PrepTest 119 Section 4

Choose a question

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

1. Q1:
   Considering that Mark Twain is Samuel Clemens…Paradox

   It is odd that few people know Samuel Clemens was a writer.

2. Q2:
   Advertisement: The pride that people at Austin Stables…Method of Reasoning

   Barr Motors will produce more winning automobiles than the competition.

3. Q3:
   Having lived through extraordinary childhood circumstances…Must be True

   Robin was raised without knowledge of right or wrong.

4. Q4:
   Anne: Halley's Comet, now in a part of its orbit relatively far…Method of Reasoning

   Anne thinks a comet flare so far from the Sun must be highly unusual.

   Sue thinks the flare was not unusual.

5. Q5:
   Psychologist: There are theories that posit completely different…Necessary Assumption

   Freudian theories should be abandoned in favor of other theories.

6. Q6:
   Skeletal remains of early humans indicate clearly that…Strengthen

   The diet of early humans was very different from ours.

7. Q7:
   In preagricultural societies, social roles were few and were…Complete the Argument

   Modern society has a more diverse social structure which is constantly shifting. (Or something to that effect…we have to complete this one ourselves.)

8. Q8:
   Some students attending a small university with a well-known choir…Sufficient Assumption

   The professor concludes no music majors live off campus.

9. Q9:
   Journalist: A free marketplace of ideas ensures that all ideas…Identify the Conclusion

   The power of governments over information needs to be curtailed.

10. Q10:
    Charlene: Environmental cleanup increasingly relies on microoganisms…Misinterpretation

    Charlie says microbes become less effective when a "region's temperature" falls below "normal."

    Olaf misunderstands, and thinks Charlie means that microbes in colder regions are less effective.

11. Q11:
    According to the theory of continental drift, in prehistoric times…Strengthen
12. Q12:
    Several legislators claim that the public finds many current movies…Flawed Reasoning

    Legislators have misrepresented public opinion by claiming that the public finds current movies morally offensive.

13. Q13:
    James: Many people claim that the voting public is unable to…Strengthen

    James concludes that the voting public is able to evaluate complex issues.

    Maria claims that Reade's popularity is not due to his complex policy discussions.

14. Q14:
    Some critics claim that the power of the media to impose opinions…Flawed Reasoning

    The power of the media to impose opinions on people is not too great.

15. Q15:
    Marta: There have been complaints about the lack of recreational…Interpretation

    Martha concludes that there may be more productive uses for railway land apart from walking trails. Arthur concludes the proposal should not be dismissed promptly.

16. Q16:
    In countries where government officials are neither selected by…Necessary Assumption

    Countries without free elections or a free press are prone to disorder because the lives of citizens are controlled by policies they had no role in creating.

17. Q17:
    Researcher: Hard water contains more calcium and magnesium than…Weaken

    People who drink soft water have an increased risk of stroke, etc.

18. Q18:
    Bookstore owner: Consumers should buy books only from an independent…Principle

    Consumers should buy from independent bookstores.

19. Q19:
    Anger in response to insults is unreasonable, for insults are…Sufficient Assumption

    Anger is not a reasonable way to respond to insults.

20. Q20:
    Evidence suggests that we can manufacture a car with twice…Flawed Parallel Reasoning

    We can do both.

21. Q21:
    Pizzerias are the only restaurants that routinely record…Sufficient Assumption

    Pizza restaurants are better at direct marketing.

22. Q22:
    All highly successful salespersons are both organized and…Must be True

    Well known ➞ Highly successful ➞ well organized and self motivated ➞ don't regret your career choice
    2. **Contrapositive:** Regret ➞ ~~SM~~ ➞ ~~HS~~ ➞ ~~Well Known~~
    3.

23. Q23:
    The fact that people who exercise vigorously are sick less often…Parallel Reasoning

    It is not proven that vigorous exercise prevents illness.

24. Q24:
    Biologist: We know the following things about plant X…Must be True

    Here is a summary of what we know.

25. Q25:
    Unquestionably, inventors of useful devices deserve credit for their…Role in Argument

    Engineers should also get credit for inventions. They help make them workable.