Reading · Drill 22

Reading practice 22

63 questions ~9 min recommended

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1. The rhetorical strategies of the two authors differ most significantly in that:

A. Passage A appeals to the emotional and aesthetic value of cinema, while Passage B emphasizes cinema's technical and narrative capabilities.

B. Passage A addresses an academic audience, while Passage B is written for casual moviegoers.

C. Passage A relies primarily on specific box office statistics, while Passage B relies on critical opinion.

D. Passage A uses personal anecdote to support its claims, while Passage B uses historical evidence exclusively.

2. In a humanities lecture, a speaker argues that photographs are inherently more truthful than paintings. The speaker reasons that a camera “records what is there,” while painters “interpret and distort.” As evidence, the speaker notes that courts often accept photographs as evidence. The speaker concludes that photographs should be treated as the most reliable historical records. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the speaker’s reasoning?

A. It argues that cameras are expensive, so photographs cannot be produced in sufficient quantity to be reliable.

B. It treats institutional acceptance in courts as proof of inherent truthfulness, ignoring staging, framing, and manipulation of photographs.

C. It assumes paintings are always abstract and therefore never depict real people, places, or events.

D. It claims historians dislike paintings, which is a personal preference rather than an argument about evidence.

3. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument about the necessity of space exploration?

A. Space exploration drives technological innovation on Earth.

B. Public interest in space exploration is declining.

C. Space exploration has no impact on solving Earth's problems.

D. Space missions are too costly for the benefits gained.

4. Which of the following best describes the author's argument about the role of government in economic development?

A. Economic development is independent of government policies.

B. The free market should dictate economic outcomes.

C. Government should only regulate monopolies.

D. Government intervention is necessary for economic stability.

5. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument against renewable energy adoption?

A. Fossil fuels remain the most efficient energy source.

B. Public demand for renewable energy is rising.

C. Renewable energy costs have decreased significantly.

D. Government subsidies for renewables are increasing.

6. Which of the following best describes the author's argument about the impact of social media on interpersonal communication?

A. Social media only affects communication in professional settings.

B. Social media has no significant impact on communication styles.

C. Social media enhances communication by providing diverse interaction platforms.

D. Social media reduces face-to-face communication, leading to weaker relationships.

7. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument about the dangers of artificial intelligence?

A. AI is primarily used in non-critical applications.

B. AI has already caused significant harm in several fields.

C. AI development is heavily regulated by governments.

D. Public fear of AI is unfounded according to experts.

8. Which of the following best describes the author's argument about the influence of art on society?

A. Art reflects societal values and can inspire change.

B. Art is a luxury that only affects the elite.

C. Art has minimal impact on societal development.

D. Art primarily serves as entertainment.

9. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions regarding climate change policies?

A. Economic growth is more important than environmental protection.

B. Technological advancements will not occur in the next decade.

C. Public opinion will quickly shift towards supporting green policies.

D. All countries will cooperate to reduce emissions.

10. A social science columnist argues that social media use causes loneliness. The columnist notes that, in a survey of 2,000 adults, those who reported spending more than 3 hours daily on social media also reported higher loneliness scores. The columnist concludes that reducing social media time will reduce loneliness for most people. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions?

A. Most adults have enough free time to reduce social media use without changing other activities.

B. Lonelier individuals are not more likely to use social media heavily as a response to their loneliness.

C. Loneliness can be measured only through surveys rather than through interviews or observation.

D. All social media platforms provide identical user experiences and encourage identical behaviors.

11. A natural science editorial claims that switching from meat to plant-based diets will substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The author cites estimates that livestock contribute a significant share of methane emissions and argues that if most people ate plant-based diets, demand for livestock would fall and methane emissions would decrease. The author concludes that promoting plant-based diets is one of the most effective climate strategies. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument?

A. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a shorter atmospheric lifetime than carbon dioxide.

B. Some individuals find plant-based diets difficult to maintain because of personal taste preferences.

C. Large-scale modeling shows that widespread dietary shifts would reduce methane emissions even after accounting for crop production and land-use changes.

D. Many plant-based foods can be processed into products designed to mimic meat texture and flavor.

12. A social science op-ed argues that raising the minimum wage will necessarily increase unemployment. The author cites an introductory economics textbook stating that when the price of labor rises, demand for labor falls. The author concludes that any minimum-wage increase will lead to widespread job losses, so policymakers should avoid raising it. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It argues that minimum wage laws are unconstitutional, which is irrelevant to the economic claim being made.

B. It relies on a simplified model as decisive proof, ignoring empirical evidence and real-world conditions that may alter outcomes.

C. It confuses unemployment with inflation, treating them as the same economic indicator.

D. It assumes employers always prefer to hire more workers when wages rise because higher pay signals higher quality.

13. A Social Science brief claims that later school start times improve adolescent mental health. The brief cites a district that moved start times from 7:20 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and then saw fewer nurse visits for headaches and fewer reported depressive symptoms on an annual survey. The brief concludes that later start times caused the mental health improvements. It does not mention that the district also reduced homework loads and hired additional counselors that year. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the brief’s reasoning?

A. It argues that headaches are unrelated to sleep, so any change in headaches must be caused by weather patterns.

B. It focuses on one district, even though policy decisions should be based only on national-level studies and never local data.

C. It assumes mental health cannot be measured by surveys, even though surveys are commonly used in psychological research.

D. It attributes improvement to start times alone without isolating the effect from other simultaneous changes in student support.

14. A Humanities commentary argues that public funding for contemporary dance should increase. The author notes that, in one city, a contemporary dance festival drew 30,000 attendees and nearby restaurants reported higher sales during the festival week. The author concludes that funding contemporary dance reliably boosts the local economy and should be prioritized over funding libraries. The commentary does not compare economic effects of library programs or consider whether tourists would have visited for other events. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author’s argument?

A. Surveys show most attendees were local residents who would have spent money somewhere in the city regardless of the festival.

B. Libraries offer quiet spaces for study, and many students report using them more often during exam periods.

C. In multiple comparable cities, similar dance festivals produced measurable net increases in tourism spending beyond baseline seasonal trends.

D. Some critics argue contemporary dance is difficult to understand without prior exposure to modernist aesthetics and performance theory.

15. A natural science blog post claims that blue-light-blocking glasses improve sleep. The author reports that after wearing the glasses for one week, they “fell asleep faster,” and cites a small study of 18 participants where average self-reported sleep quality increased. The author concludes that everyone should wear blue-light-blocking glasses after sunset. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?

A. Blue light is one portion of the visible light spectrum emitted by many LED screens.

B. In the study, participants who wore clear placebo glasses reported sleep improvements nearly identical to those wearing blue-light-blocking glasses.

C. Some people find the tint of blue-light-blocking lenses visually unpleasant during evening activities.

D. Many people use screens at night to communicate with family members in different time zones.

16. A humanities article claims that public murals reduce neighborhood crime. The author notes that in one district, three large murals were painted in 2022, and police reports show burglaries fell from 40 to 28 in 2023. The author adds that murals “signal community pride,” which supposedly discourages illegal activity. The article concludes that funding murals is an effective crime-prevention strategy for any city. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions?

A. Murals are more aesthetically valuable than other forms of public art, such as sculptures.

B. Burglaries are the only crime type that matters for evaluating neighborhood safety.

C. Most mural artists prefer to work in neighborhoods that already have low crime rates.

D. The drop in burglaries was not primarily caused by other factors, such as increased patrols or demographic shifts.

17. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument about the economic benefits of immigration?

A. Immigrants primarily fill low-skilled labor positions.

B. Immigrants place a strain on public resources and services.

C. Immigrants contribute significantly to innovation and entrepreneurship.

D. Immigrant communities often face high unemployment rates.

18. The author of Passage B compares modern, unornamented buildings to 'the exhaust vents of a massive machine' (paragraph 3) to emphasize the idea that:

A. such buildings alienate citizens by making them feel small and mechanistic.

B. Brutalist architecture is highly efficient and technologically advanced.

C. modern cities require massive infrastructure to support growing populations.

D. traditional architects failed to account for modern heating and cooling systems.

19. In a humanities argument about language, an author claims that texting harms students’ formal writing skills. The author points to several student essays containing abbreviations like “u” and “lol,” and argues that because students text daily, texting must be the cause of these errors. The author concludes that schools should ban texting during the school week. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?

A. Teachers often grade essays with rubrics that include grammar, organization, and clarity.

B. Many students use texting to coordinate group projects and extracurricular activities.

C. Students who text frequently but receive explicit instruction on formal registers show no higher rate of abbreviations in essays than peers.

D. Some abbreviations used in texting have existed in informal writing long before smartphones.

20. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions about the relationship between exercise and mental health?

A. Mental health improvements are solely due to exercise.

B. Exercise benefits mental health equally for everyone.

C. Exercise is the most effective treatment for mental health issues.

D. All types of exercise provide the same mental health benefits.

21. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument about the benefits of remote work?

A. Remote workers report higher job satisfaction and productivity.

B. Remote work leads to increased feelings of isolation.

C. Companies save money on office space with remote work.

D. Remote work policies are difficult to implement across industries.

22. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning about the impact of technology on education?

A. The author assumes technology is equally accessible to all students.

B. The author fails to provide examples from multiple countries.

C. The author relies on outdated technological data.

D. The author overlooks the role of teachers in education.

23. A social science researcher argues that public transportation expansions reduce air pollution. The researcher notes that after a city opened a new subway line, average weekday ridership increased by 60,000 trips, and particulate pollution measured at two downtown monitors fell by 8%. The researcher concludes that the subway line caused the pollution reduction. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the researcher's argument?

A. Traffic counts on major roads parallel to the new line declined substantially after the line opened, while industrial emissions remained stable.

B. Many riders report liking the subway because it is faster than driving during rush hour.

C. Particulate pollution can originate from construction activity, wildfires, and dust as well as vehicle exhaust.

D. The subway line includes stations with public art designed by local artists.

24. A natural science report claims that a new fertilizer increases tomato yield. In a field trial, plots using the fertilizer produced 12% more tomatoes by weight than control plots. However, the fertilized plots also received 20% more irrigation because their soil dried faster. The report concludes the fertilizer caused the yield increase. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the report’s conclusion?

A. Some farmers prefer fertilizers that are easier to apply with existing equipment.

B. The fertilizer packaging includes detailed instructions about safe storage and handling.

C. In a follow-up trial where irrigation was held constant across plots, the fertilized plots still produced higher yields.

D. Tomatoes are widely consumed and are a key crop in many agricultural regions.

25. In a Natural Science column about nutrition, an author claims that drinking green tea leads to long-term weight loss. The author cites a randomized trial in which participants who drank green tea daily lost an average of 1.2 kg more than a placebo group after 12 weeks. The author then asserts that green tea is “the key” to sustained weight management and implies that diet and exercise changes are unnecessary. The column does not discuss whether the trial tracked participants beyond 12 weeks. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument?

A. Green tea contains caffeine, which can increase alertness and improve performance on attention-based cognitive tests.

B. Some cultures have consumed green tea for centuries as part of traditional meals and social rituals.

C. After the 12-week trial ended, the green-tea group regained the lost weight within three months at the same rate as placebo.

D. Many participants in both groups reported enjoying the taste of the beverages provided during the study.

26. A Humanities essay argues that reading printed books (rather than e-books) improves critical thinking. The author cites a study where college students reading a printed essay scored slightly higher on an analysis rubric than students reading the same essay on a tablet. The author concludes that print inherently promotes deeper reasoning because it “feels more serious.” The essay does not report whether the tablet group faced distractions such as notifications. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It relies on an emotional preference for print and offers no evidence that the medium, rather than distractions, produced the score difference.

B. It claims critical thinking cannot be measured by rubrics, because rubrics always reflect graders’ subjective opinions.

C. It argues that e-books are cheaper than printed books and therefore should be avoided to preserve academic rigor.

D. It assumes all students dislike tablets, even though many students regularly read long texts on digital devices.

27. A social science researcher claims that later school start times improve student mental health. The researcher notes that after a district moved start times from 7:20 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., counseling visits for stress declined by 15% over the next semester. The researcher concludes that the schedule change caused the improvement and urges all districts to adopt later start times. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the researcher's argument?

A. During the same semester, the district also reduced homework requirements in several core classes.

B. The district’s counseling office changed its appointment scheduling software during the semester.

C. Some students reported disliking the later dismissal time because it interfered with after-school activities.

D. A comparable nearby district that did not change start times showed no similar decline in stress-related counseling visits.

28. In a humanities essay about reading habits, an author argues that audiobooks do not count as “real reading”. The author claims that reading requires “visually decoding text,” and notes that people who listen to audiobooks can do so while cooking or driving, which “proves” they are not paying full attention. The author concludes that schools should not allow audiobooks to satisfy reading requirements. Which of the following best describes the author's argument?

A. It claims audiobooks are unpopular and therefore should not be used in schools.

B. It argues that audiobooks are too expensive for schools and thus should be restricted for budget reasons.

C. It compares two media formats and concludes they are equally effective because both convey identical stories.

D. It defines reading narrowly as visual decoding and infers reduced comprehension from multitasking, then recommends a policy ban.

29. In a humanities article about museums, an author argues that free admission increases cultural literacy. The author notes that after one museum eliminated its $15 entry fee, annual attendance rose by 40%. The author concludes that visitors must have become more culturally literate because more people entered the museum. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It ignores that museums contain art, which cannot be evaluated using any objective criteria.

B. It attacks paid admission policies as immoral rather than addressing whether they affect literacy.

C. It assumes that higher attendance automatically implies increased cultural literacy, without measuring learning or understanding.

D. It incorrectly assumes museums are the only place where people can encounter culture.

30. In a humanities essay on education, an author argues that memorizing poetry is valuable because it builds empathy. The author explains that memorization requires repeated engagement with a poem’s voice and perspective; as evidence, the author cites interviews with ten students who said that memorizing poems made them “feel what the speaker feels.” The author concludes that schools should require all students to memorize poems regularly. Which of the following best describes the author's argument?

A. It claims memorization is the only way to understand poetry and dismisses all other forms of literary study.

B. It argues that poetry is more important than mathematics because poems are older than modern math textbooks.

C. It uses a small set of interviews to support a psychological claim, then recommends a universal requirement based on that limited evidence.

D. It shows that empathy is impossible to teach and therefore argues schools should abandon literature instruction entirely.

31. A social science article argues that community gardens increase neighborhood social cohesion. The author observes that in three neighborhoods with gardens, residents reported knowing more neighbors by name than residents in three neighborhoods without gardens. The author concludes that building gardens will create social cohesion in any neighborhood. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It generalizes from a small, nonrandom comparison and does not rule out preexisting differences between neighborhoods.

B. It claims that social cohesion cannot be measured because it is a subjective concept.

C. It concludes gardens reduce food prices, which is unrelated to the claim about social cohesion.

D. It assumes that gardening is the only possible leisure activity that can bring neighbors together.

32. A natural science article claims that regular sauna use improves cardiovascular health. The author cites an observational study in which people who reported using a sauna 4–7 times per week had lower rates of heart disease than those who used a sauna once per week. The author concludes that sauna use directly prevents heart disease. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?

A. Some people cannot safely use saunas because of certain medical conditions.

B. Frequent sauna users in the study also exercised more and had higher average incomes than infrequent sauna users.

C. Saunas raise skin temperature and cause sweating, which many people find relaxing.

D. Heart disease is influenced by diet, genetics, and physical activity, among other factors.

33. The author discusses the 'pain of paying' (paragraph 3) primarily to illustrate:

A. how the physical act of handing over cash acts as a natural deterrent to overspending.

B. why consumers find it physically uncomfortable to carry heavy coins and bills.

C. the frustration business owners feel when counting cash at the end of the day.

D. the emotional distress that low-income families feel when purchasing necessities.

34. The author uses the analogy of the 'frantic librarian' (paragraph 4) primarily to help the reader understand:

A. why procedural memories require intense concentration to form.

B. the mechanism by which the hippocampus transfers daily experiences to the neocortex.

C. how quickly the brain forgets factual information if it is not written down.

D. the chaotic and stressful nature of vivid dreams during REM sleep.

35. In the context of the passage, the bolded statement "It sings when it’s distressed" suggests that Elias:

A. believes the mainspring is made of low-quality metal.

B. possesses an intuitive, almost sensory understanding of machinery.

C. prefers clocks that make musical chiming sounds.

D. hears actual melodies when he works on antique watches.

36. The author's description of sleep as 'a highly sophisticated period of neurological housekeeping' (final paragraph) primarily serves to:

A. criticize researchers who previously dismissed the study of sleep as an unworthy scientific pursuit.

B. suggest that the brain physically removes damaged neurons during sleep to prevent long-term injury.

C. introduce a new scientific argument about the relationship between physical cleanliness and cognitive performance.

D. reinforce the contrast established in the opening paragraph between the outdated view of sleep as passive and the passage's conclusion that sleep is active and purposeful.

37. The author uses the description of the 'fiddlehead' (paragraph 8) to symbolize:

A. the narrator's hidden potential and new beginnings.

B. the complexity of Victorian greenhouse architecture.

C. the aunt's harsh and destructive nature.

D. the inevitable decay of the older plants.

38. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions about renewable energy sources?

A. Public support for renewable energy will increase.

B. Renewable energy can meet global demand quickly.

C. Fossil fuel costs will remain constant.

D. All renewable energy technologies are equally efficient.

39. In a natural science commentary, an author argues that planting more urban trees will significantly reduce city temperatures. The author cites a study showing that shaded sidewalks can be 5°C cooler than unshaded ones at midday. The author then concludes that if a city plants 10,000 trees, the entire city’s average summer temperature will drop by about 5°C. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It confuses localized cooling in shade with a uniform reduction in citywide average temperature.

B. It relies on a circular definition of temperature that makes the conclusion true by definition.

C. It argues from authority by citing a study rather than presenting any numerical data.

D. It assumes trees cannot survive in cities because of pollution and limited soil depth.

40. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning about the benefits of organic farming?

A. The author relies on outdated farming data.

B. The author assumes all organic farms are equally sustainable.

C. The author overlooks the cost of organic products.

D. The author cites limited scientific research.

41. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning about universal healthcare?

A. The author provides evidence from only one country.

B. The author ignores historical healthcare data.

C. The author assumes all healthcare systems operate identically.

D. The author relies on personal anecdotes over data.

42. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions about education reform?

A. Educational technology is accessible to everyone.

B. Parental involvement is not crucial to student success.

C. Students are motivated by grades alone.

D. All teachers will adopt new teaching methods.

43. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning about the effectiveness of online learning?

A. The author overlooks the importance of social interaction.

B. The author relies on studies from non-credible sources.

C. The author does not consider traditional education methods.

D. The author assumes all students have reliable internet access.

44. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning about the effects of diet on mental health?

A. The author ignores cultural dietary differences.

B. The author generalizes from a small sample size.

C. The author does not consider genetic factors.

D. The author relies on anecdotal rather than empirical evidence.

45. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions about globalization?

A. Cultural homogenization will benefit global peace.

B. Globalization will not affect local cultures negatively.

C. Trade barriers will continue to decrease.

D. All countries will benefit equally from globalization.

46. Which of the following best describes the author's argument about the effects of urbanization on the environment?

A. Urbanization improves environmental quality through better infrastructure.

B. Urbanization is the primary cause of climate change.

C. Urbanization leads to environmental degradation without proper planning.

D. Urbanization has little impact on environmental conditions.

47. The author's conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions about technological advancement?

A. Technological progress will always result in societal benefit.

B. Innovation will halt without government funding.

C. Public adoption of new technology is immediate.

D. Private companies will prioritize consumer safety.

48. A social science policy memo argues that installing more streetlights reduces traffic accidents at night. The memo reports that after one neighborhood added LED streetlights, nighttime crashes fell from 18 to 10 the following year. The memo concludes that adding streetlights is the main reason crashes fell and recommends immediate citywide installation. Which of the following best describes the author's argument?

A. It argues that nighttime driving is always dangerous and therefore should be prohibited regardless of lighting conditions.

B. It shows that streetlights increase energy use and therefore concludes that cities should avoid installing them.

C. It infers a general causal relationship from a before-and-after comparison in one area and then proposes broad policy expansion.

D. It claims LED lights are aesthetically superior and thus should replace all other lighting for artistic reasons.

49. A Social Science policy memo argues that banning single-use plastic bags reduces overall plastic pollution. The memo cites a coastal town that enacted a bag ban and then reported a 40% decrease in plastic bags found during beach cleanups. The memo concludes the ban reduced total plastic waste entering the ocean. It does not report whether use of thicker plastic trash bags increased after the ban. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the memo’s conclusion?

A. After the ban, households bought significantly more thick plastic trash liners, increasing total plastic by weight compared to before.

B. The town’s beaches include several types of habitats, including dunes and rocky tide pools, which affect cleanup logistics.

C. Some tourists reported that they forgot to bring reusable bags and therefore purchased paper bags at local stores.

D. Beach cleanups are often organized by volunteers who prefer to work in groups and coordinate schedules in advance.

50. In a Natural Science magazine, an author argues that using antibacterial soap at home is necessary to prevent illness. The author notes that antibacterial soaps kill 99.9% of bacteria in lab tests on surfaces. The author concludes that households using antibacterial soap will have far fewer colds and flu than households using regular soap. The author does not address that colds and flu are primarily caused by viruses, not bacteria. Which of the following best describes the author’s reasoning flaw?

A. It confuses effectiveness against bacteria in laboratory conditions with effectiveness against viral illnesses in real household settings.

B. It assumes bacteria are harmless, even though many bacteria are known to cause disease in humans.

C. It argues that lab tests are always invalid, because controlled experiments cannot represent anything about the real world.

D. It claims regular soap cannot remove microbes, despite widespread evidence that handwashing with any soap is useful.

51. In a Natural Science news piece about conservation, an author argues that reintroducing wolves to a national park will restore ecosystem balance. The author cites evidence that, after wolves were reintroduced in another park, deer populations declined and some vegetation rebounded. The author concludes that wolf reintroduction will reliably restore balance in any park with overbrowsing. The piece does not address differences in habitat, prey availability, or human land use between parks. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It argues wolves are dangerous, implying public fear alone should determine wildlife policy rather than ecological evidence.

B. It assumes predators always increase prey populations, even though predation typically reduces prey numbers in ecological models.

C. It denies that vegetation can respond to herbivory changes, despite extensive research on plant recovery after browsing declines.

D. It generalizes from one park’s outcome to all parks without considering ecological and human-context differences that affect results.

52. A Social Science journal piece claims that social media use increases political polarization. The author cites a study finding that heavy social media users report more extreme political views than light users. The author concludes social media causes polarization because algorithms show users content they already agree with. The piece does not address the possibility that people with extreme views may choose to spend more time on social media. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It argues that algorithms are neutral, so exposure to agreeable content is impossible on any social media platform.

B. It focuses on users’ opinions rather than describing what social media is, making the argument purely definitional.

C. It claims polarization is always beneficial, so any technology associated with it must be encouraged by governments.

D. It assumes the direction of causality without ruling out self-selection, where already polarized individuals may use social media more.

53. A Social Science article claims that raising the minimum wage will not increase unemployment. The author cites a single state that raised its minimum wage and saw unemployment remain steady over the next six months. The author concludes that minimum wage increases do not affect employment because “businesses adjust easily.” The article does not discuss broader economic conditions during the six-month period or effects on hours worked. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It assumes unemployment is always rising, so any policy that holds unemployment steady must be economically harmful.

B. It focuses on employment effects, even though the only important outcome of wage policy is workers’ happiness.

C. It bases a broad economic conclusion on a short time window in one state without considering other labor-market adjustments.

D. It argues that businesses never adjust to policy changes, because owners are unwilling to change prices or staffing.

54. In a Natural Science essay, an author argues that urban tree-planting programs should be a primary public-health intervention. The author cites a five-year dataset from one city showing that neighborhoods with a 15% increase in tree canopy also saw a 7% decline in reported asthma-related emergency visits. The author then concludes that increasing tree canopy causes asthma rates to fall and recommends reallocating funds from indoor air-filtration subsidies to tree planting. The author briefly acknowledges that traffic density also declined in those neighborhoods during the same period but says the canopy increase is the “most plausible driver” because trees filter air pollutants. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It overgeneralizes by claiming trees reduce all diseases, even though the evidence concerns only asthma-related emergency visits.

B. It critiques tree planting by focusing on costs, rather than evaluating whether the evidence supports a causal health claim.

C. It treats a correlation from one city as proof of causation while discounting a plausible confounder that changed simultaneously.

D. It assumes asthma is primarily genetic and therefore cannot be influenced by environmental changes such as air quality improvements.

55. A Social Science op-ed argues that remote work reduces employee turnover. The author cites a company that introduced remote work and then saw turnover drop from 18% to 11% the next year. The author concludes remote work caused the decline and urges other firms to adopt remote work to retain staff. The op-ed does not mention that, during the same year, the company also raised salaries by 10% and introduced a new promotion pathway. Which of the following best describes the author’s argument?

A. It concludes remote work is ineffective, because turnover can decline even when employees are physically separated.

B. It generalizes from many firms across industries to show remote work consistently lowers turnover regardless of context.

C. It argues that salary increases never affect retention, because employees value autonomy more than compensation.

D. It infers a causal relationship from a before-and-after change while omitting other policy changes that could explain the outcome.

56. A Humanities review argues that film adaptations should be judged primarily by their fidelity to the source novel. The reviewer notes that audiences often complain when characters or plot points are changed. The reviewer concludes that the best adaptations are those that preserve the most details, because preserving details shows respect for literature. The review does not consider whether changes might improve storytelling in a different medium. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the reviewer’s reasoning?

A. It equates audience complaints with a universal standard of artistic quality, ignoring that different media may require structural changes.

B. It focuses on the reviewer’s personal taste, rather than describing any reasons audiences might dislike certain adaptations.

C. It argues that films should never be adapted from books, because original screenplays are always more creative.

D. It assumes novels are always shorter than films, even though novels typically contain more content than a two-hour movie.

57. In a Natural Science report on energy, an author argues that installing rooftop solar panels always lowers household electricity costs. The author cites an example household that installed panels and saw its monthly utility bill fall from $120 to $30. The author concludes that any household will save money by installing solar. The report does not mention installation costs, financing terms, or regional differences in sunlight. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It focuses on money rather than environmental benefits, implying environmental arguments are irrelevant to energy decisions.

B. It generalizes from a single illustrative case and ignores key variables like upfront costs and local solar potential.

C. It argues solar panels cannot work, because electricity is produced only by fossil fuels and cannot be generated on roofs.

D. It assumes households prefer higher bills, even though most people want to spend more on electricity to support utilities.

58. In a Natural Science blog post on sleep, an author argues that blue-light-blocking glasses should be recommended to all adults. The author cites a small study of 24 participants: those wearing the glasses for two hours before bed fell asleep 10 minutes faster on average. The author concludes the glasses substantially improve overall health because better sleep “prevents most chronic disease.” The post provides no evidence linking a 10-minute change in sleep onset to chronic disease rates. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

A. It dismisses all sleep research, claiming that sleep duration is entirely determined by genetics and cannot be altered.

B. It extrapolates from a modest, short‑term sleep measure to sweeping health outcomes without providing supporting evidence.

C. It argues that glasses are fashionable, implying fashion trends should determine medical recommendations for adults.

D. It assumes participants were honest, even though honesty is impossible to verify in any behavioral study.

59. A Humanities scholar argues that learning Latin should be required for all law students. The scholar notes that many legal terms derive from Latin and that students who know Latin may recognize these terms. The scholar concludes that requiring Latin will make graduates better lawyers overall. The scholar does not provide evidence that Latin study improves legal reasoning, writing, or client advocacy. The author’s conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions?

A. Recognizing the origins of legal terms substantially improves overall legal competence, beyond what standard legal training already provides.

B. Law students have ample time, and adding a required language course will not displace other essential coursework.

C. Most clients prefer lawyers who speak Latin during consultations, because it signals professionalism and social status.

D. All legal terms are Latin, so lawyers cannot understand statutes, contracts, or case law without prior Latin instruction.

60. In a Natural Science classroom article, an author argues that students learn biology best through virtual reality (VR) labs rather than physical labs. The author cites a pilot program where VR-lab students scored higher on a unit test than students in traditional labs. The author concludes VR labs are superior because they are “more engaging.” The article does not report whether the VR group had additional practice time or different instructors. Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the author’s argument?

A. In the pilot, VR students also reported enjoying the course more, even though enjoyment does not necessarily affect learning outcomes.

B. Some students in traditional labs expressed concern about handling specimens, which made them uncomfortable during dissections.

C. VR equipment costs can be reduced if schools purchase devices in bulk, though maintenance still requires technical staff.

D. Both groups had the same instructor, equal instructional time, and identical assignments, differing only in lab format.

61. In a social science essay, an author argues that remote work increases employee productivity. The author cites a company survey of 120 employees showing that 78% reported getting “more done at home,” and notes that after the company allowed remote work two days per week, quarterly output (units shipped) rose by 6%. The author concludes that remote work causes higher productivity and recommends expanding remote work to four days per week. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It dismisses the possibility that remote work benefits only managers rather than individual employees.

B. It proves remote work reduces collaboration because employees are not physically present in the office.

C. It assumes self-reported feelings of productivity are identical to objective productivity measures across all job types.

D. It treats a correlation and a single time period increase as sufficient to establish causation without ruling out other changes.

62. A humanities critic argues that streaming services have improved music quality. The critic notes that listeners can now access “nearly all music ever recorded,” and reasons that because more music is available, artists must work harder, so the average quality of music must be higher today than in the past. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the critic’s reasoning?

A. It argues that all music from the past was low quality because recording technology was primitive.

B. It ignores that streaming services require internet access, which some listeners do not have.

C. It assumes that increased access and competition necessarily raise average artistic quality, without offering evidence that quality has improved.

D. It confuses music quality with music volume, treating louder recordings as better recordings.

63. A natural science note claims that drinking more water improves concentration. The author cites a classroom demonstration: after students drank a glass of water, their average score on a short attention task rose from 7/10 to 8/10. The author concludes that increasing water intake will reliably improve concentration in all settings. Which of the following best describes a flaw in the author's reasoning?

A. It extrapolates from a brief, possibly uncontrolled demonstration to a broad claim about all people and contexts.

B. It argues that water is essential for life, which does not logically connect to concentration.

C. It claims the attention task is impossible to score objectively because all tasks are subjective.

D. It assumes concentration is unrelated to sleep, nutrition, or stress, so water must be the only influence.

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