PrepTest 118 Section 4

Choose a question

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

1. Q1:
   Mayor McKinney's policies have often been criticized …Identify the Conclusion

   The criticism that McKinney's policies only benefit the wealthy is unfair.

2. Q2:
   A factory spokesperson argued that the factory …Parallel Reasoning

   The factory shouldn't need to clean up the polluted wetlands.

3. Q3:
   Nylon industry spokesperson: Even though cotton …Principle – Justify

   Nylon is natural.

4. Q4:
   Computer manufacturers and retailers tell us that …Weaken

   The complexity of connecting computer components *is* a big obstacle to use.

5. Q5:
   Rats fed high doses of the artificial sweetener saccharin …Paradox

   Rats that are fed saccharin develop bladder cancer.

6. Q6:
   Although we could replace the beautiful – but dilapidated …Necessary Assumption

   We should build the more expensive cable bridge rather than the cheaper concrete skyway.

7. Q7:
   A typical gasoline-powered lawn mower emits …Strengthen

   People can help reduce air pollution by choosing electric lawn mowers over gas ones.

8. Q8:
   Ariel: Government art subsidies never benefit art …Point At Issue
9. Q9:
   Public health expert: Until recently people believed that …Identify the Conclusion

   Public health policy should focus more on educating people about disease transmission to reduce disease.

10. Q10:
    The enthusiastic acceptance of ascetic lifestyles …Flawed Reasoning

    Medieval societies cared less about money than modern Western cultures do.

11. Q11:
    Between 1976 and 1985, chemical wastes were dumped into …Evaluate the Argument – EXCEPT

    The chemicals caused the fin deformity in the bluefin cod.

12. Q12:
    Columnist: If you received an unsigned letter …Method of Reasoning

    It makes sense to be skeptical of anonymous sources in news stories.

13. Q13:
    Art theft from museums is on the rise …Necessary Assumption

    Museums should devote more resources to securing their most valuable art.

14. Q14:
    Insufficient rain can cause crops to falter …Flawed Reasoning

    The weather was an important cause of the crisis.

15. Q15:
    The cost of a semester's tuition at a certain university …Paradox – EXCEPT

    Students' semester tuition is based on how many courses they take.

16. Q16:
    People are not happy unless they feel that they are …Most Strongly Supported

    People aren't happy unless they feel needed by others.

17. Q17:
    Art critic: Criticism focuses on two issues …Flawed Reasoning

    Judgments about the quality of art are only a matter of taste.

18. Q18:
    Decentralization enables divisions of a large institution …Most Strongly Supported

    Decentralization:

    * always permits more realistic planning
    * strongly encourages innovation
    * lets central admin focus on institution-wide issues

19. Q19:
    According to some astronomers, Earth is struck by …Flawed Reasoning

    We should fund research into finding a way to protect Earth from catastrophic meteorite strikes.

20. Q20:
    Polling data reveal that an overwhelming majority of nine-year-olds …Flawed Parallel Reasoning

    There's little to no link between recognizing cigarette brand logos and smoking.

21. Q21:
    Etiquette firmly opposes both obscene and malicious talk …Principle – Application
22. Q22:
    The only preexisting recordings that are transferred onto …Sufficient Assumption

    Most classic jazz recordings won't be transferred onto CD.

23. Q23:
    Agricultural economist: Over the past several years …Role in Argument

    A big global grain shortage is likely.

24. Q24:
    Bardis: Extensive research shows that television advertisements …Flawed Reasoning

    Violent TV doesn't cause violence.

25. Q25:
    Sarah: Our regulations for staff review are vague …Principle – Justify

    Some staff may be dismissed just because they have different views than the supervisors.