Part 4
16. Having endured a tumultuous childhood, Theresa has no conception of the moral
difference between right and wrong, only between what is legally permitted and
what is not. When Theresa committed her offense, she did not recognize the fact
that it was a morally wrong act, despite knowing that it was illegal.
From the statements above, which one of the following can be properly inferred?
(A) Theresa committed no offense that was not legally permissible.
(B) Theresa did something that was morally wrong.
(C) Moral ignorance is never excusable in the eyes of the law.
(D) Theresa’s childhood could have provided more sufficient moral training
even in the circumstances.
(E) Theresa could now be taught the moral difference between right and
wrong.
17. Jill: Hale-Bopp Comet, now in a part of its orbit relatively far from the Sun,
recently flared brightly enough to be seen by telescopes. No comet has ever been
observed to flare so far from the Sun before, so such a flare must be highly
unusual.
Sara: Hogwash. Usually no one bothers to try to observe comets when they are so
far from the Sun. This flare was observed only because an observatory was tracking
Hale-Bopp Comet very closely.
Sara challenges Jill’s reasoning by
(A) pointing out that Jill’s use of the term “observed” is excessively vague
(B) drawing attention to an inconsistency between two of Jill’s claims
(C) presenting evidence that directly contradicts Jill’s evidence
(D) offering an alternative interpretation of the evidence Jill cites
(E) undermining some of Jill’s evidence while agreeing with her conclusion
18. Psychologist: There are theories that posit completely different causal mechanisms
from those posited by the Smith psychological theory and that are more successful
at predicting human behavior. Therefore, the Smith theory of behavior, no matter
how elegant or complex it is, ought to be abandoned in favor of these other theories.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the psychologist’s argument
depends?
(A) The Smith theory has led to intriguing predictions, which have been shown
to be false, about the causes of human behavior.
(B) A psychological theory with greater predictive success than another is scientifically
preferable.
(C) The Smith theory has had remarkable success in predicting how people will
behave in certain situations.
(D) Measuring the predictive success of a psychological theory always involves
considering other theories that attempt to explain the same phenomena.
(E) Scientific theories become impractical if they posit causal mechanisms
beyond a certain level of complexity.
Questions 19–20
Roland: It is important for us to cut down on our usage of fossil fuels. Therefore, we
must invest in new hybrid technology for vehicles. Hybrid technology will help us
decrease our dependency on fossil fuels. Hybrid vehicles use half the fossil fuels per mile
than other vehicles.
Tomassi: Not true. There are many ways that we can reduce our usage of fossil fuels
without spending money on developing hybrid vehicles.
19. Roland assumes which one of the following?
(A) That drivers who switch from regular vehicles to hybrid vehicles will drive
less than twice as much as they did prior to the switch
(B) That more consumers will be able to afford hybrid vehicles than other types
of vehicles
(C) That all vehicles can be converted to hybrid technology
(D) That hybrid vehicles have the same horsepower as fossil fueled vehicles
(E) That the consumer demand for hybrid vehicles is elastic
20. Tomassi assumes which one of the following?
(A) That other technology is more effective at cutting fossil fuel usage
(B) That consumers will not buy hybrid cars
(C) That hybrid cars are not as durable as non-hybrid cars
(D) That alternate means of reducing fossil fuel consumption will be sufficient
to avert any looming crisis
(E) That hybrid vehicles will not cut down on the usage of fossil fuels if they are
driven for longer distances
Answers and Explanations
16. The best answer is B. This is an inference question. The only selection supported
by the stimulus is answer choice B because it states that Theresa did something
that was morally wrong. This is supported by the statement in the stimulus, “…she
did not recognize the fact that it was a morally wrong act,…” Answer choice A is
incorrect because the stimulus also states that Theresa did know that her actions
were illegal. Answer choice C is incorrect because the stimulus simply does not
provide enough evidence to draw any conclusion about what is or is not never
excused by the law. Likewise, answer choices D and E go far beyond the scope of
the stimulus in discussing what could have happened or what might happen in the
future.
17. The best answer is D. This is a method question. Sara challenges Jill’s conclusion
mainly by pointing out that there might be another reason that such a flare has not
been observed before: No one was looking for one. Sara does not do anything that
is described in any of the other answer choices.
18. The best answer is B. This is an assumption question. Answer choice B is the only
selection that provides the missing link between the stated evidence that other
theories predict behavior better than the Smith theory, and the stated conclusion
that therefore, the Smith theory should be abandoned in favor of those theories.
Answer choice A is incorrect because there is no evidence that the Smith theory
led to predictions that proved to be false. The conclusion is supported even if the
Smith theory did lead to some predictions that proved to be true, so long as the
other theories’ predictions are more predictive. Answer choices C, D, and E are all
irrelevant to the conclusion of the stimulus argument.
19. The best answer is A. This is an assumption question. In order to state that hybrid
vehicles will decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, it must be assumed that
people will drive less than twice as much as they would with non-hybrid vehicles.
Because hybrids use half as much fossil fuel as non-hybrids per mile, if drivers traveled
more than twice as much in hybrids, there would be no net savings. Each of
the other answer choices is irrelevant to the argument.
20. The best answer is D. This is an assumption question. Tomassi concludes that
simply because there are other ways to reduce fossil fuel consumption, it is not
necessary to invest in hybrid vehicles. So, Tomassi must be assuming that the
savings that will be realized from these other means will be enough to make a
switch to hybrid vehicles unnecessary. Each of the other answer choices is irrelevant
to the conclusion.
16. Having endured a tumultuous childhood, Theresa has no conception of the moral
difference between right and wrong, only between what is legally permitted and
what is not. When Theresa committed her offense, she did not recognize the fact
that it was a morally wrong act, despite knowing that it was illegal.
From the statements above, which one of the following can be properly inferred?
(A) Theresa committed no offense that was not legally permissible.
(B) Theresa did something that was morally wrong.
(C) Moral ignorance is never excusable in the eyes of the law.
(D) Theresa’s childhood could have provided more sufficient moral training
even in the circumstances.
(E) Theresa could now be taught the moral difference between right and
wrong.
17. Jill: Hale-Bopp Comet, now in a part of its orbit relatively far from the Sun,
recently flared brightly enough to be seen by telescopes. No comet has ever been
observed to flare so far from the Sun before, so such a flare must be highly
unusual.
Sara: Hogwash. Usually no one bothers to try to observe comets when they are so
far from the Sun. This flare was observed only because an observatory was tracking
Hale-Bopp Comet very closely.
Sara challenges Jill’s reasoning by
(A) pointing out that Jill’s use of the term “observed” is excessively vague
(B) drawing attention to an inconsistency between two of Jill’s claims
(C) presenting evidence that directly contradicts Jill’s evidence
(D) offering an alternative interpretation of the evidence Jill cites
(E) undermining some of Jill’s evidence while agreeing with her conclusion
18. Psychologist: There are theories that posit completely different causal mechanisms
from those posited by the Smith psychological theory and that are more successful
at predicting human behavior. Therefore, the Smith theory of behavior, no matter
how elegant or complex it is, ought to be abandoned in favor of these other theories.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the psychologist’s argument
depends?
(A) The Smith theory has led to intriguing predictions, which have been shown
to be false, about the causes of human behavior.
(B) A psychological theory with greater predictive success than another is scientifically
preferable.
(C) The Smith theory has had remarkable success in predicting how people will
behave in certain situations.
(D) Measuring the predictive success of a psychological theory always involves
considering other theories that attempt to explain the same phenomena.
(E) Scientific theories become impractical if they posit causal mechanisms
beyond a certain level of complexity.
Questions 19–20
Roland: It is important for us to cut down on our usage of fossil fuels. Therefore, we
must invest in new hybrid technology for vehicles. Hybrid technology will help us
decrease our dependency on fossil fuels. Hybrid vehicles use half the fossil fuels per mile
than other vehicles.
Tomassi: Not true. There are many ways that we can reduce our usage of fossil fuels
without spending money on developing hybrid vehicles.
19. Roland assumes which one of the following?
(A) That drivers who switch from regular vehicles to hybrid vehicles will drive
less than twice as much as they did prior to the switch
(B) That more consumers will be able to afford hybrid vehicles than other types
of vehicles
(C) That all vehicles can be converted to hybrid technology
(D) That hybrid vehicles have the same horsepower as fossil fueled vehicles
(E) That the consumer demand for hybrid vehicles is elastic
20. Tomassi assumes which one of the following?
(A) That other technology is more effective at cutting fossil fuel usage
(B) That consumers will not buy hybrid cars
(C) That hybrid cars are not as durable as non-hybrid cars
(D) That alternate means of reducing fossil fuel consumption will be sufficient
to avert any looming crisis
(E) That hybrid vehicles will not cut down on the usage of fossil fuels if they are
driven for longer distances
Answers and Explanations
16. The best answer is B. This is an inference question. The only selection supported
by the stimulus is answer choice B because it states that Theresa did something
that was morally wrong. This is supported by the statement in the stimulus, “…she
did not recognize the fact that it was a morally wrong act,…” Answer choice A is
incorrect because the stimulus also states that Theresa did know that her actions
were illegal. Answer choice C is incorrect because the stimulus simply does not
provide enough evidence to draw any conclusion about what is or is not never
excused by the law. Likewise, answer choices D and E go far beyond the scope of
the stimulus in discussing what could have happened or what might happen in the
future.
17. The best answer is D. This is a method question. Sara challenges Jill’s conclusion
mainly by pointing out that there might be another reason that such a flare has not
been observed before: No one was looking for one. Sara does not do anything that
is described in any of the other answer choices.
18. The best answer is B. This is an assumption question. Answer choice B is the only
selection that provides the missing link between the stated evidence that other
theories predict behavior better than the Smith theory, and the stated conclusion
that therefore, the Smith theory should be abandoned in favor of those theories.
Answer choice A is incorrect because there is no evidence that the Smith theory
led to predictions that proved to be false. The conclusion is supported even if the
Smith theory did lead to some predictions that proved to be true, so long as the
other theories’ predictions are more predictive. Answer choices C, D, and E are all
irrelevant to the conclusion of the stimulus argument.
19. The best answer is A. This is an assumption question. In order to state that hybrid
vehicles will decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, it must be assumed that
people will drive less than twice as much as they would with non-hybrid vehicles.
Because hybrids use half as much fossil fuel as non-hybrids per mile, if drivers traveled
more than twice as much in hybrids, there would be no net savings. Each of
the other answer choices is irrelevant to the argument.
20. The best answer is D. This is an assumption question. Tomassi concludes that
simply because there are other ways to reduce fossil fuel consumption, it is not
necessary to invest in hybrid vehicles. So, Tomassi must be assuming that the
savings that will be realized from these other means will be enough to make a
switch to hybrid vehicles unnecessary. Each of the other answer choices is irrelevant
to the conclusion.
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