| 1 |
Opponents of the new legislation could defend themselves against the author's strategy by arguing that:
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A. the fact that past trade legislation improved the trade balance does not mean that the present bill will do the same.
B. economists are not always right.
C. the united states had a trade deficit both in the 1930s and at the time of the new bill.
D. the new law is not as strong as the 1930s bill.
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| 2 |
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 ?
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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.
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| 3 |
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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| 4 |
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 ?
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A. All gamblers are unsavory,
B. All pol halls attract gamblers.
C. Every town has unsavory characters.
D. All gamblers are attracted by pool halls.
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| 5 |
Significant beneficial effect of smoking occur primarily in the area of mental health, and the habit originates in a search for contentment. The life expectancy of our people has increased greatly in recent years; it is possible that the relaxation and contentment and enjoyment produced by smoking has lengthened many lives. Smoking is beneficial. Which of the following, it true, weaken the above conclusion ?
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A. That cigarettes are a major health hazard cannot be traced to the willfull act of any human or organization.
B. The government earns millions of dollars from the tobacco tax and tens of thousands of civilians are employed in the tobacco industry.
C. The evidence cited in the statement covers only one example of the effects of cigarette smoking.
D. No mention is made of possible harmful side-effects of smoking.
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| 6 |
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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| 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 ?
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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.
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| 8 |
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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| 9 |
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 ?
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A. Some generals have claimed that the country's defense has weakened in the past year.
B. More soldiers were drafted during the former president's term of office.
C. The incumbent president advocates peaceful resolution of international disputes.
D. The average annual inflation rate during the incumbent president's term was 4 percent, while during his predecessor's term it was 10 percent
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| 10 |
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 ?
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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.
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