Analyzing Arguments Questions and Answers

Exercise

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

Article

Q 1

Generation Xers are those people born roughly between 1965 and 1981. As employees, Generation Xers tend to be more challenged when they can carry out tasks independently. This makes Generation Xers the most entrepreneurial generation in history.
This paragraph best supports the statement that Generation Xers


A)

work harder than people from other generations.

B)

have a tendency to be self-directed workers

C)

have an interest in making history

D)

tend to work in jobs that require risk-taking behavior.


Correct Option - B

Explanation

The support for choice b is given in the second sentence of the paragraph. Generation Xers like to work independently, which means they are self-directed. No support is given for either choice a or choice c. Choice d is not related to the paragraph. Although the paragraph mentions that Generation Xers like to be challenged, it does not say they like to challenge their bosses attitudes; therefore, choice e can be ruled out.

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Q 2

In the 1966 Supreme Court decision Miranda v. Arizona, the court held that before the police can obtain statements from a person subjected to an interrogation, the person must be given a Miranda warning. This warning means that a person must be told that he or she has the right to remain silent during the police interrogation. Violation of this right means that any statement that the person makes is not admissible in a court hearing.
This paragraph best supports the statement that


A)

police who do not warn persons of their Miranda rights are guilty of a crime.

B)

Miranda warning must be given before a police interrogation can begin.

C)

the police may no longer interrogate persons suspected of a crime unless a lawyer is present.

D)

the 1966 Supreme Court decision in Miranda should be reversed


Correct Option - B

Explanation

This answer is clearly supported in the second sentence. Nothing in the paragraph suggests that it is a crime not to give a Miranda warning, so choice a is incorrect. Choice c is also wrong because police may interrogate as long as a warning is given. There is no support given for either choice d or e.

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Q 3

Human technology developed from the first stone tools about two and a half million years ago. At the beginning, the rate of development was slow. Hundreds of thousands of years passed without much change. Today, new technologies are reported daily on television and in newspapers.
This paragraph best supports the statement that


A)

stone tools were not really technology.

B)

stone tools were in use for two and a half million years

C)

there is no way to know when stone tools first came into use.

D)

In today's world, new technologies are constantly being developed


Correct Option - D

Explanation

The last sentence states that new technologies are reported daily, and this implies that new technologies are being constantly developed. There is no support for choice a.With regard to choice b, stone tools were first used two and a half million years ago, but they were not neessarily in use all that time. Choice c is clearly wrong since the paragraph states when stone tools first came into use. Although some may agree that choice e is true, the author of the paragraph does not give support for this opinion

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Q 4

Yoga has become a very popular type of exercise, but it may not be for everyone. Before you sign yourself up for a yoga class, you need to examine what it is you want from your fitness routine. If you're looking for a high-energy, fast-paced aerobic workout, a yoga class might not be your best choice.
This paragraph best supports the statement that


A)

yoga is more popular than high-impact aerobics.

B)

before embarking on a new exercise regimen, you should think about your needs and desires

C)

yoga is changing the world of fitness in major ways

D)

yoga benefits your body and mind


Correct Option - B

Explanation

The second sentence points out that people should examine what they want from a fitness routine before signing up for a new exercise class. There is no evidence to support choice a. Choice c might sound reasonable due to the fact that the paragraph tells us that yoga has become very popular, but this statement is not supported by the information provided in the paragraph. Choices d and e are also not supported since the paragraph doesn't tell us whether yoga is good for both body and mind or what people think about it.

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Q 5

Which of the following, if true, would weaken the speaker's argument?


A)

a demonstration that computers can be used to teach reading and arithmetic

B)

analysis of the cost-effectiveness of new computers versus repairing old computers

C)

examples of adults who do not know how to use computers

D)

recent grade reports of students in the computer classes


Correct Option - A

Explanation

If computers enhance the learning of arithmetic and reading, the speaker's argument is not as strong.

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Q 6

One of the warmest winters on record has put consumers in the mood to spend money. Spending is likely to be the strongest in thirteen years. During the month of February, sales of existing single-family homes hit an annual record rate of 4.75 million.
This paragraph best supports the statement that


A)

consumer spending will be higher thirteen years from now than it is today.

B)

more people buy houses in the month of February than in any other month.

C)

during the winter months, the prices of single-family homes are the lowest.

D) warm winter weather is likely to affect the rate of home sales.


Correct Option - D

Explanation

This is clearly the best answer because the paragraph directly states that warm weather affects consumers inclination to spend. It furthers states that the sales of single-family homes was at an all-time high. There is no support for choice a or c. Choice b is wrong because even though there were high sales for a particular February, this does not mean that sales are not higher in other months. Choice d presents a misleading figure of 4 million. The paragraph states that the record of 4.75 million was at an annual, not a monthly, rate.

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Q 7

In the past, consumers would rarely walk into an ice cream store and order low-fat ice cream. But that isn't the case today. An increasing health consciousness combined with a much bigger selection of tasty low-fat foods in all categories has made low-fat ice cream a very profitable item for ice cream store owners.
This paragraph best supports the statement that


A)

low-fat ice cream produces more revenue than other low-fat foods.

B)

ice cream store owners would be better off carrying only low-fat ice cream.

C)

ice cream store owners no longer think that low-fat ice cream is an unpopular item.

D)

low-fat ice cream is more popular than other kinds of ice cream.


Correct Option - C

Explanation

This choice is supported as the best answer because the paragraph indicates that low-fat ice cream was once an unpopular item, but now, because consumers are more health conscious and because there is a wider array of tasty low-fat foods, low-fat ice cream is a profitable item for ice cream store owners. There is no indication that choices a, b, d,or e are true based on the information given.

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