| 1 |
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 ?
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A. The temperature must fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for frost to occur.
B. Absence of a cloud cover cools the ground which causes frost.
C. Farmers are superstitious.
D. No one has proven that the moon causes frost.
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| 2 |
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:
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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.
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| 3 |
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 ?
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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.
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| 4 |
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 ?
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A. Free education is not guaranteed by the constitution.
B. New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have more qualified high school graduates than other states.
C. Most other states do not have the tax base that new york, ohio, Pennsylvania, and California have.
D. Other states do not have as many high school graduates.
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| 5 |
If we are doomed to have local drug rehabilitation centers - and society has determined that we are - then society ought to pay for them. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above argument ?
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A. Drug rehabilitation centers are too expensive to be locally funded.
B. Many neighborhood groups oppose rehabilitation centers.
C. Drug rehabilitation centers are expensive to maintain.
D. Drug addicts may be unwilling to receive treatment.
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| 6 |
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 ?
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A. Professors are not always helpful to students.
B. The college numbers over 50,000 students.
C. The college is far from the student's home.
D. Not all professors have doctorates.
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| 7 |
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 ?
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A. Lower the retirement age.
B. Decrease the school-leaving age.
C. Impose larger contributions on employees and employers.
D. Cut pensions in half.
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| 8 |
You have three boxes, each containing two balls, one containing a black pair; one, a white pair; and third, one white ball and one black ball. On each box are pictures of two balls - either two black ones, two white ones, or one white and one black. You are told that the markings on the boxes are all wrong. You are asked to ascertain the colors of the balls contained in each box. Which of the following statements can be inferred form the above ?
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A. You can take out one ball from the box marked with two black balls and, without looking at the second ball, know that each box actually contains.
B. You can take out one ball from the box marked with two white balls and, without looking at the second ball, know what each box actually contains.
C. You can take out one ball from the box marked with one while ball and one black ball and, without looking at the second ball, know what each box contains.
D. You cannot know which balls are contained in which box until you take a ball out of more than one box.
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| 9 |
During 1999, advertising expenditures on canned food products increased by 20 percent, while canned food consumption rose by 25 percent. Each of the following, if true, could help explain the increase in food consumption except:
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A. Advertising effectiveness increased.
B. Canned food prices decreased relative to substitutes.
C. Canned food products were available in more stores.
D. Can opener production doubled.
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| 10 |
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:
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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.
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