1. There has been a sharp increase in the subscription prices of many accounting school text books in the past five years. Many publishers ascribe the necessity for these increases to the easy availability of electronic books, which enable people simply to electronically copy the books they want rather than buying the printed text.

Which of the following, if true, would make this explanation more plausible?

A. The great majority of student texts have a massive backlog awaiting publication.
B. Over the past five years there has been a substantial decline in the number of accounting school students, while electronic books have remained fairly stable.
C. In the five years immediately preceding the price surge, there was a substantial decline in the number accounting school students requiring text books, while electronic book subscriptions remained fairly stable.
D. Many electronic publishers have recently begun cutting back on subscriptions accounting school text books.
E. In almost every publishing company, there has been an increase in the number of accounting school texts available in the past few years.

2. A pesticide producing company states that their unused pesticide that is dumped does not pose a threat to the aquatic life in the surrounding area. If this is correct, then why have local fish been dying in this region? Due to the fact that the pesticide company is not located in a highly fish populated area, they implicitly admit that the pesticides they produce are relatively dangerous to the nearby aquatic life.

Of the following statements listed below, which one would be most likely to weaken the argument of the author if it were true?

A. The possibility of pesticides filtering into the local water region was underestimated in the past.
B. Funds for environmental company clean up, which concern waste dumps that are poorly run, are reserved for rural regions only.
C. It would be pointless to locate chemical dumps where they would be most harmful, unless they can be 100% proven safe.
D. Dumps that are located in areas without large fish populations have fewer government interventions and are also less expensive.
E. City people are most probable to sue the company if the dumps cause them health problems.

3. China wants to avoid financial collapse of their economy. In order to do this, China must raise their gross national product rate by 33%. China's economy is structured so that if the 33% increase in GNP is reached, than it is possible for a 50% GNP increase.

Of the following statements listed below, which one must be true if we are to assume the above statements are also true?

A. China's economy will fall, if China's 50% increase in GNP is unattainable.
B. China's GNP will not have a 50% increase, if its economy falls.
C. The economy of China will not fall, if it can obtain an increased GNP of 50%.
D. A 17% GNP increase will be unattainable, if China continues to suffer national conflict.
E. A 71% increase is possible, if the 33% brink is achieved, and the 50% GNP increase is attainable.

4. Estelle states: When I went fishing the other day, every fish that I caught was a salmon, and every salmon I saw I caught.

Of the following statements listed below, which one can be concluded from the observations of Estelle?

A. Salmon was the only fish that Estelle saw while she was fishing.
B. While Estelle was fishing, no other fish were caught by her.
C. In the area that Estelle fished, there were no other fish.
D. All of the fish that Estelle saw she caught.
E. Estelle did not see any other fish while she was fishing.

5. Either protesters must have restrictions placed on them, or particular revolutionary issues that arise in society will be used to destroy the country. Because allowing the occurrence of the revolutionary outcome is out of the question, we must restrict protestors.

The above conclusion is unsteady due to the fact that:

A. protestors do not in reality want to demolish the country
B. There is too much emphasis placed on the importance of protesting
C. An accommodation is failed to be considered between both alternatives
D. The reasons for protesting has not been defined
E. protestors are, in truth, a real threat to the country's survival.

6. The quarterly food inspection, performed by the local health team observes the customer reactions to fast food restaurants and family dining restaurants. However; during each inspection they discover that there are more reports of food poisoning found in the family dining restaurants than in the fast food restaurants.

Of the following statements, which one best clarifies the apparent paradox?

A. Customers are most likely to connect the illness they've experienced to their most recent meal if the illness has suddenly struck all of the people they ate with.
B. Customers complain less about the food poisoning they experience in fast food restaurants, because they expect it.
C. More people choose fast food restaurants over family dining restaurants.
D. Food poisoning cases are not related to the time customers ate at the family dinging restaurants, or the number of people who all ate the same meal.
E. The family dining restaurants microwaves certain food items instead of cooking them on the stove.

7. We are well aware that there are warning signs concerning massive climate changes; these climate changes are reducing plant life. Many hopeful crop growers believe that there will not be an overall negative affect on the plant growth population due to the fact that rain fall should not be altered because of the climate changes. However; for the average plant, it is because of the climate change that agricultural technology has an overall yield in annual fluctuation.

On which of the following assumptions are these hopeful claims based?

A. There is not accurate way to predict a climate change.
B. If patterns of rainfall began to shadow the climate changes there would be supplementary damaging effects.
C. Improved yields grow highly unlikely, if technology is significantly influential in spite of climate change.
D. Rainfall patterns are not as predictable as patterns of temperature.
E. Plant life is threatened more from cool temperatures than warm ones.

8. Different life forms such as animals and plants are known to have certain breeds that have extended life spans compared to that of humans. Due to this fact, scientists pass away before they are able to study the complete life cycle of these certain breeds; this being the case, a single breed may be inferred by observation over various life stages. Geology or astronomy can be applied to with the same method. Scientists can also use this method to learn about desert evolution, as well as rock formations.

Concerning this passage, what assumption can be made evident?

A. The average subject uses the same ideals of observation.
B. Certain endangered breeds need to be studied more before they become extinct.
C. Various stage development of different breeds are available to scientists as examples for both study and observation.
D. Through the use of today's study technique there are many breeds in out society that can not be properly studied in our environment.
E. There are different techniques that scientists can use that are available in our society.

9. A rich business man runs a prosperous company. He is disappointed in his two children, Violet and Hazen, because he believes that neither of them presents the potential of having the ability to take control of his company, he thinks that both of his children lack common sense.

This belief formulates from the opinion that:

A. Violet and Hazen are ignorant to the experience of controlling the company.
B. Even a person who is not brilliant can control a company, if she or he has been able to obtain an MBA.
C. In order to run a factory, a person needs common sense.
D. If Hazen showed any sign of common sense, he would have the ability to aid Violet in controlling the company.
E. A committee with an average of three trained personal, could assist either Violet or Hazen in controlling the company.

10. The regulation that is proposed for dental insurance will contribute only small assistance to patients in the reduction of costs for regular dental car. Although, the bill does limit the amount the dentist can charge for a regular visit, it does not limit the expense amount that they can charge if a patient is in need of a special procedure, and it doesn't place any limits on the amount of times that the dentist may see a patient for the same occurring problem. This being the case, instead of the patient being charged once, the dentist can bill the patient numerous times, and the total costs will not reduce.

The above argument is opposed to the new legislation based on:

A. Identifying a loophole in the regulation proposal that allows dentists to charge patients the same amount of money on a continuing basis.
B. Implication that the regulation of dental care is impossible.
C. The suggestion that procedures which are specialized are frequently done when a simple less-expensive procedure would work equally as well.
D. The suggestion that regular dental visits are much more expensive than specialized procedures.
E. The suggestion that patients can not distinguish between what appropriate dental care expenses are for any known dental problem.

11. The past three consecutive women's U.S. tennis champions have all changed to Wilson's new line of tennis rackets. If this is the case, don't you think it's time to improve your tennis swing and trade your old racket in for a Wilson?

Consider the following claims, which claim is not made and can not be used in conclusion to the above advertisement?

A. Previous U.S. Tennis champions know a considerable amount about their equipment and the sport of tennis.
B. Rackets that are strengthened by oak wood are used exclusively in Wilson's new rackets.
C. Oak wood strengthened rackets help to make tennis rackets durable and stronger, allowing the player to make powerful swings.
D. With Wilson's rackets, you will improve your tennis playing.
E. The status achieved by the past three consecutive women's U.S. tennis championships, was due to the assistance of Wilson's rackets.

12. My family doctor said that he would be performing a blood test on me when I visit him today. I know I will feel pain today.

The above argument depends on which one of these assumptions?

A. The use of a needle always causes pain in the patient.
B. The doctor will have a hard time finding the patients vein.
C. In the past, this patient has experienced pain at the family doctors.
D. The needle will leave a bruise.
E. The doctor will have to try different needles to perform the test.

13. An English school teacher requested from her students that they try and write children's stories that are relevant to their every day lives; the idea would be to give their stories a quality of 뱑eal-life? One of the students decided to base her story upon one of the fictional characters from her favorite novel.

Of the following criteria listed below, which would make the most logical sense as criticism against the student's choice for her children's story?

A. The writing techniques that are successful for one writer are frequently unsuccessful for another.
B. A story based entirely on the writer's knowledge of characters from another novel is not likely to include the writer's personal feelings of real life.
C. The author of her favorite novel would not allow the student permission to use their character.
D. Children's story writing requires examination of the self, in order to develop innovative and original ideas.
E. A writer should concentrate on developing themes of teaching and significance, instead of simply aiming for prominence.

14. A monopoly is distinguished through the decline or lack of competition. The MANG Company recognizes that its operations are within a competitive field.

Consider the following conclusions, which one may be an implication of the above statement.

A. A one seller market is the definition of a monopoly.
B. There is no family competition in the MANG Company.
C. The MANG Company's focus is non-monopolistic.
D. The MANG Company operates within a service industry.
E. The MANG Company is owned publicly.

15. If Local A.A. (Alcohol Anonymous) rehabilitation facilities are forced upon us ?and society is determined that they should be forced ?then it should be society that pays for them.

Considering the statements below, which one would weaken the argument above?

A. Many groups have been convinced by a government committee that the local rehabilitation facilities are unsuccessful.
B. The cost of A.A. facilities are too high to be funded locally.
C. Rehabilitation facilities are supported by many neighborhood groups.
D. The expense to maintain an A.A. rehabilitation facility is too costly.
E. Alcoholics may not want to accept treatment.

16. While traveling to Japan, a low-ranking US ambassador asked a Japanese official why Japanese people were so inscrutable. The official looked calm and friendly, responding in a gentle voice that he much preferred to think upon his race as inscrutable than of his race as wanting in perspicacity such as in Americans.

Of the following statements, which best describes the Japanese official's comment?

A. All people are inscrutable, not just the Japanese
B. Most Americans don't understand Japanese culture
C. What a person lacks in perception may be a result of the carelessness of the observer, instead of the obscurity within the object being observed.
D. The Japanese distrust American ambassadors
E. If the East and West are ever to understand one another, there will need to be a much better cultural understanding

17. While traveling to Japan, a low-ranking US ambassador asked a Japanese official why Japanese people were so inscrutable. The official looked calm and friendly, responding in a gentle voice that he much preferred to think upon his race as inscrutable than of his race as wanting in perspicacity such as in Americans.

Of the following words, which one best describes both the attitude and the response made by the Japanese official?

A. Fearful
B. Emotional
C. Angry
D. Indifferent
E. Compassionate

18. One day, a poet was requested to interpret an especially peculiar and obscure passage within one of his own poems. His response was 밶t the time that I was writing that particular verse, only God and myself knew its meaning. Now, it is only God who knows.?

What does the poet mean by his answer?

A. God is much wiser than people are
B. most people can't understand poetry
C. Poets don't often know where their creative inspiration comes from
D. great poems are inspired by a muse
E. the poet has forgotten the meaning of his own verse

19. All of the four door cars that I've repaired have always had 8 cylinders, so all four door cars must have 8 cylinder engines.

What is the basis of this author's argument?

A. generalization
B. syllogism
C. special training
D. deduction
E. ambiguity

20. Never again will you have to pay high prices for imported spring water. It is now bottled locally and inexpensively. You'll never taste the difference, however, if you're likely to be embarrassed to serve domestic spring water, simply serve it in a leaded crystal decanter.

What is the assumption made by this ad?

A. it's not hard to tell domestic water from imported water based on its flavor
B. the majority of spring water is bottled at its source
C. restrictions on importing and customs duties make the price of imported water higher
D. Spring water tastes best when it's served from a decanter
E. Some people purchase imported spring water instead of domestic, as a status symbol.

21. Priest: Do you speak to the devil and follow his biddings?

Parishioner: Yes

Priest: You must be lying. Nobody who is in league with the devil tells the truth.

Why can the priest's behavior be considered paradoxical?

A. he accused the parishioner of being in league with the devil, but he later changed his story
B. he relied upon the answer of the parishioner in order to reject his response
C. his behavior was entirely within accordance with religious law, but he was accusing the parishioner of violating that law
D. while he is questioning the parishioner about possible association with the devil, he doesn't actually believe in a dark lord
E. he was the one who asked the question, but he refused to accept the answer

Answer Key
1. C
2. D
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. A
11. E
12. A
13. B
14. C
15. A
16. C
17. E
18. E
19. B
20. E
21. B