Main Conclusion
Many neighborhoods have grocery stores nearby, but some communities mainly have gas stations, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. When residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, their health outcomes often suffer. Therefore, food deserts should be treated as a serious public health issue, not just a shopping inconvenience.
Question: What is the main conclusion?
A. Some neighborhoods mostly have convenience stores nearby.
B. Food deserts should be treated as a public health issue.
C. Fast-food restaurants are common in many communities.
D. Nutritious food access can affect people’s health.
What is B. Food deserts should be treated as a public health issue?
Stimulus:
Passenger: Spirit Airlines was popular because it gave travelers cheaper ticket options, even if the experience was basic.
Travel Writer: Low fares mattered, but an airline also needs financial stability and customer trust to survive.
Question: What do the Passenger and Travel Writer disagree about?
A. Whether low-cost tickets were important to travelers.
B. Whether Spirit offered cheaper travel options.
C. Whether low fares alone made the airline successful.
D. Whether airlines need customers in order to operate.
E. Whether travelers sometimes choose cheaper flights.
What is C. Whether low fares alone made the airline successful?
Stimulus:
After reports that Maduro had been captured, one commentator argued, “Venezuela’s crisis is basically over now. Political instability is usually caused by corrupt leaders, and if the most visible leader is removed, the system no longer has the person responsible for creating the crisis.”
Question: What is the flaw in the argument?
A. It assumes removing one leader is enough to fix deeper political problems.
B. It claims that political instability is never connected to leadership.
C. It proves that corruption is the only problem Venezuela has faced.
D. It ignores whether other countries have leaders similar to Maduro.
E. It assumes every political crisis is caused by ordinary citizens.
What is A. It assumes removing one leader is enough to fix deeper political problems?
Stimulus:
In many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is important for employment, food supply, and household income. When drought, conflict, or land degradation damages farming, some families may struggle to grow food, buy food, or earn enough money to meet basic needs.
Question: Which statement must be true?
A. Drought is always more harmful than conflict or land degradation.
B. Every country in Sub-Saharan Africa depends equally on farming.
C. Damage to farming can affect both food access and household income.
D. Families who farm never buy food from markets or stores.
E. Agriculture is the only source of income in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What is C. Damage to farming can affect both food access and household income?
Stimulus:
A student argues that the Great Green Wall should continue receiving support because land restoration can reduce environmental damage while also helping communities affected by desertification and land degradation.
Question: Which assumption is necessary?
A. Land restoration can create at least some environmental or community benefit.
B. Every country involved has already completed its part of the project.
C. Desertification can only be solved by planting one continuous wall of trees.
D. Communities affected by land degradation never need economic support.
E. Environmental projects are always successful once they receive funding.
What is A. Land restoration can create at least some environmental or community benefit?
Stimulus:
ERCOT manages most of Texas’s electric grid, and many Texans depend on that grid during extreme weather. When temperatures rise or fall sharply, electricity demand can increase quickly. Because a power grid must balance supply and demand in real time, Texas should continue improving grid reliability before the next major weather event.
Question: What is the main conclusion?
A. Extreme weather can increase electricity demand quickly.
B. ERCOT manages most of the Texas electric grid.
C. Texas should continue improving grid reliability.
D. Supply and demand must remain balanced in real time.
What is C. Texas should continue improving grid reliability?
Stimulus:
Student A: The Great Green Wall is mainly about planting trees across Africa to stop desert expansion.
Student B: That description is too simple; the project is also about restoring land, supporting communities, and creating economic opportunities.
Question: What do the students disagree about?
A. Whether the project involves environmental restoration.
B. Whether the project should be understood more broadly.
C. Whether the project takes place on the African continent.
D. Whether land degradation is connected to human activity.
E. Whether communities can be affected by environmental projects.
What is B. Whether the project should be understood more broadly?
Stimulus:
A city council member says, “Our city cannot have food deserts because almost every neighborhood has at least one place where people can buy food. If residents can purchase snacks, drinks, canned goods, and frozen meals nearby, then food access is not a serious issue in our community.”
Question: What is the flaw in the argument?
A. It assumes that frozen meals are always more expensive than produce.
B. It assumes residents are refusing to shop at grocery stores outside the city.
C. It proves that convenience stores always sell fresh fruits and vegetables.
D. It overlooks whether food deserts are more common in rural communities.
E. It confuses the availability of any food with access to healthy, affordable food.
What is E. It assumes that frozen meals are always more expensive than produce?
Stimulus:
Lake Baikal is unusually deep, extremely old, and home to species that are not commonly found elsewhere. Because its ecosystem has developed over a long period of time, scientists often treat it as environmentally significant. However, tourism, pollution, and nearby development have raised concerns about protecting the lake.
Question: Which statement must be true?
A. Lake Baikal is valued partly because of its unusual ecosystem.
B. Tourism has already destroyed all life inside Lake Baikal.
C. Scientists study Lake Baikal only because it attracts tourists.
D. Nearby development is the only threat facing Lake Baikal.
E. Lake Baikal has no environmental value beyond its size.
What is A. Lake Baikal is valued partly because of its unusual ecosystem?
Stimulus:
A public health advocate argues that opening a full-service grocery store in a food desert will improve community health because residents will have better access to fresh produce, lean protein, and other nutritious food options.
Question: Which assumption is necessary?
A. Grocery stores always sell food at prices every household can afford.
B. Every resident will immediately stop buying food from convenience stores.
C. At least some residents will be able and willing to use the healthier food options.
D. Health outcomes depend only on whether a grocery store is nearby.
E. Food deserts are caused entirely by residents making poor choices.
What is C. At least some residents will be able and willing to use the healthier food options?
Stimulus:
Supporters of expanding agriculture in the Amazon argue that clearing forests creates land for cattle, soybeans, roads, and local economic activity. However, deforestation also reduces biodiversity, releases stored carbon, disrupts Indigenous communities, and weakens one of the world’s most important ecosystems. Economic development matters, but when it destroys the environmental foundation future generations depend on, it becomes short-sighted. For that reason, Amazon deforestation should be limited through stronger environmental protections.
Question: What is the main conclusion?
A. Agriculture in the Amazon can create economic activity.
B. Deforestation can damage biodiversity and communities.
C. Economic development can become short-sighted.
D. Amazon deforestation should face stronger limits.
What is C. Economic development can become short-sighted?
Stimulus:
Author 1: The EU should prioritize border control because uncontrolled migration can strain public services and create political tension between member states.
Author 2: Border control matters, but the EU cannot ignore humanitarian responsibility, especially when people are fleeing war, persecution, or economic collapse.
Question: What is the central disagreement?
A. Whether migration can affect public services.
B. Whether the EU has member states.
C. Whether border control can be part of migration policy.
D. Whether some migrants are fleeing hardship.
E. Whether humanitarian concerns should be prioritized.
What is E. Whether humanitarian concerns should be prioritized?
Stimulus:
A Texas official argues, “The grid did not fail during the last period of extreme weather, so concerns about ERCOT’s reliability are exaggerated. Since the system survived one major test, it is reasonable to conclude that the grid is now prepared for whatever future storms or heat waves may bring.”
Question: What is the flaw in the argument?
A. It claims that ERCOT has no responsibility for managing the Texas grid.
B. It overlooks whether Texans use more electricity during ordinary weather.
C. It assumes success during one event proves reliability under all future conditions.
D. It assumes that all critics of ERCOT oppose electricity improvements.
E. It proves that weather is the only factor affecting energy reliability.
What is C. It assumes success during one event proves reliability under all future conditions?
Stimulus:
The European Union has attempted to manage migration through policies involving asylum claims, border enforcement, legal migration pathways, and returns for people who do not qualify to stay. Some member states argue that stronger border control is necessary to reduce pressure on public services, while others argue that responsibility-sharing and humanitarian protection must remain central to EU policy.
Question: Which statement must be true?
A. Migration policy only matters when public services are unaffected.
B. Every EU member state supports the exact same approach to migration.
C. The EU has abandoned asylum policy in favor of border enforcement.
D. EU migration policy involves tension between enforcement and humanitarian concerns.
E. Humanitarian protection and border control are identical policy goals.
What is D. EU migration policy involves tension between enforcement and humanitarian concerns?
Stimulus:
A lawmaker argues that Texas should invest more in weatherizing the electric grid. The lawmaker claims that future extreme weather could place heavy stress on electricity generation, transmission, and demand, and that weatherization would help reduce the chance of widespread power failures.
Question: Which assumption is necessary?
A. Texas should disconnect completely from all electricity systems.
B. Extreme weather is guaranteed to destroy the grid every winter.
C. Electricity demand never changes during heat waves or cold snaps.
D. Weatherization can reduce at least some risks created by extreme weather.
E. ERCOT can prevent every blackout without any infrastructure changes.
What is D. Texas should disconnect completely from all electricity systems?
Stimulus:
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while still allowing peaceful nuclear energy. Critics argue that the treaty is unfair because some countries already possess nuclear weapons while others are expected not to develop them. Still, if more countries obtain nuclear weapons, the chances of arms races, accidents, and regional conflict increase. A treaty does not have to be perfectly fair to still reduce danger. Therefore, despite its flaws, nuclear non-proliferation remains necessary for global security.
Question: What is the main conclusion?
A. The treaty allows peaceful nuclear energy.
B. Some critics believe the treaty is unfair.
C. Nuclear spread could increase global danger.
D. Non-proliferation remains necessary for security.
E. The treaty should be abandoned because it has not removed every nuclear weapon.
What is D. Non-proliferation remains necessary for security?
Stimulus:
Scientist: Lake Baikal’s unique ecosystem should be protected even if that limits tourism and industrial development around the lake.
Developer: Protection matters, but local communities also need jobs, roads, hotels, and income from visitors. Conservation policies that ignore local economic needs will eventually lose public support.
Question: What do the speakers disagree about?
A. Whether protection should outweigh development limits.
B. Whether local communities need economic opportunities.
C. Whether Lake Baikal has environmental importance.
D. Whether tourism can bring money into local areas.
E. Whether tourism should be permanently banned around natural landmarks.
What is A. Whether protection should outweigh development limits?
Stimulus:
A ranching lobbyist argues, “Critics exaggerate the harm caused by Amazon deforestation. Much of the cleared land is used for cattle ranching, farming, roads, and settlement. Since those activities create jobs, food, transportation, and income, clearing forested land should be seen as development rather than destruction. Something that produces economic value cannot reasonably be described as environmental damage.”
Question: What is the flaw in the argument?
A. It assumes that economic usefulness rules out environmental harm.
B. It ignores whether forests can support any human communities.
C. It assumes that all roads and farms are located in the Amazon.
D. It treats every environmental concern as more important than jobs.
E. It proves that deforestation creates no benefits for anyone.
What is A. It assumes that economic usefulness rules out environmental harm?
Stimulus:
Some AI systems can generate persuasive text, recommend content, summarize information, identify patterns, and help make decisions. Supporters argue that these tools can improve productivity and solve difficult problems. Critics argue that the same tools can also spread misinformation, reinforce bias, invade privacy, disrupt labor markets, or influence decisions in ways users do not fully understand. A risk-management approach does not require believing that AI is entirely harmful; it requires believing that powerful tools can create both benefits and risks depending on how they are designed, used, and controlled.
Question: Which statement must be true?
A. AI systems are only dangerous when they are intentionally designed to harm users.
B. People can support AI development while still believing AI requires safeguards.
C. The risks of AI are completely unrelated to the way people use the technology.
D. Risk management assumes that AI should be permanently banned in all fields.
E. AI tools cannot create benefits unless they are free from all possible risks.
What is People can support AI development while still believing AI requires safeguards?
Stimulus:
An environmental group argues that stronger protections are needed in the Amazon because deforestation threatens biodiversity, climate stability, and Indigenous communities. The group admits that clearing land can create short-term economic benefits, but concludes that protecting the forest should be prioritized because the long-term costs of deforestation are too serious to ignore.
Question: Which assumption is necessary?
A. Economic development in the Amazon is always immoral in every possible situation.
B. Short-term economic benefits do not automatically outweigh long-term environmental costs.
C. Indigenous communities never benefit from any form of economic development.
D. Biodiversity can only be protected by ending all agriculture worldwide.
E. Forest protection is unnecessary when cleared land produces profit.
What is B. Short-term economic benefits do not automatically outweigh long-term environmental costs?
Stimulus:
Some policymakers argue that military intervention against Iran’s nuclear program is justified because a nuclear-armed Iran could destabilize the Middle East. Others argue that military strikes might delay Iran’s capabilities but also increase regional hostility, strengthen hardliners, and reduce the chance of a negotiated agreement. If a policy reduces one danger while greatly increasing several others, it cannot be judged only by its immediate military success. Since intervention could create broader instability even if it damages nuclear facilities, leaders should treat military force as a last resort rather than a first option.
Question: What is the main conclusion?
A. A nuclear-armed Iran could destabilize the Middle East.
B. Military strikes might temporarily delay nuclear progress.
C. Leaders should treat military force as a last resort.
D. Intervention could increase broader regional instability.
E. Negotiations should be avoided because they rarely create immediate results.
What is C. Leaders should treat military force as a last resort?
Stimulus:
Researcher: AI systems should be regulated before they cause widespread harm because once powerful systems are released, correcting their effects may be difficult.
Entrepreneur: Regulation should wait until clear harms are proven because early restrictions could slow innovation and prevent useful technologies from developing.
Question: What is the main disagreement?
A. Whether AI technology could produce useful benefits.
B. Whether AI systems should be regulated before major harm occurs.
C. Whether innovation can be slowed by government regulation.
D. Whether powerful technologies can affect society broadly.
E. Whether AI companies should focus only on profit instead of safety.
What is B. Whether AI systems should be regulated before major harm occurs?
Stimulus:
A political leader argues, “The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has not eliminated nuclear weapons, and several countries still possess nuclear arsenals. Because the treaty has failed to achieve complete disarmament, it clearly serves no useful purpose. Countries should stop treating the treaty as important and should instead develop whatever weapons they believe will protect them.”
Question: What is the flaw in the argument?
A. It overlooks the possibility that non-nuclear weapons can also be destructive.
B. It assumes nuclear weapons are dangerous only when used by powerful nations.
C. It claims that treaties are useful only when they allow every country to rearm.
D. It treats failure to completely solve a problem as proof that a policy has no value.
E. It assumes countries without nuclear weapons never face security threats.
What is D. It treats failure to completely solve a problem as proof that a policy has no value?
Stimulus:
Spirit Airlines built much of its business model around low base fares and additional fees for optional services. This model appealed to travelers who prioritized price, but it also depended on customers accepting the tradeoff between cheaper tickets and fewer included services. If rising costs, debt, competition, or customer dissatisfaction weaken that model, then low fares may continue to attract attention without guaranteeing long-term stability. A company can be popular with budget-conscious consumers while still facing serious financial pressure.
Question: Which statement must be true?
A. Low base fares guarantee financial stability only when fees are eliminated.
B. A company can attract customers and still struggle financially.
C. Budget-conscious travelers always prefer full-service airlines.
D. Optional fees prevent airlines from facing competition.
E. Customer dissatisfaction cannot affect a low-cost business model.
What is B. A company can attract customers and still struggle financially?
Impossible — Iran Intervention / Nuclear Policy
Stimulus:
A foreign policy analyst argues that military intervention should not be the first response to Iran’s nuclear program. The analyst acknowledges that Iran’s nuclear activity may create serious security concerns. However, the analyst claims that intervention could trigger retaliation, strengthen hardline factions, damage diplomatic channels, and make future inspections less likely. Therefore, the analyst concludes that diplomatic pressure and inspections should be attempted before military action.
Question: Which assumption is necessary?
A. Inspections are unnecessary when a country faces international pressure.
B. Iran’s nuclear program creates no real security concern for nearby countries.
C. Military intervention can never delay or damage a nuclear program.
D. Hardline factions always become weaker after foreign military attacks.
E. Diplomatic pressure and inspections have at least some chance of reducing the threat
What is E. Diplomatic pressure and inspections have at least some chance of reducing the threat?