Question 1

No student at Pinewoods High takes both biology and chemistry at the same time. Ramona and Quinn are both students at Pinewoods and neither takes biology, so they must both be enrolled in chemistry.
Which one of the following arguments displays a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the argument above?

Accepted Answer

A)  No employee at Sunstar Bank is both an accountant and a manager. Because Chris is both a teller and a manager at his job, he must not work at Sunstar.
B)  No one can travel to both New York and San Diego in the same day. Because James is on a flight to New York, he clearly will not be able to go to San Diego as well.
C)  The job posting requires a candidate who can sing and dance. Beatrice can sing very well but cannot dance, so she is unqualified for the job.
D)  No one can complete a bachelor's degree while completing a Ph.D. Raymond is not in graduate school, so he must still be working on his bachelor's.
E)  Both law school and public policy school take multiple years to complete. Elisa only took one year to finish school, so she must not have gone to either. D

Question 2

Letter writer: "In a recent op-ed piece, your newspaper asserted that the United States government is justified in requiring that academic researchers only receive public funding if they are not conducting research whose results may be harmful to the United States. Many researchers have proposed researching the effects of drone strikes on civilian populations in the Middle East, but have been denied any kind of federal funding to do so. Your newspaper justified this by stating that the United States needs to restrict research in order to 'ensure fundamental freedoms.' But isn't one of those fundamental freedoms the freedom to conduct research without fear of the government? I don't understand how your newspaper can put forth this opinion."
The letter writer criticizes the op-ed by:

Accepted Answer

A)  Disputing the facts upon which the op-ed was based.
B)  Describing an exception to the general rule described in the op-ed.
C)  Pointing out an inconsistency in the op-ed.
D)  Refuting an assumption upon which the op-ed was based.
E)  Using an ad hominem attack on the author. C

Question 3

An esthetician is an expert in skincare. Marla is an esthetician and she recommended that I use this medicated acne soap, so that soap is certain to improve the quality of my skin.
Which of the following is a flaw in the above passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  It mistakes professional qualifications on one subject for knowledge on another subject.
B)  It assumes that Marla's professional qualifications are valid.
C)  It presumes, without providing justification, that Marla has direct experience working with acne sufferers.
D)  It presumes that improving acne improves skin quality.
E)  It mistakes something being likely as being a certainty. E

Question 4

Politicians should not do anything to make their constituents lose respect for them. People can sense when someone is lying. Therefore, a politician should not lie and should always try to give honest answers in order to be respected.
The conclusion is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?

Accepted Answer

A)  People lose respect for someone who lies.
B)  A politician cannot be successful unless she has respect.
C)  Honesty is the most important requirement for a politician.
D)  Politicians are able to tell if people respect them.
E)  A politician who lies is never successful.

Question 5

Oxgen Pharmaceuticals recently released a report concluding that Jeloco Pharmaceuticals' products are unsafe and are known to cause birth defects. This report cannot be trusted, however, since Oxgen is Jeloco's rival and they are currently in competition for a large grant for drug research. Oxgen's report is biased, and so it is clear that there is nothing wrong with Jeloco's products and they do not cause birth defects.
The reasoning in the preceding passage is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

Accepted Answer

A)  Treats evidence showing bias as evidence showing falsehoods.
B)  Draws an conclusion from an unrepresentative sample.
C)  Fails to take into account the untrustworthy nature of studies regarding birth defects.
D)  Presumes, without providing justification, that Oxgen had reason to embellish its claims against Jeloco.
E)  Presumes, without providing justification, that two competitors would have reason to criticize the other.

Question 6

At the end of each quarter, Merkin's Tire Shop rewards its top salespersons with a $100 gift card to an expensive restaurant. In previous years, at least five salespersons qualified each quarter. In the past year, an average of two salespersons qualified for the $100 gift card. Worried about the effect of declining motivation on his sales staff, Merkin's owner issued a bulletin reminding the sales staff that despite the decline in the number of gift cards distributed, the criterion for issuing the gift cards has never changed, and encouraged them to try to improve their sales.
If the preceding passage is true, which of the following must also be true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The number of salespersons at Merkin's has declined over the last few years.
B)  The number of salespersons at Merkin's has increased over the last few years.
C)  Some of the best salespersons have left the company.
D)  There are external factors, such as an economic recession in the area, negatively affecting Merkin's tire sales.
E)  Merkin's expenses from issuing rewards to top salespersons have declined in the past year.

Question 7

Lee: "Newspaper editors should stop worrying about whether a story will be popular or help sell magazines. Great writers all write to tell a great story, not to be popular."
Gertrude: "But newspaper editors do have to sell papers, or they would be out of a job. An editor is more like a business owner than a writer, and must consider what stories will make people want to read a paper."
Gertrude asserts that Lee's argument is flawed because it

Accepted Answer

A)  Uses circular reasoning.
B)  Offers a faulty analogy.
C)  Does not give an example of writers who did not want to be popular.
D)  Does not identify the newspaper editors to which the assertion should apply.
E)  Relies on an unrepresentative sample.

Question 8

Keisha: "The wetlands located on the south side of the football field need to be preserved at any cost. They are an important habitat for many species of birds, and if the wetlands are lost, the environmental impacts will be enormous. Plus, many residents appreciate the peaceful walking trails through the wetlands."
Bill: "But our town is facing an economic recession. We do not have enough affordable housing, and many areas are becoming crowded. We do not have the economic resources to pay for any maintenance costs for the wetlands, and they could also be turned into an affordable housing unit, which is desperately needed."
Keisha's statement most closely agrees with which of the following principles?

Accepted Answer

A)  The environment should be preserved only when it is economically feasible to do so.
B)  Even if economically costly, environmental protection is important for wildlife as well as for people.
C)  While people do not benefit from environmental protection, it is important to preserve natural spaces for animals.
D)  Environmental protection cannot be a priority in economically trying times.
E)  If environmental concerns need to be weighed against economic concerns, economic concerns should prevail.

Question 9

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?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Allergy sufferers are not allergic to all possible allergens, the most common of which are pollen, cat dander, and peanuts. While it is possible to take drugs that will reduce the chances of having a serious allergic reaction, it is not possible to eliminate an allergy entirely. All allergies can be dangerous, but the most dangerous allergic reactions occur when a person has trouble breathing.
If the above information is true, then all of the following must be true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Once someone is diagnosed with an allergy, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction.
B)  It is possible to take drugs that will reduce the possibility of having a serious allergic reaction to cat dander.
C)  At least one person suffers from allergies to pollen, cats, and peanuts.
D)  No one is allergic to pollen, cats, peanuts, and every possible allergy.
E)  Breaking out in a rash is a less severe allergic reaction than trouble breathing.

Question 11

Dietician: "Recent studies have shown that people can lose weight solely by changing their diet alone, without having to increase their amount of activity. In two recent studies, overweight but otherwise healthy people cut their caloric intake and all participants lost weight without having to change their activity level, showing that weight loss through diet alone is possible."
Critic: "That is not true. While some people may have been successful, the study only covered otherwise healthy people who were likely to succeed. What about other people, who have tried to change their diets without exercising, and failed to lose weight?"
Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the dietician's argument?

Accepted Answer

A)  Upon further evaluation of the study, participants divulged that they tried to exercise more than normal during the study
B)  The studies were conducted with a diverse study group from various ethnic and racial backgrounds.
C)  A later study evaluating whether exercise alone can cause weight loss found that changing exercise without diet can also cause weight loss.
D)  A later study that included exercise and dieting found that participants lose weight the fastest when they combine diet and exercise.
E)  The studies were completed by multiple researchers and peer evaluated.

Question 12

The legislature is considering a regulation prohibiting the consumption of alfalfa sprouts. Most recent outbreaks of E. coli have been attributed to alfalfa sprouts. While the sprouts may seem healthy, they are likely to harbor bacteria and are one of the biggest contributors to mass food borne illness outbreaks. Continuing to allow people to consume such a dangerous product is too risky for public health, and the legislature must act to protect the public.
Which of the following is the main conclusion of the passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most E. coli outbreaks are attributed to alfalfa sprouts.
B)  The legislature is the only thing that can protect the public from food borne illnesses.
C)  The legislature should pass the regulation prohibiting consumption of alfalfa sprouts.
D)  Alfalfa sprouts may seem healthy, but are often the cause of food borne illnesses.
E)  E. coli is a dangerous food borne illness.

Question 13

Graduation from college is in many ways similar to retirement from a career. Just as graduating college students look back on knowledge gained and friendships made during college, a new retiree ___________________.
Which of the following most accurately completes the passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fears what will come next.
B)  Reminisces about their time in college.
C)  Focuses on what the future will bring.
D)  Reflects on how their career could have been different.
E)  Reflects on the history of their now ending career.

Question 14

A certain multiple choice test contains 30 biology questions, 40 math questions, and 30 physical science questions. In order to pass the exam, a student must answer at least 60% of the questions correctly, so they must get at least half of the questions correct in each section.
Which of the following is a flaw in the passage's reasoning?

Accepted Answer

A)  A student could miss exactly half in each section and still pass.
B)  The exam does not require a minimum score in each section.
C)  The exam does require a minimum score in each section.
D)  The exam is designed to progress in difficulty.
E)  Science questions are harder than math questions so students must focus on them more.

Question 15

Most children are very entertained by stories involving dinosaurs. Parents are likely to want to take their children to the new movie about baby dinosaurs since children like dinosaurs so much.
The above argument is based on which of the following assumptions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Parents want their children to enjoy a movie if they pay for it.
B)  Parents are aware of children's love of dinosaur stories.
C)  A movie about baby dinosaurs will be even more popular than a movie about regular dinosaurs.
D)  Most children enjoy stories about animals more than people.
E)  Dinosaur movies are actually popular with children.

Question 16

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?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Friday is the most common day of the week for car accidents to occur. Most people assume that people in a rush to get home to begin the weekend or to head out for a weekend trip are more likely to be involved in a car accident. However, recent research shows that even people who don't work Monday through Friday are most likely to be in a car accident on Fridays.
Which one of the following, if true, best explains why the rate of car accidents is highest on Fridays even for people not ending their work week?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most construction projects are ended early on Fridays in order to lessen congestion on the roadways.
B)  Many people rush to events such as concerts or sporting games on Friday nights.
C)  Most people who do not work on Fridays avoid rush hour traffic.
D)  Most people who do not work Monday through Friday hold low-income jobs and do not own cars.
E)  Most people who do not work Monday through Friday treat Friday as if it were a regular workday and do not change their behavior for the day.

Question 18

Donna: "Every year, many people die due to carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes. A carbon monoxide detector can detect harmful levels of the gas and alert people before it is too late. Every home should be required to have a carbon monoxide detector because it would save lives."
Tom: "That is ridiculous. We cannot mandate that every person install a carbon monoxide detector. We cannot prevent every tragedy and besides, more people die every year from smoke inhalation than carbon monoxide."
Tom's response to Donna is flawed because it

Accepted Answer

A)  Uses an ad hominem attack instead of attacking the substance of Donna's argument.
B)  Attacks only the reasoning behind Donna's argument but not her conclusion.
C)  Uses an improper comparison by comparing carbon monoxide detectors to smoke detectors.
D)  Disagrees with the premise of the argument, but not the principle behind it.
E)  Claims that because the problem Donna proposes to fix is not the largest problem and is not completely fixable, her argument is completely without merit.

Question 19

Constance: "Current movies will never be as durable as cinema from the early days of Hollywood. Those classic movies continue to be remade and reinterpreted by subsequent generations, showing just how popular they are."
Ben: "It may be true that current movies won't be remade as often, but current movies play to a wider audience than those of years past, and many original movies continue to be watched and loved long past their release. A movie can be durable in its original form, and does not always have to be remade to show its longevity as a classic."
Ben responds to Constance by:

Accepted Answer

A)  Completely misinterpreting her claim.
B)  Suggesting an alternative standard for judging the point at issue.
C)  Calling into question the appropriateness of an analogy.
D)  Questioning Constance's knowledge of the subject at issue.
E)  Undermining her argument by pointing out inaccuracies in the facts upon which she bases her claim.

Question 20

Welton Hotels offers excellent opportunities to advance within the company. Just look at the current CEO, Melissa Johnson, who started her career as a housekeeper, progressed to managing the front desk, and is now in charge of the whole company.
Which one of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the reasoning above?

Accepted Answer

A)  Welton's CFO also started at Welton in an entry-level position as a line cook.
B)  Welton always posts open positions for their own employees before opening them for external applicants.
C)  Welton requires all management, even experienced applicants, to briefly work in all of the departments they will manage.
D)  Ms. Johnson worked for Welton Hotels for three decades before becoming the CEO.
E)  Welton offers excellent benefits for its entry-level employees, hoping to decrease turnover.

Exam 1: Logical Reasoning

An esthetician is an expert in skincare. Marla is an esthetician and she recommended that I use this medicated acne soap, so that soap is certain to improve the quality of my skin. Which of the following is a flaw in the above passage?

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?

Graduation from college is in many ways similar to retirement from a career. Just as graduating college students look back on knowledge gained and friendships made during college, a new retiree ___________________. Which of the following most accurately completes the passage?

Most children are very entertained by stories involving dinosaurs. Parents are likely to want to take their children to the new movie about baby dinosaurs since children like dinosaurs so much. The above argument is based on which of the following assumptions?

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?