inflation tend to diminish people' s incentive to save and invest. This view must be incorrect, however, because people generally saved and invested more of their income in the 1970' s when inflation rates were high than they did in the 1980' s when inflation rates were low. | Of the following, the best criticism of the argument above is that it overlooks the possibility that | [
"the population was larger in the 1980's than it was in the 1970's",
"the proponents of the view cited would stand to gain if inflation rates become lower",
"a factor that affects people's savings behavior in a certain way could affect people's investment behavior quite differently",
"certain factors operatin... | 3 | train_2140 |
Most popular historical films are not documentaries; they are dramatic presentations of historical events. Such presentations cannot present the evidence for the accuracy of what they portray. Consequently, uninformed viewers of dramatic historical films should not regard them as accurate portrayals of historical event... | Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the argument? | [
"One should never regard a historical account to be accurate unless one has considered the evidence on which it is based.",
"Historical documentaries should be careful to present all the evidence when attempting to inform their audiences about historical events.",
"Writers of historical dramas should attempt to... | 0 | train_2141 |
Lawyer: Juries are traditionally given their instructions in convoluted, legalistic language. The verbiage is intended to make the instructions more precise, but greater precision is of little use if most jurors have difficulty understanding the instructions. Since it is more important for jurors to have a basic but ad... | Each of the following, if true, strengthens the lawyer's argument EXCEPT: | [
"Most jurors do not have an adequate understanding of their role after being given jury instructions in convoluted, legalistic language.",
"The details of the role of the jurors cannot be specified with complete precision in simple, easily comprehensible language.",
"Most jurors are less likely to understand in... | 1 | train_2142 |
Although human economic exchange predates historical records, it is clear that the very first economies were based on barter and that money came later. This can be inferred from occasions in history when, in isolated places, currency largely disappeared from the local economy. At such times, the economy typically rever... | Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the argument's reasoning? | [
"The argument concludes that something can cause a particular outcome merely because it is necessary for that outcome.",
"The argument relies on a premise that presupposes what the argument attempts to show in the conclusion.",
"The argument contains premises that contradict one another.",
"The argument presu... | 1 | train_2143 |
Archaeologist: The extensive network of ancient tracks on the island of Malta was most likely created through erosion caused by the passage of wheeled vehicles. Some researchers have suggested that the tracks were in fact manually cut to facilitate the passage of carts, citing the uniformity in track depth. However, th... | Which one of the following is the overall conclusion of the archaeologist's argument? | [
"The extensive network of ancient tracks on the island of Malta was most likely created through erosion caused by the passage of wheeled vehicles.",
"The uniformity of depth of the ancient tracks on the island of Malta is probably indicative of the wheel diameter of the carts that passed over them.",
"Some rese... | 0 | train_2144 |
But if a public place is uncomfortable it is not well designed, and all comfortable public places have spacious interiors If all of the interior decorator' s statements are true, then which one of the following must be true? | Interior decorator: All coffeehouses and restaurants are public places. Most well-designed public places feature artwork. | [
"Any well-designed coffeehouse or restaurant has a spacious interior.",
"Any restaurant that has a spacious interior is comfortable.",
"Most coffeehouses that are well designed feature artwork.",
"Most public places that feature artwork are well designed."
] | 0 | train_2145 |
Until 1985 all commercial airlines completely replenished the cabin air in planes in flight once every 30 minutes. Since then the rate has been once every hour. The less frequently cabin air is replenished in a plane in flight, the higher the level of carbon dioxide in that plane and the easier it is for airborne illne... | Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above? | [
"In 1985 there was a loosening of regulations concerning cabin air in commercial airline flights.",
"In 1980 the level of carbon dioxide in the cabin air on a two-hour commercial airline flight was lower than it is today on a similar flight.",
"People who fly today are more likely to contract airborne illnesses... | 1 | train_2146 |
Perry: Worker-owned businesses require workers to spend time on management decision-making and investment strategy, tasks that are not directly productive. Also, such businesses have less extensive divisions of labor than do investor-owned businesses. Such inefficiencies can lead to low profitability, and thus increase... | Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens Perry's argument? | [
"Worker-owned businesses have traditionally obtained loans from cooperative lending institutions established by coalitions of worker-owned businesses.",
"Lenders who specialize in high-risk loans are the largest source of loans for worker-owned businesses.",
"In most worker-owned businesses, workers compensate ... | 2 | train_2147 |
Manager: Our new computer network, the purpose of which is to increase productivity, can be installed during the day, which would disrupt our employees' work, or else at night, which would entail much higher installation charges. Since saving money is important, we should have the network installed during me day. | The manager's argument assumes which one of the following? | [
"Most of the company's employees would be able to work productively while a daytime installation is in progress.",
"The monetary value of the network equipment would not exceed the cost of having the equipment installed at night.",
"Once the network has been installed, most of the company's employees will be ab... | 3 | train_2148 |
Despite legislation designed to stem the accumulation of plastic waste, the plastics industry continued to grow rapidly last year, as can be seen from the fact that sales of the resin that is the raw material for manufacturing plastics grew by 10 percent to $28 billion. | In assessing the support provided by the evidence cited above for the statement that the plastics industry continued to grow, in addition to the information above it would be most useful to know | [
"the dollar amount of resin sales the year before last",
"what proportion of the plastics industry's output eventually contributes to the accumulation of plastic waste",
"whether sales of all goods and services in the economy as a whole were increasing last year",
"whether the resin has other uses besides the... | 3 | train_2149 |
Body temperature varies over a 24-hour period, with a low point roughly between 4 a. m. and 5 a. m. Speed of reaction varies in line with body temperature, such that whenever body temperature is low, speed of reaction is low. If low body temperature caused slow reaction, the speed of reaction should increase if we arti... | Which one of the following conclusions can properly be drawn from the above statements? | [
"Low speeds of reaction do not cause low body temperature.",
"Low body temperatures cause low speeds of reaction.",
"Low body temperatures do not cause low speeds of reaction.",
"Low speeds of reaction cause low body temperature."
] | 2 | train_2150 |
Amoebas, like human beings, generally withdraw from stimuli that cause them physical damage. Humans do this because such stimuli cause them pain. Thus all microscopic organisms must also be capable of feeling pain. | Which one of the following exhibits flawed reasoning most similar to that exhibited by the argument above? | [
"Like nonprofit organizations, corporations usually provide some free public services. Nonprofit organizations do this solely because of their members' desire to make the world a better place. Thus this is probably also the main motive of most corporations.",
"Most professional athletes practice regularly for the... | 2 | train_2151 |
Geneticist: Ethicists have fears, many of them reasonable, about the prospect of cloning human beings, that is, producing exact genetic duplicates. But the horror-movie image of a wealthy person creating an army of exact duplicates is completely unrealistic. Clones must be raised and educated, a long-term process that ... | The claim that cloning will not produce adults with identical personalities plays which one of the following roles in the geneticist's argument? | [
"It is evidence that genetic clones will never be produced successfully.",
"It is evidence for the claim that wealthy people might use genetic duplicates of themselves as sources of compatible organs for transplantation.",
"It is a reason for discounting one possible fear concerning the cloning of human beings.... | 2 | train_2152 |
Consumers are deeply concerned about the quantity of plastic packaging on the market and have spurred manufacturers to find ways to recycle plastic materials. Despite their efforts, however, only 6. 5 percent of plastic is now being recycled, as compared to 33 percent of container glass. | Each of the following, if true, helps to explain the relatively low rate of plastic recycling EXCEPT: | [
"Many factories are set up to accept and make economical use of recycled glass, whereas there are few factories that make products out of recycled plastic.",
"Plastic polymers tend to break down during the recycling process and weaken the resulting product, whereas glass does not break down.",
"Many plastic pro... | 3 | train_2153 |
The city depends on supplemental federal funding for its education budget, and the federal money is dependent on the city raising its cumulative high school literacy rate from the previous year. Over the past ten years, the city has received supplemental federal funding every year, but the city has had the highest illi... | Which one of the following would resolve the apparent discrepancy in the passage? | [
"The high school literacy test is arbitrary and subject to change on a yearly basis.",
"The city's manufacturing industry makes it a desirable destination for illiterate immigrants.",
"The city's government is the most corrupt in the country.",
"The city increases the difficulty of the high school test for li... | 1 | train_2154 |
Two randomly selected groups of 30 adults each were asked to write short stories on a particular topic. One group was told that the best stories would be awarded cash prizes, while the other group was not told of any prizes. Each story was evaluated by a team of judges who were given no indication of the group from whi... | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the difference in average ranking between the two groups' stories? | [
"People writing to win prizes show a greater than usual tendency to produce stereotypical stories that show little creativity.",
"The cash prizes were too small to motivate an average adult to make a significant effort to produce stories of high quality.",
"Most adults show little originality in writing stories... | 0 | train_2155 |
Several recent studies establish that most people would want to be informed if they had any serious medical condition. In each study, over 80 percent of the people surveyed indicated that they would want to be told. | Each of the following, if true, weakens the argument EXCEPT: | [
"Some questions asked in the studies suggested that reasonable people would want to be told if they had a serious medical condition.",
"In another recent study, most of the people surveyed indicated that they would not want to be told if they had a serious medical condition.",
"Some of the researchers conductin... | 2 | train_2156 |
John: As I was driving to work this morning, I was stopped by a police officer and ticketed for speeding. Since there were many other cars around me that were going as fast as I was, the police officer clearly treated me unfairly. Mary: You were not treated unfairly, since the police officer was obviously unable to sto... | Which one of the following principles, if established, would most help to justify Mary's position? | [
"If all of those who violate a traffic law on a particular occasion are equally likely to be penalized for violating it, then the law is fairly applied to whoever among them is then penalized.",
"Fairness in the application of a traffic law is ensured not by all violators' having an equal chance of being penalize... | 0 | train_2157 |
Bank depositors in the United States are all financially protected against bank failure because the government insures all individuals' bank deposits. An economist argues that this insurance is partly responsible for the high rate of bank failures, since it removes from depositors any financial incentive to find out wh... | Which of he following, if true, most seriously weakens the economist s argument? | [
"When the government did not insure deposits frequent bank failures occurred as a result of depositors' fears of losing money in bank failures.",
"There is an upper limit on the amount of an individual's deposit that the government will insure. but very few individuals' deposits exceed this limit.",
"Before the... | 0 | train_2158 |
Linda says that, as a scientist, she knows that no scientist appreciates poetry. And, since most scientists are logical, at least some of the people who appreciate poetry are illogical. | Which one of the following is most parallel in its reasoning to the flawed reasoning above? | [
"Xi says that, as an experienced photographer, she knows that no color film produces images as sharp as the best black-and-white film. And, since most instant film is color film, at least some instant film produces images less sharp than the best black-and-white film.",
"Yuri says that, as a wine connoisseur, he ... | 2 | train_2159 |
In response to viral infection, the immune systems of mice typically produce antibodies that destroy the virus by binding to proteins on its surface. Mice infected with the herpesvirus generally develop keratitis, a degenerative disease affecting part of the eye. Since proteins on the surface of cells in this part of t... | Which of the following, if true, most helps to support the scientists' reasoning? | [
"Mice that are infected with the herpesvirus but do not develop keratitis produce as many antibodies as infected mice that do develop keratitis",
"There are mice that are unable to form antibodies in response to herpes infections, and these mice contract herpes at roughly the same rate as other mice",
"Other ty... | 3 | train_2160 |
Industries waste large amounts of valuable water. Government subsidies allow industries to pay little or nothing for water. Ttherefore, if industries are required by the government to pay full price for the water they use, inefficient use of water by industry would soon cease altogether. | A flaw in the argument's reasoning is that the argument | [
"bases its conclusion on an ambiguous interpretation of the word \"inefficient\"",
"draws a conclusion that is stronger than what is warranted by the evidence presented",
"offers as evidence considerations that have no relevance to the argument's conclusion",
"presents one possible solution to a problem as th... | 1 | train_2161 |
Automobile-emission standards are enforced through annual inspection. At those inspections cars are tested while idling; that is, standing still with their engines running. Testing devices measure the levels of various pollutants as exhaust gases leave the tail pipe. | Which one of the following, if true, most strongly indicates that current enforcement of automobileemission standards might be ineffective in controlling overall pollutant levels? | [
"The testing devices used must be recalibrated frequently to measure pollutant levels with acceptable accuracy.",
"As an emission-control technology approaches its limits, any additional gains in effectiveness become progressively more expensive.",
"When emission standards are set, no allowances are made for ol... | 3 | train_2162 |
Although most species of nondomestic mammals in Australia are marsupials, over 100 species -- including seals, bats, and mice -- are not marsupials but placentals. It is clear, however, that these placentals are not native to this island continent: all nonhuman placentals except the dingo, a dog introduced by the first... | The conclusion above is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"The only Australian placentals that could be native to Australia would be animals whose ancestors could not have reached Australia from elsewhere.",
"Some marsupials now found in Australia might not be native to that continent, but rather might have been introduced to Australia by some other means.",
"Seals, b... | 0 | train_2163 |
In Teruvia, the quantity of rice produced per year is currently just large enough to satisfy domestic demand. Teruvia' s total rice acreage will not be expanded in the foreseeable future, nor will rice yields per acre increase appreciably. Teruvia' s population, however, will be increasing significantly for years to co... | Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"No pronounced trend of decreasing per capita demand for rice is imminent in Teruvia.",
"There are no populated regions in Teruvia in which the population will not increase.",
"Not all of the acreage in Teruvia currently planted with rice is well suited to the cultivation of rice.",
"There are no major crops ... | 0 | train_2164 |
Inez: In these poor economic times, people want to be sure they are getting good value for their money. I predict people would be more willing to buy antiques at our fair if we first have the object inspected by professional appraisers who would remove any objects of questionable authenticity. Anika: I disagree with yo... | Anika's response proceeds by | [
"indicating that a particular plan would have an effect contrary to the anticipated effect",
"claiming that a particular plan should not be adopted because, while effective, it would have at least one undesirable consequence",
"questioning the assumption that authorities are available who have special knowledge... | 0 | train_2165 |
Coffee and tea contain methylxanthines, which cause temporary increases in the natural production of vasopressin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Vasopressin causes clumping of blood cells, and the clumping is more pronounced in women than in men. This is probably the explanation of the fact that women face ... | Which one of the following statements is most strongly supported by the information above? | [
"Men, but not women, should be given methylxanthines prior to undergoing angioplasty.",
"Prior to undergoing angioplasty, women should avoid coffee and tea.",
"Angioplasty should not be used to treat clogged arteries.",
"In spite of the risks, angioplasty is the only effective treatment for clogged arteries."... | 1 | train_2166 |
Sociologist: The intended function of news is to give us information on which to act. But in a consumer society, news becomes a product to be manufactured and dispensed to the consumer. An enormous industry for the production and consumption of news has evolved, and we ingest news with an insatiable appetite. Under suc... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the sociologist's argument depends? | [
"News that serves its intended function should not be entertaining.",
"News that primarily entertains does not give us information on which to act.",
"A news industry that aims to make a profit inevitably presents news as entertainment.",
"News has only one important function."
] | 1 | train_2167 |
The general availability of high-quality electronic scanners and color printers for computers has made the counterfeiting of checks much easier. In order to deter such counterfeiting, several banks plan to issue to their corporate customers checks that contain dots too small to be accurately duplicated by any electroni... | A questionable assumption of the plan is that | [
"the size of the smallest dots that generally available electronic scanners are able to reproduce accurately will not decrease significantly in the near future",
"most corporations served by these banks will not have to pay more for the new checks than for traditional checks",
"most counterfeiters who use elect... | 0 | train_2168 |
President of Max Development Company: Our quality control manager has proposed that we redistribute hourly employees so that all hourly workers are both employed in the departments they like best and are engaged in activities at which they excel. Our quality control manager assures us that this will "increase quarterly... | The president's argument for rejecting the quality control manager's suggestion is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds? | [
"being unable to differentiate between two discrete uses of a significant phrase",
"attempting to criticize an action on the ground that it is rarely carried out",
"coming to a conclusion that merely reiter- ates one of the main premises of the argument",
"suggesting that the proposal is more distasteful beca... | 0 | train_2169 |
Obviously, we cannot in any real sense mistreat plants. Plants do not have nervous systems, and having a nervous system is necessary to experience pain. | The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"Any organism that has nervous system can experience pain.",
"Only organisms that can experience pain can be mistreated.",
"Only organisms that have nervous systems can experience pain.",
"Any organism that can experience pain can be mistreated."
] | 1 | train_2170 |
Beta Corporation claims that it no longer has enough work for the 60 computer data-entry workers that it is laying off. These workers have heard, however, that the company is buying 100 new computers. So the workers concluded that the company' s real reason for laying them off is to fill their jobs with lower-paid work... | Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the workers' conclusion? | [
"A recent memorandum from the president of Beta Corporation requested that all data generated by the company be stored in computerized form.",
"Beta Corporation's computer data-entry workers are more experienced and hence more highly paid than people doing comparable work in other companies.",
"Beta Corporation... | 2 | train_2171 |
Political scientist: One of the most interesting dilemmas in contemporary democratic politics concerns the regulation of political campaign spending. People certainly should be free, within broad limits, to spend their money as they choose. On the other hand, candidates who can vastly outspend all rivals have an unfair... | Which one of the following most logically completes the political scientist's argument? | [
"all wealthy persons should be prohibited from spending their own money on political campaigns",
"only candidates with significant campaign resources should be permitted to run for public office",
"an upper limit on the political campaign spending of each candidate is warranted",
"government subsidization of ... | 2 | train_2172 |
Of all the Arabic epic poems that have been popular at various times, only Sirat Bani Hilal is still publicly performed. Furthermore, while most other epics were only recited, Sirat Bani Hilal has usually been sung. The musical character of the performance, ttherefore, is the main reason for its longevity. | The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it | [
"relies on evidence that is in principle impossible to corroborate",
"takes a sufficient condition to be a necessary condition",
"takes for granted that a particular correlation is causal",
"relies on a source of evidence that may be biased"
] | 2 | train_2173 |
Researchers hope to find clues about the A' mk peoples who lived in the Kaumpta region about one thousand years ago but who left few obvious traces. The researchers plan to hire the few remaining shamans of the modern-day indigenous people in Kaumpta, who are believed to be descended from the A' mk, to lead them to anc... | Which of the following is an assumption on which the success of the plan depends? | [
"The shamans have a reasonably accurate memory of A'mk sites they learned about as youths.",
"Most or all A'mk sites are likely to be found within the Kaumpta region.",
"Kaumpta shamans are generally held in high esteem for their traditional knowledge.",
"The researchers have reliable evidence that the A'mk o... | 0 | train_2174 |
Pretzel vendor: The new license fee for operating a pretzel stand outside the art museum is prohibitively expensive. Charging typical prices, a vendor would need to sell an average of 25 pretzels per hour to break even. At my stand outside city hall, I average only 15 per hour. Ttherefore, I could not break even runnin... | Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the pretzel vendor's argument? | [
"Fewer people passing the art museum than passing city hall are to buy pretzels.",
"People who buy pretzels at pretzel stands are most likely to do so during the hours at which the art museum is open to the visitors.",
"The number of pretzel stands outside the art museum is no greater than the number of pretzel... | 0 | train_2175 |
Most economists believe that reducing the price of any product generally stimulates demand for it. However, most wine merchants have found that reducing the price of domestic wines to make them more competitive with imported wines with which they were previously comparably priced is frequently followed by an increase i... | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to reconcile the belief of most economists with the consequences observed by most wine merchants? | [
"Consumers are generally willing to forgo purchasing other items they desire in order to purchase a superior wine.",
"An increase in the demand for a consumer product is compatible with an increase in demand for a competing product.",
"Economists' studies of the prices of grocery items and their rates of sales ... | 1 | train_2176 |
Jorge: You won' t be able to write well about the rock music of the 1960s, since you were just an infant then. Rock music of the 1960s was created by and for people who were then in their teens and early twenties. Ruth: Your reasoning is absurd. There are living writers who write well about ancient Roman culture, even ... | Why should my youth alone prevent me from writing well about the music of a period as recent as the 1960s? Which one of the following most accurately represents what is at issue between Jorge and Ruth? | [
"whether only people who are past their early twenties can write well about ancient cultures",
"whether Ruth's ideas about the rock music of the 1960s are likely to appeal to people who were in their teens or early twenties during that period",
"whether only those people who were in their teens or early twentie... | 2 | train_2177 |
Recently discovered prehistoric rock paintings on small islands off the northern coast of Norway have archaeologists puzzled. The predominant theory about northern cave paintings was that they were largely a description of the current diets of the painters. This theory cannot be right, because the painters must have ne... | Each of the following, if true, weakens the argument against the predominant theory about northern cave paintings EXCEPT: | [
"Parts of the cave paintings on the islands did not survive the centuries.",
"The cave paintings that were discovered on the islands depicted many land animals.",
"The cave paintings on the islands were done by the original inhabitants of the islands who ate the meat of land animals.",
"Once on these islands,... | 1 | train_2178 |
Last year the Lalolah River was ranked by the Sunvale Water Commission as the most polluted of the fifteen rivers in the Sunvale Water District. Measures taken to clean up the river must be working, though, since this year the Lalolah River is ranked as only the third most polluted river in the district. | The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument | [
"equates a decrease relative to the other ranked rivers with an absolute decrease",
"interprets lack of evidence for a claim as support for an opposing claim",
"confuses the state of the individual rivers in the water district with that of the water district as a whole",
"does not disclose the basis for the r... | 0 | train_2179 |
John wants to win the annual Mayfield raffle next year because he needs the Mayfield raffle' s prize. If he enters more than one raffle next year, the likelihood of his winning one of them would be greater than if he entered only a single raffle. Hence, to have this greater likelihood of winning the Mayfield prize, Joh... | The argument exhibits which one of the following flaws in reasoning? | [
"confusing the likelihood that at least one event in a set of events will occur with the likelihood that a designated event in that set will occur",
"assuming that an event, if it is highly improbable, cannot possibly occur",
"presupposing that a person's strong desire for a certain outcome increases the likeli... | 0 | train_2180 |
Psychiatrist: We are learning that neurochemical imbalances can cause behavior ranging from extreme mental illness to less serious but irritating behavior such as obsessive fantasizing, petulance, or embarrassment. These findings will promote compassion and tolerance when looking at a mental illness, quirk, or mere dif... | Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion of the psychiatrist's argument? | [
"Advances in neurochemistry enhance our theories of mental illness.",
"Understanding the role of the neurochemical in behavior will foster empathy toward others.",
"Neurochemical balances and imbalances are the main determinants of mental behavior.",
"Neurochemical imbalances can cause mental illness and othe... | 1 | train_2181 |
Despite the efforts of a small minority of graduate students at one university to unionize, the majority of graduate students there remain unaware of the attempt. Most of those who are aware believe that a union would not represent their interests or that, if it did, it would not effectively pursue them. Thus, the grad... | The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument | [
"blurs the distinction between active disapproval and mere lack of approval",
"tries to establish a conclusion simply on the premise that the conclusion agrees with a long-standing practice",
"presumes that simply because a majority of a population is unaware of something, it must not be a good idea",
"fails ... | 0 | train_2182 |
Antonio: One can live a life of moderation by never deviating from the middle course. But then one loses the joy of spontaneity and misses the opportunities that come to those who are occasionally willing to take great chances, or to go too far. Marla: But one who, in the interests of moderation, never risks going too ... | Antonio and Marla disagree over | [
"what a life of moderation requires of a person",
"how often a person ought to deviate from the middle course in life",
"whether it is possible for a person to embrace other virtues along with moderation",
"whether it is desirable for people to be moderately spontaneous"
] | 0 | train_2183 |
Logan: Newspapers have always focused on ephemeral matters while ignoring important societal changes. For this and other reasons, old newspapers are useless to both amateur and professional historians. Mendez: But news stories, along with popular art, provide a wealth of information about what the people of an era thou... | On the basis of their statements, Logan and Mendez are committed to disagreeing over whether | [
"newspapers ought to focus more on the types of stories they have glossed over in the past",
"newspapers accurately report the most important changes taking place in a society",
"the study of previous eras should include investigations of the conventions of newspaper reporting",
"newspaper reports from former... | 3 | train_2184 |
A well-known sports figure found that combining publicity tours with playing tours led to problems, so she stopped combining the two. She no longer allows bookstore appearances and playing in competition to occur in the same city within the same trip. This week she is traveling to London to play in a major competition,... | Which one of the following most closely parallels the reasoning used in the passage? | [
"Wherever there is an Acme Bugkiller, many wasps are killed. The Z family garden has an Acme Bugkiller, so any wasps remaining in the garden will soon be killed.",
"Butter knives are not sharp. Q was not murdered with a sharp blade, so suspect X's butter knife may have been the murder weapon.",
"Higher grades l... | 3 | train_2185 |
Patti: Most parents are eager for their preschoolers to learn as much as possible. However, instead of providing general opportunities for their children to learn, parents often direct their children' s learning to their own personal concerns. Because children have a natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge, they lea... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which Patti's argument depends? | [
"The type of directed learning in question is not a necessary part of the process of growing and adapting to the world.",
"Children will have difficulty adapting to the world without the unique help and guidance of their parents.",
"The type of directed learning in question is likely to enhance the general oppo... | 0 | train_2186 |
For several centuries there have been hairless dogs in western Mexico and in coastal Peru. It is very unlikely that a trait as rare as hairlessness emerged on two separate occasions. Since the dogs have never existed in the wild, and the vast mountainous jungle separating these two regions would have made overland trav... | Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires? | [
"Hairless dogs have never been found anywhere except in the regions of western Mexico and coastal Peru.",
"Centuries ago, it was easier to travel by boat between western Mexico and coastal Peru than to travel by an overland route.",
"If hairless dogs were at one time transported between western Mexico and coast... | 1 | train_2187 |
Educator: Traditional classroom education is ineffective because education in such an environment is not truly a social process and only social processes can develop students' insights. In the traditional classroom, the teacher acts from outside the group and interaction between teachers and students is rigid and artif... | The educator's conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"The teacher does not act from outside the group in a nontraditional classroom.",
"All social processes involve interaction that is neither rigid nor artificial.",
"Education is not effective unless it leads to the development of insight.",
"Development of insight takes place only if genuine education also oc... | 2 | train_2188 |
Zack' s Coffeehouse schedules free poetry readings almost every Wednesday. Zack' s offers half-priced coffee all day on every day that a poetry reading is scheduled. | Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the information above? | [
"Zack's offers half-priced coffee all day on most if not all Wednesdays.",
"On some Wednesdays Zack's does not offer half-priced coffee all day.",
"Free poetry readings are scheduled on almost every day that Zack's offers half-priced coffee all day.",
"Most free poetry readings given at Zack's are scheduled f... | 0 | train_2189 |
At the company picnic, all of the employees who participated in more than four of the scheduled events, and only those employees, were eligible for the raffle held at the end of the day. Since only a small proportion of the employees were eligible for the raffle, most of the employees must have participated in fewer th... | Which one of the following arguments exhibits a flawed pattern of reasoning most like that exhibited by the argument above? | [
"Only third- and fourth-year students are allowed to keep cars on campus. Since one quarter of the third-year students keep cars on campus and one half of the fourth-year students keep cars on campus, it must be that fewer third-year students than fourth-year students keep cars on campus.",
"All of the members of... | 2 | train_2190 |
When a person with temporal lobe epilepsy is having an epileptic seizure, part of the brain' s temporal lobe produces abnormal electrical impulses, which can often, but not always, be detected through a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG). Ttherefore, although a positive EEG reading -- that is, evidence of abnorm... | Of the following, which one logically completes the conclusion above? | [
"a negative reading is just as reliable an indicator of the presence of temporal lobe epilepsy",
"a positive reading is more frequently an erroneous reading than is a negative one",
"a negative reading does not mean that temporal lobe epilepsy can be ruled out",
"a positive reading can also indicate the prese... | 2 | train_2191 |
The continents of South America and Africa were once joined together as one landmass. Evidence for this claim can be found in the fact that fossils of mesosaurs, extinct reptiles, have been unearthed in both western Africa and eastern South America. | Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument? | [
"The fossils of mesosaurs are the only ones unearthed in both western Africa and eastern South America.",
"The fossils of mesosaurs found in western Africa are of the same geologic period as those unearthed in eastern South America.",
"Mesosaurs in Africa migrated from Europe and mesosaurs in South America migr... | 2 | train_2192 |
A gas tax of one cent per gallon would raise one billion dollars per year at current consumption rates. Since a tax of fifty cents per gallon would ttherefore raise fifty billion dollars per year, it seems a perfect way to deal with the federal budget deficit. This tax would have the additional advantage that the resul... | Which one of the following most clearly identifies an error in the author's reasoning? | [
"The author makes incompatible assumptions.",
"The author mistakes an effect for a cause.",
"The author appeals to conscience rather than reason.",
"The author cites irrelevant data."
] | 0 | train_2193 |
A century in certain ways is like a life, and as the end of a century approaches, people behave toward that century much as someone who is nearing the end of life does toward that life. So just as people in their last years spend much time looking back on the events of their life, people at a century' s end __. | Which one of the following most logically completes the argument? | [
"focus on what the next century will bring",
"reminisce about their own lives",
"fear that their own lives are about to end",
"become very interested in the history of the century just ending"
] | 3 | train_2194 |
The importance of the ozone layer to terrestrial animals is that it entirely filters out some wavelengths of light but lets others through. Holes in the ozone layer and the dangers associated with these holes are well documented. However, one danger that has not been given sufficient attention is that these holes could... | Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the statements above, if they are true? | [
"Few species of animals live on a part of the earth's surface that is not threatened by holes in the ozone layer.",
"A single wavelength of sunlight can cause severe damage to the eyes of most species of animals.",
"Some wavelengths of sunlight that cause eye damage are more likely to reach the earth's surface ... | 2 | train_2195 |
Criminologist: Increasing the current prison term for robbery will result in no significant effect in discouraging people from committing robbery. | Each of the following, if true, supports the criminologist's claim EXCEPT: | [
"Most people committing robbery believe that they will not get caught.",
"Many people who rob are motivated primarily by thrill-seeking and risk-taking.",
"An increase in the prison term for embezzlement did not change the rate at which that crime was committed.",
"Prison terms for robbery have generally decr... | 3 | train_2196 |
Pundit: Clearly, the two major political parties in this city have become sharply divided on the issues. In the last four elections, for example, the parties were separated by less than 1 percent of the vote. | The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument | [
"presumes, without argument, that sharp division is a bad thing",
"takes for granted that an almost even division in votes indicates a sharp division on issues",
"fails to indicate how what is happening in one city compares with what is happening in other cities",
"has a conclusion that is merely a restatemen... | 1 | train_2197 |
The shoe factory in Centerville is the town' s largest firm, and it employs more unskilled workers on a full-time basis than all of the other businesses in town combined. Ttherefore, if the shoe factory closes down and ceases all operations, more than half of Centerville' s residents who are unskilled workers with full... | The conclusion above logically follows from the premises if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"More people who now are residents of Centerville are employed than are unemployed.",
"The shoe factory in Centerville employs no one who is not a resident of Centerville.",
"Centerville has more unskilled workers among its population than it has skilled workers.",
"There are no factories in Centerville other... | 1 | train_2198 |
Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they thought were of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit. Nowadays, however, fewer of these books are being published. It seems, ttherefore, that publishers now, more than ever, are more interested in making money than in p... | Which one of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? | [
"There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.",
"In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining.",
"There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed.",
"In the past, often books of intrinsic value would un... | 0 | train_2199 |
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