CSS General Abilities Topic 4 MCQ's Test

Question # 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 ?

Lower the retirement age. A
Decrease the school-leaving age. B
Impose larger contributions on employees and employers. C
Cut pensions in half. D
Only give state pensions to retired persons whose income in below a certain level. E

Question # 2

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 ?

Grade-school children reported eating no breakfast at all. A
Fewer convenience foods were available to the parents. B
Adults claim to eat convenience foods as well as natural foods. C
Convenience foods can be digested just as quickly as natural foods. D
Consumers are not likely to sacrifice convenience for nutrition. E

Question # 3

Most large retail stores hold sales in the month of January. The original idea of price reduction campaigns in January became popular when it was realized that sales or products would generally slow down following the Christmas rush, were it no for some incentive. The lack of demand could be solved by the simple solution of reducing prices.
There is now an increasing tendency among major department stores in large urban centers to have their January sales being before Christmas, some time before the end of the calendar year. The idea behind this trend is to endeavor to sell the maximum amount of stock at a profit, even if that may not be at the maximum profit.
Which of the following conclusions cannot be drawn from the above ?

The incidence of early January sales results in the lower holdings of stocks with the corollary of lower stock holding costs. A
Demand is a function of price; as you lower price, demand increases. B
Major stores seem to think it makes sense to have to January sales campaigns pre-Christmas. C
It is becoming less popular to star the January sales in the New Year. D
The major department stores do not worry as much about profit maximization as they do about sales maximization. E

Question # 4

Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year.
Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?

This is an example of an argument that is directed against the source of the claim rather than the claim itself. A
The statement is fallacious because it contains an illegitimate appeal to authority. B
The above argument obtains its strength from a similarity of two compared situations. C
The argument is built upon an assumption that is not stated but rather is concealed. D
In the above statements, there is a shifting in the meaning of terms, causing a fallacy of ambiguity. E

Question # 5

Every town with a pool hall has its share of unsavory characters. This is because the pool hall attracts gamblers and all gamblers are unsavory.
Which of the following, if true, cannot be inferred from the above ?

All gamblers are unsavory, A
All pol halls attract gamblers. B
Every town has unsavory characters. C
All gamblers are attracted by pool halls. D
An explanation of what attracts gamblers. E

Question # 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 ?

Republicans were a minority in 1984, but a Republican president was elected. A
People tend to switch their votes at the last minute. B
People vote for the best candidate, not for a political party. C
No one can predict how people will vote. D
It has been shown that 85 percent of Republicans vote in an election, compared to 50 percent of the Democrats. E

Question # 7

Pioneers of the motor-car industry realized that if they were going to meet the growing demand for their product, they had to adapt the labor force used in the productive process. Instead of many men working to complete all the stages of one car at a time, they assigned defined tasks to each man which they would repeat on every car.
Which of the following can be concluded form the passage ?

Early motor car manufacturers intended to increase productivity by applying the principle of division of labor. A
The car workers became disgruntled because they were assigned monotonous, repetitive tasks on the assembly line. B
Economies of scale enabled early motor companies to expand. C
A bad worker would perform the same task badly on each car, leading to many more rejects. D
The new production process enabled certain car workers to become specialists in the part of the process to which they were assigned. E

Question # 8

Contrary to charges made by opponents of the new trade bill, the bill's provisions for taking action against foreign countries that place barriers against American exports, is justified. Opponents should take not that restrictive trade legislation in the 1930s succeeded in improving the U.S. trade balance even though economists were against it.
The author's method of rebutting opponents of the new trade bill is to

attack the patriotism of its opponents. A
attack the opponents characters rather than their claims. B
imply an analogy between the new trade bill and previous trade legislation. C
suggest that economists were against both pieces, of legislation. D
imply that previous legislation also permitted retaliatory action against foreign countries. E

Question # 9

The Monopoly is characterized by absence of or decline in competition. The ABC Company realizes that its operations are in competitive industries.
Which of the following conclusions may be inferred form the above ?

ABC market is not monopolistic. A
Monopoly is defined as one seller in a market. B
The ABC Company has no domestic competitors. C
The ABC company is publicly owned. D
The ABC Company is in a service industry. E

Question # 10

During the incumbent president's term of office he succeeded in limiting annual increases in the defense budget by an average of 5 percent. His predecessors experienced annual increases of 8 percent. Therefore, the incumbent president should be given credit for the downturn in defense outlays.
Which of the following statements, if true would most seriously weaken the above conclusion ?

Some generals have claimed that the country's defense has weakened in the past year. A
More soldiers were drafted during the former president's term of office. B
The incumbent president advocates peaceful resolution of international disputes. C
The average annual inflation rate during the incumbent president's term was 4 percent, while during his predecessor's term it was 10 percent D
A disarmament treaty with a major adversary was signed by the incumbent president. E

Question # 11

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 ?

Many areas of the world are cold anyway, so a small rise in temperature would be welcome. A
Carbon dioxide is bad for the health. B
Most carbon dioxide is emitted by automobiles. C
Industry is switching over to synthetic liquid fuel extracted form coal. D
A shift to other energy sources would be too costly. E

Question # 12

Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?

The temperature must fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for frost to occur. A
Absence of a cloud cover cools the ground which causes frost. B
Farmers are superstitious. C
No one has proven that the moon causes frost. D
Farmers are not experts in meteorology. E

Question # 13

The states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California provide extensive free higher education to their residents. Threes states are representative of different geographic areas of the united states. There is little reason why most states cannot provide the same service to their residents.
Which of the following, it true, would weaken the above argument ?

Free education is not guaranteed by the constitution. A
New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have more qualified high school graduates than other states. B
Most other states do not have the tax base that new york, ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have. C
Other states do not have as many high school graduates. D
Quality education cannot be free; it must be paid for E

Question # 14

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:

The President is up for re-election and needs to show results. A
Labour unions have petitioned the President to provide more local jobs. B
The trade agreement could bring a quid pro quo on pending negotiations. C
Economists claimed that the passage of the bill would increase the country trade deficit. D
It was politically desirable for a trade bill at the present time. E

Question # 15

Prompted by proposal to convert a shipyard into a complex of condominiums with full-service marina and boat repair center and by concern about the proposal from local residents, baymen, and environmentalists, the town is considering a one-year building moratorium for the water front area.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken opposition to the complex ?

Condominiums would sell for $350,000 each. A
There is a large demand for boat repair services. B
A growing population results in the closure of shellfish. C
There are already 1,200 moorings on the waterfront. D
The shipyard may be sold for another commercial use. E

Question # 16

The director of the customs service suggested that customs taxes on automobiles not be reduced as planned by the government because of the high incidence of traffic accidents last year.
Which of the above statements weakens the argument above ?
1. Although the traffic accident rate last year was high, it was not appreciably higher than previous years and anyway, compulsory insurance covered most physical damage to automobiles and property.
2. A Commerce Department report showed that the demand for automobiles was highly inelastic. That is, as dealers lowered their prices, sales did not increase appreciably.
3. A study by the Economics Department at Classics University found that most traffic accidents had been caused by human error although it also concluded that an inadequate road network contributed to at least 40 percent of passenger injuries.

I, but not II and not III. A
II, but not I and not III. B
I and III, but not II. C
II and III, but not I. D
I, II and III. E

Question # 17

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:

Employee-owned companies generally have higher productivity. A
Employee participation in management raises morale. B
Employee union ownership drives up salaries and wages. C
Employee union ownership enables workers to share in the profits. D
Employee union ownership makes it easier to layoff redundant workers. E

Question # 18

Ever since I arrived at the college last week, I ve been shocked by the poor behavior of students and the unfriendly attitude of the towns-people, but the professors are very erudite and genuinely helpful. Still, I wonder if i should have come here in the first place.
Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above conclusion ?

Professors are not always helpful to students. A
The college numbers over 50,000 students. B
The college is far from the student's home. C
Not all professors have doctorates. D
The narrator was unsure of staying at the college. E

Question # 19

Average family income is right where it was 20 years ago, even though in most families these days, husbands and wives are working.
The above statement implies all of the following, except:

Even though nominal family income may have increased, inflation has risen at an equal rate. A
More husbands and wives are working today than 20 years ago. B
It was more prevalent for one spouse-to-work 20 yeas ago than today. C
Wives earn more than husbands today. D
The price level was lower 20 years ago. E

Question # 20

Buy Plenty, a supermarket chain, had successfully implemented an in store promotional campaign based on video messages dashed on a large screen. The purpose of the campaign was to motivate customers to purchase products which they had not planned to buy before they entered to store. The sales manager of Build-It Inc., a chain of do-it-yourself hardware stores, saw the campaign and plans to introduce it in Build-It locations.
The sales manager's plan assumes that

supermarket and hardware products are the same A
products cannot be sold successfully without a video sales campaign B
Supermarket chains do not sell hardware products C
consumer decision making to buy products does not differ substantially when it comes to both supermarket and hardware products D
in-store campaigns are more effective than out-of-store advertising and sales promotion E

Sr.#	Question	Answer
1	Typically, the entrepreneur is seen as an individual who owns and operates a small business. But, simply to own and operate a small business-or even a big business-does not make someone an entrepreneur. If this person is a true entrepreneur, then new products are being created, new ways of providing services are being implemented. Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from the above passage?	A. An owner of large business may be an entrepreneur. B. Someone who develops an enterprise may be considered an entrepreneur. C. Entrepreneurs do not own and operate small businesses. D. Entrepreneurs are the main actors in economic growth
2	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.
3	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.
4	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.
5	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.
6	In a world of many trading countries, the trade between two countries need not be balanced for the trade of each to be in global balance. Differing demands and productive capabilities among countries will cause a specific country to have trade deficits with some countries and surpluses with other countries. Which of the following conclusions best summarizes the passage above ?	A. A country trade will always be in balance even though it runs a deficit with a single country. B. A country trade deficits and surpluses with other countries always balance out. C. A country global trade balance is a sign of strength or weakness. D. Countries should not be concerned if they have trade deficits because they will balance out in the long run.
7	Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year. Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?	A. This is an example of an argument that is directed against the source of the claim rather than the claim itself. B. The statement is fallacious because it contains an illegitimate appeal to authority. C. The above argument obtains its strength from a similarity of two compared situations. D. The argument is built upon an assumption that is not stated but rather is concealed.
8	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.
9	Professor Akram told his class that the method of student evaluation of teachers is not a valid measure of teaching quality. Students should fill out questionnaires at the end of the semester when courses have been completed. Which of the following, if true, provides support for Professor Akram proposal ?	A. Professor Akram received low ratings from his students. B. Students filled out questionnaires after the midterm exam. C. Students are interested in teacher evaluation. D. Teacher are not obligated to use the survey results.
10	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.

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CSS General Abilities Topic 4 MCQ's Test

MCQ's Test For CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning

CSS General Abilities Topic 4 Logical Reasoning

Ali is a terrible driver. He has had at least five traffic violations, int he past year.Which of the following can be said about the above claim ?

Every town with a pool hall has its share of unsavory characters. This is because the pool hall attracts gamblers and all gamblers are unsavory.Which of the following, if true, cannot be inferred from the above ?

The Monopoly is characterized by absence of or decline in competition. The ABC Company realizes that its operations are in competitive industries.Which of the following conclusions may be inferred form the above ?

Farmers in the North have observed that heavy frost is usually preceded by a full moon somehow generates the frost.Which of the following, if true, would weaken the farmers conviction ?

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:

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:

Average family income is right where it was 20 years ago, even though in most families these days, husbands and wives are working.The above statement implies all of the following, except:

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