(D) In most United States cities, not all arrests result in convictions, and not all convictions result in prison terms.
It is given in the passage that "De Ponte had met met the contemporary standard for refusal". So choice C which says that De Ponte's standard was less strict is ruled out.
About E, it states that "It is possible" this means that the pilings could have gone more than 2 inches after repeated blows....the passage does not say that the pilings will not go any further, so choice E which maintains the chance that the pilings could have gone deeper is correct.
If anything, there should be some consideration to B. If there is a chance that the pilings can go deeper then the bridge may not be safe. But again, there is nothing in the passage that says that the standard for refusal was not sufficient.
A and D are irrelevant :)
Hey Crab,
Thanks for the reply. :)
But it is still not totally clear to me.
Is it not mentioned that De Ponte used the contemporary standard for refusal which was 2 inches after repeated blows and prior to 1700 other builders pilings were driven to refusal that is NO movement inspite of repeated blows. So isn't the former less stricter than the latter ? Thereby making option C correct.
Hey Crab,
Thanks for the reply. :)
But it is still not totally clear to me.
Is it not mentioned that De Ponte used the contemporary standard for refusal which was 2 inches after repeated blows and prior to 1700 other builders pilings were driven to refusal that is NO movement inspite of repeated blows. So isn't the former less stricter than the latter ? Thereby making option C correct.
Hmmm.....
Actually I was going as per the last line of the passage "Da Ponte, had met the contemporary standard for refusal:"
And choice C says that his standard was less strict than others of his day. Now if he had met the "contemporary" standard ie. of his time (somewhere prior to 1700), then he couldn't be less strict than others of his time, it would be a contradiction, unless other builders were more strict than the standard.
Experts plz sort this out.
Hmmm.....
Actually I was going as per the last line of the passage "Da Ponte, had met the contemporary standard for refusal:"
And choice C says that his standard was less strict than others of his day. Now if he had met the "contemporary" standard ie. of his time (somewhere prior to 1700), then he couldn't be less strict than others of his time, it would be a contradiction, unless other builders were more strict than the standard.
Experts plz sort this out.
Hey Crab, I think contemporary should be more in line with what is happening nowadays rather than during that period. Otherwise as you pointed out it would be a contradiction.
A call to the experts to help sort this out.
Hmmm.....
Actually I was going as per the last line of the passage "Da Ponte, had met the contemporary standard for refusal:"
And choice C says that his standard was less strict than others of his day. Now if he had met the "contemporary" standard ie. of his time (somewhere prior to 1700), then he couldn't be less strict than others of his time, it would be a contradiction, unless other builders were more strict than the standard.
Experts plz sort this out.
My take, since it's an inference question we have to focus on the information that may be drawn from the passage. Option C draws a comparison for which no basis is available. It's not stated or implied from the fact set whether Da Ponte's standards were strict or lenient. We can eliminate all options from A to D on the basis of the scope defined by the Fact sets presented. In E, the fact about digging the pilings deeper is used as a possibility.
JasonS SaysMy take, since it's an inference question we have to focus on the information that may be drawn from the passage. Option C draws a comparison for which no basis is available. It's not stated or implied from the fact set whether Da Ponte's standards were strict or lenient. We can eliminate all options from A to D on the basis of the scope defined by the Fact sets presented. In E, the fact about digging the pilings deeper is used as a possibility.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the reply. But isn't the main intent of a CR question preferably a definite answer. If there is a possibility based maybe answer and a more concrete answer. Isn't the concrete answer always better, as I'd said earlier too. And the reasoning for less lenience is also the premise itself unless it is a misinterpretation on my part or a contradiction.
Cheers. :)
PS : Still waiting for this to be sorted out and hope I'm not dragging it. Experts, please throw some light.
If a question says which option Least Strenghthens the argument, does this means it is a weaking question??
frnds...
I have a doubt reg a question in CR bible
It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristics is actually quite common. Certain species of plankton, for example, generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulfate. These particles cause water vapor to condense, thus forming clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presence of these particles. More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the earth absorbs less heat. Thus plankton cause the surface of the earth to be coller and this benefits the plankton.
Is the argument strong or weak?
as per CR bible it is strong as a viewpoint is presented and then this viewpoint is disputed with the example of a simple organism that changes its environment. Also the author has successfully shown that non-highly evolved species exhibit that characteristic, making it likely that the characteristics appears in other species.
I have a doubt. How can this argument be strong. I feel it is week because
1. The author has proved only with planktons. There arent any other examples.
2. More importantly we dont know if planktons are non-highly evolved species as it is not explicitly mentioned in the sentence.(assume that I dont know anything about planktons)
Pls correct me if I am wrong
does anyone have a softcopy of cr bible,manhatten,kaplan.
I wud be highly obliged if anyone send me these pdf files.
pm me pls :lookround:
thanks. 😃
does anyone have a softcopy of cr bible,manhatten,kaplan.
I wud be highly obliged if anyone send me these pdf files.
thanks. :)
:nono:
posting personal info..edit your post and remove it
Here's my critical reasoning spam . Mods please excuse me if I have broken any forum rules for this thread.I have the official answer as well as the explanations for these questions. Puys have a try at these 
11)One approach to the question of which objects discussed by a science are real is to designate as real all and only those entities posited by the most explanatorily powerful theory of the science. But since most scientific theories contain entities posited solely on theoretical grounds, this approach is flawed.
Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning above?
(A) Any object that is posited by a scientific theory and that enhances the explanatory power of that theory should be designated as real.
(B) Objects posited for theoretical reasons only should never be designated as real.
(C) A scientific theory should not posit any entity that does no enhance the explanatory power of the theory.
(D) A scientific theory should sometimes posit entities on grounds other than theoretical ones.
(E) Only objects posited by explanatorily powerful theories should be designated as real.
12) Most doctors recommend that pregnant women eat a nutritious diet to promote the health of their babies. However, most babies who are born to women who ate nutritious diets while pregnant still develop at least one medical problem in their first year.
Which one of the following, if true, does most to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?
(A) Women who regularly eat a nutritious diet while pregnant tend to eat a nutritious diet while breast-feeding.
(B) Most of the babies born to women who did not eat nutritious diet while pregnant develop no serious medical problems later in childhood.
(C) Babies of women who did not eat nutritious diets while pregnant tend to have more medical problems in their first year than do other babies.
(D) Medical problems that develop in the first year of life tend to be more serious than those that develop later in childhood.
(E) Many of the physicians who initially recommended that pregnant women consume nutritious diets have only recently reaffirmed their recommendation.
16) Publicity campaigns for endangered species are unlikely to have much impact on the most important environmental problems, for while the ease of attributing feelings to large mammals facilitates evoking sympathy for them, it is more difficult to elicit sympathy for other kinds of organisms, such as the soil microorganisms on which large ecosystems and agriculture depend.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
(A) The most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals.
(B) Microorganisms cannot experience pain or have other feelings.
(C) Publicity campaigns for the environment are the most effective when they elicit sympathy for some organism.
(D) People ignore environmental problems unless they believe the problems will affect creatures with which they sympathize.
(E) An organism can be environmentally significant only if it affects large ecosystems or agriculture.
17) Politician: All nations that place a high tax on income produce thereby a negative incentive for technological innovation, and all nations in which technological innovation is hampered inevitably fall behind in the international arms race. Those nations that, through historical accident or the foolishness of their political leadership, wind up in a strategically disadvantageous position are destined to lose their voice in the world affairs. So if a nation wants to maintain its value system and way of life, it must not allow its highest tax bracket to exceed 30 percent of income.
Each of the following, if true, weakens the politicians argument EXCEPT:
(A) The top level of taxation must reach 45 percent before taxation begins to deter inventors and industrialists from introducing new technologies and industries.
(B) Making a great deal of money is an insignificant factor in driving technological innovation.
(C) Falling behind in the international arms race does not necessarily lead to a strategically less advantageous position.
(D) Those nations that lose influence in the world community do not necessarily suffer from a threat to their value system or way of life.
(E) Allowing ones country to lose its technological edge, especially as concerns weaponry, would be foolish rather than merely a historical accident.
Questions 25-26
Zachary: The term fresco refers to paint that has been applied to wet plaster. Once dried, a fresco indelibly preserves the paint that a painter has applied in this way. Unfortunately, additions known to have been made by later painters have obscured the original fresco work done by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. Therefore, in order to restore Michelangelos Sistine Chapel paintings to the appearance that Michelangelo intended them to have, everything except the original fresco work must be stripped away.
Stephen: But it was extremely common for painters of Michelangelos era to add painted details to their own fresco work after the frescos had dried.
25. Stephens response to Zachary proceeds by
(A) calling into question an assumption on which Zacharys conclusion depends
(B) challenging the definition of a key term in Zachary reaches
(C) drawing a conclusion other than the one that Zachary reaches
(D) denying the truth of one of the stated premises of Zacharys argument
(E) demonstrating that Zacharys conclusion is not consistent with the premises he uses to support it
26. Stephens response to Zachary, if true, most strongly supports which one of the following?
(A) It is impossible to distinguish the later painted additions made to Michelangelos Sistine Chapel paintings from the original fresco work.
(B) Stripping away everything except Michelangelos original fresco work from the Sistine Chapel paintings would be unlikely to restore them to the appearance Michelangelo intended them to have.
(C) The painted details that painters of Michelangelos era added to their own fresco work were not an integral part of the completed paintings overall design.
(D) None of the painters of Michelangelos era who made additions to the Sistine Chapel paintings was important artist in his or her own right.
(E) Michelangelo was rarely satisfied with the appearance of his finished works.
11. (A) Any object that is posited by a scientific theory and that enhances the explanatory power of that theory should be designated as real.
12. (C) Babies of women who did not eat nutritious diets while pregnant tend to have more medical problems in their first year than do other babies.
16. (A) The most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals.
17. (E) Allowing one's country to lose its technological edge, especially as concerns weaponry, would be foolish rather than merely a historical accident.
25. A
26. B
Here's my critical reasoning spam . Mods please excuse me if I have broken any forum rules for this thread.I have the official answer as well as the explanations for these questions. Puys have a try at these
11)
(B) Objects posited for theoretical reasons only should never be designated as real.
12) .
(C) Babies of women who did not eat nutritious diets while pregnant tend to have more medical problems in their first year than do other babies.
(16) (A) The most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals.
(
17)
(E) Allowing ones country to lose its technological edge, especially as concerns weaponry, would be foolish rather than merely a historical accident.
Questions 25-26
25. Stephens response to Zachary proceeds by
(A) calling into question an assumption on which Zacharys conclusion depends
(
26.((B) Stripping away everything except Michelangelos original fresco work from the Sistine Chapel paintings would be unlikely to restore them to the appearance Michelangelo intended them to have.
Official answers :
11)B
12)C
16)A
17)E
25)A
26)B
@sagar : Can you explain answers for 11,16 and 17?
Official answers :
@sagar : Can you explain answers for 11,16 and 17?
First of all I got it all correct for the first time
well lemme try
11. a and c ruled out as there is nothing as "enhancing" . D tends to weaken the second sentence. E is just opposite of what the author states. B has to be the answer
16. theme of statement: sympathy is only for Large animals, therefore , sympathy won't exist for soil microorganisms on which ecosystem largely depends. Only A is the true assumption on which the arguement depends.
17. E was quite easy as it bear no relevance with weakening the statement.
That was how i solved it...will like to hear your explanation please @whytodomba.. shall be helpful for all.
In my opinion option B is correct
A company gives each employee the opportunity to invest from each paycheck upto 8 percent of his or her salary in a personal,interest accruing retirement fund. The company automatically contributes equivalent of 2% of an employeee's paycheck to such a fund, regardless of whether or not the employee invests anything, and will also contribute an amount equivalent to any investment the employee elects to make upto 3% of the employee's paycheck.
If the statements above are true, which of the following are also true?
.
B) If the employee elects to invest 4% of his paycheck in the retirement fund, the total value of each investment, including company's contribution, will be equivalent to 9% of his paycheck.
Here is my take...
11)One approach to the question of which objects discussed by a science are real is to designate as real all and only those entities posited by the most explanatorily powerful theory of the science. But since most scientific theories contain entities posited solely on theoretical grounds, this approach is flawed.
Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning above?
(A) Any object that is posited by a scientific theory and that enhances the explanatory power of that theory should be designated as real.
(B) Objects posited for theoretical reasons only should never be designated as real.
(C) A scientific theory should not posit any entity that does no enhance the explanatory power of the theory.
(D) A scientific theory should sometimes posit entities on grounds other than theoretical ones.
(E) Only objects posited by explanatorily powerful theories should be designated as real.
12) Most doctors recommend that pregnant women eat a nutritious diet to promote the health of their babies. However, most babies who are born to women who ate nutritious diets while pregnant still develop at least one medical problem in their first year.
Which one of the following, if true, does most to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?
(A) Women who regularly eat a nutritious diet while pregnant tend to eat a nutritious diet while breast-feeding.
(B) Most of the babies born to women who did not eat nutritious diet while pregnant develop no serious medical problems later in childhood.
(C) Babies of women who did not eat nutritious diets while pregnant tend to have more medical problems in their first year than do other babies.
(D) Medical problems that develop in the first year of life tend to be more serious than those that develop later in childhood.
(E) Many of the physicians who initially recommended that pregnant women consume nutritious diets have only recently reaffirmed their recommendation.
16) Publicity campaigns for endangered species are unlikely to have much impact on the most important environmental problems, for while the ease of attributing feelings to large mammals facilitates evoking sympathy for them, it is more difficult to elicit sympathy for other kinds of organisms, such as the soil microorganisms on which large ecosystems and agriculture depend.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
(A) The most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals.
(B) Microorganisms cannot experience pain or have other feelings.
(C) Publicity campaigns for the environment are the most effective when they elicit sympathy for some organism.
(D) People ignore environmental problems unless they believe the problems will affect creatures with which they sympathize.
(E) An organism can be environmentally significant only if it affects large ecosystems or agriculture.
17) Politician: All nations that place a high tax on income produce thereby a negative incentive for technological innovation, and all nations in which technological innovation is hampered inevitably fall behind in the international arms race. Those nations that, through historical accident or the foolishness of their political leadership, wind up in a strategically disadvantageous position are destined to lose their voice in the world affairs. So if a nation wants to maintain its value system and way of life, it must not allow its highest tax bracket to exceed 30 percent of income.
Each of the following, if true, weakens the politicians argument EXCEPT:
(A) The top level of taxation must reach 45 percent before taxation begins to deter inventors and industrialists from introducing new technologies and industries.
(B) Making a great deal of money is an insignificant factor in driving technological innovation.
(C) Falling behind in the international arms race does not necessarily lead to a strategically less advantageous position.
(D) Those nations that lose influence in the world community do not necessarily suffer from a threat to their value system or way of life.
(E) Allowing ones country to lose its technological edge, especially as concerns weaponry, would be foolish rather than merely a historical accident.
Questions 25-26
Zachary: The term fresco refers to paint that has been applied to wet plaster. Once dried, a fresco indelibly preserves the paint that a painter has applied in this way. Unfortunately, additions known to have been made by later painters have obscured the original fresco work done by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. Therefore, in order to restore Michelangelos Sistine Chapel paintings to the appearance that Michelangelo intended them to have, everything except the original fresco work must be stripped away.
Stephen: But it was extremely common for painters of Michelangelos era to add painted details to their own fresco work after the frescos had dried.
25. Stephens response to Zachary proceeds by
(A) calling into question an assumption on which Zacharys conclusion depends
(B) challenging the definition of a key term in Zachary reaches
(C) drawing a conclusion other than the one that Zachary reaches
(D) denying the truth of one of the stated premises of Zacharys argument
(E) demonstrating that Zacharys conclusion is not consistent with the premises he uses to support it
26. Stephens response to Zachary, if true, most strongly supports which one of the following?
(A) It is impossible to distinguish the later painted additions made to Michelangelos Sistine Chapel paintings from the original fresco work.
(B) Stripping away everything except Michelangelos original fresco work from the Sistine Chapel paintings would be unlikely to restore them to the appearance Michelangelo intended them to have.
(C) The painted details that painters of Michelangelos era added to their own fresco work were not an integral part of the completed paintings overall design.
(D) None of the painters of Michelangelos era who made additions to the Sistine Chapel paintings was important artist in his or her own right.
(E) Michelangelo was rarely satisfied with the appearance of his finished works.
B) If the employee elects to invest 4% of his paycheck in the retirement fund, the total value of each investment, including company's contribution, will be equivalent to 9% of his paycheck.
2,500 people who survived a first heart attack, those who did not smoke had their first heart attack at a median age of 62. However, of those 2,500, people who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day had their first heart attack at a median age of 51. On the basis of this information, it can be concluded that nonsmokers tend to have a first heart attack eleven years later than do people who smoke two packs of cigarettes a day.
The conclusion is incorrectly drawn from the information given because this information does not include
(A) the relative severity of heart attacks suffered by smokers and nonsmokers
(B) the nature of the different medical treatments that smokers and nonsmokers received after they had survived their first heart attack
(C) how many of the 2,500 people studied suffered a second heart attack
(D) the earliest age at which a person who smoked two packs a day had his or her first heart attack
(E) data on people who did not survive a first heart attack