A drug that is highly effective in treating certain types of cancerous growth can, at present, be obtained only from the cartilage of a particular sub-species of shark, a sub-species which is quite rare in the wild. One must kill 50 sharks to make one pound of the drug. If follows, therefore, that continued production of the drug must inevitably lead to the extinction of this sub-species of shark.Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
Answer(s): D
The best answer is D. If the shark can be successfully bred in captivity, it is possible to continue production of the drug without threatening the shark with extinction.
Harper’s Pencils manufactures and sells the same pencils as Johnson’s Supply. Employee wages account for forty percent of the cost of manufacturing pencils at both factories. Harper’s is seeking a competitive edge over Johnson’s supply. Therefore, to promote this end, Harper’s should lower employee wages.Which of the following, if true, seriously weakens the argument above?
Answer(s): B
The best answer is B. The effect of lowering wages is to reduce quality sufficiently to reduce sales. This is a good reason to doubt that wage cuts would give Johnson any competitive edge.
The technological conservatism of art supply manufacturers is a reflection of the kinds of demands they are trying to meet. The only customers who are seriously interested in purchasing new products are professional artists. Therefore, innovation in art supply technology is limited by what art critics and gallery owners accept as a proper medium of expression for artists.Which of the following is an assumption made in drawing the conclusion above?
Answer(s): C
If professional artists, the only customers interested in innovation, created a strong demand for innovations for purposes other than what is officially recognized as a standard medium for purposes of artistic creations, then the conclusion would not follow. Therefore, choice C, which states that professional artists generate no such demand – is assumed and is the best answer.
Although Binofram has been proven to alleviate certain skin rashes associated with some medical conditions, many physicians no longer routinely prescribe this drug for this purpose. A rash can stimulate the activity of the body’s T-cells and also inhibit growth of some strains of virus.If the statements above are true, which of the following conclusion is most strongly supported by them?
By stimulating T-cells and inhibiting the growth of certain viruses, rashes can aid the body in fighting infection. However, Binofram can eliminate the rash. Thus, as choice B states, Binofram can prolong a patient’s illness.
Mr. Janeck: I don’t believe Stevenson will win the election for governor. Few voters are willing to elect a businessman with no political experience to such a responsible public office.Ms. Siuzdak: You’re wrong. The experience of running a major corporation is a valuable preparation for the task of running a state government.Ms. Siuzdak’s response shows that she has interpreted Mr. Janeck’s remark to imply which of the following?
Answer(s): A
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