Logical Reasoning
A study shows that individuals who work remotely report higher productivity. The author concludes remote work increases productivity. Which undermines this?
A) Some remote workers also have flexible schedules
B) Many remote workers take fewer vacations
C) Workers who choose remote roles are often more self-motivated
D) Remote workers earn more money
Correct: C
Explanation: If remote workers are already more self-motivated, then motivation—not remote work—could explain productivity.
Argument: “College applicants who hire private tutors submit stronger essays. Therefore, tutoring improves essay quality.”
Assumption?
A) Tutors charge reasonable prices
B) Students with strong essays are less likely to procrastinate
C) Applicants who hire tutors don’t also differ in relevant ways
D) Tutors focus mostly on grammar
Correct: C
Explanation: Must assume no other trait of students who hire tutors explains better essays.
If G must be immediately before H, which is acceptable?
A) H G K L
B) K L H G
C) G K H L
D) G H K L
Correct: D
Explanation: Only D places G immediately before H.
A passage argues that small community banks support local economies by offering flexible loans. What can be inferred?
A) Large banks never support local economies
B) Flexible lending is a key factor in local economic growth
C) Community banks are more profitable
D) Small banks have fewer regulations
Correct: B
Explanation: The author links flexible loans to supporting local economies.
Argument: “City A reduced traffic after introducing congestion fees. City B is larger, so introducing congestion fees will reduce traffic even more in City B.” Flaw?
A) Assumes the population difference is irrelevant
B) Assumes City B has worse traffic
C) Assumes factors affecting City A apply similarly in City B
D) Mistakes correlation for causation
Correct: C
Explanation: The argument generalizes results from one city to another without establishing similar conditions.
Argument: “Few people complain about airline seating comfort anymore. So passengers must be more satisfied.”
Assumption?
A) Airlines have reduced ticket prices
B) Passengers who are dissatisfied would complain
C) Complaints are recorded publicly
D) Airlines improved meals
Correct: B
Explanation: If dissatisfied passengers no longer bother complaining, the conclusion collapses.
Six students (A, B, C, D, E, F) will present.
Rules: A is before C and C is before F
Which must be true?
A) A is first
B) F is last
C) A is before F
D) C is before A
Correct: C
Explanation: If A < C < F, then A must be before F.
Author describes two approaches to learning languages, favoring immersion.
Which is the author most likely to endorse?
A) Reading grammar textbooks daily
B) Participating in conversations with native speakers
C) Memorizing vocabulary lists
D) Using translation apps heavily
Correct: B
Explanation: Immersion implies real conversational interaction.
A report claims that banning plastic bags significantly reduced pollution in the bay. Which most strengthens the argument?
A) The ban was implemented due to citizen petitions
B) Plastic bags made up the largest share of bay litter
C) Bay pollution is monitored monthly
D) Factories near the bay reduced emissions last year
Correct: B
Explanation: If plastic bags were the main pollutant, banning them plausibly caused the drop.
About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments that lie on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in western Asia between two million and one-and-a-half million years ago.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
Correct: E
Explanation: If the bones were not already in the sediments when the lake dried up, that means that they got into the sediments later. But then their existence would not provide evidence that there were human ancestors in western Asia between two million and one-and-a-half million years ago.
A meeting requires selecting a 3-person committee from W, X, Y, Z.
Rules:
If W is selected, X cannot be
At least one of Y or Z must be selected
Which TWO options show a valid committee?
A) W X Y
B) W Y Z
C) X Y Z
D) W X Z
Correct: B and C
Explanation: Includes Y and Z; avoids illegal W–X pairing.
A passage critiques a psychological theory for ignoring cultural differences.
What inference follows?
A) The author believes accounting for culture improves understanding
B) Cultural differences do not matter
C) The theory is completely invalid
D) Culture determines all behavior
Correct: A
Explanation: Criticism implies including culture makes the theory better.