1. The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on grounds that it
A. overlooks the possibility that people who develop back pain and do not use a Backease cushion can readily find an effective alternative
B. overlooks the possibility that some of the people surveyed use a Backease cushion for reasons other than the alleviation of back pain, such as helping them to relax
C. overlooks the possibility that among the 30 percent who did not experience a significant reduction or complete elimination of their back pain, some experienced a moderate improvement
D. relies solely on personal reports rather than on reasoning
E. groups together those people who experienced a complete elimination of back pain with those who experienced only a significant reduction Correct
Explanation
Grouping reduction and elimination treats partial as full success, weakening claim against alternatives. Choice A alternatives possible but not direct flaw. B other reasons irrelevant to pain relief. C moderate in 30% doesn't address 70%. D reports are evidence, not flaw. The lumping obscures degrees of success, making conclusion overstrong. Alternatives don't hit core vulnerability of equating outcomes.
2. Which of the following is an assumption on which the investigators' conclusion relies?
A. Birth and death rates in the colony will not change significantly over the next two hundred years.
B. Female cats in the colony that are shorter than average also tend to be slightly heavier than average.
C. Kittens born to the shorter, slightly heavier mothers in the colony are not less likely than average to survive to adulthood. Correct
D. Average length and weight of male cats in the colony will not change over the next two hundred years.
E. In the colony, female cats that have more kittens than average also live longer than average.
Explanation
Survival of advantageous offspring needed for trait evolution. Choice A rates change could affect but not core. B correlation given. D males irrelevant. E longer life not necessary. Assumption ties reproduction to inheritance over generations. Without survival, trend doesn't propagate. Others peripheral to heritability.
3. Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports a prediction that Gardening Magazine's new policy will have its intended effect?
A. When people new to gardening buy plants, they often fail to take adequate care of the plants that they buy and become discouraged from buying those varieties again.
B. Other gardening periodicals will likely follow Gardening Magazine's lead by ceasing to publish articles and accept advertisements promoting the cultivation of rare wildflowers. Correct
C. The yearly demand for rare wildflowers regularly exceeds the number of such plants that can be collected in the wild by plant sellers.
D. People who are new to gardening are more likely to read other periodicals on the subject of plants and gardening than Gardening Magazine, which contains many articles that appeal to expert gardeners.
E. A number of plant sellers are currently working with botanists to improve techniques for propagating trilliums and other rare wildflowers.
Explanation
Others following amplifies impact on sales reduction. Choice A care failure doesn't link policy. C demand excess but not effect. D other reads weakens. E propagation improves counters. Collective action strengthens plundering reduction. Isolated policy limited.
4. According to the passage, each of the following is a way in which higher wages can affect productivity EXCEPT:
A. Workers are encouraged to work harder.
B. The number of workers who need to be replaced is reduced.
C. The morale of workers is raised.
D. The atmosphere of the workplace becomes more cooperative. Correct
E. The employer is able to attract better-qualified workers.
Explanation
Cooperative atmosphere not listed, unlike incentives, turnover, morale, attract. Choice A incentives. B turnover. C morale. E attract. Passage specifies mechanisms, no cooperation. Omission key for except.
5. It can be inferred that the author of the passage would probably agree with which of the following statements about France's 1998 decision to implement a 35-hour workweek?
A. The decision was unusual among workweek reductions in that it was designed primarily to ameliorate unemployment.
B. While the decision was motivated by a worthy objective, that objective is an extremely difficult one to realize.
C. The decision was not made primarily with the view toward taking full advantage of all the effects that a workweek reduction can have. Correct
D. The rationale underlying the decision reflects mistaken assumptions about how workers typically respond to workweek reductions.
E. The decision was based on an overestimation of the dangers of unemployment.
Explanation
Not full advantage, as theory predicts more benefits beyond unemployment. Choice A usual. B difficult not said. D no mistaken. E no overestimation. Passage contrasts objectives. Limited view misses broader.