PrepTest 127 Section 1

Choose a question

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

1. Q1:
   Many newborn babies have a yellowish tinge to their skin…Strengthen

   The second group of doctors says we should not treat high levels of bilirubin in newborns.

2. Q2:
   Economist: Some sociologists argue that because capitalism…Necessary Assumption

   Modern capitalism does not weaken community ties, it promotes them.

3. Q3:
   Teacher: Participating in organized competitive athletics may…Role in Argument

   Funding for children's athletic programs should not be eliminated.

4. Q4:
   Columnist: Donating items to charity may be a sign of…Flawed Reasoning

   Donations to charity are only rarely signs of permanent virtue.

5. Q5:
   Researchers have found that, hours after birth, infants…Most Helps to Explain
6. Q6:
   Violent crime in this town is becoming a serious problem…Weaken

   Violent crime is becoming a serious problem in the town; the average resident of the town is more likely than ever to become a victim of violent crime.

7. Q7:
   Two different dates have been offered as the approximate…Most Strongly Supported
8. Q8:
   When presented with the evidence against him, Ellison…Principle

   The company can only demand Ellison cease his illegal activities; it cannot punish him.

9. Q9:
   In a recent study, each member of two groups of people…Strengthen – Exception

   At least in the case of remembering to make phone calls, memory does not suffer with age.

10. Q10:
    Prediction, the hallmark of the natural, appears to have…Main Conclusion

    Don't mathematicize the social sciences.

11. Q11:
    Studies have shown that the more high-stress points a bridge…Paradox

    High stress points make bridges more likely to fracture.

12. Q12:
    Many people say that the press should not pry into the…Flawed Reasoning

    The press has an obligation to publish any information which is of interest to the public and which is not libelous.

13. Q13:
    Consumer advocate: A recent study concluded that top-loading…Necessary Assumption

    Front-loading washing machines are superior for some users.

14. Q14:
    Over 90 percent of the human brain currently serves no purpose…Flawed Reasoning

    Over 90% of our brains serve no purpose, and we will be able to tap into this resource to achieve the insurmountable.

15. Q15:
    Some scientists have expressed reservations about quantum…Principle-Strengthen

    Quantum theory should be accepted.

16. Q16:
    Psychologist: The obligation to express gratitude cannot…Role in Argument

    The obligation to express gratitude cannot be expressed anonymously.

17. Q17:
    Curator: Our museum displays only twentieth-century works…Must be True

    **PARAPHRASE:**

    If a painting is on display in the museum, then:

    It is a 20th century painting, AND

    it is either on loan from private collectors OR in the museum's permanent collection.

    If it is from the museum's permanent collection, then it is available as a print in the store. Not all prints are from the collection; for example, Nighthawks is on sale.

18. Q18:
    Nutritionist: Because humans have evolved very little since…Role in Argument
19. Q19:
    Editorialist: Some people argue that we have an obligation…Necessary Assumption

    We do not have an obligation to avoid cutting down trees.

20. Q20:
    A recent study suggests that consuming three glasses of wine…Flawed Reasoning

    Drinking three glasses of wine would not benefit health overall.

21. Q21:
    Scientist: Isaac Newton's Principia, the seventeenth century…Role in Argument

    Modern scientific research that is hard to understand may eventually be widely understood.

22. Q22:
    Only a minority of those who engage in political action…Flawed Parallel Reasoning

    Some people who have a sense of social justice do not engage in political action.

23. Q23:
    Columnist: Even if the primary purpose of university education…Strengthen

    University education should emphasize the liberal arts over narrow technical training.

24. Q24:
    Provinces and states with stringent car safety requirements…Paradox
25. Q25:
    It is difficult to grow cacti in a humid climate…Must be False

    Cacti can't easily grow where it is humid.

26. Q26:
    Essayist: Common sense, which is always progressing, is nothing…Must be True

    Common sense is a time tested collection of useful theories.