PrepTest 116 Section 3

Choose a question

Explanations for every question, find them by number or text.

1. Q1:
   The development of new inventions is promoted by the granting…Necessary Assumption

   Without patents, no one would invent anything.

2. Q2:
   The Fenwicks returned home from a trip to find to broken bottles…Strengthen – Exception

   The bottles were broken by neighborhood children who entered through an unlocked back door. The cat did not break the bottles.

3. Q3:
   In an experiment, tennis players who were told that their…Principle – Most Strongly Supported
4. Q4:
   Sydonie: Parents differ in their beliefs about the rules to which…Flawed Reasoning

   **SYDONIE'S CONCLUSION:** Any school disciplinary structure will cause resentment.

   **SYDONIE'S REASONING:** This is a pretty good argument. Since parents are bound to disagree on what are appropriate disciplinary measures, it will be impossible to create rules that please everyone. That is likely to cause resentment.

   **STEPHANIE'S REBUTTAL:** Surveys show that parents want good discipline in schools.

5. Q5:
   Art critic: The aesthetic value of a work of art lies…Principle
6. Q6:
   Anatonia: The stock market is the best place the invest your…Point at Issue
7. Q7:
   Very little is known about prehistoric hominid cave dwellers…Strengthen

   Cave Dwellers chased and tackled animals, much like rodeo riders.

8. Q8:
   Studies suggest that, for the vast majority of people who…Weaken

   Excess sodium intake is harmless for the vast majority of individuals who do not have high blood pressure.

9. Q9:
   Most lecturers who are effective teachers are eccentric…Must be True

   Most effective teachers and lecturers are eccentric.

10. Q10:
    Recently, photons and neutrinos emitted by a distant supernova…Strengthen

    The simultaneous arrival of neutrons and photons from the supernova provides evidence that space is curved.

11. Q11:
    Geneticist: Billions of dollars are spent each year on high-profile…Principle – Strengthen

    We should focus genetic research dollars on mundane and practical projects, rather than high profile but impractical projects.

12. Q12:
    Some argue that because attaining governmental power in…Necessary Assumption

    The fact that political parties in democracies are unprincipled is a benefit, rather than a necessary evil.

13. Q13:
    Up until about 2 billion years ago, the sun was 30 percent…Paradox
14. Q14:
    Social critic: The operas composed by Bizet amd Verdi are…Complete the Argument
15. Q15:
    In 1975, a province reduced its personal income tax rate by…Paradox
16. Q16:
    Everything that is commonplace and ordinary fail to catch…Sufficient Assumption

    There are some things which are miraculous and yet escape our attention.

17. Q17:
    If one of the effects of a genetic mutation makes a substantial…Must be False

    **PARAPHRASE:**

    1. Genetic mutations can have many effects. If one of those effects makes "a substantial contribution to the survival of the species," then, and only then, will it be passed on. This is both a sufficient and necessary condition.
    2. The stimulus implies that there can be many potential effects from a mutation, but it will be passed on as long as one of those effects makes a substantial contribution to the survival of the species.
    3. The one exception is if one of the other traits resulting from the mutation is so negative that it outweighs the survival benefits of the other effect, then the mutation won't be passed along.

18. Q18:
    In a highly publicized kidnapping case in Ontario, the judge…Flawed Reasoning

    The citizen concludes that an open trial would serve the public interest.

19. Q19:
    Today's farmers plant only a handful of different strains of…Weaken

    We are more vulnerable to a disease that only strikes a few strains of crops than we were in the past.

20. Q20:
    Interviewer: A certain company released a model of computer…Flawed Reasoning

    The industry spokesperson claims that there is no chance of further microprocessor design flaws.

21. Q21:
    Each of the many people who participated in the town's annual…Must be True
22. Q22:
    Taking advanced mathematics courses should increase a student's…Flawed Parallel Reasoning

    Taking a math class will improve your GPA.

23. Q23:
    Each of many different human hormones can by itself raise the…Main Conclusion

    "The reason for this is probably a metabolic quirk of the brain."

24. Q24:
    Human resources director: While only some recent university…Must be True
25. Q25:
    Wealth is not a good thing, for good things cause no harm…Parallel Reasoning

    Wealth is not a good thing.

26. Q26:
    In the aftermath of the Cold War, international relations…Principle