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Every adult male woolly monkey is larger than even the largest female woolly monkey. In colonies of woolly monkeys, any adult male will dominate any female. | If the statements above are true, which one of the following must on the basis of them be true of woolly monkeys in colonies? | [
"If a female woolly monkey dominates a male of the species, the dominated male monkey is not an adult.",
"Some large adolescent male woolly monkeys dominate some smaller females of the species.",
"Size is the primary determinant of relations of dominance among woolly monkeys.",
"If a male woolly monkey is lar... | 0 | train_300 |
The corpus callosum -- the thick band of nerve fibers connecting the brain' s two hemispheres -- of a musician is on average larger than that of a nonmusician. The differences in the size of corpora callosa are particularly striking when adult musicians who began training around the age of seven are compared to adult n... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"Musical training late in life does not cause anatomic changes to the brain.",
"Adult nonmusicians did not participate in activities when they were children that would have stimulated any growth of the corpus callosum.",
"For any two musicians whose training began around the age of seven, their corpora callosa ... | 3 | train_301 |
It is now common for people to identify as gluten intolerant. In ancient societies, it was common for people to identify as poultry intolerant. This eventually ended when people realized they were misdiagnosing poultry intolerance with food poisoning caused by mistakes in the birds' preparation. Eventually, people will... | The reference to the ancient civilization's poultry intolerance plays which of the following roles in the argument? | [
"Serves as a historical example of food intolerance.",
"Ties the argument's reasoning together.",
"Provides an example of how societies can misdiagnose food intolerance.",
"Distracts the reader from the argument's primary purpose."
] | 2 | train_302 |
The average cable television company offers its customers 50 channels, but new fiber-optic lines will enable telephone companies to provide 100 to 150 television channels to their customers for the same price as cable companies charge for 50. Ttherefore, cable companies will be displaced by the new television services ... | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to strengthen the argument? | [
"Some telephone companies own cable companies in areas other than those in which they provide telephone services.",
"The most popular movies and programs on channels carried by cable companies will also be offered on channels carried by the fiberoptic lines owned by the telephone companies.",
"Cable television ... | 1 | train_303 |
A new tax law aimed at encouraging the reforestation of cleared land in order to increase the amount of forested land in a particular region offers lumber companies tax incentives for each unit of cleared land they reforest. One lumber company has accordingly reduced its tax liability by purchasing a large tract of cle... | If the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true about the new tax law? | [
"It can provide a motivation for companies to act in a manner contrary to the purpose of the law while taking advantage of the tax incentives.",
"It will have no immediate effect on the amount of forested land in the region.",
"It will ultimately cause lumber companies to plant trees on approximately as much la... | 0 | train_304 |
Political scientist: Some analysts point to the government' s acceptance of the recent protest rally as proof that the government supports freedom of popular expression. But the government supports no such thing. Supporting freedom of popular expression means accepting the expression of ideas that the government oppose... | Which one of the following is an assumption that is required by the political scientist's argument? | [
"The government would not have accepted a protest rally whose message it opposed.",
"The message of the recent protest rally did not concern any function of the government.",
"The government feared a backlash if it did not show acceptance of the recent protest rally.",
"There are groups that are inhibited fro... | 0 | train_305 |
When a group of people starts a company, the founders usually serve as sources both of funding and of skills in marketing, management, and technical matters. It is unlikely that a single individual can both provide adequate funding and be skilled in marketing, management, and technical matters. Ttherefore, companies fo... | Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument? | [
"Some founding members of successful companies can provide both funding and skills in marketing, management, or technical matters.",
"Founders of a new company can more easily acquire marketing and management abilities than technical abilities.",
"New companies are more likely to succeed when their founders can... | 2 | train_306 |
Someone' s benefiting from having done harm to another person is morally justifiable only if the person who was harmed knew that what was done could cause that harm but consented to its being done anyway. | Which one of the following judgments most closely conforms to the principle above? | [
"Attempting to avoid being kept after school as punishment for breaking a window, Sonia falsely claimed that her brother had broken it; Sonia's action was morally unjustifiable since it resulted in both children being kept after school for something only Sonia had done.",
"For James, who was convicted of having d... | 3 | train_307 |
For centuries, mathematics seemed to exist in service to the natural sciences. Many of the great mathematical breakthroughs, like Newton' s Calculus, were spearheaded in the effort to solve scientific questions. In the nineteenth century, though, mathematicians made it clear that the primary object of mathematical stud... | Which of the following is an assumption that supports drawing the conclusion above from the reasons given for that conclusion? | [
"The object of a natural science must be something tangible that can be perceived by the senses.",
"Some great scientists, like Einstein, by their own admission, were not very good at math.",
"Mathematics can also be used to serve social sciences, such as economics.",
"If one discipline serves another discipl... | 0 | train_308 |
The Minoan civilization flourished on the island of Crete around 2000 B. (C) The discovery on Crete of large numbers of bronze implements and the furnaces used in their manufacture shows that the Minoans had a thriving bronze industry. Moreover, many bronze artifacts from this period that are similar in style to those ... | Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument given? | [
"No furnaces dating from the Minoan era and suitable for the manufacture of bronze implements have been found in southern Greece.",
"Copper and tin, the main ingredients of bronze, were present in Southern Greece.",
"The Minoans exported a great deal of pottery, which was highly valued by other ancient civiliza... | 0 | train_309 |
Political scientist: The economies of a number of European countries are currently in severe difficulty. Germany is the only neighboring country that has the resources to resuscitate these economies. Ttherefore, Germany should begin aiding these economically troubled countries. | Which one of the following principles most helps to justify the political scientist's reasoning? | [
"Any nation that alone has the capacity to economically resuscitate neighboring countries should exercise that capacity.",
"Any nation that can afford to give economic aid to just a few other nations ought to aid just those few.",
"Any nation that alone has an obligation to economically resuscitate neighboring ... | 0 | train_310 |
Some students attending a small university with a well-known choir live off campus. From the fact that all music majors are members of the choir, a professor in the music department concluded that none of the students who live off campus is a music major. | The professor's conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"None of the students who live off campus is a member of the choir.",
"All students who are members of the choir are music majors.",
"Some of the students who do not live off campus are not music majors.",
"All students who live on campus are music majors."
] | 0 | train_311 |
Consumers planning to buy recreational equipment tend to buy higher quality, more expensive equipment when the economy is strong than when it is weak. Hill and Dale is a business that sells high-quality, expensive camping and hiking equipment in Boravia. Although all the signs are that Boravia' s economy is now enterin... | Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest justification for the managers' judgment? | [
"The economic upturn is likely to allow Boravia's national parks, where most of the camping and hiking is done, to receive extra funding to improve their visitor facilities.",
"Advances in materials technology have led to the development of hiking and camping equipment that is more comfortable and lightweight tha... | 2 | train_312 |
Most scholars agree that King Alfred (A. D. 849-899) personally translated a number of Latin texts into Old English. One historian contends that Alfred also personally penned his own law code, arguing that the numerous differences between the language of the law code and Alfred' s translations of Latin texts are outwei... | The passage above proceeds by | [
"showing that the premises of another argument are mutually inconsistent",
"questioning the plausibility of an assumption on which another argument depends",
"providing examples that underscore another argument's conclusion",
"showing that a principle if generally applied would have anomalous consequences"
] | 1 | train_313 |
Journalists agree universally that lying is absolutely taboo. Yet, while many reporters claim that spoken words ought to be quoted verbatim, many others believe that tightening a quote from a person who is interviewed is legitimate on grounds that the speaker' s remarks would have been more concise if the speaker had w... | Which one of the following is most supported by the information above? | [
"Since lying is permissible in some situations, reporters are mistaken to think that it is absolutely taboo.",
"Reporters disagree on what sort of behavior qualifies as lying.",
"There is no correct answer to the question of whether lying in a given situation is right or wrong.",
"Omission of the truth is the... | 1 | train_314 |
News item: The result of a recent public survey has been called into question because one of the pollsters admitted to falsifying data. The survey originally concluded that most people in the country favor investing more money in information technologies. Because falsified data were included in the survey, its conclusi... | The news item's argument is vulnerable to criticism because it fails to consider the possibility that | [
"people's opinions about investing in information technologies can change as new technologies are developed",
"some people who responded to the survey were lying",
"the conclusion of the survey will be accepted by the public even though falsified data were used",
"the conclusion of the survey would be verifie... | 3 | train_315 |
To suit the needs of corporate clients, advertising agencies have successfully modified a strategy originally developed for political campaigns. This strategy aims to provide clients with free publicity and air time by designing an advertising campaign that is controversial, thus drawing prime-time media coverage and e... | The statements above, if true, most seriously undermine which one of the following assertions? | [
"Campaign managers have transformed political campaigns by making increasing use of strategies borrowed from corporate advertising campaigns.",
"Only a small percentage of eligible voters admit to being influenced by advertising campaigns in deciding how to vote.",
"Advertising agencies that specialize in campa... | 3 | train_316 |
Pacifist: It is immoral to do anything that causes harm to another person. But, since using force causes harm to another person, it is also immoral to threaten to use force, even when such a threat is made in self-defense. | Which one of the following principles, if valid, would most help to justify the pacifist's reasoning? | [
"Given the potential harm caused by the use of force, the line between use of force in self-defense and the aggressive use of force is always vague.",
"Whether a threat made in self-defense is immoral depends on the circumstances.",
"It is immoral to threaten to do what it is immoral to do.",
"It is immoral t... | 2 | train_317 |
Trustee: The recent exhibit at the art museum was extensively covered by the local media, and this coverage seems to have contributed to the record-breaking attendance it drew. If the attendance at the exhibit had been low, the museum would have gone bankrupt and closed permanently, so the museum could not have remaine... | The reasoning in the trustee's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument | [
"presupposes the very conclusion that it is trying to prove",
"takes for granted that most people who read articles about the exhibit also attended the exhibit",
"fails to address the possibility that the exhibit would have drawn enough visitors to prevent bankruptcy even without media coverage",
"takes for g... | 2 | train_318 |
Five thousand of the 50, 000 books published in country Z in 1991 were novels. Exactly 25 of the films released in country Z in 1992 were based on those novels. Since 100 films were released in country Z in 1992, no more than one-quarter of them were based on books published in country Z in 1991. | Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion above to be properly drawn? | [
"Some of the films released in 1991 in country Z were based on novels that were published in 1991.",
"None of the films released in country Z in 1992 were based on books other than novels.",
"None of the books that were published in country Z in 1992 were based on plots of films released in 1991.",
"Some of t... | 1 | train_319 |
The following exchange occurred after the Baseball Coach' s team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final inning. Reporter: The team clearly did not rise to the challenge. I' m sure that getting zero hits in twenty at-bats with runners in scoring position hurt the team' s chances at winning the game. What are your th... | Which of the following best describes the main point of dispute between the reporter and baseball coach? | [
"Whether the loss was heartbreaking.",
"Whether the team rose to the challenge.",
"Numerous errors in the field and pitchers giving too many free passes caused the loss.",
"Whether getting zero hits in twenty at-bats with runners in scoring position caused the loss."
] | 3 | train_320 |
On the basis of incontestable proof that car safety seats will greatly reduce the number of serious injuries sustained by children in car accidents, laws have been passed mandating the use of these seats. Unexpectedly, it has since been found that a large number of children who are riding in safety seats continue to re... | Which one of the following, if true, could by itself adequately explain the unexpected finding reported in the passage? | [
"The protection afforded by child safety seats depends on their being used properly, which many parents fail to do.",
"The high cost of child safety seats has caused many parents to delay purchasing them.",
"Many parents are defying the law by not using safety seats for their children.",
"Children are more li... | 0 | train_321 |
Newscaster: In order for the public to participate in a meaningful way in the current public policy debate, one requirement is that the issues be stated in terms the public can understand. The mayor' s speech has just stated these issues in such terms, so now the public at least might be able to participate in a meanin... | Which one of the following most closely parallels the newscaster's argument in its reasoning? | [
"In order to discover the meaning of certain seldom-used words, one must use a good dictionary. Paul has used a good dictionary, so Paul must have discovered the meaning of those words.",
"One must at least have warm clothing if one is to survive in a very cold climate. Jerome has obtained warm clothing; ttherefo... | 1 | train_322 |
Paleontologists have discovered fossils of centipedes that are 414 million years old. These fossils are at least 20 million years older than the earliest land-dwelling animals previously identified. The paleontologists are confident that these centipedes lived on land, even though the fossilized centipedes were discove... | The paleontologists' view would be LEAST supported by the truth of which one of the following? | [
"Fossils of spiders with respiratory systems adapted only to breathing air were found in the same rock as the centipede fossils.",
"The legs of the fossilized centipedes were particularly suited to being a means of locomotion on land.",
"Fossils of the earliest land-dwelling animals that had previously been ide... | 2 | train_323 |
Montgomery, a biologist who is also well read in archaeology, has recently written a book on the origin and purpose of ancient monumental architecture. This book has received much positive attention in the popular press but has been severely criticized by many professional archaeologists for being too extreme. Montgome... | The argument is most vulnerable to which one of the following criticisms? | [
"It fails to establish that professional archaeologists' views that are at least as extreme as Montgomery's views do not deserve negative appraisal for that reason.",
"It provides no independent evidence to show that the majority of professional archaeologists do not support Montgomery's views.",
"It attempts t... | 0 | train_324 |
All actors are exuberant people and all exuberant people are extroverts, but nevertheless it is true that some shy people are actors. | If the statements above are true, each of the following must also be true EXCEPT: | [
"Some exuberant people who are actors are shy.",
"All people who are not extroverts are not actors.",
"Some shy extroverts are not actors.",
"Some shy people are extroverts."
] | 2 | train_325 |
Until he was dismissed amid great controversy, Hastings was considered one of the greatest intelligence agents of all time. It is clear that if his dismissal was justified, then Hastings was either incompetent or else disloyal. Soon after the dismissal, however, it was shown that he had never been incompetent. Thus, on... | Which one of the following states an assumption upon which the argument depends? | [
"If someone was disloyal or incompetent, then his dismissal was justified.",
"Hastings's dismissal was justified.",
"The dismissal of anyone who was disloyal would be justified.",
"Anyone whose dismissal was justified was disloyal."
] | 1 | train_326 |
Concerned citizen: The mayor, an outspoken critic of the proposed restoration of city hall, is right when he notes that the building is outdated, but that the restoration would be expensive at a time when the budget is already tight. We cannot afford such a luxury item in this time of financial restraint, he says. Howe... | So to the question, "Can we really afford to? "I can only respond, "Can we afford not to? " Which one of the following most accurately characterizes a flaw in the concerned citizen's argument? | [
"The argument ambiguously uses the word \"afford. \"",
"The argument is solely an emotional appeal to history.",
"The argument inappropriately appeals to the authority of the mayor.",
"The argument inappropriately relies on the emotional connotations of words such as \"outdated\" and \"luxury. \""
] | 0 | train_327 |
In a study of the relationship between aggression and television viewing in nursery school children, many interesting interactions among family styles, aggression, and television viewing were found. High aggression occurred in both high-viewing and low-viewing children and this seemed to be related to parental lifestyl... | Which one of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage? | [
"If high-achieving, competitive, parents were more child-centered, their children would be less aggressive.",
"Low levels of television viewing often lead to high levels of aggression among children.",
"The level of aggression of a child cannot be predicted from levels of television viewing alone.",
"Parental... | 2 | train_328 |
Humans' emotional tendencies are essentially unchanged from those of the earliest members of our species. Accordingly, although technology makes possible a wider range of individual and societal choices than in centuries past, humans are generally unable to choose more wisely. | The argument depends on assuming which one of the following? | [
"Regardless of the range of choices available to humans, they choose on the basis of their emotions alone.",
"Humans have undergone no significant changes since the origin of the species.",
"Humans would now be able to make wiser choices than in centuries past only if an essential change had taken place in huma... | 2 | train_329 |
Economics professor: Marty' s Pizza and Checkers Pizza are the two major pizza parlors in our town. Marty' s sold coupon books including coupons good for one large plain pizza at any local pizza parlor, at Marty' s expense. But Checkers refused to accept these coupons, even though they were redeemed by all other local ... | Which one of the following, if assumed, enables the economics professor's conclusion to be properly drawn? | [
"At least one company has refused to accept coupons issued by its major local competitor simply in order to hurt that competitor, even though those coupons were accepted by all other local competitors.",
"Any company that accepts its major competitor's coupons helps its competitor by doing so, even if it also sat... | 3 | train_330 |
In recent years, many cabinetmakers have been winning acclaim as artists. But since furniture must be useful, cabinetmakers must exercise their craft with an eye to the practical utility of their product. For this reason, cabinetmaking is not art. | Which of the following is an assumption that supports drawing the conclusion above from the reason given for that conclusion? | [
"Some furniture is made to be placed in museums, where it will not be used by anyone.",
"Artists are not concerned with the monetary value of their products.",
"Cabinetmakers should be more concerned with the practical utility of their products than they currently are.",
"An object is not an art object if its... | 3 | train_331 |
Undoubtedly, one' s freedom is always worth the risk of losing one' s life. Consider a person who is locked in a bare cement room with no hope of escape. This person is not really living and has nothing to lose. | A flaw in the argument's reasoning is that the argument | [
"generalizes inappropriately from a single extreme case to a universal claim",
"presumes, without providing justification, that nothing can have greater value than one's own freedom",
"fails to consider that it is not always possible to rebel physically against an encroachment on one's freedom",
"fails to est... | 0 | train_332 |
If one does not have enough information to make a well-informed decision, one should not make a decision solely on the basis of the information one does possess. Instead, one should continue to seek information until a well-informed decision can be made. | Of the following, which one most closely conforms to the principle stated above? | [
"When there is not enough information available to determine the meaning of a line of poetry, one should not form an opinion based on the insufficient information. Instead, one should simply acknowledge that it is impossible to determine what the line means.",
"Though a researcher may know a great deal about a to... | 3 | train_333 |
After its customers complained about being pressured to buy unneeded insurance, an insurance agency stopped rewarding its agents for high sales volume and instead gave them bonuses for high levels of customer satisfaction. Under this new plan, both customer satisfaction and the insurance agency' s sales increased. | Each of the following, if true, helps to explain how the change in incentives for agents could have resulted in increased sales EXCEPT: | [
"Agents listened more closely to customers of long standing and were able to sell them additional insurance policies that met new needs.",
"Dissatisfied customers of other agencies, attracted by the reports of the change in agency policy, became customers of the agency.",
"Having come to trust the increased jud... | 3 | train_334 |
Chemical fertilizers not only create potential health hazards, they also destroy earthworms, which are highly beneficial to soil. For this reason alone the use of chemical fertilizers should be avoided. The castings earthworms leave behind are much richer than the soil they ingest, thus making a garden rich in earthwor... | Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument? | [
"The castings that earthworms leave behind are much richer than the soil they ingest.",
"Chemical fertilizers destroy earthworms.",
"The use of chemical fertilizers should be avoided.",
"Earthworms are highly beneficial to soil."
] | 2 | train_335 |
Business ethicist: Managers of corporations have an obligation to serve shareholders as the shareholders would want to be served. Ttherefore, corporate managers have an obligation to act in the shareholders' best interest. | The business ethicist's conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? | [
"Shareholders would want to be served only in ways that are in their own best interest.",
"Corporate managers are always able to discern what is in the best interest of shareholders.",
"All shareholders want to be served in identical ways.",
"The shareholders have interests that can best be served by corporat... | 0 | train_336 |
Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) is potentially fatal; consequently, patients with symptoms strongly suggesting appendicitis almost always have their appendix removed. The appropriate surgery is low-risk but performed unnecessarily in about 20 percent of all cases. A newly developed internal scan for appendi... | Which of the following most logically completes the passage? | [
"all of the patients who are diagnosed with this test as having appendicitis do, in fact, have appendicitis",
"the misdiagnoses produced by this test are always instances of attributing appendicitis to someone who does not, in fact, have it",
"every patient who is diagnosed with this test as having appendicitis... | 1 | train_337 |
Professor Riley characterized the university president' s speech as inflammatory and argued that it was ttherefore inappropriate. However, Riley has had a long-standing feud with the president, and so we should not conclude that her speech was inflammatory solely on the basis of Riley' s testimony. Ttherefore, unless t... | The argument is flawed in that it | [
"fails to adequately address the possibility that inflammatory speeches may be appropriate for some audiences",
"fails to adequately address the possibility that Riley's animosity toward the university president is well founded",
"concludes that Riley's claim is false merely on the grounds that Riley has someth... | 3 | train_338 |
Historian: During the Industrial Revolution, for the first time in history, the productivity of the economy grew at a faster rate than the population and thus dramatically improved living standards. An economist theorizes that this growth was made possible by the spread of values such as hard work and thrift. But succe... | The overall conclusion of the historian's argument is that | [
"no one should accept the economist's explanation until historical evidence demonstrates that a change in values occurred prior to the Industrial Revolution",
"during the Industrial Revolution the productivity of the economy grew at a faster rate than the population",
"the improvement in living standards that o... | 0 | train_339 |
No one wants this job as much as Joshua does, but he is not applying for it. It follows that there will not be any applicants, no matter how high the salary that is being offered. | The flawed reasoning in the argument above most closely parallels that in which one of the following? | [
"Although he has the strongest motive of anyone for buying Anna's plot of land, Manfred is not pursuing the matter. Ttherefore, regardless of how low a price Anna is prepared to accept, she will be looking for a buyer in vain.",
"Beth knows better than anyone else how to spot errors in a computer program, yet eve... | 0 | train_340 |
Over the last thousand years, plant species native to islands have gone extinct at a much faster rate than have those native to mainland regions. Biologists believe that this is because island plants have not adapted the defenses against being eaten by large land mammals that mainland plants have. Ordinarily, populatio... | if true, most strongly supports the biologist's explanation cited above? | [
"Large land mammals tend to prefer plants from species native to mainland regions over plants from species native to islands.",
"The rate of extinction of native plant species on an island tends to increase dramatically after human colonization.",
"Many plant species that are not native to islands have become v... | 1 | train_341 |
Scientists have recently discovered that, in doses massive enough to kill cells, almost any chemical is carcinogenic because cell death causes rapid division among surviving cells, promoting cancer-causing mutations. A few chemicals are also carcinogenic without causing cell death. Until now studies of the carcinogenic... | If the statements above are true, which one of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by them? | [
"Carcinogenic chemicals are usually absorbed in small doses in the natural environment.",
"Most of the food additives that are now banned because of carcinogenicity could safely be used in human foods.",
"In the doses heretofore used in carcinogenicity studies of food additives, cell death often does not occur ... | 3 | train_342 |
Commentator: Because of teacher hiring freezes, the quality of education in that country will not improve. Thus, it will surely deteriorate. | The flawed reasoning in which one of the following is most similar to that in the commentator's argument? | [
"Since funding levels for social programs are being frozen, our society will not become more harmonious. Thus, it may become more discordant.",
"Given that over 250 years of attempts to prove the Goldbach conjecture have failed, it will probably never be proved. Hence, it is more likely to be disproved than prove... | 3 | train_343 |
Kernland imposes a high tariff on the export of unprocessed cashew nuts in order to ensure that the nuts are sold to domestic processing plants. If the tariff were lifted and unprocessed cashews were sold at world market prices, more farmers could profit by growing cashews. However, since all the processing plants are ... | Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? | [
"Buying unprocessed cashews at lower than world market prices enables cashew processors in Kernland to sell processed nuts at competitive prices.",
"A lack of profitable crops is driving an increasing number of small farmers in Kernland off their land and into the cities.",
"Other countries in which cashews are... | 1 | train_344 |
The children in the second grade at a local elementary school scored lower on tests of math skills this year than the second graders did last year. The school board blames the disappointing results on the budget cuts that forced the school to consolidate several classes of second-grade students, thus depriving them of ... | Which of the following, if true, best supports the explanation offered by the school board for the students' lower test scores? | [
"The test that the second graders took this year was not more difficult than the test that the second graders took last year.",
"Students at other elementary schools in the area also scored poorly on the same test of math skills this year.",
"No new textbooks were purchased by the school board this year.",
"O... | 0 | train_345 |
The true scientific significance of a group of unusual fossils discovered by the paleontologist Charles Walcott is more likely to be reflected in a recent classification than it was in Walcott' s own classification. Walcott was, after all, a prominent member of the scientific establishment. His classifications are thus... | Which one of the following most accurately describes a questionable technique used in the argument? | [
"It analyzes the past on the basis of social and political categories that properly apply only to the present and uses the results of this analysis to support its conclusion.",
"It cites two pieces of evidence, each of which is both questionable and unverifiable, and uses this evidence to support its conclusions.... | 2 | train_346 |
As many as 98, 000 people die each year due to medical error. In a campaign to reduce lethal errors, thousands of hospitals introduced six key changes, including rapid-response teams, re-checks of patient medication, and new guidelines for preventing infection. The campaign estimated that, over an 18-month period, more... | Which of the following can be most properly inferred from the above statements? | [
"If the campaign had not been implemented, more than 100, 000 people might have died during the 18-month period due to medical error.",
"The key changes initiated by the campaign will continue to be implemented in the future.",
"In the future, no one will die because of medical error.",
"The campaign saved al... | 0 | train_347 |
The elementary schools in district X began a new athletic program where students participated in school-sponsored sports at least three times per week. During this last school year, the number of obese students attending elementary schools in district X decreased substantially. Based on these figures, the district' s s... | All of the following, if true, weaken the superintendent's conclusion EXCEPT: | [
"The government, during this last school year, began requiring monthly weigh-ins for obese children and parental counseling about proper nutrition.",
"A large number of the obese children's conditions were caused by depression, which was greatly alleviated by installing psychiatrists in each elementary school in ... | 2 | train_348 |
The traditional view of the Roman emperor Caligula as a cruel and insane tyrant has been challenged by some modern historians. They point out that little documentation of Caligula' s alleged cruelty or outrageous behavior survives from the time of his reign and that the histories that have come down to us were written ... | Which one of the following, if true, adds the most support for the challenge from the modem historians? | [
"People who have lived under someone regarded as a cruel tyrant are more likely to view that person unfavorably than favorably.",
"The specific outrageous acts attributed to Caligula in Roman documentation are very similar to acts attributed in earlier writings to other rulers alleged to be cruel tyrants.",
"Th... | 1 | train_349 |
In the past the country of Siduria has relied heavily on imported oil. Siduria recently implemented a program to convert heating systems from oil to natural gas. Siduria already produces more natural gas each year than it burns, and oil production in Sidurian oil fields is increasing at a steady pace. If these trends i... | Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"Buildings cannot be heated by solar energy rather than by oil or natural gas.",
"No fuel other than natural gas is expected to be used as a replacement for oil in Siduria.",
"In Siduria the rate of fuel consumption is rising no more quickly than the rate of fuel production.",
"All new homes that are being bu... | 2 | train_350 |
Biologists agree that human beings evolved from a fish, but they disagree about which species of fish. Since biologists agree that frogs are definitely related to the species of fish from which human beings evolved, on the basis of a close match between the mitochondrial DNA of lungfish and that of frogs Dr. Stevens-Ho... | Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the dispute above by the proposition that frogs are definitely related to the species of fish from which human beings evolved? | [
"It is offered as evidence for the contention that human beings must be descended from either lungfish or coelacanths.",
"Since it implies that human beings are not descended from lungfish, it is cited as evidence against the claim that humans are descended from lungfish.",
"It is an assumption that both partie... | 2 | train_351 |
It is well documented that people have positive responses to some words, such as "kind" and "wonderful, " and negative responses to others, such as "evil" and "nausea. " Recently, psychological experiments have revealed that people also have positive or negative responses to many nonsense words. This shows that people'... | The claim that people have positive or negative responses to many nonsense words plays which one of the following roles in the argument? | [
"It is a conclusion for which the only support provided is the claim that people's responses to words are conditioned both by what the words mean and by how they sound.",
"It is a generalization partially supported by the claim that meaningful words can trigger positive or negative responses in people.",
"It is... | 2 | train_352 |
Because of strong overall stylistic similarities, prehistoric cave paintings in El Castillo, Spain and others in Altamira, Spain, were thought to date from the same period. Recent pigment analyses, however, established the Altamira paintings as by far the older and as about the same age as a third group of paintings do... | Which of the following most logically completes the passage? | [
"Determining the age of a prehistoric cave painting simply by reference to the age of the pigments used in that painting substitutes technology for artistic judgment",
"Experts who knew the results of the pigment analyses reexamined these paintings and found no previously unnoticed stylistic similarities between ... | 3 | train_353 |
Researchers have found that when very overweight people, who tend to have relatively low metabolic rates, lose weight primarily through dieting, their metabolisms generally remain unchanged. They will thus burn significantly fewer calories at the new weight than do people whose weight is normally at that level. Such ne... | The conclusion of the argument above depends on which of the following assumptions? | [
"The amount of calories that a person usually burns in a day is determined more by the amount that is consumed that day than by the current weight of the individual.",
"The metabolisms of people who are usually not overweight are much more able to vary than the metabolisms of people who have been very overweight.... | 3 | train_354 |
Advertisement: In today' s world, you make a statement about the person you are by the car you own. The message of the SKX Mach-5 is unambiguous: Its owner is Dynamic, Aggressive, and Successful. | Shouldn't you own an SKX Mach-5? If the claims made in the advertisement are true, which one of the following must also be true on the basis of them? | [
"Anyone who is not both dynamic and successful would misrepresent himself or herself by being the owner of an SKX Mach-5.",
"People who buy the SKX Mach-5 are usually more aggressive than people who buy other cars.",
"Almost no one would fail to recognize the kind of person who would choose to own an SKX Mach-5... | 0 | train_355 |
The book To Save the Earth is so persuasive that no one who reads it can fail to heed its environmentalist message. Members of the Earth Association have given away 2, 000 copies in the last month. Thus the Earth Association can justly claim credit for at least 2, 000 people in one month converted to the environmentali... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"No other environmental organization gave away copies of To Save the Earth during the month in which the Earth Association gave away its 2, 000 copies.",
"The copies of To Save the Earth given away by members of the Earth Association were printed on recycled paper.",
"Every recipient of To Save the Earth will e... | 3 | train_356 |
Anyone who believes in extraterrestrials believes in UFOs. But the existence of UFOs has been conclusively refuted. Ttherefore a belief in extraterrestrials is false as well. | Which one of the following arguments contains flawed reasoning most similar to that in the argument above? | [
"Anyone who believes in unicorns believes in centaurs. But it has been conclusively proven that there is no such thing as a unicorn, so a belief in centaurs is mistaken as well.",
"Anyone who believes in unicorns believes in centaurs. But it has been demonstrated that there are no centaurs, so there are no unicor... | 1 | train_357 |
Modern physicians often employ laboratory tests, in addition to physical examinations, in order to diagnose diseases accurately. Insurance company regulations that deny coverage for certain laboratory tests ttherefore decrease the quality of medical care provided to patients. | Which one of the following is an assumption that would serve to justify the conclusion above? | [
"Physical examinations and the uncovered laboratory tests together provide a more accurate diagnosis of many diseases than do physical examinations alone.",
"Many physicians generally oppose insurance company regulations that, in order to reduce costs, limit the use of laboratory tests.",
"There are some illnes... | 0 | train_358 |
Soil scientists studying the role of compost in horticulture have found that, while compost is useful for building soil structure, it does not supply large enough quantities of the nutrients essential for plant growth to make it a replacement for fertilizer. Many home gardeners, however, have found they can grow health... | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the discrepant findings of the soil scientists and the home gardeners? | [
"Most plants grown in home gardens and in scientists' test plots need a favorable soil structure, as well as essential nutrients, in order to thrive.",
"The findings of soil scientists who are employed by fertilizer manufacturers do not differ widely from those of scientists employed by the government or by unive... | 3 | train_359 |
Magazine editor: I know that some of our regular advertisers have been pressuring us to give favorable mention to their products in our articles, but they should realize that for us to yield to their wishes would actually be against their interests. To remain an effective advertising vehicle we must have loyal readersh... | Which one of the following is the most accurate assessment of the advertising-sales director's argument as a response to the magazine editor's argument? | [
"It succeeds because it undermines the editor's claim about how the magazine's editorial integrity would be affected by allowing advertisers to influence articles.",
"It fails because the editor's argument does not depend on any assumption about readers' response to the advertisements they see in the magazine.",
... | 1 | train_360 |
Plumb-Ace advertises that its plumbers are more qualified than plumbers at any other major plumbing firm in the region because Plumb-Ace plumbers must complete a very difficult certification process. Plumb-Ace plumbers may or may not be more qualified, but clearly the certification process is not very difficult, becaus... | The reasoning in the argument is flawed in that it | [
"takes for granted that plumbers are not qualified unless they complete some certification process",
"presumes that since one part of a whole lacks a certain characteristic, the whole must lack that characteristic as well",
"overlooks the possibility that plumbers at other firms in the region complete certifica... | 1 | train_361 |
A technology company plans to develop a prototype laptop that uses iris scanners that can distinguish one user from another. The inventor of this laptop claims that it will reduce insurance and security costs at offices, as only authorized users will be able to turn on the laptop, making it a less appealing target for ... | Which of the following, if true, most supports the company's implementing its plan to develop the prototype? | [
"Colored contacts allow people to change their eye color, without altering any of the other characteristics of their iris.",
"Insurance and security companies provide other services to companies in addition to protecting laptops.",
"There is considerable variation in the color and patterns present in most peopl... | 2 | train_362 |
Any popular television series that is groundbreaking is critically acclaimed. But not all popular television series are critically acclaimed. Thus, not all popular television series are groundbreaking. | The pattern of reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following arguments? | [
"Mr. Schwartz is polite to anyone who is polite to him. So, since all of his colleagues are polite to him, it must be that he is polite to all his colleagues.",
"If articles use specialized technical terminology, they are not widely read. So, since all academic works use specialized technical terminology, article... | 3 | train_363 |
More pedestrian injuries occur at crosswalks marked by both striping on the roadway and flashing lights than occur at crosswalks not so marked. Obviously these so-called safety features are a waste of taxpayer money. | The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism because the argument | [
"takes for granted that crosswalks with both striping and flashing lights have no other safety features",
"fails to consider that crosswalks marked by both striping and flashing lights are marked in this way precisely because they are the most dangerous ones",
"presumes that there are less expensive features th... | 1 | train_364 |
In response to high mortality in area hospitals, surgery was restricted to emergency procedures during a five-week period. Mortality in these hospitals was found to have fallen by nearly one-third during the period. The number of deaths rose again when elective surgery (surgery that can be postponed) was resumed. It ca... | Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the conclusion above? | [
"The physicians planning elective surgery performed before the five-week period had fully informed the patients who would undergo it of the possible risks of the procedures.",
"Even if a surgical procedure is successful, the patient can die of a hospital-contracted infection with a bacterium that is resistant to ... | 2 | train_365 |
An editorial in the Grandburg Daily Herald claims that Grandburg' s voters would generally welcome the defeat of the political party now in control of the Grandburg City Council. The editorial bases its claim on a recent survey that found that 59 percent of Grandburg' s registered voters think that the party will defin... | Which one of the following is a principle that, if established, would provide the strongest justification for the editorial's conclusion? | [
"It can reasonably be assumed that registered voters who respond to a survey regarding the outcome of a future election will exercise their right to vote in that election.",
"The way voters feel about a political party at a given time can reasonably be considered a reliable indicator of the way they will continue... | 3 | train_366 |
In the past decade, a decreasing percentage of money spent on treating disease X went to pay for standard methods of treatment, which are known to be effective though they are expensive and painful. An increasing percentage is being spent on nonstandard treatments, which cause little discomfort. Unfortunately, the nons... | Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion above to be properly drawn? | [
"Varieties of disease X requiring expensive special treatment have become less common during the past decade.",
"Of total medical expenditures, the percentage that is due to treatment of disease X increased during the past decade.",
"The total amount of money spent on treating disease X slowly declined during t... | 2 | train_367 |
Recently, a team of scientists digging through a tar pit unearthed a jawbone fossil. Initially, the team hypothesized that the jawbone came from a young gomphothere, a now extinct distant relative of the elephant, since the teeth were those of a juvenile. The gomphothere, however, is known for its large molars, and the... | Which of the following, if true, would best provide evidence showing that the conclusion above is possibly flawed? | [
"In order for the molars of an adult gomphothereto emerge, several juvenile teeth are first forced out of the gums to accommodate the molars.",
"The juvenile jawbone of a species related to a gomphothere is longer than the juvenile jawbone of a gomphothere.",
"The manner in which teeth grow provide sufficient e... | 0 | train_368 |
Situation: For five years the Souper restaurant chain has maintained rapid sales growth in Danport, primarily by opening new restaurants that draw patrons away from other restaurants in their vicinity. Goal: Souper wishes to achieve continued rapid sales growth in Danport over the next two years. Proposal for considera... | In light of the situation, which of the following, if true, most strongly argues that adopting the proposal would be an ineffective way of achieving the goal? | [
"The Souper chain has generally opened new restaurants in locations that are in the vicinity of a large number of other restaurants.",
"Souper restaurants generally offer a much smaller variety of foods than many of the other restaurants in their vicinity.",
"Virtually all potential sites for new Souper restaur... | 2 | train_369 |
In the Centerville Botanical Gardens, all tulip trees are older than any maples. A majority, but not all, of the garden' s sycamores are older than any of its maples. All the garden' s maples are older than any of its dogwoods. | If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true of trees in the Centerville Botanical Gardens? | [
"Some tulip trees are not as old as the oldest sycamores.",
"Some dogwoods are as old as the youngest sycamores.",
"Some sycamores are not as old as the oldest dogwoods.",
"Some sycamores are not as old as the youngest tulip trees."
] | 3 | train_370 |
Technologically, it is already possible to produce nonpolluting cars that burn hydrogen rather than gasoline. But the national system of fuel stations that would be needed to provide the hydrogen fuel for such cars does not yet exist. However, this infrastructure is likely to appear and grow rapidly. A century ago no f... | Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion drawn in the argument? | [
"Hydrogen-powered vehicles will be similar to gasoline-powered vehicles with regard to the amount of consumer demand for their fuel-distribution infrastructure.",
"The fuel-distribution infrastructure for hydrogen-powered cars is likely to appear and grow rapidly.",
"It is already technologically possible to pr... | 1 | train_371 |
Migraines are caused by changes in certain blood vessels of the brain that result in a local disturbance in the action of a specific nerve-activating chemical. Two migraine remedies, drug K and drug L, have exactly the same restorative effects on the local action of this chemical, but L also disrupts the action of seve... | The information above most strongly supports which one of the following hypotheses? | [
"K, unlike L, should be administered immediately after the onset of a migraine.",
"People whose migraines are treated with L are likely to experience a wider range of effects beyond the cessation of migraines than are people whose migraines are treated with K.",
"Treatment with L is likely to be slower-acting i... | 1 | train_372 |
Critic: It has been argued that the real value of a product is not equal to the price people are willing to pay for it, on the grounds that this price often exceeds the cost of the labor required to create it, and the excess goes to the investor as an unjustifiably acquired profit. But since the existence of the produc... | The critic's argument requires assuming which one of the following? | [
"People who make the initial investment required to create a product have a right to a greater percentage of the receipts from its sale than do those whose contributions occur later.",
"Everyone whose activity contributes to the creation of a product deserves an equal share of the proceeds from its sale.",
"An ... | 3 | train_373 |
In a national park located on an island, a herd of moose was increasing in number and threatening to destroy species of native plants. Wolves were introduced to the island to reduce the herd and thereby prevent destruction of the vegetation. Although the wolves prospered, the moose herd continued to grow. | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the failure of the strategy involving wolves? | [
"The presence of wolves in an area tends to discourage other predators from moving into the area.",
"Healthy moose generally consume more vegetation than do those that are diseased or injured.",
"Attempts to control moose populations in other national parks by introducing predators have also been unsuccessful."... | 3 | train_374 |
In Country X' s last election, the Reform Party beat its main opponent, the Conservative Party, although pollsters, employing in-person interviews shortly before the vote, had projected a Conservative Party victory. Afterwards, the pollsters determined that, unlike Conservative Party supporters, Reform Party supporters... | Which of the following statements, if true, would most support the argument in the passage? | [
"For each person interviewed in telephone polls before the next election, pollsters will be able to reasonably determine the likelihood of that person voting.",
"In the next election, pollsters will be able to conduct more in-person interviews than telephone interviews.",
"The number of voters in Country X's ne... | 0 | train_375 |
Paulsville and Longtown cannot both be included in the candidate' s itinerary of campaign stops. The candidate will make a stop in Paulsville unless Salisbury is made part of the itinerary. Unfortunately, a stop in Salisbury is out of the question. Clearly, then, a stop in Longtown can be ruled out. | The reasoning in the argument above most closely parallels that in which one of the following arguments? | [
"The chef never has both fresh radishes and fresh green peppers available for the chef's salad at the same time. If she uses fresh radishes, she also uses spinach. But currently there is no spinach to be had. It can be inferred, then, that she will not be using fresh green peppers.",
"Tom will definitely support ... | 1 | train_376 |
Essayist: One of the claims of laissez-faire economics is that increasing the minimum wage reduces the total number of minimum-wage jobs available. In a recent study, however, it was found that after an increase in the minimum wage, fast-food restaurants kept on roughly the same number of minimum-wage employees as befo... | The essayist's argument depends on assuming which one of the following? | [
"If laissez-faire economics makes an incorrect prediction about the minimum wage, then all the doctrines of laissez-faire economics are inaccurate.",
"The national unemployment rate did not increase following the increase in the minimum wage.",
"Minimum-wage job availability at fast-food restaurants included in... | 2 | train_377 |
Carol Morris wants to own a majority of the shares of the city' s largest newspaper, The Daily. The only obstacle to Morris' s amassing a majority of these shares is that Azedcorp, which currently owns a majority, has steadfastly refused to sell. Industry analysts nevertheless predict that Morris will soon be the major... | Which one of the following, if true, provides the most support for the industry analysts' prediction? | [
"Morris already owns more shares of The Daily than anyone except Azedcorp.",
"No one other than Morris has expressed any interest in purchasing a majority of The Daily's shares.",
"Azedcorp is financially so weak that bankruptcy will probably soon force the sale of its newspaper holdings.",
"Azedcorp does not... | 2 | train_378 |
A 1955 analysis of paint samples from an Italian painting found evidence of cobalt, suggesting the use of cobalt blue, a pigment not used in Europe before 1804. The painting was thus deemed to have been produced sometime after 1804. A 2009 analysis also found cobalt, but that analysis suggested that the painting might ... | Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above? | [
"The 2009 analysis used sophisticated scientific equipment that can detect much smaller amounts of cobalt than could the equipment used for the 1955 analysis.",
"New information that came to light in the 1990s suggested that cobalt blue was used only rarely in Italy in the years immediately following 1804.",
"T... | 3 | train_379 |
Recent studies indicate that people who spend significant time browsing the World Wide Web do so at the expense of time spent in face-to-face interaction with other people. This has led some to fear that social isolation will greatly increase because of the popularity of browsing the Web. But, since browsing the Web is... | Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the view that social isolation will greatly increase because of the popularity of browsing the Web? | [
"It is a premise that, together with another premise, is meant to support the conclusion of the argument.",
"It is the overall conclusion of the argument.",
"It is the claim that the argument attempts to undermine.",
"It is presented as evidence that independently supports the conclusion of the argument."
] | 2 | train_380 |
The graphical illustrations mathematics teachers use enable students to learn geometry more easily by providing them with an intuitive understanding of geometric concepts, which makes it easier to acquire the ability to manipulate symbols for the purpose of calculation. Illustrating algebraic concepts graphically would... | The statements above provide some support for each of the following EXCEPT: | [
"There are strategies that can be effectively employed in the teaching both of algebra and of geometry.",
"People who are very good at manipulating symbols do not necessarily have any mathematical understanding.",
"Illustrating geometric concepts graphically is an effective teaching method.",
"Pictorial under... | 1 | train_381 |
Background information: This year, each film submitted to the Barbizon Film Festival was submitted in one of ten categories. For each category, there was a panel that decided which submitted films to accept. Fact 1: Within each category, the rate of acceptance for domestic films was the same as that for foreign films. ... | In light of the background information, which of the following, if true, can account for fact 1 and fact 2 both being true of the submissions to this year's Barbizon Film Festival? | [
"Most foreign films, unlike most domestic films, were submitted in categories with high prestige, but with correspondingly low rates of acceptance.",
"Significantly more domestic films than foreign films were submitted to the festival.",
"In each of the past three years, the overall acceptance rate was higher f... | 0 | train_382 |
Recent research shows that hesitation, shifting posture, and failure to maintain eye contact are not reliable indicators in discriminating between those who are lying and those who are telling the truth. The research indicates that behavior that cannot be controlled is a much better clue, at least when the lie is impor... | Which one of the following provides the strongest reason for exercising caution when relying on the "better" clues mentioned above in order to discover whether someone is lying? | [
"A person telling the truth might be affected emotionally by being suspected of lying or by some other aspect of the situation.",
"A person who is lying might be aware that he or she is being closely observed for indications of lying.",
"Someone who is telling the truth might nevertheless have a past history of... | 0 | train_383 |
The government recently released a study of drinking water, in which it was reported that consumers who bought bottled water were in many cases getting water that was less safe than what they could obtain much more cheaply from the public water supply. In spite of the enormous publicity that the study received, sales o... | Which one of the following, if true, is most helpful in resolving the apparent paradox? | [
"The rate of increase in the sales of bottled water has slowed since the publication of the government study.",
"Most consumers who habitually drink the bottled water discussed in the study cannot differentiate between the taste of their usual brand of bottled water and that of water from public sources.",
"Gov... | 3 | train_384 |
Editorial: Despite the fact that recent military success has made the prime minister personally popular, her party will lose the next election unless the economy is no longer in recession; the electorate will blame the state of the economy on her, even though she is hardly responsible for it and her policies will be be... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the editorial's argument depends? | [
"In the next election, voters will place as much weight on economic performance as on military success.",
"The prime minister's party will win the next election if the economy shows some signs of recovery from the recession at the time of the election.",
"In the next election, the majority of voters will base t... | 3 | train_385 |
For Megan to get to the grocery store, she must take either the bus or the subway. The bus is not running this week, so although Megan generally does not like to take the subway, she must have used it today, since she was seen at the grocery store today. | Which one of the following most accurately describes the method of reasoning used to reach the conclusion above? | [
"showing that there are additional alternatives that are unknown",
"showing that certain possibilities are not exclusive",
"showing that no exceptions could apply",
"showing that something must have occurred by excluding the only alternative"
] | 3 | train_386 |
Astronomer: I have asserted that our solar system does not contain enough meteoroids and other cosmic debris to have caused the extensive cratering on the far side of the moon. My opponents have repeatedly failed to demonstrate the falsity of this thesis. Their evidence is simply inconclusive; thus they should admit th... | The reasoning in the astronomer's argument is flawed because this argument | [
"criticizes the astronomer's opponents rather than their arguments",
"presumes that the astronomer's thesis should not be subject to rational discussion and criticism",
"fails to precisely define the key word \"meteoroids\"",
"infers the truth of the astronomer's thesis from the mere claim that it has not bee... | 3 | train_387 |
Philosopher: The most moral actions provide the most benefits to the most people at the lowest costs without any regard for intentions. | Which one of the following exhibits the most moral action, as described by the philosopher? | [
"Tyree quits smoking cigarettes, and as a result, he will live longer and save taxpayers' money.",
"Isabella founds a non-profit organization that teaches sustainable farming on a small island in the Pacific Ocean, but the island's villages adopt a different farming practice",
"Leroy develops a vaccine for mala... | 0 | train_388 |
Astronomer: Does a recent meteorite from Mars contain fossilized bacteria? Professor Tagar, a biologist, argues that the bacteria-like structures found in the meteorite cannot be fossilized bacteria, on the grounds that they are one-tenth of 1 percent the volume of the smallest earthly bacteria. However, Tagar' s view ... | Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the reasoning in the astronomer's argument? | [
"The argument presumes, without providing justification, that the authorities cited have always held the views attributed to them.",
"The argument presumes, without providing justification, that the opinions of all experts are equally justified.",
"The argument appeals to views that contradict rather than suppo... | 3 | train_389 |
Tax reformer: The proposed tax reform legislation is being criticized by political groups on the right for being too specific and by political groups on the left for being too vague. Since one and the same statement cannot be both too specific and too vague, the criticisms just go to show that the legislation is framed... | Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? | [
"The proposed legislation has not been criticized by any group that does not identify itself with the political right or the political left.",
"It is rare for political groups both on the right and on the left to criticize a particular tax reform proposal.",
"The proposed legislation is not made up of a set of ... | 2 | train_390 |
In the past, when there was no highway speed limit, the highway accident rate increased yearly, peaking a decade ago. At that time, the speed limit on highways was set at 90 kilometers per hour (kph) (55 miles per hour). Every year since the introduction of the highway speed limit, the highway accident rate has been at... | Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? | [
"Thanks to changes in automobile design in the past ten years, drivers are better able to maintain control of their cars in dangerous situations.",
"It was not until shortly after the introduction of the highway speed limit that most cars were equipped with features such as seat belts and airbags designed to prev... | 0 | train_391 |
When a threat to life is common, as are automobile and industrial accidents, only unusual instances tend to be prominently reported by the news media. Instances of rare threats, such as product tampering, however, are seen as news by reporters and are universally reported in featured stories. People in general tend to ... | If the statements above are true, which one of the following is most strongly supported on the basis of them? | [
"The resources that are spent on avoiding product tampering are greater than the resources that are spent on avoiding threats that stem from the weather.",
"Those who get their information primarily from the news media tend to overestimate the risk of uncommon threats relative to the risk of common threats.",
"... | 1 | train_392 |
In 1860 Bavarian quarry workers discovered the impression of a feather in a limestone slab dating to the Mesozoic era. It had previously been assumed that birds developed only after the close of the Mesozoic era and after the disappearance of pterosaurs, a species characteristic of that era. But there in limestone lay ... | The argument assumes which one of the following? | [
"In the Mesozoic era, no creatures other than birds had such feathers.",
"The creature to which the feather belonged was a descendant of the pterosaurs.",
"The earliest bird flew in an awkward manner.",
"The feather belonged to a Mesozoic creature that was neither a pterosaur nor a bird, but an intermediate b... | 0 | train_393 |
Political theorist: The chief foundations of all governments are the legal system and the police force; and as there cannot be a good legal system where the police are not well paid, it follows that where the police are well paid there will be a good legal system. | The reasoning in the argument is not sound because it fails to establish that | [
"many governments with bad legal systems have poorly paid police forces",
"a well-paid police force is sufficient to guarantee a good legal system",
"some bad governments have good legal systems",
"a well-paid police force cannot be effective without a good legal system"
] | 1 | train_394 |
Some paleontologists have suggested that Apatosaurus, a huge dinosaur, was able to gallop. This, however, is unlikely, because galloping would probably have broken Apatosaurus' s legs. Experiments with modern bones show how much strain they can withstand before breaking. By taking into account the diameter and density ... | Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion drawn by the argument as a whole? | [
"Galloping would probably have broken the legs of Apatosaurus.",
"It is possible to calculate that Apatosaurus leg bones could not have withstood the strain of galloping.",
"If galloping would have broken the legs of Apatosaurus, then Apatosaurus was probably unable to gallop.",
"The claim of paleontologists ... | 3 | train_395 |
Throughout the Popoya Islands community pressure is exerted on people who win the national lottery to share their good fortune with their neighbors. When people living in rural areas win the lottery they invariably throw elaborate neighborhood feasts, often wiping out all of their lottery winnings. However, in the citi... | Which one of the following, if true, contributes most to an explanation of the difference between the behavior of lottery winners in rural areas and those in cities? | [
"Lottery winners in rural areas are notified of winning by public posting of lists of winners, but notification in the city is by private mail.",
"Families in rural areas in the Popoyas many contain twelve or fourteen people, but city families average six or seven.",
"Popoyan city dwellers tend to buy several l... | 0 | train_396 |
Kimmy is a world famous actress. Millions of people downloaded her leaked movie co-starring her previous boyfriend. Kimmy earns millions through her television show and marketing appearances. There' s little wonder that paparazzi track her every move. | What is the argument's primary purpose? | [
"Kimmy is a highly compensated and extremely popular television and movie actress.",
"Kimmy starred in an extremely popular movie.",
"The paparazzi track Kimmy's every move for good reason.",
"Kimmy does not deserve her fame."
] | 0 | train_397 |
Philosopher: Wolves do not tolerate an attack by one wolf on another if the latter wolf demonstrates submission by baring its throat. The same is true of foxes and domesticated dogs. So it would be erroneous to deny that animals have rights on the grounds that only human beings are capable of obeying moral rules. | The philosopher's argument proceeds by attempting to | [
"cast doubt on the principle that being capable of obeying moral rules is a necessary condition for having rights",
"provide evidence suggesting that the concept of morality is often applied too broadly",
"provide counterexamples to refute a premise on which a particular conclusion is based",
"establish a cla... | 2 | train_398 |
Much of the best scientific research of today shows that many of the results of earlier scientific work that was regarded in its time as good are in fact mistaken. Yet despite the fact that scientists are above all concerned to discover the truth, it is valuable for today' s scientists to study firsthand accounts of ea... | Which one of the following, if true, would best reconcile the two statements above? | [
"Scientists can make valuable contributions to the scientific work of their time even if the results of their work will later be shown to be mistaken.",
"Lessons in scientific methodology can be learned by seeing how earlier scientific work was carried out, sometimes especially when the results of that work are k... | 1 | train_399 |
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