Question 1

Rebecca's cooking teacher asked her to determine which ingredients were in a pasta sauce. Rebecca knew that if the sauce contained oil, the oil would separate from the remainder of the sauce if she let it sit. She let the sauce sit, saw oil rise to the top, and determined that the sauce contained olive oil.
Rebecca's reasoning was questionable because it failed to consider that
A)Other oils besides olive oil can separate.
B)The sauce contained many other ingredients besides oil.
C)There are faster ways to determine if the sauce has olive oil.
D)Even if oil was in the sauce, it was not likely the primary ingredient.
E)Oil sometimes fails to separate.

Accepted Answer

Rebecca's reasoning was questionable because it failed to consider that other oils besides olive oil can separate. Rebecca determined there was oil in the sauce, but she leapt to the conclusion that it was olive oil.

Question 2

Jim went to his doctor after feeling very tired for a few days. The doctor told Jim he had either a bacterial infection or mononucleosis. He administered a mononucleosis test, but Jim tested negative. The doctor then wrote Jim a prescription for antibiotics.
Which one of the following most accurately describes the method of reasoning used by Jim's doctor?
A)An observation about one symptom is used to make a determination about a similar symptom.
B)A generalization is reached by understanding a specific case.
C)A conclusion is reached by ruling out all other possible explanations.
D)A test is used to determine which of many possibilities is correct.
E)A generalization is rejected because it failed to apply to a specific case.

Accepted Answer

Jim's doctor reached his conclusion by ruling out all other possible explanations. Jim's doctor ruled out mononucleosis in order to determine that Jim had a bacterial infection.

Question 3

The hole in the ozone layer is constantly expanding. Many environmental activists express alarm that the hole will one day become large enough to make any kind of sun exposure extremely dangerous. This fear is misguided, however. We have identified activities contribute to the hole's growth and people around the world are taking positive steps to change their behavior in order to stop the growth.
The claim that the hole will one day become large enough to make any kind of sun exposure extremely dangerous plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
A)It verifies the truth of supporting evidence used for the conclusion.
B)It is a subsidiary conclusion.
C)It is a claim that the conclusion is trying to refute.
D)It is used to support the conclusion.
E)It is the main conclusion of the argument.

Accepted Answer

The claim is one that the conclusion is trying to refute by showing that the activists' fear is misplaced.

Question 4

Country Z has the lowest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any country in the world. However, people in Z who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS die much more quickly than in other countries.
Which one of the following, if true, would most help resolve the apparent paradox?
A)There are many forms of HIV/AIDS that have different levels of prevalence.
B)Most of the cases of HIV/AIDS in Z are among immigrants.
C)In Z, testing for HIV/AIDS is infrequent and often does not catch the disease until it is very advanced.
D)The number of HIV/AIDS cases fluctuates every year.
E)Z has high rates of other diseases, such as malaria.

Accepted Answer

If testing for HIV/AIDS occurs infrequently in Z and often does not catch the disease until it is very advanced, this helps explain the apparent paradox. The overall rate remains low but the death rate for those diagnosed would be much higher as it is already advanced when discovered.

Question 5

After a recent oil spill, volunteers rescued affected birds and nursed them back to health. Many of the birds were too badly injured to be saved, and only about 20% of the birds affected by the spill survived, even with volunteer efforts. Efforts to alleviate the effects of an oil spill are clearly a waste because even when volunteers try to save wildlife, the death rate is still so high that it is not worth the effort.
Each of the following, if true, would undermine the conclusion of the passage EXCEPT:
A)Without the volunteer efforts, the survival rate for birds would have only been about 5%.
B)Even if unsuccessful, many volunteers reported that the work made them more likely to volunteer again for other more successful environmental causes.
C)Most birds become infertile after an oil spill, even if they are successfully rehabilitated.
D)The volunteers developed better techniques for bird rescue as a result of their experience, so next time they expect the survival rate to be much higher.
E)The volunteers successfully rescued four members of an extremely endangered species of bird.

Accepted Answer

The only answer that would not undermine the conclusion is that most birds become infertile after an oil spill, even if they are successfully rehabilitated. While the rest of the answers point to positive aspects of the rescue effort, answer C supports the conclusion that the rescue efforts were a waste of time since the birds become infertile.

Question 6

Psychologist: "Research shows that people with depression are more likely to develop cancer. So individual therapy can have benefits for physical health, as well as mental health."
Which of the following is an assumption required by the psychologists argument?
A)Cancer rates can be affected by a variety of factors.
B)Cancer survival rates are better for people with better mental health.
C)Individual therapy is beneficial for mental health.
D)Depression is a mental health problem.
E)Individual therapy is the best way to treat depression.

Accepted Answer

The psychologist's argument assumes that individual therapy is beneficial for mental health. The argument is that because cancer is affected by mental health (depression), if therapy benefits mental health, it may also boost physical health.

Question 7

Contrary to popular belief, it is better to cover more of the body when the weather is hot, not less. Wearing long sleeves and long, loose pants or a skirt prevents the sun from overheating the body and acts to keep the body cool. Light colored, loosely woven fabric allows the skin to breathe and for sweat to escape. Most people use hot weather as an excuse to wear tank tops or shorts, but they are mistaken about how best to keep cool.
Which of the following most accurately expresses the passage's main conclusion?
A)Conventional wisdom regarding hot weather clothing is often incorrect.
B)A long skirt is the best thing to wear in hot weather.
C)The choice of fabric is important in staying cool during hot weather.
D)The color of fabric can make a person hotter or cooler.
E)It is best to always cover the whole body for a variety of reasons.

Accepted Answer

The main point of the passage is that conventional wisdom regarding hot weather clothing is often incorrect. The passage explains why long and loose clothing is preferable to skimpy clothing for keeping cool, contrary to popular belief.

Question 8

In a study of Brazil's frog population, it was reported that 90% of frogs had spotted backs. In a subsequent study, only 40% of the total population had spotted backs.
Each of the following explanations would contribute to an explanation for the above statistics EXCEPT:
A)The first study was conducted in April, when young frogs hatch, and young frogs have more spots than older frogs.
B)The two studies used different criteria for determining whether a frog was spotted or not.
C)The studies were conducted in different geographical areas of Brazil.
D)The studies were both conducted at the same time of year by the same research team.
E)Between the two studies, certain species of spotted frogs were decimated by deforestation.

Accepted Answer

All of the above would help explain the frog statistics except that the studies were both conducted at the same time of year by the same research team. All of the other answers explain how two similar studies about the same thing could come to different conclusions, while D does not.

Question 9

Letter to the Editor: "Immigration reform is a very serious problem facing our country. Immigration laws are confusing and it is expensive to hire a lawyer. In a recent survey, 60% of Americans favored changing immigration laws. Clearly the laws we have are outdated and are in need of a change."
Which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw in the letter's argument?
A)The argument's conclusion is in part based on the opinions of people who have not been shown to have relevant expertise.
B)The argument fails to establish a valid alternative.
C)The argument fails to define the precise aspects of the current immigration laws that need to change.
D)The argument does not explain what is "confusing" about immigration law.
E)The argument takes for granted that an immigration lawyer is always necessary.

Accepted Answer

The letter's argument is in part based on the opinions of people who have not been shown to have relevant expertise. The letter writer cites popular opinion, but does not explain why this opinion should matter, and whether people surveyed were properly educated and knowledgeable enough about the subject to give a valid viewpoint.

Question 10

Letter to the Editor: "Immigration reform is a very serious problem facing our country. Immigration laws are confusing and it is expensive to hire a lawyer. In a recent survey, 60% of Americans favored changing immigration laws. Clearly the laws we have are outdated and are in need of a change."
Each of the following would help strengthen the letter EXCEPT:
A)Last year, the United States spent millions of taxpayer dollars detaining non-criminal immigrants.
B)Due to waiting time for visas, many companies cannot fill positions for technical, highly skilled positions, weakening our economy.
C)In a survey of immigration judges, the majority had serious concerns about the fairness of current immigration laws.
D)Current immigration laws lead to racial profiling, meaning that many minority communities are fearful of trusting the police and will not report crimes.
E)Even if we try and change the laws, immigration lawyers will still charge high fees for their services.

Accepted Answer

All of the other answers point out serious problems with the current immigration system, boosting the writer's claims. E just shows that even if the system changes, problems will remain.

Question 11

Most universities today offer students a more well-rounded and comprehensive education than in years past. Today, most students in the humanities and social sciences are required to learn about history, culture, and politics in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which was not required many years ago. Courses are no longer limited to just Europe or North America, and students stand to benefit from this change.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?
A)Many students are inspired to study abroad after taking courses covering other countries.
B)The extent to which courses cover issues around the world is an appropriate standard for judging the comprehensiveness of a student's education.
C)Science courses at universities have also expanded the diversity of their subject matter.
D)University students who do not take courses with a global approach know less about global affairs.
E)The courses that are most popular with students often deal with global issues.

Accepted Answer

If the extent to which courses cover issues around the world is an appropriate standard for judging the comprehensiveness of a student's education, this most strengthens the argument. The argument claims that students receive a comprehensive education by learning about new places. For this to be sufficient proof of whether an education is comprehensive, the extent to which courses cover issues around the world must be an appropriate metric by which to judge.

Question 12

The government has recently begun a policy requiring all private bus companies to keep records of crashes and breakdowns, to allow consumers to make more informed decisions about their own transportation. The effort is misguided, however, because the policy will just encourage bus companies to be less rigorous in categorizing crashes or breakdowns, or to be less likely to report problems so they will not tarnish their image.
The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
A)Fails to consider that even if not complete, some information is better than no information for consumers.
B)Presumes, without providing justification, that the public will pay attention to such reports.
C)Fails to consider what the effect will be on revenue for the bus companies.
D)Presumes, without providing justification, that the information is not already collected by a private source.
E)Presumes, without providing justification, that the public has a right to access such information.

Accepted Answer

The argument's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to consider that even if incomplete, some information is better than no information for consumers. While there may be reason to doubt the quality of the reports, the argument does not show that no information is better than even potentially flawed information.

Question 13

Bob claims that money is his biggest motivator when searching for a job. But Bob just turned down a job for $50,000 a year in favor of a $40,000 a year job. Clearly Bob is lying to himself about what really motivates him.
Each of the following, if true, would undermine the conclusion of the argument EXCEPT:
A)The lower paying job will not require Bob to commute, allowing him to sell his car and walk to work.
B)The lower paying job has a profit sharing system allowing him to invest in the company.
C)The lower paying job gives a $10,000 bonus to each employee every year.
D)The lower paying job will allow Bob to work fewer hours than the higher paying job.
E)The $40,000 job has a generous benefits package that makes up for the difference in salary.

Accepted Answer

All of the answers other than D show how Bob could choose the $40,000 job because he is motivated by money. The hours worked are not relevant to the conclusion.

Question 14

All humans are mammals, and all mammals are animals. All animals are living organisms. Some organisms reproduce asexually, but not mammals. Some mammals live underwater, but not humans.
If all of the above statements are true, then which of the following must also be true?
A)Most animals are mammals.
B)All mammals that live underwater reproduce asexually.
C)No animal that lives underwater reproduces asexually.
D)Some animals are mammals.
E)All animals are mammals.

Accepted Answer

It must be true that some animals are mammals. All of the other choices could be true, but don't have to be. However, if all mammals are animals, then some animals must be mammals.

Question 15

All humans are mammals, and all mammals are animals. All animals are living organisms. Some organisms reproduce asexually, but not mammals. Some mammals live underwater, but not humans.
If the sentence "At least some animals reproduce asexually and live underwater" is added to the passage, each of the following must be true EXCEPT:
A)At least one underwater animal is a mammal.
B)At least one underwater animal reproduces asexually.
C)Some living organisms are mammals, but not all.
D)Some living organisms do not live underwater.
E)Most asexually reproducing animals do not live underwater.

Accepted Answer

All of the answers must be true except that most asexually reproducing animals do not live underwater. While at least some asexually reproducing animals live underwater, it is not certain that most do, making E the correct answer.

Question 16

A recent study showed that after construction to repair a roadway ends, accident rates on the roads rise in comparison to the rates prior to the construction.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the apparent discrepancy above?
A)Many construction projects are not completed correctly, making it likely they will have to be fixed.
B)Construction projects tend to focus on roads that had high accident rates already.
C)Construction projects tend to take a long time to complete.
D)As a general rule, the more traffic lights a road has, the higher the accident rate is.
E)Recently repaired roads tend to attract more traffic, increasing the probability of an accident.

Accepted Answer

It most helps explain the apparent discrepancy if is true that recently repaired roads tend to attract more traffic, increasing the probability of an accident. This explanation shows how a road could be made safer for motorists, but have an accident rate that increases with a growth in traffic.

Question 17

A recent study found that supermarket shoppers who watched a television ad for a product are 50% more likely to buy the product than those who don't. Those who listened to radio ads for the product were only 25% more likely to buy it.
Which of the following is the most valid observation based on the information above?
A)Seeing a product makes someone more likely to buy any product than just hearing about it.
B)If a company wants to advertise a product in a supermarket, they would be better off using a TV ad if the rates are similar.
C)TV reaches a wider audience than radio.
D)If a company wants to advertise a product in a supermarket, they would be better off using a TV ad even if the rate is double that of radio.
E)Radio stations should charge less for advertisements than should TV stations.

Accepted Answer

The most valid observation is that if a company wants to advertise a product in a supermarket, they would be better off using a TV ad if the rates are similar. If the ads cost the same, the TV ad will lead to more sales, if all other things are equal. The other answer choices draw conclusions that are too broad.

Question 18

Unless Patrick receives a raise for his job or gets a loan from a bank, he will be unable to pay his mortgage this month. Patrick's request for a raise was turned down, so he will not be able to pay his mortgage.
The conclusion is properly drawn if which of the following is true?
A)Patrick did not get a loan from a bank.
B)Patrick made a request for a loan from the bank but was turned down.
C)Patrick's mortgage is too expensive for his current salary.
D)Patrick will make a request for a loan soon.
E)Patrick was turned down for a raise after repeated requests.

Accepted Answer

If it is true that Patrick did not get a loan from a bank, the conclusion is properly drawn. The passage states that one of two conditions necessary for an event to occur has occurred. If the event has occurred, then the other condition must also have been met.

Question 19

Children learn best when things are explained to them verbally and with physical demonstrations. Children score highest on standardized tests when teachers both explain a concept and demonstrate it, as opposed to taking only one approach.
The claim that children learn best when things are explained to them verbally and with physical demonstrations plays which role in the argument?
A)It is a premise of the argument.
B)It is a statement that the evidence given is meant to support.
C)It is an assumption of the argument.
D)It is a statement of background information offering facts.
E)It is an intermediate conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The claim is a statement that the evidence given is meant to support. The facts about test scores are given as a way to justify the initial statement regarding how children learn best.

Question 20

In a weight loss study, participants who swam for one hour daily lost less weight than those who ran for one hour everyday. This evidence supports the conclusion that running is a more effective exercise than swimming.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
A)Several studies show that swimming is a highly effective cardiovascular exercise.
B)The participants who swam treated the swimming as a leisurely activity, as opposed to the runners who took the program seriously.
C)The calories expended from one hour of running or swimming are roughly the same for the average person.
D)Running is an easier activity to begin because it requires less equipment than swimming.
E)Several studies support the claim that both running and swimming are very effective for weight loss.

Accepted Answer

The explanation that the participants who swam treated the swimming as a leisurely activity, as opposed to the runners who took the program seriously, most weakens the argument. The comparison between running and swimming can only be made if both sets of participants were exercising with equal intensity.

Quiz 1: Logical Reasoning

Country Z has the lowest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any country in the world. However, people in Z who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS die much more quickly than in other countries. Which one of the following, if true, would most help resolve the apparent paradox?

Psychologist: "Research shows that people with depression are more likely to develop cancer. So individual therapy can have benefits for physical health, as well as mental health." Which of the following is an assumption required by the psychologists argument?

In a study of Brazil's frog population, it was reported that 90% of frogs had spotted backs. In a subsequent study, only 40% of the total population had spotted backs. Each of the following explanations would contribute to an explanation for the above statistics EXCEPT:

All humans are mammals, and all mammals are animals. All animals are living organisms. Some organisms reproduce asexually, but not mammals. Some mammals live underwater, but not humans. If all of the above statements are true, then which of the following must also be true?

A recent study showed that after construction to repair a roadway ends, accident rates on the roads rise in comparison to the rates prior to the construction. Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the apparent discrepancy above?

Unless Patrick receives a raise for his job or gets a loan from a bank, he will be unable to pay his mortgage this month. Patrick's request for a raise was turned down, so he will not be able to pay his mortgage. The conclusion is properly drawn if which of the following is true?

In a weight loss study, participants who swam for one hour daily lost less weight than those who ran for one hour everyday. This evidence supports the conclusion that running is a more effective exercise than swimming. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?