Question 1

Melody applied to be an education policy consultant in the mayor's office. The mayor has instituted a requirement that anyone employed by her office must have a bachelor's degree and two years of relevant work experience, and must pass a drug test. The mayor's hiring manager rejected Melody's application because she only had one year of relevant work experience and so did not qualify to become an employee.
The hiring manager's conclusion is logical if which of the following is assumed?
A)If Melody had two years of experience, she would have been hired by the mayor's office.
B)A consultant is an employee of the mayor's office.
C)The mayor agreed with the hiring manager's decision.
D)The position of education policy consultant requires a graduate degree in addition to the other requirements.
E)Melody's work experience did not adequately prepare her for the position.

Accepted Answer

The hiring manager's conclusion is logical given the assumption that a consultant is an employee of the mayor's office. The hiring manager rejected Melody's application because she did not fit the specified requirements to be employed by the mayor's office, but the facts specify that she applied to be a consultant. If the hiring manager's rejection of Melody's application is logical based on her failure to meet those requirements, then a consultant must be considered an employee of the mayor's office.

Question 2

This September, as a part of an initiative to protect the environment, the state of West Dakota banned citizens from using wood fireplaces unless the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In the three months following the new regulations, the level of air pollution increased in West Dakota.
Each of the following, if true, would contribute to an explanation of the increase in air pollution EXCEPT:
A)West Dakota experienced unseasonably cold weather following the regulation, averaging 10 degrees Fahrenheit each day.
B)A province of West Dakota faced a raging wildfire for more than three weeks in October.
C)Many citizens turned to using a wood stove to heat their homes, but wood stove emissions are higher than those of wood fireplaces.
D)West Dakota is home to an anti-government militia that protested the ban by openly violating the regulation and burning firewood every day.
E)The price of firewood is fixed in the state.

Accepted Answer

That the price of firewood is fixed in the state is not directly relevant to the rate of fire wood usage in the state. A, B, C, and D would all contribute to an explanation for the rise in air pollution but E does not. Answers A and D explain how citizens are still burning firewood and contributing to emissions even after the new regulation. B and C explain how the increase in emissions could be attributed to other sources.

Question 3

Announcer: "The Wilson vacuum is the best vacuum of any on the market today. It is quiet, light to carry, and works on hardwood floors, tile, or carpet. We asked 100 people to try the Wilson in our showroom and 99 of them told us the floors and carpets looked cleaner than their own. There is no better value on the market today for consumers wanting a clean home, and you will be 100% satisfied with your new Wilson."
The announcer's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to consider whether:
A)The consumers tested were aware of the price of the vacuum.
B)The Wilson vacuum costs more than most other vacuums.
C)The consumers tested were able to compare it to another vacuum.
D)Any of the consumers had the opportunity to ask questions about the vacuum.
E)The consumers knew that they were using a Wilson vacuum.

Accepted Answer

The announcer's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism because it failed to consider whether the consumers testing the Wilson were able to compare it to another vacuum. The announcer asserts that the Wilson is the best on the market, compared to other vacuums. However, the consumers did not have the opportunity to directly compare the Wilson to other vacuums. Without comparison, the trial does not support the announcer's claim that the Wilson is the best vacuum.

Question 4

Both Studio X and Studio Y produced movies about aliens fighting famous superheroes. Studio Y's movie, Aliens vs. Heroman, came out on January 1st and Studio X's film, Martians and Warriors, premiered on March 1st. Yet despite the similarity in the titles and the subjects, it is unlikely that Studio X copied their ideas from Studio Y because both aliens and superheroes are common subjects for movies and many superhero and alien movies make a lot of money at the box office.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion expressed above?
A)Studio X and Studio Y collaborate on their ideas for movies.
B)Both Studio X and Studio Y like to make movies based on popular characters.
C)Studio X's film premiered before Studio Y's film.
D)Despite the similarity of the films, Studio X and Studio Y both made blockbuster movies.
E)The films' similarity is most likely due to the fact that both aliens and superheroes are popular movie subjects that are lucrative to produce.

Accepted Answer

The films' similarity is most likely due to the fact that both aliens and superheroes are popular movie subjects that are lucrative to produce. The question asks for the main point, or conclusion, of the passage. Answer A misstates the passage's point. Answers B, C, and D discuss facts given in the paragraph, but not the main argument. Answer E is the only answer that addresses the reasons for the films' similarity, which was the point of the passage.

Question 5

Most drivers drive fewer than 30,000 miles per year. Some drivers also purchase car insurance or pay for oil changes every 5,000 miles. A few drivers have a car accident each year. If a driver drives less than 30,000 miles per year, they receive a discount on their car insurance. All drivers must be licensed by one or more states.
If the preceding passage is true, then which of the following MUST be true?
A)Each person who purchases car insurance also pays for an oil change every 5,000 miles.
B)Most drivers purchase car insurance.
C)A few drivers receive a discount on car insurance every year.
D)Some drivers who pay for oil changes every 5,000 miles also drive less than 30,000 miles.
E)Some drivers are licensed by one or more states, drive less than 30,000 miles per year, and purchase car insurance.

Accepted Answer

A few drivers receive a discount on car insurance every year. The question asks what MUST be true, not what could be true. Answers A, B, D, and E all could be true, but do not have to be. Answer A does not have to be true, because it is not stated that each person purchasing car insurance is also paying for an oil change; some drivers may only do one or the other. Answer B need not be true because only some, not necessarily most, drivers pay for car insurance. Answer D is incorrect because those drivers who pay for an oil change every 5,000 miles are not necessarily the same as those who drive less than 30,000 miles. Answer E is also incorrect because while all drivers must be licensed, only some drive less than 30,000 miles or purchase car insurance. C is the only answer that MUST be true. Most drivers drive fewer than 30,000 miles per year, and these drivers receive a discount. Thus, at least a few drivers are receiving a discount on car insurance every year.

Question 6

Parent: "Students these days do not study nearly as hard as they did when I was young. When I was 15, I spent five hours a day just completing my homework. Now all the kids can finish it in three hours or less. This generation is lazier than my generation."
Student: "It's true that we spend less time on homework. But we study more subjects in school and are actually required to learn more. We're not lazy, but we spend less time on homework because we have more technology, like graphing calculators and the Internet to make our work faster."
In responding to the parent, the student does which of the following?
A)Uses an ad hominem attack to undermine the parent's argument.
B)Agrees with the conclusion of the parent, but not the reasoning.
C)Provides an alternative explanation for the phenomenon the parent is describing.
D)Refutes the broad generalizations made by the parent by giving a specific example.
E)Compares the phenomenon to an event that is better understood.

Accepted Answer

The student's response provides an alternative explanation for the phenomenon that the parent describes. The parent and student agree that less time is being spent on homework; they are arguing about the decrease's cause. The student explains the phenomenon in a different way than the parent, making answer C correct.

Question 7

Two scientists designed a study to investigate the impact of a recent sewage spill in a local river. They compared species diversity in the affected river to species diversity in a nearby river not affected by the spill, and found that the species diversity in the two rivers was roughly the same. The researchers concluded that the sewage spill had little to no effect on the health of the affected river.
Each of the following, if true, would undermine the researchers' conclusion EXCEPT:
A)Prior to the sewage spill, a study had documented greater species diversity in the affected river than was found in this study.
B)The control river experienced a similar sewage spill two years ago.
C)The full damage to an eco-system after a sewage spill can take years, if not decades, to manifest.
D)A sewage spill tends to affect all species equally.
E)The two rivers were remarkably similar in all features and were located in the same geographical area.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the two rivers were remarkably similar in all features and were located in the same geographical area would not undermine the researcher's conclusion. The other responses explain how the study could have missed possible effects of the spill (A, C, and D) or that the control was not an appropriate choice (B). Answer E is the only answer that does not propose a potential flaw in the study, and so is the correct answer.

Question 8

Nutritionist: "The vitamin content in organic foods and non-organic foods is the same. Therefore, it is a waste of money to pay for organic food products. Organic products are usually more expensive, and so a consumer will pay more for the same nutritional content."
The nutritionist is making which of the following assumptions?
A)There are no other nutritional benefits to organic food besides vitamin content.
B)Organic products are always more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.
C)All consumers have a choice of organic and non-organic products.
D)All consumers are motivated by price more than any other factor when purchasing food.
E)Some producers of organic products are guilty of false advertising.

Accepted Answer

The nutritionist assumes that there are no other nutritional benefits to organic food than vitamin content. The nutritionist asserts that it is a waste of money to pay for organic food because the vitamin content is the same as that of non-organic foods. If there are other nutritional advantages to organic food, then the nutritionist's argument does not hold, and thus A is the correct answer.

Question 9

Museum Director: "The City Council's vote to close the Natural History Museum on January 1st was foolish and will harm the city. Our museum is the premier natural history museum in the country; every year it attracts tourists and researchers, bringing their spending power into the city. It is an excellent place for our city's children to learn about the world around them. And finally, the museum's operating budget is completely paid for by private donations and admission tickets."
Which of the following is the main point of the Museum Director's argument?
A)The museum is the premier natural history museum in the country.
B)The museum does not cost any money to the city.
C)The museum is one of the town's main tourist attractions.
D)Closing the museum was not a wise decision.
E)The museum helps the city to earn money and balance its budget.

Accepted Answer

The main point of the Museum Director's argument is that closing the museum was not a wise decision. The other choices are supporting arguments made to justify the assertion that closing the museum was a poor choice.

Question 10

Educator: "Children will not excel at learning other languages unless they are exposed to those languages at a very young age. Grace had a babysitter who spoke Spanish to her as a young child, so she will grow up to be fluent in Spanish."
Which of the following passages most closely parallels the flawed reasoning exhibited above?
A)Flowers cannot grow well unless they are watered at least three times a week. Grace's flowers did not grow well, so she must have forgotten to water them.
B)Flowers cannot grow well unless they are watered at least three times a week. Grace watered her flowers four times a week, so her flowers will grow well.
C)Flowers grow best when they are watered three or more times per week. Grace watered her flowers once per week, so her flowers will not grow well.
D)Flowers grow best when they are watered three or more times per week. Grace's flowers grow well, so she must water them at least three times per week.
E)Flowers will not grow unless they are watered at least three times each week. Grace always takes great care of her flowers, so they will grow well.

Accepted Answer

The passage that most closely parallels the flawed reasoning in the original passage is answer B. In the original passage, the educator falsely assumes that because an event is necessary for another event to occur, then the first event occurring is sufficient for the second to occur. In other words, if the requirement that Grace is exposed to Spanish has been met, then she will learn Spanish. Answer B follows the same logic. Watering the flowers three or more times each week only establishes one of the conditions necessary for the flowers to grow well; it does not guarantee that they will.

Question 11

Some scientists believe that all mammal species have already been discovered and named. Recently, however, a biologist in Southeast Asia published a photograph of what appears to be a new species of cat. Claiming that the cat is in fact a new species is premature though, because _____________________.
Which one of the following, if true, most logically completes the sentence?
A)Biologists cannot determine the existence of a new species without examining the animal itself, not just a photograph.
B)It was not previously known that large cats still lived in that area of Southeast Asia.
C)Other biologists still assert that all mammal species have already been discovered.
D)Prior research initiatives in Southeast Asia did not document the existence of this new species.
E)Several biologists observed the photograph and stated that they believe it is in fact a new species.

Accepted Answer

The idea that most logically completes the sentence is that biologists cannot determine the existence of a new species without examining the animal itself. Answer A argues that despite the existence of the photograph, it is still premature to declare the cat a new species.

Question 12

Librarian: "Basing restrictions on loaning books to library patrons on the books' content is absurd. The library is a place of learning and free access to information. If we place restrictions on that access, no matter how well intentioned, the result is to stifle education."
Concerned parent: "But many parents agree that reading books containing vulgarities is offensive and we do not want our children exposed to such language."
The concerned parent's rebuttal is flawed because it:
A)Attacks the librarian's character and not her argument.
B)Uses hyperbolic and inflammatory language in order to distract from the issue at hand.
C)Makes a generalization from one anecdotal situation.
D)Uses reasoning that does not respond to the librarian's main point.
E)Uses an ad hominem attack instead of responding to the argument.

Accepted Answer

The concerned parent's rebuttal is flawed because it does not respond to the librarian's main point. The librarian is asserting that placing restrictions on who can check out a book at a library restricts access to information and stifles education. The fact that many do not want their children exposed to vulgar language does not refute this point, and so D is the correct answer.

Question 13

New Homes Inc. just completed construction of a new, 150-unit apartment building located in a suburb of a major city. Just after construction, one of the city's main employers went bankrupt, damaging the entire city's economy and putting many residents out of work. Despite this, all 150 units have now been rented and New Homes is making a profit on the building.
Which of the following, if true, would resolve this apparent paradox?
A)The building is located in a convenient location, near a shopping mall, movie theater, and park.
B)The building's suburb is an area with a low cost of living, and during the recession many residents sought to move into such areas.
C)Both before and during the recession, the housing supply in the area stayed consistent.
D)Public transportation links the new building with that of the now bankrupt business.
E)New Homes furnished the units with very desirable features, such as heated floors and walk-in closets.

Accepted Answer

If the suburb where the building is located has a low cost of living, that fact would help resolve the paradox of the original passage, where the apartment building is economically successful despite the city's economic troubles. If the building is making a profit, it must be because the building has different circumstances than the rest of the city. The building being in an area with a low cost of living explains its appeal during tough economic times.

Question 14

In the year 2000, 50% of people paid their bills by mail, and bills accounted for 25% of the overall mail volume. By 2010, 75% of people were using the Internet to pay all of their bills. However, bills remained 25% of mail volume overall.
Which of the following, if true, would help resolve the apparent paradox in the passage above EXCEPT?
A)The overall amount of mail declined between 2000 and 2010.
B)In 2005, the U.S. Postal Service changed the way it counted pieces of mail and stopped counting packages as part of the mail.
C)In the 2000s, reliance upon mail alternatives, such as package delivery services, increased.
D)Many businesses stopped mailing coupons and fliers through the mail, and instead put more of their advertising budget into online ads.
E)The US population increased between 2000 and 2010.

Accepted Answer

All of the above answers might explain the paradox except E, an increase in the US population. Answers A, B, C, and D discuss how other types of mail either decreased or were no longer counted, explaining how the amount of bills could decline yet remain the same percentage of the total mail.

Question 15

Keisha: "The wetlands located on the south side of the football field need to be preserved at any cost. They are an important habitat for many species of birds, and if the wetlands are lost, the environmental impacts will be enormous. Plus, many residents appreciate the peaceful walking trails through the wetlands."
Bill: "But our town is facing an economic recession. We do not have enough affordable housing, and many areas are becoming crowded. We do not have the economic resources to pay for any maintenance costs for the wetlands, and they could also be turned into an affordable housing unit, which is desperately needed."
Keisha's statement most closely agrees with which of the following principles?
A)The environment should be preserved only when it is economically feasible to do so.
B)Even if economically costly, environmental protection is important for wildlife as well as for people.
C)While people do not benefit from environmental protection, it is important to preserve natural spaces for animals.
D)Environmental protection cannot be a priority in economically trying times.
E)If environmental concerns need to be weighed against economic concerns, economic concerns should prevail.

Accepted Answer

Keisha's statement most closely agrees with the principle that even if it is economically costly, environmental protection is important for wildlife as well as for people. Keisha wants to preserve the wetlands given their importance for wildlife as well as the residents' enjoyment, despite the cost.

Question 16

Keisha: "The wetlands located on the south side of the football field need to be preserved at any cost. They are an important habitat for many species of birds, and if the wetlands are lost, the environmental impacts will be enormous. Plus, many residents appreciate the peaceful walking trails through the wetlands."
Bill: "But our town is facing an economic recession. We do not have enough affordable housing, and many areas are becoming crowded. We do not have the economic resources to pay for any maintenance costs for the wetlands, and they could also be turned into an affordable housing unit, which is desperately needed."
Which of the following is the main point at issue between Keisha and Bill?
A)Whether or not the town is in an economic recession.
B)Whether or not a walking path in the wetlands is appreciated in the community.
C)Whether or not building affordable housing is a priority.
D)Whether or not maintaining the wetlands should remain a priority, when the town has many other concerns.
E)Whether or not the wetlands are an important habitat for birds.

Accepted Answer

The main point at issue between Keisha and Bill is whether or not maintaining the wetlands should remain a priority, when the town has many other economic concerns. Answers A, B, C, and E refer to facts given by either Keisha or Bill in support of their arguments, but not to the main point of contention.

Question 17

At Southeastern College, students in the School of Engineering pay tuition that is 50% higher than that of other students. The administration believes the cost is justified, as the materials and classrooms necessary for the engineering program cost more than that of other programs. Historically, 25% of students at Southeastern have been enrolled in the School of Engineering. This year, however, only 15% of students were engineering students.
Which of the following can be inferred from the above passage?
A)If not for the high prices paid by engineering students, the school could not afford the engineering program.
B)The higher prices in the engineering program have resulted in fewer students enrolling.
C)If tuition prices remained the same, Southeastern College is taking in less tuition revenue this year than last year.
D)The administration is justified in having a higher cost for the engineering program due to the higher material costs.
E)Professors in the Engineering school enjoy higher salaries than their peers in other departments.

Accepted Answer

It can be inferred from the passage that if tuition prices remain the same, Southeastern College is bringing in less tuition revenue this year than last year.

Question 18

In recent years, the deer population in West Dakota has increased more than 200%. The deer are beginning to become a nuisance, and car accidents involving motorists hitting deer have increased more than 100%. Fearing for motorists' safety, the state increased the hunting season for deer, allowing residents with a hunting permit to hunt deer for four months instead of three. Following the prolonged hunting season, the number of car accidents involving deer dropped by 75%, prompting state officials to declare that the deer population had been reduced substantially.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the conclusion drawn by the state?
A)Historical data exists to show that recording the amount of deer hit by cars can give a reliable figure for how many deer exist in total in the state.
B)Hunting is a popular activity in the state, and every year thousands of residents obtain deer hunting licenses.
C)The longer hunting season also justified a higher priced hunting license, resulting in increased revenue for the state.
D)Deer have few known predators in the state, allowing their population to grow quickly.
E)Hitting a deer with a car can result in serious injury or death to the driver or passengers in a car, justifying the state's response.

Accepted Answer

If the historical data exists to show that recording the amount of deer hit by cars can give a reliable estimate of how many deer exist in total in the state, then that would support the conclusion drawn by the state. The state asserted that the deer population has declined because the number of car accidents involving deer has declined. In order to make this argument, the state must show that the data on deer-involved car accidents supports its assertions about the larger population of deer.

Question 19

Although it is now known that using a mobile phone on an aircraft is safe, people should still be prevented from using one. Sitting next to someone talking on a phone for hours is annoying, and mobility is so limited on a plane that many passengers will be forced to listen to long conversations that they cannot avoid.
Which one of the following principles, if established, would justify the reasoning in the preceding passage?
A)If an activity is possible in a situation, then it should be allowed in that situation.
B)In certain situations, people should be banned from engaging in otherwise acceptable activity if the consequences for that activity are sufficiently bothersome to others.
C)All activity that is a potential nuisance should be banned.
D)People who regularly engage in a bothersome activity should be forced to stop that activity.
E)In certain situations, people must accept that while an activity is bothersome or a nuisance, it does not stop that person from having the right to behave as he pleases, so long as the behavior is not a danger.

Accepted Answer

The passage reasons that in certain situations, people should be banned from engaging in otherwise acceptable activity if the consequences for that activity are sufficiently bothersome to others. The passage is not asserting that talking on a phone should always be banned or that all bothersome activity should be banned, but only that it should be banned on a plane due to the specific conditions on board a plane.

Question 20

Many skin cancer patients were found to have used a certain kind of sun protection cream. A lab researcher decided to experiment by using the cream, and after six months, also developed skin cancer. The researcher concluded that the cream caused skin cancer.
Which of the following, if true, most supports the conclusion reached by the researcher?
A)The researcher did not develop any other illnesses after using the cream.
B)The researcher has a good reputation within his field.
C)There is no evidence that the cream results in cancer for laboratory animals.
D)Many sufferers of skin cancer also suffer from other health problems.
E)The researcher also conducted a study of 1,000 people without skin cancer, and found that none of them had ever used the cream.

Accepted Answer

If the researcher conducted a study of 1,000 people without skin cancer, and found that none of them had ever used the cream, this would support his conclusion that the cream causes skin cancer. Answer E is the only answer that supports the researcher's conclusion. The other answers are irrelevant to the researcher's conclusion.

Quiz 1: Logical Reasoning