Agree/Disagree
Strengthens/ Weakens an argument
Strengthens/ Weakens an argument
Simone: Technology is now available that, through precise alteration of human genetic material, can prevent some of the more severe complications caused by genetic diseases. Thus, a role for medical science is to use this technology to stop these diseases before they lead to serious problems. We should not hinder medical progress out of fear of possible abuses of it.
Juana: You are trading one set of problems for a considerably more dangerous set. If you allow the use of technology to tamper with human genetic material, only imagination sets limits to the tragedies that could ensue.
1. Simone's and Juana's statements most strongly indicate that they disagree over whether
A medical science should be involved in any genetic research on human beings
B) genetic diseases represent a serious health problem for human beings
altering human genes to prevent one set of genetic diseases will only lead to the creation of a new set of genetic diseases
D altering human genetic material to stop disease will have ill effects
E the risks involved in stopping disease by altering human genetic material are worth taking
E the risks involved in stopping disease by altering human genetic material are worth taking
Book reviewer: The author's aim is to show that Milio Vitola is one of the most underrated artists of the last century. But whereas he cites a wealth of negative assessments by other art historians, he does little to show that these assessments are wrong. And it must be confessed that the book's reproductions of Vitola's works reveal no artistic skill whatsoever. Thus, the author is ...
2. Which one of the following most logically completes the book reviewer's final sentence?
A not successful in fulfilling his intentions
B insufficiently aware of the works of his predecessors
unduly motivated by the desire to create controversy
D likely to change readers' minds about the works of Vitola
E unfair in his reporting of the views of others
✅ Correct Answer: (A) not successful in fulfilling his intentions
Matches the reviewer's point exactly:
The author tried to show Vitola was underrated.
But failed to challenge negative views and didn’t show any artistic value.
So, he didn’t succeed.
✔️ This logically completes the sentence.
Museum director: Our city's economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Most of the tourists visiting our city go to the city art museum at some time during their stay. Therefore, to protect the city's economy, the art museum must be maintained as an appealing tourist attraction.
6. The museum director's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?
A It overlooks the possibility that tourists who visit the art museum also contribute to the city's economy in other ways.
B It fails to adequately address the possibility that almost all the tourists who go to the art museum would visit the city even if the art museum were not an appealing tourist attraction.
C It fails to adequately address the possibility that the city's economy may not be protected even if the art museum is maintained as an appealing tourist attraction.
D It takes for granted that, apart from the art museum, there is no other tourist attraction in the city to which most tourists go.
E It overlooks the possibility that a tourist visiting the city who does not go to the art museum contributes just as much to the city's economy, on average, as one who does go to the art museum.
✅ Correct Answer: (B)
It correctly points out the logical gap: just because tourists go to the museum doesn't mean they come because of it. The museum may be a nice extra, not a key draw.
All load-bearing supports are essential structural elements. Some walls are not essential structural elements. Thus, some walls are not load-bearing supports.
5. Which one of the following is most similar in its reasoning to the argument above?
A All items purchased at this store are returnable. Some of Pat's items are not returnable. Hence some of Pat's items were not purchased at this store.
B All sandstone rocks are sedimentary rocks. All sedimentary rocks are formed by deposition of particles. So all sandstone rocks are formed by deposition of particles.
C All officers of this group are licensed and bonded. Some people who are licensed and bonded are not trustworthy. Therefore, some officers of this group are not trustworthy. D All slipcovers are protective. Some ornamental lace items laid on furniture are not slipcovers. Thus, some ornamental lace items laid on furniture are not protective.
D All plays are entertainment. Some entertainment is not worthy of serious attention. It follows that some plays are not worthy of serious attention. Stuck? See related examples and hints for this question
✅ Final Answer: (A)
It exactly mirrors the structure of the original:
All A → B
Some C ¬B
Therefore, some C ¬A
Carbon dioxide and water vapor in Earth's atmosphere warm Earth's surface by reducing the amount of heat that radiates back into outer space after reaching Earth's surface from the sun. Substantially higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere would enhance this effect at least slightly. Such concentrations would also make the sky cloudier, which would significantly reduce the overall amount of heat reaching Earth's surface from the sun.
8. Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?
A Substantially higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and water vapor in Earth's atmosphere would reduce the overall amount of heat that radiates back into outer space after reaching Earth's surface from the sun.
B Any reduction in the amount of heat that radiates back into outer space after reaching Earth's surface from the sun would be accompanied by a reduction in the overall amount of heat reaching Earth's surface from the sun.
C Substantially higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and water vapor in Earth's atmosphere would cool Earth's surface at least slightly.
D A higher concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere would reduce the overall amount of heat reaching Earth's surface from the sun only if accompanied by an increase in the concentration of water vapor in Earth's atmosphere.
E Slightly higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and water vapor in Earth's atmosphere would have no significant overall effect on the average temperature of Earth's surface.
✅ Correct Answer: (A)
It directly matches what is stated:
Higher concentrations of CO₂ and water vapor reduce the amount of heat radiated back into space.
Hasina: Our province has enacted new workplace standards to protect employees from repetitive stress injuries. The new law requires businesses employing at least nine workers to create safer working conditions on the job and permits the workers to demand specific solutions for their problems. This law should be widely enforced. If it is, it will dramatically reduce the number of repetitive stress injuries in our province. 3. Which one of the following, if true, most supports the claim made in the last sentence of Hasina's argument? "
A Most people in the province who experience repetitive stress injuries work for businesses that have at least nine employees.
B Recently, public awareness of repetitive stress injuries has greatly increased, and consequently the incidence of repetitive stress injury is already going down.
C Measures are now being taken that will guarantee the wide dissemination of information about this law, as well as its consistent enforcement.
D Some of the largest businesses in the province have already voluntarily instituted standards similar to those of the new law.
E The new law also contains measures that will increase the likelihood that people suffering from repetitive stress injuries will report those injuries to their employers and public health officials.
(A) — because it shows that the law covers most affected workers, meaning if widely enforced, it can dramatically reduce injuries.
Patents are issued only for inventions that are both novel and useful. Because of rapid advances in the field of computer science, an extremely high number of patents issued last year were issued for computer algorithms. However, a new law prohibits the issue of patents for computer algorithms, and thus the number of patents issued this year will be significantly less than it would have been otherwise. 4. Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A Were it not for the new law, some computer algorithms would receive patents this year.
B Last year, more than half of the patents issued were for computer algorithms.
C The field of computer science is responsible for the majority of recent inventions.
D Of the computer algorithms that were submitted for patents in the past several years, most were eventually issued patents.
E More patents for novel and useful inventions were issued last year than will be issued this year.
✅ Correct answer: (A)
The argument depends on the assumption that without the law, some computer algorithm patents would be issued this year.
Felicia: One of the most reliable cars ever made is the Iver X500. Mine is ten years old and has never needed repair. Matt: I really don't see how you can say that. The X500 is completely unreliable. My aunt owns an X500, and that thing's in the shop every other week.
12. Which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw committed by both Felicia and Matt?
A. drawing a general conclusion on the basis of a very limited number of particular instances
B. distorting the argument of one's opponent and then attacking this distorted argument
C. attempting to establish a particular conclusion because doing so is in the reasoner's self-interest
D. attacking the character of one's opponent rather than addressing his or her argument
E. mistaking a factor that causally contributes to reliability for something that is an effect of reliability
✅ Correct answer: (A)
Both commit the flaw of drawing a general conclusion from a very limited number of particular instances.
Commuter: To induce commuters to take public buses and thereby relieve traffic congestion, Munville is considering raising the fees for downtown parking garages. Although raising parking fees would relieve traffic congestion, the city should not raise these fees. After all, commuting on the buses would be a major inconvenience for most commuters, since it is much slower and less reliable than driving.
9. Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the commuter's argument?
A A city should not implement any policy without considering all probable consequences of the policy.
B Given a choice between two measures that each achieve a desired goal, a city should implement the policy that inconveniences commuters less.
C Commuters should be allowed to use the method of commuting that is fastest and most reliable for them.
D A measure designed to relieve traffic congestion should be implemented only if doing so would not create inconvenience for commuters.
E A city should not charge excessive fees for use of publicly owned facilities, even if doing so has socially desirable effects.
✅ Correct answer: (B)
It best supports the commuter's reasoning that when there are multiple ways to reduce congestion, the city should choose the one causing less inconvenience.
Chiropractors may not be fixing partial dislocations as they claim, but nevertheless may have found beneficial ways to manipulate the spine. Homeopathic remedies may prove to be placebos, yet homeopathy would still provide an opportunity to explore the nature of the placebo effect. And acupuncture may provide insight into the chemistry of the nervous system, rather than into the body's energy flow.
1. Which one of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the information above?
A Chiropractic, homeopathy, and acupuncture provide equally valuable alternative medical treatments.
B One can learn something from alternative medical treatments without understanding anything about how the treatments are applied in practice.
C Alternative medical treatments are sometimes as effective as mainstream medical treatments.
D Traditional acupuncture theory may not be as incompatible with Western medicine as was once thought.
E Alternative medical treatments could be valuable even if the practitioner's account of what is happening is not true.
(E)
Alternative medical treatments could be valuable even if the practitioner’s account of what is happening is not true.
This directly aligns with the passage’s message:
Even if chiropractors/homeopaths/acupuncturists are wrong about their explanations, the treatments might still be beneficial or valuable.
✅ Strongly supported.
In a study of several hundred scientists, researchers found that, on average, the more pieces of mediocre and flawed work a scientist in the study had produced, the more prominent and successful that scientist was.
7. Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy described above?
A Most scientists produce a great deal of mediocre and flawed work in addition to any work they produce that contributes to their prominence and success.
B The several hundred scientists in the study were not fully representative of scientists in general with respect to either the quality of their work or their prominence and success.
C On average, the more pieces of important, high-quality work a scientist has produced, the more prominent and successful that scientist is.
D The amount of mediocre and flawed work a scientist produces and the amount of work contributing to his or her prominence and success both tend to increase with the total amount of work he or she produces.
E For a scientist to be prominent and successful, an unusually large proportion of that scientist's work must be superior to the quality of most scientists' work. what category would this fall under
Correct answer: D
Summary:
The paradox arises because both mediocre work and successful work increase with total output.
So, more output means more mediocre work but also more successful work.
Many people have a negative reaction to modern art. Some critics have hypothesized that these people simply have an unalterable, innate dislike for the abstraction typical of modern art. But consider this analogy: Many people who have had only superficial contact with a sport such as baseball find it silly or boring. Yet when these same people come to understand baseball's subtleties, they overcome their dislike and even become baseball enthusiasts. Thus, the critics' hypothesis about modern art may be wrong, for it may be that ...
11. Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?
A for many people the abstraction typical of modern art does not provide a sufficient degree of subtlety to engage their interest
B people who have a negative reaction to modern art have not yet become sufficiently familiar with its subtleties
C the dislike many people have for modern art is not innate but is instead a result of their not wanting to be distracted from their current enthusiasms
D the critics place excessive value on the abstraction found in typical examples of modern art
E people who dislike modern art do not know anyone who is sufficiently enthusiastic about modern art to cause them to reconsider their aversion
✅ Correct answer: B
The argument’s logic is best completed by saying that negative reactions come from insufficient familiarity with modern art’s subtleties, like the baseball analogy.
A recent survey showed that people who drink green tea regularly tend to have lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Therefore, drinking green tea reduces the risk of heart disease.
Question:
Which one of the following most seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above?
A) People who drink green tea also tend to exercise more regularly than those who do not drink green tea.
B) Green tea contains antioxidants that have been shown to improve cardiovascular health in laboratory studies.
C) Heart disease rates have declined in regions where green tea consumption has increased over the past decade.
D) The survey was conducted only among middle-aged adults in urban areas.
E) Some people who do not drink green tea use other herbal remedies to improve their health.
4. The economist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to consider the possibility that
A most industries will not use more-advanced technology without being forced to do so
B a minimum-wage increase less effectively produces competition when the wage is raised quickly than when it is raised gradually
C workers trained to use sophisticated equipment are already able to demand and receive wages higher than the minimum
D) a low unemployment rate is compatible with increased technological efficiency
E there are ways more effective than raising the minimum wage to induce companies to use more-advanced technology
✅ Correct answer: A
Why?
Because it presents a plausible alternative explanation (exercise) that could explain the lower rates of heart disease in green tea drinkers without green tea being the cause.
All employees in the customer service department must complete empathy training.
Jordan works for the company but has not completed empathy training.
Therefore, Jordan does not work in the customer service department.
Question:
Which one of the following, if assumed, would allow the conclusion to be properly drawn?
(A) Only employees in customer service are required to complete empathy training.
(B) All employees who work in the customer service department are required to complete empathy training.
(C) Any employee who has not completed empathy training cannot be in the customer service department.
(D) Jordan will complete empathy training later this year.
(E) Some employees outside of customer service also take empathy training.
✅ (C) is the correct answer — it provides the missing piece that connects “Jordan hasn’t done empathy training” to “therefore, not in customer service.”
All employees at the firm are required to attend one of two weekly strategy meetings.
No one can attend both.
Some employees attend the Wednesday meeting.
Raj is an employee at the firm.
Question:
Which one of the following must be true?
(A) Raj attends the Wednesday meeting.
(B) Raj attends at least one strategy meeting per week.
(C) Raj does not attend either meeting.
(D) Raj attends both meetings.
(E) All employees attend the Wednesday meeting.
✅ Correct Answer: (B)
Every employee must attend one meeting.
Raj is an employee → Raj must attend one meeting.
That's the only inference that must be true.
Roberta: The recent increase in independently produced films indicates that filmmakers are as tired of the junk turned out by the big studios as audiences are. Clearly, these new films result from a yearning for inventive filmmaking.
Vernon: If you had seen any of these independent films, you would know that they are just as poor as studio productions. The trend is merely a search for inexpensive labor. Now that well-trained, experienced, unionized film crews are getting paid what they deserve, more filmmakers are using nonunionized crews. Far from being better than studio films, independent films add an incompetent crew to the usual list of incompetencies.
2. Roberta's and Vernon's comments indicate that they disagree about
A the quality of studio filmmaking
B the competence of film crews working on independent films
C whether unionized film crews deserve the pay they receive
D whether audiences prefer independent films to studio films
E the reason that independent film production is on the rise
(E) The reason that independent film production is on the rise
Roberta: Due to a yearning for inventive filmmaking.
Vernon: Due to a search for inexpensive labor.
✅ This exactly captures their disagreement.
Dairy farmers should always try to maximize feed intake in their most productive cows. As a cow's feed intake increases, the percentage of total energy intake required for bodily maintenance decreases, and the amount of energy available for milk production increases. So, as feed intake increases, milk production improves.
3. Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires?
A Dairy farmers should try to maximize the percentage of total energy intake required by their cows for bodily maintenance.
B In the most productive cows, the amount of energy used for milk production is a fixed percentage of the amount of energy available for milk production.
C Dairy farmers should try to maximize the amount of energy used for bodily maintenance in their most productive cows.
D The percentage of total energy intake typically required for bodily maintenance is generally lower in the most productive cows than in other dairy cows.
E Dairy farmers should attempt to increase milk production in their most productive cows.
E) Dairy farmers should attempt to increase milk production in their most productive cows.
Yes! The argument recommends maximizing feed intake because it improves milk production.
For this recommendation to make sense, it assumes that increasing milk production is a goal.
✅ Correct!
Arguing for the acquittal of his client from the charge of murdering the client's wife, the attorney reasoned that since neither the garage nor the main door of the client's home was bolted on the night of the murder, a thief must have trespassed on the home to steal valuables, and upon an unexpected confrontation with the client's wife, murdered her.
The flawed pattern of reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following?
A The city administration could not find a solution to either water shortage or waterlogging problems; thus, it had to eat a humble pie and publicly accept responsibility for its lackluster approach.
B Due to the work strike of railroads and the non-availability of sufficient buses during the rush hours – the only two modes of transport used by John, he may have faced a hard time commuting during the rush hours.
C In a 100-meter race, two of Amy's co-participants won Silver and Bronze and she performed exceedingly well; it follows that Amy won Gold.
D The evidence collected reveals that the financial fraud was executed by neither one nor all the team members. Therefore, it can be concluded that it was executed by either some team members or a third party.
E In an annual test of Midland high school students, the average score of neither the boys nor the girls is more than 50; thus, the average score of the total students is not more than 50.
C
Critic: Requiring all high school students to study Latin is misguided.
Supporters argue that Latin improves logical reasoning.
However, similar improvements occur with modern languages, which are also more practical.
Thus, Latin should not be mandatory.
Question:
What role does the statement “Supporters argue that Latin improves logical reasoning” play in the critic’s argument?
(A) It introduces a counterpoint that the critic concedes is valid.
(B) It identifies an assumption on which the critic’s conclusion is based.
(C) It presents a rationale that the critic proceeds to undermine.
(D) It provides a fact that strengthens the critic’s position.
(E) It offers an example supporting the conclusion.
✅ (C) is correct — the critic presents the opposing view (Latin improves logic), then refutes it by saying modern languages achieve the same goal and are more practical.
If a student completes all assignments and scores at least 70% on the final exam, then they will pass the course.
Mira completed all assignments.
Luis passed the course.
Eva did not pass the course.
Question:
Which one of the following must be true?
(A) Eva did not complete all assignments or scored below 70%.
(B) Mira passed the course.
(C) Luis scored at least 70% on the final exam.
(D) Mira scored below 70% on the final exam.
(E) Luis completed all assignments.
✅ Correct Answer: (A)
To pass, a student must do both: complete assignments and score ≥70%.
Eva did not pass, so it must be true that she failed at least one of those conditions.
(A) correctly reflects the contrapositive of the rule.
Some environmental activists argue that implementing a universal carbon tax is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because it directly penalizes emissions and incentivizes cleaner alternatives. However, a recent study found that in countries where carbon taxes have been implemented, emissions decreased only marginally, while economic disparities widened significantly. The study concludes that carbon taxes are an ineffective and unjust policy for addressing climate change.
Which one of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the study’s conclusion?
(A) In countries with carbon taxes, emissions were already significantly lower before the tax was introduced, leaving less room for reduction.
(B) The study was funded by a coalition of industrial manufacturers who would be negatively affected by carbon taxation.
(C) The countries that implemented carbon taxes also introduced subsidies for low-income households to offset potential economic hardship.
(D) The marginal emissions reductions measured by the study occurred within only the first year of the carbon tax’s implementation.
(E) Other countries that addressed emissions through voluntary corporate pledges saw no measurable reduction in greenhouse gases over the same period.
(A) In countries with carbon taxes, emissions were already significantly lower before the tax was introduced, leaving less room for reduction.
This helps explain why only "marginal" reductions occurred—not because the tax was ineffective, but because there wasn't much left to reduce.
This challenges the claim that carbon taxes are ineffective.
✅ Strong contender for weakening the conclusion.
Palmistry—the art of understanding an individual's present personality and predicting his or her future state through the study of the shape, size, and lines of the hands—is an unscientific technique. In a study, most palmists' assertions about the present financial status of the individuals in the sample population were found to be mere intelligent guesses.
Which one of the following is an assumption necessary to the argument?
A Individuals with the same financial status usually do not have a similar personality.
B There is a stable correlation between an individual's personality and his or her financial status.
C Palmistry is an effective means of predicting how personalities of individuals evolve over the long term.
D There are numerous other methods for understanding the personality of an individual that are more precise than palmistry.
E The financial future of a person is one of the most important concerns that palmists address.
B
The recent rise in the popularity of herbal supplements proves that they are effective. After all, if these supplements were not effective, people would not continue to purchase and use them in increasing numbers. Therefore, herbal supplements must be a reliable solution for the health problems they claim to treat.
The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it...
(A) assumes that a cause-and-effect relationship exists where only a correlation has been shown.
(B) fails to consider that herbal supplements may be effective for some conditions but not for others.
(C) presumes, without providing justification, that consumer behavior is a reliable indicator of product efficacy.
(D) confuses a necessary condition for a sufficient one.
(E) ignores the possibility that increased marketing, rather than effectiveness, has driven the rise in popularity.
C
"Presumes, without providing justification, that consumer behavior is a reliable indicator of product efficacy."
Perfect. This matches the flaw directly.
The argument relies on popularity to prove effectiveness.
But people can be wrong, misinformed, or influenced by advertising.
This assumption is flawed, and the answer captures that.
Biologist: Not all animal behaviors that appear altruistic are truly selfless.
For example, vampire bats sometimes regurgitate blood to feed hungry roost-mates.
But they typically do this for bats that have fed them in the past.
Thus, this behavior is better explained as reciprocal cooperation than true altruism.
Question:
Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its reasoning to that of the biologist?
(A) Though people donate to charity, they often do so for tax breaks, so their motivation is not purely altruistic.
(B) Some birds remove parasites from other birds, but only when those birds are kin. This suggests a genetic benefit rather than a selfless act.
(C) Judges who volunteer their time appear altruistic, but their actions improve their reputation, so their behavior is strategic.
(D) A chimpanzee that helps another retrieve food has usually received help in the past. Therefore, its behavior is likely based on mutual benefit.
(E) While elephants help injured members of their herd, this is simply due to strong social bonds rather than conscious altruism.
✅ (D) is the best match — it mirrors the reasoning structure:
→ Behavior appears altruistic
→ But it’s typically reciprocal
→ Therefore, better explained as mutual benefit, not true altruism.
Every sculpture in the East Wing was created by either an Italian or a French artist.
None of the French sculptures are abstract.
Some of the sculptures in the East Wing are abstract.
Question:
Which one of the following must be true?
(A) Some of the Italian sculptures are not abstract.
(B) All abstract sculptures in the East Wing were created by Italian artists.
(C) None of the Italian sculptures are realistic.
(D) At least one French sculpture is in the East Wing.
(E) All sculptures in the East Wing are abstract.
✅ Correct Answer: (B)
All sculptures are either Italian or French.
No French sculpture is abstract, but some sculptures are abstract → those must be Italian.
So, all abstract sculptures must be by Italian artists.
(B) is a direct, valid inference.