| 1 |
Many countries are facing a potential crisis in 20 to 30 years time. The ratio of pensioners to workers will be changing drastically with a declining birth rate, with more lengthy education of the young, and with a reduced working life. In general, the number of people paying into pension schemes is decreasing all the time. Meanwhile, with increased health care and living standards, more people are living long enough to draw their pension funds. A controversial solution to this problem has been proposed in Germany-changing the age of retirement, for both men and women, from the current qualifying age of 63 for men and 60 for women. A radical, but socially acceptable, solution to this problem must be found. If this is not done, it is predicted that by the year 2050, one person in three will be 65 or over and the projected work force will be unable to support pensions. Assuming the following were all socially acceptable, which one would not improve the situation in the future ?
|
A. Lower the retirement age.
B. Decrease the school-leaving age.
C. Impose larger contributions on employees and employers.
D. Cut pensions in half.
|
| 2 |
The President lobbied for passage of his new trade bill which would liberalize trade with industrialized countries such as Japan, members of the European Community, and Canad. Each of the following, if true, could account for the above, except:
|
A. The President is up for re-election and needs to show results.
B. Labour unions have petitioned the President to provide more local jobs.
C. The trade agreement could bring a quid pro quo on pending negotiations.
D. Economists claimed that the passage of the bill would increase the country trade deficit.
|
| 3 |
In the human body, platelets, promote blood clotting by clumping together. Aspirin has been found to prevent clotting by making platelets less sticky. Research has now shown that heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots could be avoided by taking one aspirin a day. Statistics show that the incidence of second heart attacks Unfortunately, the drug has several unpleasant side effects, including nausea, gastric bleeding, and, in severe cases, shock. In children, it has been linked to Reye Syndrome, a rare, but occasionally fatal, childhood illness. One balance, however, for men aged 40 and over, an aspirin a day may present an excellent prophylactic measure for a disease that affects 1.5 million Americans yearly and claims the lives of about 540,000. Which of the following conclusions can most properly be drawn from the information above ?
|
A. All people should take an aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks.
B. Painkillers prevent heart attacks.
C. Smokers can safely continue smoking, provided that they take at least one aspirin a day.
D. The majority of people suffering second subsequent cardiac arrests could have been saved by taking an aspirin a day.
|
| 4 |
Many of the convenience foods on the market today, like dry cereals, have less nutrients than natural foods, which were dominant a decade or two ago. Many nutritionists claim that dry cereal gives less nourishment than natural foods like eggs or bacon. Opponents of the nutritionists views state that examination of grade-school students show less nutritional deficiency than in their parents time. Which of the following, if true, would tend to strengthen the opponents view ?
|
A. Grade-school children reported eating no breakfast at all.
B. Fewer convenience foods were available to the parents.
C. Adults claim to eat convenience foods as well as natural foods.
D. Convenience foods can be digested just as quickly as natural foods.
|
| 5 |
The burning of coal, oil, and other combustible energy sources produces carbon dioxide, a natural constituent of the atmosphere. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide are thought to be responsible for half the greenhouse effect. Enough carbon dioxide has been sent into the atmosphere already to cause a significant temperature increase. Growth in industrial production must be slowed, or production processes must be changed. Which of the following, it true, would tend to weaken the strength of the above conclusion ?
|
A. Many areas of the world are cold anyway, so a small rise in temperature would be welcome.
B. Carbon dioxide is bad for the health.
C. Most carbon dioxide is emitted by automobiles.
D. Industry is switching over to synthetic liquid fuel extracted form coal.
|
| 6 |
In August 1980, according to a new your. Times/CBS news poll, 36 percent of the voters called themselves Republicans or said they were independents leaning toward being Republicans. In November 1984, the Republican figure rose to 47 percent. But in the latest Times/CBS survey, the Republicans were down to 38 percent. Therefore, the Democrats are likely to win the next election. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the above conclusion ?
|
A. Republicans were a minority in 1984, but a Republican president was elected.
B. People tend to switch their votes at the last minute.
C. People vote for the best candidate, not for a political party.
D. No one can predict how people will vote.
|
| 7 |
The movement to ownership by unions is the latest step in the progression form management ownership to employee ownership. Employee ownership can save depressed and losing companies. All the following statements, if true, provide support for the claim above except:
|
A. Employee-owned companies generally have higher productivity.
B. Employee participation in management raises morale.
C. Employee union ownership drives up salaries and wages.
D. Employee union ownership enables workers to share in the profits.
|
| 8 |
Inflation rose by 5.1 % over the second quarter, up form 4.1 % during the first quarter of the year and higher than the 3.3% record during the same time last year. However, the higher price index did not seem to alarm Wall street, as stock prices remained steady. Which of the following, if true, could explain the reaction of Wall Street ?
|
A. Stock prices were steady because of a fear that inflation would continue.
B. The President announced that he was concerned about rising inflation.
C. Economists warned that inflation would persist.
D. Much of the quarterly increase in the price level was due to a summer droughts effect on food prices.
|
| 9 |
Professor Bilal had the task of giving grades (ranging from A - D in descending value) to her 100 students, based upon the marks they received in three examinations in which the passing mark was 50%. She was instructed to follow the following criteria: i. All students that scored between 90 and 100% in any two examinations could receive an A grade. ii. Students that came in the top decile overall were to be awarded an A. iii. Notwithstanding I and II, if any student failed an exam, the highest he or shed could get was a b. iv. The top 20 students in the whole year, when the overall exam percentages were averaged, could receive an A. Given the above criteria, which of the following in the absence of further information, would definitely not be permissible ?
|
A. A. Brown, who got 95% in Chemistry and 95% in Biology, received a B grade.
B. B. White, who was first in Physics and got 96% in History, received a B grade.
C. C. Green failed English, but because he ranked ninth overall out of the 100 students, he was awarded an A grade.
D. D. Black was given an A after she came twentieth out of the 100 students and failed to get above 90% in any of the three examinations.
|
| 10 |
An economist was quoted as saying that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will go up next month because of a recent increase in the price of fruit and vegetables. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the statement ?
|
A. The cost of fruits and vegetables has risen sharply.
B. Consumers have decreased their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
C. The cost of fruit and vegetables is a major item in the CPI.
D. Food cost changes are reflected quickly in the CPI.
|
Share your comments & questions here
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!