dare2 Saysanswers in red.. quite difficult ones i guess..
pardon my sense of humour plz )Try this one:
We have heard a good deal in recent years about the declining importance of the two major political parties. It is the mass media, we are told, that decide the outcome of elections, not the power of the parties. But it is worth noting that no independent or third-party candidate has won any important election in recent years, and in the last nationwide campaign, the two major parties raised and spent more money than ever before in support of their candidates and platforms. It seems clear that reports of the imminent demise of the two-party system are premature at best.
1.Which of the following is an assumption made in the argument above?
(A) The amount of money raised and spent by a political party is one valid criterion for judging the influence of the party.
(B) A significant increase in the number of third-party candidates would be evidence of a decline in the importance of the two major parties.
(C) The two-party system has contributed significantly to the stability of the American political structure.
(D) The mass media tend to favor an independent or third-party candidate over a candidate from one of the two major parties.
(E) The mass media are relatively unimportant in deciding the outcome of most elections.
Try these, Please also post explanations
4. Total contributions by individuals to political parties were up 25
Try this one:
We have heard a good deal in recent years about the declining importance of the two major political parties. It is the mass media, we are told, that decide the outcome of elections, not the power of the parties. But it is worth noting that no independent or third-party candidate has won any important election in recent years, and in the last nationwide campaign, the two major parties raised and spent more money than ever before in support of their candidates and platforms. It seems clear that reports of the imminent demise of the two-party system are premature at best.
1. Which of the following is an assumption made in the argument above?
(A) The amount of money raised and spent by a political party is one valid criterion for judging the influence of the party.
(B) A significant increase in the number of third-party candidates would be evidence of a decline in the importance of the two major parties.
(C) The two-party system has contributed significantly to the stability of the American political structure.
(D) The mass media tend to favor an independent or third-party candidate over a candidate from one of the two major parties.
(E) The mass media are relatively unimportant in deciding the outcome of most elections.
4. Total contributions by individuals to political parties were up 25 percent in this most recent presidential election over those of four years earlier. Hence, it is obvious that people are no longer as apathetic as they were, but are taking a greater interest in politics.
Which of the following, if true, would considerable weaken the preceding argument?
A The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four-year period.
B Per capita income of the population increased by 15 percent during the four years in question.
C Public leaders continue to warn citizens against the dangers of political apathy.
D Contributions made by large corporations to political parties declined during the four-year period.
E Fewer people voted in the most recent presidential election than in the one four years earlier.(possible coz % is given in stem but its number here.. also weakens the stem the most)
answers in red.. quite difficult ones i guess..
In 1980, Country A had a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) that was $5,000 higher than that of the European Economic Community. By 1990, the difference, when adjusted for inflation, had increased to $6,000.
Since a rising per capita GDP indicates a rising average standard of living, the average standard of living in Country A must have risen between 1980 and 1990. Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A. Between 1980 and 1990, Country A and the European Economic Community experienced the same percentage increase in population.
B. Between 1980 and 1990, the average standard of living in the European Economic Community fell.
C. Some member countries of the European Economic Community had, during the 1980s, a higher average standard of living than Country A.
D. The per capita GDP of the European Economic Community was not lower by more than $1,000 in 1990 than it had been in 1980.
E. In 1990, no member country of the European Economic Community had a per capita GDP higher than that of Country A.
Plz post answer with explanations
MissionPGPX SaysI am not getting this one. Can u elaborate on logic please? i dont think just because it has numbers, it weakens the most?
Try this one:
We have heard a good deal in recent years about the declining importance of the two major political parties. It is the mass media, we are told, that decide the outcome of elections, not the power of the parties. But it is worth noting that no independent or third-party candidate has won any important election in recent years, and in the last nationwide campaign, the two major parties raised and spent more money than ever before in support of their candidates and platforms. It seems clear that reports of the imminent demise of the two-party system are premature at best.
1.Which of the following is an assumption made in the argument above?
(A) The amount of money raised and spent by a political party is one valid criterion for judging the influence of the party.
(B) A significant increase in the number of third-party candidates would be evidence of a decline in the importance of the two major parties.
(C) The two-party system has contributed significantly to the stability of the American political structure.
(D) The mass media tend to favor an independent or third-party candidate over a candidate from one of the two major parties.
(E) The mass media are relatively unimportant in deciding the outcome of most elections.
In 1980, Country A had a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) that was $5,000 higher than that of the European Economic Community. By 1990, the difference, when adjusted for inflation, had increased to $6,000.
Since a rising per capita GDP indicates a rising average standard of living, the average standard of living in Country A must have risen between 1980 and 1990. Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A. Between 1980 and 1990, Country A and the European Economic Community experienced the same percentage increase in population.
B. Between 1980 and 1990, the average standard of living in the European Economic Community fell.
C. Some member countries of the European Economic Community had, during the 1980s, a higher average standard of living than Country A.
D. The per capita GDP of the European Economic Community was not lower by more than $1,000 in 1990 than it had been in 1980.
E. In 1990, no member country of the European Economic Community had a per capita GDP higher than that of Country A.
Plz post answer with explanations
Try these, Please also post explanations
4. Total contributions by individuals to political parties were up 25 percent in this most recent presidential election over those of four years earlier. Hence, it is obvious that people are no longer as apathetic as they were, but are taking a greater interest in politics.
Which of the following, if true, would considerable weaken the preceding argument?
A The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four-year period.
B Per capita income of the population increased by 15 percent during the four years in question.
C Public leaders continue to warn citizens against the dangers of political apathy.
D Contributions made by large corporations to political parties declined during the four-year period.
E Fewer people voted in the most recent presidential election than in the one four years earlier.
7. New Weight Loss Salons invite all of you who are dissatisfied with your present build to join our Exercise for Lunch bunch. Instead of putting on even more weight by eating lunch, you actually cut down on your daily caloric intake by exercising rather than eating. Every single one of us has the potential to be slim and fit, so take the initiative and being losing excess pounds today. Don't eat! Exercise! You'll lose weight and feel stronger, happier, and more attractive.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the logic of the argument made by this advertisement?
I Most people will experience increased desire for food as a result of the exercise and will lose little weight as a result of enrolling in the program.
II Nutritionists agree that skipping lunch is not a healthy practice.
III In our society, obesity is regarded as unattractive.
IV A person who is too thin is probably not in good health.
A I only
B I and II only
C II and III only
D III and IV only
E I, II and III
18. The single greatest weakness of American parties is their inability to achieve cohesion in the legislature. Although there is some measure of party unity, it is not uncommon for the majority party to be unable to implement important legislation. The unity if strongest during election campaigns: after the primary elections, the losing candidates all promise their support to the party nominee. By the time the Congress convenes, the unity has dissipated. This phenomenon is attributable to the fragmented nature of party politics. The national committees are no more that feudal lords who receive nominal fealty from their vassals. A member of Congress builds power upon a local base. Consequently, a member is likely to be responsive to local special interest groups. Evidence of this is seen in the difference in voting patterns between the upper and lower houses. In the Senate, where terms are longer, there is more party unity.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?
A Members of Congress receive funds from the national party committee.
B Senators vote against the party leaders only two-thirds as often as House members.
C The primary duty of an officeholder is to be responsive to a local constituency rather than party leaders.
D There is more unity among minority party members than among majority party members.
E Much legislation is passed each session despite party disunity.
19. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: When you enroll with Future Careers Business Institute (FCBI), you will have access to our placement counselling service. Last year, 92% of our graduates who asked us to help them find jobs found them. So go to FCBI for your future!
Which of the following would be appropriate questions to ask in order to determine the value of the preceding claim?
I How many of your graduates asked FCBI for assistance?
II How many people graduated from FCBI last year?
III Did those people who asked for jobs find ones in the areas for which they were trained?
IV Was FCBI responsible for finding the jobs or did graduates find them independently?
A I and II only
B I, II and III only
C III and IV only
D III and IV only
E I, II, III, and IV.
28. Some judges have allowed hospitals to disconnect life-support equipment of patients who have no prospects for recovery. But I say that is murder. Either we put a stop to this practice now, or we will soon have programs of euthanasia for the old and infirm as well as others who might be considered a burden. Rather than disconnecting life-support equipment, we should let nature take its course.
Which of the following are valid objections to the above argument?
I It is internally inconsistent.
II It employs emotionally charged terms.
III It presents a false dilemma.
A I only
B II only
C III only
D II and III only
E I, II and III
The answer should be D. The reason being, initially it has been said that the difference between country A and European Community (say B) is $5000 in 1980. This difference increased to $6000 in 1990. Now it is possible that both A and B would have deteriorated in terms of GDP, B more than A, ending up in having $6000 difference in 1990. In such case no country has a rising per capita GDP.
But if B's GDP did not fell by more than $1000, a difference of $6000 between A and B must have come from an increase in A's GDP, indicating that A indeed had higher GDP in 1990 than it had in 1980.
Hence D.
This is more like a QA question than a VA question. :)
dare2 Saysi'll also go on wid option A for this question..
Try these, Please also post explanations
4. Total contributions by individuals to political parties were up 25 percent in this most recent presidential election over those of four years earlier. Hence, it is obvious that people are no longer as apathetic as they were, but are taking a greater interest in politics.
Which of the following, if true, would considerable weaken the preceding argument?
A The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four-year period.
B Per capita income of the population increased by 15 percent during the four years in question.
C Public leaders continue to warn citizens against the dangers of political apathy.
D Contributions made by large corporations to political parties declined during the four-year period.
E Fewer people voted in the most recent presidential election than in the one four years earlier.
OA and OE
Correct answer: (E)
If you wanted to determine how politically active people are, what kind of test would you devise? You might do a survey to test political awareness; you might do a survey to find out how hours people devote to political campaigning each week or how many hours they spend writing letters, etc.; or you might get a rough estimate by studying voting statistics. The paragraph takes contributions as a measure of political activity. (E) is correct for two reasons. One, the paragraph says nothing about individual activity. It says ttotal contributions were up, not average or per person contributions. Second, (E) cites voting patterns which seem as good as or better an indicator of political activity than giving money. This second reason explains why (A) is wrong. (A) may weaken the argument, but a stronger attack would use voting patterns. (D) confuses individual and corporate contributions, so even if campaign givig were a strong indicator of activity, (D) would still be irrelevant. (B) does not even explain why contributions in toto rose during the four years, nor does it tell us anything about the pattern of giving by individual people. Finally, (C) seems the worst of all the answers, for it hardly constitutes an attack on the author's reasoning. It seems likely that even in the fact of increased political activity, public leaders would continue to warn against the dangers of political apathy.
7. New Weight Loss Salons invite all of you who are dissatisfied with your present build to join our Exercise for Lunch bunch. Instead of putting on even more weight by eating lunch, you actually cut down on your daily caloric intake by exercising rather than eating. Every single one of us has the potential to be slim and fit, so take the initiative and being losing excess pounds today. Don't eat! Exercise! You'll lose weight and feel stronger, happier, and more attractive.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the logic of the argument made by this advertisement?
I Most people will experience increased desire for food as a result of the exercise and will lose little weight as a result of enrolling in the program.
II Nutritionists agree that skipping lunch is not a healthy practice.
III In our society, obesity is regarded as unattractive.
IV A person who is too thin is probably not in good health.
A I only
B I and II only
C II and III only
D III and IV only
E I, II and III
OA and OE Correct answer: (B)
Statement I would undermine the advertisement considerably. Since the point of the ad is that you will lose weight, any unforeseen effects that would make it impossible to lose weight would defeat the purposes of the program. Statement II is less obvious, but it does weaken the ad somewhat. Although the ad does not specifically say you will be healthier for having enrolled in the program, surely the advantages of the program are less significant if you have to pay an additional, hidden vost, i.e., health. Statement III, if anything, supports the advertisement. Statement IV is irrelevant since the ad does not claim you will become too thin.
18. The single greatest weakness of American parties is their inability to achieve cohesion in the legislature. Although there is some measure of party unity, it is not uncommon for the majority party to be unable to implement important legislation. The unity if strongest during election campaigns: after the primary elections, the losing candidates all promise their support to the party nominee. By the time the Congress convenes, the unity has dissipated. This phenomenon is attributable to the fragmented nature of party politics. The national committees are no more that feudal lords who receive nominal fealty from their vassals. A member of Congress builds power upon a local base. Consequently, a member is likely to be responsive to local special interest groups. Evidence of this is seen in the difference in voting patterns between the upper and lower houses. In the Senate, where terms are longer, there is more party unity.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?
A Members of Congress receive funds from the national party committee.
B Senators vote against the party leaders only two-thirds as often as House members.
C The primary duty of an officeholder is to be responsive to a local constituency rather than party leaders.
D There is more unity among minority party members than among majority party members.
E Much legislation is passed each session despite party disunity.
OA and OE Correct answer: (C)
Here we are looking for the argument that will undermine the position taken by the paragraph. Remember that the ultimate conclusion of the paragraph is that this disunity is a weakness and that this prevents legislation from being passed. One very good way of attacking this argument is to attack the value judgement upon which the conclusion is based: Is it good to pass the legislation? The author assumes that it would be better to pass the legislation. We could argue, as in (C), that members of the Congress should not pass legislation simply because it is proposed by the party leadership. Rather, the members should represent the views of their constituents. Then, if the legislation fails, it must be the people who did not want it. In that case, it is better not to pass the legislation. (A) does not undermine the argument. That members receive funding proves nothing about unity after elections. As for (B), this seems to strengthen rather than weaken the argument. The author's thesis argues that there is greater unity in the Senate than in the House. (D) would undermine the argument only if we had some additional information to make it relevant. Finally, (E) does not weaken the argument greatly. That some legislationg is passed is not a denial of the argument that more should be passed.
19. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: When you enroll with Future Careers Business Institute (FCBI), you will have access to our placement counselling service. Last year, 92% of our graduates who asked us to help them find jobs found them. So go to FCBI for your future!
Which of the following would be appropriate questions to ask in order to determine the value of the preceding claim?
I How many of your graduates asked FCBI for assistance?
II How many people graduated from FCBI last year?
III Did those people who asked for jobs find ones in the areas for which they were trained?
IV Was FCBI responsible for finding the jobs or did graduates find them independently?
A I and II only
B I, II and III only
C III and IV only
D III and IV only
E I, II, III, and IV.
OA and OE Correct answer: (E)
This advertisement is simply rife with ambiguity. The wording obviously seeks to create the impression that FCBI found jobs for its many graduates and generally does a lot of good for them. But first we should ask how many graduates FCBI had - one, two, three, a dozen, or a hundred. If it had only 12 or so, finding them jobs might have been easy; but if many people enroll at FCBI, they may not have the same success. Further, we might want to know how many people graduated compared with how many enrolled. Do people finish the program, or does FCBI just take their money and then force them out of the program? So II is certainly something we need to know in order to assess the validity of the claim. Now, how many of those who graduated came in looking for help in finding a job? Maybe most people had jobs waiting for them (only a few needed help), in which case the job placement assistance of FCBI is not so impressive. Or, perhaps the graduates were so digusted they did not even seek assistance. So I is relevant. III is also important. Perhaps FCBI found them jobs sweeping streets - not in business. The ad does not say what jobs FCBI helped its people find. Finally, maybe the ad is truthful - FCBI graduates found jobs - but maybe they did it on their own. So IV also is a question worth asking.
28. Some judges have allowed hospitals to disconnect life-support equipment of patients who have no prospects for recovery. But I say that is murder. Either we put a stop to this practice now, or we will soon have programs of euthanasia for the old and infirm as well as others who might be considered a burden. Rather than disconnecting life-support equipment, we should let nature take its course.
Which of the following are valid objections to the above argument?
I It is internally inconsistent.
II It employs emotionally charged terms.
III It presents a false dilemma.
A I only
B II only
C III only
D II and III only
E I, II and III
OA and OE Correct answer: (E)
Perhaps the most obvious weakness in the argument is that it oversimplifies matters. It is like the domino theory arguments adduced to support the war in Vietname: Either we fight Communism now or it will take us over. The author argues, in effect: Either we put a stop to this now, or there will be no stopping it. Like the proponents of the domino theory, the author ignores the many intermediate positions one might take. III is one way of describing this shortcoming: The dilemma posed by the author is a false one because it overlooks positions between the two extremes. II is also a weakness of the argument: "Cold-blooded murder" is obviously a phrase calculated to excite negative feelings. Finally, the whole argument is also internally inconsistent. The conclusion is that we should allow nature to take its course. How? By prolonging life with artificial means.
The demand for tires is considered to be a 'derived demand.' That is to say, much of the demand for tires is based on the demand for cars. In a time when the demand for cars drops, the demand for tires generally drops as well, and by a similar amount. In urban locations, however, the demand for cars is typically lower than other areas, and the demand for tires is not considered a derived demand. Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the argument above?
A) Most urban cities have decent public transportation systems.
B) There are many people who live in urban locations who drive cars.
C) High costs for parking lead to lower demand for cars.
D) Tires wear out more quickly on urban streets due to potholes.
E) In urban locations, there are no other uses for tires besides on cars.
The Kuwaiti oil-well fires, unlike the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, turned out not to be as serious an ecological disaster as was at first feared.
From which of the following statements can the statement above be properly inferred?
A) The Kuwaiti fires' ecological impact was more limited than had been expected. The Chernobyl accident, however, was not taken seriously enough at first, and its baleful effects continue to outstrip most predictions.
B) The Kuwaiti oil-well fires, though serious enough in ecological terms, have not had any widespread impact on the global ecology.
C) The Kuwaiti oil-well fires involved the combustion of no carcinogenic materials. The Chernobyl accident released radio-active debris which has an extremely long half-life and are carcinogenic
D) The effects of the Chernobyl accident will be felt in the world for thousands of years to come, while most of the ecological damage done by the Kuwaiti oil-well fires has already been pretty well dissipated.
E) The dire predictions of ecological catastrophe which were made about the fires in the Kuwaiti oil-fields have not been borne out in the subsequent course of events.
The demand for tires is considered to be a 'derived demand.' That is to say, much of the demand for tires is based on the demand for cars. In a time when the demand for cars drops, the demand for tires generally drops as well, and by a similar amount. In urban locations, however, the demand for cars is typically lower than other areas, and the demand for tires is not considered a derived demand. Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the argument above?
A) Most urban cities have decent public transportation systems.
B) There are many people who live in urban locations who drive cars.
C) High costs for parking lead to lower demand for cars.
D) Tires wear out more quickly on urban streets due to potholes.
E) In urban locations, there are no other uses for tires besides on cars.
The Kuwaiti oil-well fires, unlike the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, turned out not to be as serious an ecological disaster as was at first feared.
From which of the following statements can the statement above be properly inferred?
A) The Kuwaiti fires' ecological impact was more limited than had been expected. The Chernobyl accident, however, was not taken seriously enough at first, and its baleful effects continue to outstrip most predictions.
B) The Kuwaiti oil-well fires, though serious enough in ecological terms, have not had any widespread impact on the global ecology.
C) The Kuwaiti oil-well fires involved the combustion of no carcinogenic materials. The Chernobyl accident released radio-active debris which has an extremely long half-life and are carcinogenic
D) The effects of the Chernobyl accident will be felt in the world for thousands of years to come, while most of the ecological damage done by the Kuwaiti oil-well fires has already been pretty well dissipated.
E) The dire predictions of ecological catastrophe which were made about the fires in the Kuwaiti oil-fields have not been borne out in the subsequent course of events.
OA are
1) D
2) A
Please also post reason for choosing answer
14. The world-famous eighteenth century pianist Dietrich Kellermann regarded Wolfgang Mozart as the finest composer of his generation, until he met the young Ludwig van Beethoven. We can conclude from this that Beethoven was a finer composer than Mozart was.
Which of the following could not be used as a counter-argument to that conclusion?
A. Kellermann may not have been a good judge of the characteristics that make a fine composer.
B. Kellermann may have regarded Mozart as the finest composer of his generation after he met Beethoven.
C. The qualities that make a world-class pianist aren't necessarily those that make a world-class composer.
D. The opinion of one man counts little when rating composers against each other.
E. Whether one particular composer is finer than another is a subjective decision, rather than an objective one
28. On 31st October 2001, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London reported that going from London to New York on a transatlantic flight was safer than crossing the street. His remark was illogical because it ignores the fact that
A. there is a great deal of crime in both New York and London.
B. Most of the time, when airplanes crash everyone on board is killed.
C. People have to cross several streets in order to get from home to the airports.
D. Crossing the street is slightly more dangerous in New York than it is in London.
E. Some airlines have a worse safety record than others.
40. In countries such as Britain and the United States of America the suicide rate is at its highest during the winter months, ironically when most people are celebrating Christmas. One hypothesis suggests that this is generally due to the long winter evenings rather than to the timing of the Christmas festivities themselves.
Which of the following would be the most useful in testing such a hypothesis?
A. A large-scale questionnaire distributed in Britain and the United States asking people about their attitudes to Christmas.
B. Government statistics that show the numbers of suicides in the summer and winter months.
C. A studying comparing the suicide rates in Australia in July and in December (which is when Australians celebrate Christmas).
D. Astronomical tables showing the exact number of hours of daylight for every day of the year.
E. Official statistics listing the proportion of suicides that take place during the winter months in other European countries such as France and Germany.
Please also post reason for choosing answer
14. The world-famous eighteenth century pianist Dietrich Kellermann regarded Wolfgang Mozart as the finest composer of his generation, until he met the young Ludwig van Beethoven. We can conclude from this that Beethoven was a finer composer than Mozart was.
Which of the following could not be used as a counter-argument to that conclusion?
A. Kellermann may not have been a good judge of the characteristics that make a fine composer.
B. Kellermann may have regarded Mozart as the finest composer of his generation after he met Beethoven.
C. The qualities that make a world-class pianist aren't necessarily those that make a world-class composer.
D. The opinion of one man counts little when rating composers against each other.
E. Whether one particular composer is finer than another is a subjective decision, rather than an objective one
28. On 31st October 2001, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London reported that going from London to New York on a transatlantic flight was safer than crossing the street. His remark was illogical because it ignores the fact that
A. there is a great deal of crime in both New York and London.
B. Most of the time, when airplanes crash everyone on board is killed.
C. People have to cross several streets in order to get from home to the airports.
D. Crossing the street is slightly more dangerous in New York than it is in London.
E. Some airlines have a worse safety record than others.
40. In countries such as Britain and the United States of America the suicide rate is at its highest during the winter months, ironically when most people are celebrating Christmas. One hypothesis suggests that this is generally due to the long winter evenings rather than to the timing of the Christmas festivities themselves.
Which of the following would be the most useful in testing such a hypothesis?
A. A large-scale questionnaire distributed in Britain and the United States asking people about their attitudes to Christmas.
B. Government statistics that show the numbers of suicides in the summer and winter months.
C. A studying comparing the suicide rates in Australia in July and in December (which is when Australians celebrate Christmas).
D. Astronomical tables showing the exact number of hours of daylight for every day of the year.
E. Official statistics listing the proportion of suicides that take place during the winter months in other European countries such as France and Germany.
Please also post reason for choosing answer
14. The world-famous eighteenth century pianist Dietrich Kellermann regarded Wolfgang Mozart as the finest composer of his generation, until he met the young Ludwig van Beethoven. We can conclude from this that Beethoven was a finer composer than Mozart was.
Which of the following could not be used as a counter-argument to that conclusion?
A. Kellermann may not have been a good judge of the characteristics that make a fine composer.
B. Kellermann may have regarded Mozart as the finest composer of his generation after he met Beethoven.---->
C. The qualities that make a world-class pianist aren't necessarily those that make a world-class composer.
D. The opinion of one man counts little when rating composers against each other.
E. Whether one particular composer is finer than another is a subjective decision, rather than an objective one
28. On 31st October 2001, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London reported that going from London to New York on a transatlantic flight was safer than crossing the street. His remark was illogical because it ignores the fact that
A. there is a great deal of crime in both New York and London.
B. Most of the time, when airplanes crash everyone on board is killed.
C. People have to cross several streets in order to get from home to the airports.
D. Crossing the street is slightly more dangerous in New York than it is in London.
E. Some airlines have a worse safety record than others.
40. In countries such as Britain and the United States of America the suicide rate is at its highest during the winter months, ironically when most people are celebrating Christmas. One hypothesis suggests that this is generally due to the long winter evenings rather than to the timing of the Christmas festivities themselves.
Which of the following would be the most useful in testing such a hypothesis?
A. A large-scale questionnaire distributed in Britain and the United States asking people about their attitudes to Christmas.
B. Government statistics that show the numbers of suicides in the summer and winter months.
C. A studying comparing the suicide rates in Australia in July and in December (which is when Australians celebrate Christmas).
D. Astronomical tables showing the exact number of hours of daylight for every day of the year.
E. Official statistics listing the proportion of suicides that take place during the winter months in other European countries such as France and Germany.