Try this : A greater number of newspapers are sold in Town S than in Town T. Therefore, the citizens of Town S are better informed about major world events than are the citizens of Town T. Each of the following, if true, weakens the conclusion above EXCEPT: (A) Town S has a larger population than Town T. (B) Most citizens of Town T work in Town S and buy their newspapers there. (C) The average citizen of Town S spends less time reading newspapers than does the average citizen of Town T. (D) A weekly newspaper restricted to the coverage of local events is published in Town S. (E) The average newsstand price of newspapers sold in Town S is lower than the average price of newspapers sold in Town T.
it wud we wonderful if u explain how B weakens the conclusion while E does not !!!
Approximately two hundred brands of personal computers are being manufactured, but we currently limit our inventory to only the eight most popular brands. We plan to increase greatly the number of computers we sell by expanding our inventory to include the ten best-selling brands. Which of the following, if true, points out a major weakness of the plan above? (A) The capabilities of three most popular personal computers add to be approximately equivalent, with no brand having consistent superiority in all respects. (B) The seven most popular brands of personal computers account for almost all computers sold. (C) As the users of personal computers become more sophisticated, they are more willing to buy less well-known brands of computers. (D) Less popular brands of computers often provide less profit to the retailer because prices must be discounted to attract customers. (E) The leading brand of personal computer has been losing sales to less popular brands that offer similar capabilities for less money.
Approximately two hundred brands of personal computers are being manufactured, but we currently limit our inventory to only the eight most popular brands. We plan to increase greatly the number of computers we sell by expanding our inventory to include the ten best-selling brands. Which of the following, if true, points out a major weakness of the plan above? (A) The capabilities of three most popular personal computers add to be approximately equivalent, with no brand having consistent superiority in all respects. (B) The seven most popular brands of personal computers account for almost all computers sold. (C) As the users of personal computers become more sophisticated, they are more willing to buy less well-known brands of computers. (D) Less popular brands of computers often provide less profit to the retailer because prices must be discounted to attract customers. (E) The leading brand of personal computer has been losing sales to less popular brands that offer similar capabilities for less money.
my take 2 as 1 and 5 are irrelevant 3 is not a weakness it is supporting the idea. 4 doesnot weaken the statement as the main motive is to increase the sales as 2 option says that the 7 most popular brands account for almost all the sales so adding up two more brands will not add much to the sales so 2 should be the ans.
B should be the correct answer. Argument's point is that restrictions on obtaining hypodermic needles should not occur and this point is supported by using the benefits and possible wrong uses of knitting needles. Furhtermore, the argument in literal terms states that knitting needles can also cause deaths when in wrong hands but no one will accept to ban them because of their other uses. So, we have to put a point that states that hypodermic needles should not be banned or restricted because of their disadvantges but should be available for use because of their advantages. B does that nicely. What's the answer??
Thanks, Anurag...
My answer would be A as it justifying why even knitting needles are dangerous (remember we need to make a comparison here abt knitting needles and hypodermic needles, ref.( But even knitting needles can be lethal ). Points B is irrelevant and point C merely restates the fact, D is out of scope .. E is absolutely b.s :D
Try this : A greater number of newspapers are sold in Town S than in Town T. Therefore, the citizens of Town S are better informed about major world events than are the citizens of Town T. Each of the following, if true, weakens the conclusion above EXCEPT: (A) Town S has a larger population than Town T. (B) Most citizens of Town T work in Town S and buy their newspapers there. (C) The average citizen of Town S spends less time reading newspapers than does the average citizen of Town T. (D) A weekly newspaper restricted to the coverage of local events is published in Town S. (E) The average newsstand price of newspapers sold in Town S is lower than the average price of newspapers sold in Town T.
Please give the explaintion also for ur ans... :) 1. Some commentators complain that a "litigation explosion" in the past decade has led to unreasonably high costs for U.S. businesses by encouraging more product liability suits against manufacturers. However, these complaints are based mainly on myth. Statistics show that the number of successful product liability suits has remained almost the same, and the average sum awarded in damages has grown no faster than the inflation rate. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above? (A) The number of unsuccessful suits has skyrocketed, imposing huge new legal expenses on businesses. (B) Several of the largest awards ever made in product liability cases occurred within the last two years. (C) The rise of the consumer movement has encouraged citizens to seek legal redress for product flaws. (D) Lawyers often undertake product liability cases on a contingency basis, so their payment is based on the size of the damages awarded. (E) Juries often award damages in product liability suits out of emotional sympathy for an injured consumer. 2. The U.S. census is not perfect: thousands of Americans probably go uncounted. However, the basic statistical portrait of the nation painted by the census is accurate. Certainly some of the poor go uncounted, particularly the homeless; but some of the rich go uncounted as well, because they are often abroad or traveling between one residence and another. Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument above depends? (A) Both the rich and the poor have personal and economic reasons to avoid being counted by the census. (B) All Americans may reasonably be classified as either poor or rich. (C) The percentage of poor Americans uncounted by the census is close to the percentage of rich Americans uncounted. (D) The number of homeless Americans is approximately equal to the number of rich Americans. (E) The primary purpose of the census is to analyze the economic status of the American population.
Please give the explaintion also for ur ans... :) 1. Some commentators complain that a "litigation explosion" in the past decade has led to unreasonably high costs for U.S. businesses by encouraging more product liability suits against manufacturers. However, these complaints are based mainly on myth. Statistics show that the number of successful product liability suits has remained almost the same, and the average sum awarded in damages has grown no faster than the inflation rate. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above? (A) The number of unsuccessful suits has skyrocketed, imposing huge new legal expenses on businesses. (B) Several of the largest awards ever made in product liability cases occurred within the last two years. (C) The rise of the consumer movement has encouraged citizens to seek legal redress for product flaws. (D) Lawyers often undertake product liability cases on a contingency basis, so their payment is based on the size of the damages awarded. (E) Juries often award damages in product liability suits out of emotional sympathy for an injured consumer. 2. The U.S. census is not perfect: thousands of Americans probably go uncounted. However, the basic statistical portrait of the nation painted by the census is accurate. Certainly some of the poor go uncounted, particularly the homeless; but some of the rich go uncounted as well, because they are often abroad or traveling between one residence and another. Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument above depends? (A) Both the rich and the poor have personal and economic reasons to avoid being counted by the census. (B) All Americans may reasonably be classified as either poor or rich. (C) The percentage of poor Americans uncounted by the census is close to the percentage of rich Americans uncounted. (D) The number of homeless Americans is approximately equal to the number of rich Americans. (E) The primary purpose of the census is to analyze the economic status of the American population.
my take A and C As in first qs we have to weaken the argument.The argument says that there has not been much of litigation explosion and it is a myth.so we have to prove that there has been increase in the number of suits.As statement A clearly states that number of unsuccessful suits has skyrocketed so number of litigation claims has increased so A. In 2nd qs the line to be read carefully is the basic statistical portrait of the nation painted by the census is accurate.This means that if equal number of rich and poor are missing we can have an accurate data of the nation.So C is the ans.
my take A and C As in first qs we have to weaken the argument.The argument says that there has not been much of litigation explosion and it is a myth.so we have to prove that there has been increase in the number of suits.As statement A clearly states that number of unsuccessful suits has skyrocketed so number of litigation claims has increased so A. In 2nd qs the line to be read carefully is the basic statistical portrait of the nation painted by the census is accurate.This means that if equal number of rich and poor are missing we can have an accurate data of the nation.So C is the ans.
Ohhh ok.... Your answers are right... 😃 ...Thanks
The mistake I made in the first ques was that I didnt understand the argument thoroughly... In the second ques , I chose D over C , not realizing that it talks of the 'statistical portrait of the country ' ....
13.The recent decline in the value of the dollar was triggered by a prediction of slower economic growth in the coming year. But that prediction would not have adversely affected the dollar had it not been for the governments huge budget deficit, which must therefore be decreased to prevent future currency declines. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion about how to prevent future currency declines? (A) The government has made little attempt to reduce the budget deficit. (B) The budget deficit has not caused a slowdown in economic growth. (C) The value of the dollar declined several times in the year prior to the recent prediction of slower economic growth. (D) Before there was a large budget deficit, predictions of slower economic growth frequently caused declines in the dollars value. (E) When there is a large budget deficit, other events in addition to predictions of slower economic growth sometimes trigger declines in currency value.
Pls try these and explain: 13. The recent decline in the value of the dollar was triggered by a prediction of slower economic growth in the coming year. But that prediction would not have adversely affected the dollar had it not been for the governments huge budget deficit, which must therefore be decreased to prevent future currency declines. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion about how to prevent future currency declines? (A) The government has made little attempt to reduce the budget deficit. (B) The budget deficit has not caused a slowdown in economic growth. (C) The value of the dollar declined several times in the year prior to the recent prediction of slower economic growth. (D) Before there was a large budget deficit, predictions of slower economic growth frequently caused declines in the dollars value. (E) When there is a large budget deficit, other events in addition to predictions of slower economic growth sometimes trigger declines in currency value.
Good question. Standard causal argument. The cause of the trigger in recent decline in the value of the dollar is the prediction. Govt. huge budget deficit adversely affected the dollar, so deficit must be decreased to prevent future currency declines. Conclu: deficit must be decreased to prevent future currency declines. means budget deficit is the cause. Any choice showing alternate cause or negating budget deficit as a cause is the answer. B directly states that budget deficit has not caused the slowdown. there it is. B is my pick.
PS: smhow i have this tendency of neglecting or proving all other choices wrong once i m strong about one choice as an answer, which proves lethal at times. any strategy to overcome this?
13.The recent decline in the value of the dollar was triggered by a prediction of slower economic growth in the coming year. But that prediction would not have adversely affected the dollar had it not been for the governments huge budget deficit, which must therefore be decreased to prevent future currency declines. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion about how to prevent future currency declines? (A) The government has made little attempt to reduce the budget deficit. (B) The budget deficit has not caused a slowdown in economic growth. (C) The value of the dollar declined several times in the year prior to the recent prediction of slower economic growth. (D) Before there was a large budget deficit, predictions of slower economic growth frequently caused declines in the dollars value. (E) When there is a large budget deficit, other events in addition to predictions of slower economic growth sometimes trigger declines in currency value.
. The candy manufacturer's claim that employee "theft" costs the company thousands of dollars a year in potential sales is greatly overstated. Most of the candy eaten on the job and not paid for is eaten one piece at a time, by workers who would not be willing to buy an entire box of it anyway. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above? (A) The workers eat only defective candies that could not be sold. (B) Candy eaten by employees represents lost potential sales to nonemployees. (C) A few workers account for most of the candy that is eaten but not paid for. (D) Most of the candies eaten by employees are consumed during the holiday season, when production outputs are at their highest. (E) The amount of candy eaten by employees is only a small fraction of the candy sold by the company
2. Children who attend private high schools may initially feel that they can succeed without doing the work required, but as they grow older they realize the necessity of serious study. Each year the overwhelming majority of students disciplined for plagiarism and cheating on their exams is found in the freshman class. The argument above would be most weakened if which of the following were true? (A) As they move up in grade, students learn how to cheat without being caught. (B) First-time offenders for plagiarism and cheating on exams are not disciplined. (C) The proctors for freshman exams are the least vigilant. (D) Acts of vandalism are most often committed by members of the sophomore class. (E) Public school students are no less likely than private school students to believe that they can succeed in life without working hard.
3. It takes 4 weeks for a team of 5 professional window washers working regular full-time hours to properly clean every window of the Empire State Building. The building's owner demands that all the windows always be clean. Yet even if the 5 washers work consistently throughout their regular work week, they will not be able to finish cleaning all the windows before some windows will again need cleaning. It can be correctly inferred on the basis of the statements above that which of the following must be true? (A) If an Empire State Building window is to be kept clean, it must be cleaned by a professional window cleaner. (B) The owner's demand for proper cleaning of all the windows will never be fulfilled. (C) If a team of 5 window washers cleans all the Empire State Building's windows in less than 4 weeks, some of the windows will not be properly cleaned. (D) In order to ensure that all of the Empire State Building's windows are clean, the owner must have his window washers work overtime. (E) Some Empire State Building windows must be cleaned more frequently than once every four weeks if they are to be kept clean.
4. Truck driver: The gasoline tax is too high and it must be lowered. It has been raised every year for the last five years, while other sales taxes have not. If the government persists in unfairly penalizing truck drivers, our increased operating costs will either hurt consumers or put us out of business. State official: But your gasoline tax dollars maintain and improve the very roads you depend on. Without those additional revenues, road conditions would deteriorate, costing you and consumers much more in maintenance and repairs. If the statements made above are true, the best characterization of the logical relationship between the two arguments is that the state official's response (A) points out that the truck driver's proposal will actually worsen the problem it is intended to solve (B) is circular, assuming the truth of its conclusion in order to justify its conclusion (C) points out that the truck driver is selfish because more people are aided by the gasoline tax than are penalized (D) is merely an attempt to excuse the government's policies without providing any justification for those policies (E) points to an inherent contradiction between the cause the truck driver cites and the effects the truck driver thinks will follow from the cause
. The candy manufacturer's claim that employee "theft" costs the company thousands of dollars a year in potential sales is greatly overstated. Most of the candy eaten on the job and not paid for is eaten one piece at a time, by workers who would not be willing to buy an entire box of it anyway. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above? (A) The workers eat only defective candies that could not be sold. (B) Candy eaten by employees represents lost potential sales to nonemployees. (C) A few workers account for most of the candy that is eaten but not paid for. (D) Most of the candies eaten by employees are consumed during the holiday season, when production outputs are at their highest. (E) The amount of candy eaten by employees is only a small fraction of the candy sold by the company
2. Children who attend private high schools may initially feel that they can succeed without doing the work required, but as they grow older they realize the necessity of serious study. Each year the overwhelming majority of students disciplined for plagiarism and cheating on their exams is found in the freshman class. The argument above would be most weakened if which of the following were true? (A) As they move up in grade, students learn how to cheat without being caught. (B) First-time offenders for plagiarism and cheating on exams are not disciplined. (C) The proctors for freshman exams are the least vigilant. (D) Acts of vandalism are most often committed by members of the sophomore class. (E) Public school students are no less likely than private school students to believe that they can succeed in life without working hard.
3. It takes 4 weeks for a team of 5 professional window washers working regular full-time hours to properly clean every window of the Empire State Building. The building's owner demands that all the windows always be clean. Yet even if the 5 washers work consistently throughout their regular work week, they will not be able to finish cleaning all the windows before some windows will again need cleaning. It can be correctly inferred on the basis of the statements above that which of the following must be true? (A) If an Empire State Building window is to be kept clean, it must be cleaned by a professional window cleaner. (B) The owner's demand for proper cleaning of all the windows will never be fulfilled. (C) If a team of 5 window washers cleans all the Empire State Building's windows in less than 4 weeks, some of the windows will not be properly cleaned. (D) In order to ensure that all of the Empire State Building's windows are clean, the owner must have his window washers work overtime. (E) Some Empire State Building windows must be cleaned more frequently than once every four weeks if they are to be kept clean.
4. Truck driver: The gasoline tax is too high and it must be lowered. It has been raised every year for the last five years, while other sales taxes have not. If the government persists in unfairly penalizing truck drivers, our increased operating costs will either hurt consumers or put us out of business. State official: But your gasoline tax dollars maintain and improve the very roads you depend on. Without those additional revenues, road conditions would deteriorate, costing you and consumers much more in maintenance and repairs. If the statements made above are true, the best characterization of the logical relationship between the two arguments is that the state official's response (A) points out that the truck driver's proposal will actually worsen the problem it is intended to solve (B) is circular, assuming the truth of its conclusion in order to justify its conclusion (C) points out that the truck driver is selfish because more people are aided by the gasoline tax than are penalized (D) is merely an attempt to excuse the government's policies without providing any justification for those policies (E) points to an inherent contradiction between the cause the truck driver cites and the effects the truck driver thinks will follow from the cause
My take:
B
A
C
A (If I get it correctly, The cause-effect relationship is true, so E is valid).
The extent 2 wich a society is really free can be gauged by its attitude toward artistic expression. Freedom of expression can easily be violated in even the most outwardly democratic of societies. When a government arts council withholds funding from a dance performance that its member fom a dance performance dat its members deem "obscene" , the voices of a few bureacrats have in fact censored the work of d choreographer, thereby committing d real obscenity of repression.
Which of d following, if true, wud most weaken d argument above?
1.. Members of government arts council r screened to ensure dat their belief reflects those of majority. 2.. d term obsenity has several different definationsdat shud nt be used interchangeably for rhetorical effect. 3.. Failing to provide financial support for a performance is not d same as actively preventing or inhibiting it. 4.. The council's decision could be reversed if the performance were altered to conform to public standards of appropriateness. 5.. The definition of obscenity is something on which most members of a society can agree.
please give ur reasons to choose a particular answer
. The candy manufacturers claim that employee theft costs the company thousands of dollars a year in potential sales is greatly overstated. Most of the candy eaten on the job and not paid for is eaten one piece at a time, by workers who would not be willing to buy an entire box of it anyway. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above? (a) the workers eat only defective candies that could not be sold. (b) candy eaten by employees represents lost potential sales to nonemployees. (c) a few workers account for most of the candy that is eaten but not paid for. (d) most of the candies eaten by employees are consumed during the holiday season, when production outputs are at their highest. (e) the amount of candy eaten by employees is only a small fraction of the candy sold by the company
2. Children who attend private high schools may initially feel that they can succeed without doing the work required, but as they grow older they realize the necessity of serious study. Each year the overwhelming majority of students disciplined for plagiarism and cheating on their exams is found in the freshman class. The argument above would be most weakened if which of the following were true? (a) as they move up in grade, students learn how to cheat without being caught. (b) first-time offenders for plagiarism and cheating on exams are not disciplined. (c) the proctors for freshman exams are the least vigilant. (d) acts of vandalism are most often committed by members of the sophomore class. (e) public school students are no less likely than private school students to believe that they can succeed in life without working hard.
3. It takes 4 weeks for a team of 5 professional window washers working regular full-time hours to properly clean every window of the empire state building. The buildings owner demands that all the windows always be clean. Yet even if the 5 washers work consistently throughout their regular work week, they will not be able to finish cleaning all the windows before some windows will again need cleaning. It can be correctly inferred on the basis of the statements above that which of the following must be true? (a) if an empire state building window is to be kept clean, it must be cleaned by a professional window cleaner. (b) the owners demand for proper cleaning of all the windows will never be fulfilled. (c) if a team of 5 window washers cleans all the empire state buildings windows in less than 4 weeks, some of the windows will not be properly cleaned. (d) in order to ensure that all of the empire state buildings windows are clean, the owner must have his window washers work overtime. (e) some empire state building windows must be cleaned more frequently than once every four weeks if they are to be kept clean.
4. Truck driver: The gasoline tax is too high and it must be lowered. It has been raised every year for the last five years, while other sales taxes have not. If the government persists in unfairly penalizing truck drivers, our increased operating costs will either hurt consumers or put us out of business. State official: But your gasoline tax dollars maintain and improve the very roads you depend on. Without those additional revenues, road conditions would deteriorate, costing you and consumers much more in maintenance and repairs. If the statements made above are true, the best characterization of the logical relationship between the two arguments is that the state officials response (a) points out that the truck drivers proposal will actually worsen the problem it is intended to solve (b) is circular, assuming the truth of its conclusion in order to justify its conclusion (c) points out that the truck driver is selfish because more people are aided by the gasoline tax than are penalized (d) is merely an attempt to excuse the governments policies without providing any justification for those policies (e) points to an inherent contradiction between the cause the truck driver cites and the effects the truck driver thinks will follow from the cause
The extent 2 wich a society is really free can be gauged by its attitude toward artistic expression. Freedom of expression can easily be violated in even the most outwardly democratic of societies. When a government arts council withholds funding from a dance performance that its member fom a dance performance dat its members deem "obscene" , the voices of a few bureacrats have in fact censored the work of d choreographer, thereby committing d real obscenity of repression.
Which of d following, if true, wud most weaken d argument above?
1.. Members of government arts council r screened to ensure dat their belief reflects those of majority. 2.. d term obsenity has several different definationsdat shud nt be used interchangeably for rhetorical effect. 3.. Failing to provide financial support for a performance is not d same as actively preventing or inhibiting it. 4.. The council's decision could be reversed if the performance were altered to conform to public standards of appropriateness. 5.. The definition of obscenity is something on which most members of a society can agree.
. The candy manufacturers claim that employee theft costs the company thousands of dollars a year in potential sales is greatly overstated. Most of the candy eaten on the job and not paid for is eaten one piece at a time, by workers who would not be willing to buy an entire box of it anyway.
2. Children who attend private high schools may initially feel that they can succeed without doing the work required, but as they grow older they realize the necessity of serious study. Each year the overwhelming majority of students disciplined for plagiarism and cheating on their exams is found in the freshman class. The argument above would be most weakened if which of the following were true?
3. It takes 4 weeks for a team of 5 professional window washers working regular full-time hours to properly clean every window of the Empire State Building. The buildings owner demands that all the windows always be clean. Yet even if the 5 washers work consistently throughout their regular work week, they will not be able to finish cleaning all the windows before some windows will again need cleaning. (E) Some Empire State Building windows must be cleaned more frequently than once every four weeks if they are to be kept clean.
4. Truck driver: The gasoline tax is too high and it must be lowered. It has been raised every year for the last five years, while other sales taxes have not. If the government persists in unfairly penalizing truck drivers, our increased operating costs will either hurt consumers or put us out of business. State official: But your gasoline tax dollars maintain and improve the very roads you depend on. Without those additional revenues, road conditions would deteriorate, costing you and consumers much more in maintenance and repairs. If the statements made above are true, the best characterization of the logical relationship between the two arguments is that the state officials response (B) is circular, assuming the truth of its conclusion in order to justify its conclusion
Good questions. 1) My take is B. weakening this argument needs to find the flaw here. The flaw is that no matter how much quantity is eater and not paid for, it represents potential sales loss to non-employees, who eventually have to pay for it. 2) answer is A. Argument claims that children grow older and realize the necessity serious study( just like me... ;)). A states that students learn how to cheat without getting caught meaning they keep cheating irrespective of their growth.
3) My pick is E. really good question. many redherrings also. Inference for any argument is the minimum information which is 100% true based on the stimulus. C and D represents classic heart strings but both are wrong. C states some windows will not be properly cleaned, how can we state that based on stimulli? no evidence for that. D suggests overtime, why, owner can hire more workers to get the job done. E is the best.
4) my pick is B. Truckdriver`s claim is aginst increasing tax every year. and the (smart) official gives the reason for collecting tax and not increase in tax. so this makes argument circular, the truth that the tax collected will be used for road maintenance is used by official to give his conclusion. OAs awaited!! cheers!!
Good questions. 1) My take is B. weakening this argument needs to find the flaw here. The flaw is that no matter how much quantity is eater and not paid for, it represents potential sales loss to non-employees, who eventually have to pay for it. 2) answer is A. Argument claims that children grow older and realize the necessity serious study( just like me... ;)). A states that students learn how to cheat without getting caught meaning they keep cheating irrespective of their growth.
3) My pick is E. really good question. many redherrings also. Inference for any argument is the minimum information which is 100% true based on the stimulus. C and D represents classic heart strings but both are wrong. C states some windows will not be properly cleaned, how can we state that based on stimulli? no evidence for that. D suggests overtime, why, owner can hire more workers to get the job done. E is the best.
4) my pick is B. Truckdriver`s claim is aginst increasing tax every year. and the (smart) official gives the reason for collecting tax and not increase in tax. so this makes argument circular, the truth that the tax collected will be used for road maintenance is used by official to give his conclusion. OAs awaited!! cheers!!
