Artistic forms of self-representation are often shaped through fashion which encourages individual expression. Part of this expression is due to trends which have been sculptured by global fashion icons, celebrity names and influencers who cash in on product promotion. Involvement of a business model in turn suppresses individualisation where uniformity and being 'trendy' by adhering to the brand image is encouraged.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

As the weather gets colder, we naturally wear more layers. However, the real reasoning behind this is that lower temperatures weakens the nose's immune ability. Rhinovirus, the virus responsible for the common cold, was tested to determine how well airways could prevent it from entering the body. In lower temperatures, the immune system responded slower and hence this explains why we are more susceptible to illness when it is colder.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

The fabric that is worn against the skin is a major contributor to underlying skin problems and heightened sensitivity. Natural fabrics such as cotton, silk or wool are soft against the skin and help absorb the body's natural moisture. They are also light and breathable. On the other hand, synthetic material such as polyester or nylon are often heavier and can irritate the skin due to a polymer constituent that is chemically formed.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

As the world becomes increasingly exposed to new learning materials, the method of delivery has also changed. In recent times, learning has become digitalised, mostly due to its efficiency. This has encouraged students to bring devices such as laptops to school as the traditional paper-pen system is beginning to phase out. While this brings tremendous benefits, it also increases the risk of students becoming distracted with the internet.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

Exercising requires discipline and action. Most people are occupied with work and/or study and often forget the importance of exercise and its role in balancing a healthy lifestyle. At times, taking the alternative option just to get the body active can make a difference. Examples include taking the stairs instead of the lift, or simply a few stops before taking the bus.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

Leisure activities vary for everyone. Some may enjoying cooking or baking, some may enjoy physical activities while others may enjoy the arts such as painting or music. However, some hobbies can in tum become unhealthy obsessions. In recent times, there has been a significant increase in online gaming addictions. Young adults often do not prioritise their duties, which weakens basic humanity skills including communication and problem solving.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

Australia has been subject to global warming since the turn of the 21st century. Every year, Australia is becoming hotter where the winters are becoming less cold. This is mostly caused by bushfires, droughts and floods. Natural factors are difficult to control, but Australia was ranked the 3rd highest for carbon dioxide emission per capita in 2018. In 1998, the Australian government was the first ones to establish a greenhouse office to address this problem.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

Prior to college entrance exams, Western schools often allow students to choose their subjects. This is to ensure foundational knowledge learnt in high school will help students transition into their desired university courses. However, schools in China require all students to complete 10 set mandatory courses, regardless of what degree they are aiming for. Although this ensures fairness, students tend to be boxed in and have limited choices.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

Many schools in the northern hemisphere provide cafeteria services for students. In Australia, students bring their own food while a canteen is available for beverages, snacks and hot meals that need to be ordered beforehand. Students tend to be picky over what they eat, especially upon seeing others' meals, whereas a cafeteria provides students with equal options to choose from.What is the principle of the main argument in the above text?

In a situation where it is found that two or more people have committed a crime, the individuals who confess to their actions will receive less punishment than those who do not. In courts, this is known as 'pleading guilty'. For example, if a group of people are accused of stealing jewellery, the person who confesses to the crime will receive a smaller penalty. This will then help police to investigate the other people who committed the crime, as they will have more insider information. Thus, many people choose to plead guilty.Which of the following reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

In entering legal agreements or contracts, the contract will not have been formed if all parties have not agreed to the terms and conditions. This is to make sure that all parties intend to be part of the contract, and that they were not forced into an agreement, which would be very unfair. This is a point of view that is accepted by Australian courts.In which of the following scenarios has this principle in the above paragraph not been applied?

English and Maths is compulsory in high schools until the end of Year 12, while other subjects such as science are compulsory until the end of Year 10. Yet, as soon as students leave high school, many people will immediately forget what they have learned in those subjects, because they think it is irrelevant to what they are learning in the future. However, the skills they learnt are applicable even after high school - remembering how to clearly structured paragraphs from English lessons, for example, helps people articulate their ideas more clearly both in the workplace and in daily life. Another example is maths - if you remember how to quickly calculate numbers in your head and the principles behind financial maths, you will have a clearer understanding of how you are using your money, and you can calculate your spending more easily.Which of the following options reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

Newton' s third law of motion states that for every force that exists, there must be an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if you jump, your legs apply force to the ground, and then the ground applies an equal and opposite reaction force, which is what propels you into the air. This is also the law that engineers utilise when building rockets to send to space. The more force that is put into launching the rocket into the air, the stronger the reaction force. As such, the immense strength of the rocket thrusters is the reason why rockets can propel themselves so far into space.Emilie wants to spend her day watching television, but she has to study for an important test. Which of the following scenarios reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

Collecting old objects, such as Pokemon cards, music albums signed by the Beetles, or the first edition of the Harry Potter series, is a relatively unknown but highly lucrative hobby. The people who collect these items are often referred to as 'collectors'. The items they accumulate are not produced anymore, and are so rare as a result that many people are willing to pay extremely high prices to own the item itself. For example, the first edition of The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been sold for a price of $55 000!Which of the following applies the same principle as the above paragraph?

Japanese culture often prioritises group harmony over the expression of individual opinions. For example, if an employee disagrees with the opinion of the group, they are unlikely to voice their disagreement so that the group can continue functioning peacefully. Prioritising group goals also translates into the Japanese working culture itself - for instance, it is often expected for employees to stay back late to make sure that all the work is completed, so that the company as a whole can benefit from the work being finished in a timely manner. Additionally, employees are often rewarded for the work they have achieved as a whole group, in that they may receive bonus pay if everyone in the company has been working hard over the past month.Which of the following options reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

In Australia, it is possible for poor people to become rich if they work hard enough. This is because there are many government schemes in place that assist families who do not have much money to gain an education. The HECS-HELP scheme is an example of this, where the government loans money to university students so that they do not have to pay university fees immediately. This means you can attend university even if you do not have much money. As such, if you work hard during university and get good grades, it is extremely likely you will be able to get a good job in the future.Which of the following options reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

Community service refers to the unpaid work performed by people for the benefit of a community. It is often used as a type of penalty for those who have disobeyed laws and committed low-level crimes. This is a particularly useful method for young offenders, because community service allows the offenders to learn and give back to the community without having to serve time in a juvenile centre. As they are supervised when they are completing their community service hours, offenders have a chance to take responsibility for their actions and have this officially recorded. This then gives them the chance to learn from their mistakes so that they are less likely to commit crimes in the future. Hence, community service is a penalty that is highly recommended.Which of the following options reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

Many people believe the best way to make decisions is to consider which option can create the maximum happiness and would be most useful for the people involved. This way, there will be more safe and happy people in the world, although it may mean that the feelings and desires of a small group of people are ignored in the process.Which of the following scenarios do not reflect the principle in the above paragraph?

The concept of wealth is strange. One thousand dollars means a lot more to a poor person than it does to a multibillionaire. We can see this through the tangible effects that this amount of money would have on different individuals. For example, if a poor person was to lose one thousand dollars, they may be unable to pay rent for the month, which could lead to them getting evicted and becoming homeless. Yet, a multibillionaire is unlikely to notice if one thousand dollars is stolen from them, and if they did notice, it is unlikely they will care. This is because in comparison to the rest of the money they have, one thousand dollars is equivalent to almost nothing.Which of the following options reflects the underlying principle of the above paragraph?

Going to university is a valuable opportunity. People who graduate from university earn significantly more money throughout their lifetime than those with only high school education. Having a university degree is beneficial for a better career. Many jobs will pay more, and these jobs are also commonly more secure. University also provides a broad range of skills, and can open up unexpected opportunities that might not be possible for people who didn't complete a higher level of education.What is the best counter-argument against the main argument of the passage?

Allowing excess illegal immigrants in would have plenty of problems with immigration law and is not fair for other countless thousands of immigrants that have unsuccessfully applied even though they went through the suggested legal process. This would encourage many other people to forcibly risk their life to immigrate, and this could result in more problems for the country and its citizens.What is the best counter-argument against the main argument of the passage?

It is well known that smoking is dangerous to the human body, our health and wellbeing. The government should ban smoking for all people because you can get many diseases such as heart and lung disease. Smoking also leaves terrible stains on your teeth, which can be very hard to clean. It is also bad for your gums which causes bleeding. The government should take stronger action to get rid of all the cigarettes in the country to make sure everyone is healthy and well.What is the best counter-argument against the main argument of the passage?

Long school holidays are beneficial as they help students relax from the stress of many weeks of school. If school continues for a long time without a break, students will start to feel the emotional and physical impact of school. Students are children after all, and they need to have time to play and take their minds off academics. Furthermore, students can spend time with their families during the holidays and can go visit families in another country to connect with their loved ones. Because of school work, they do not have time to be with their families, so school holidays are a perfect time to do just that.What is the best counter-argument against the main argument of the passage?

Bullying is often thought of as a natural part of life and when a person is bullied, the offender is to be punished. Without punishment it becomes a cycle, which is bad for the victim and the bully who feels powerful and sometimes ashamed afterwards. The punishment must be harsh so that the bully does not repeat their actions.What is the best counter-argument against the main argument of the passage?

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection states that individuals with beneficial traits are favoured, and survive longer. This ensures that a species, over time, evolves so that they are able to better survive in their habitats. The theory of natural selection also happens to be very individualistic, as animals of the same species often have to compete against each other to survive, which is true at some level, but also untrue in others, as a civilisation requires the effort of many people to build and maintain.What is a counterargument against the individualistic theory of natural selection?

Procrastination is often cited as the arch-nemesis of productivity. After all, often work submitted after a thorough putting-off period suffers in quality compared to work that is consistently put out. Procrastination is a dreadful feeling for those who procrastinate as well, resulting in an accumulating sense of dread as they guiltily enjoy temporary escapes from their deadline. This eventually ends in a short, frantic burst ofunbelievable productivity which dissipates as fast it comes in. This often results in the procrastinator thinking that they are able to get a large amount of work done in a short period of time, and thus continues the cycle of procrastination.What is the counterargument presented in the passage?

Learning, defined as the repetition of a desirable behaviour, can be reinforced through both punishment and reward. Reward-based learning involves periodically distributing rewards to those who correctly perform the desired behaviour - an example of this is giving a dog a treat when it does not pee on the carpet. Punishment-based learning involves actively discouraging behaviour that is not desirable - for example, fining a driver for driving over the speed limit. Reward-based learning has been shown to induce faster learning as it is much easier to learn the target behaviour when it is rewarded, but punishment-based learning requires the subject to deduce what is not unacceptable behaviour and thus takes longer.What is a counterargument against the principles of reward-based learning?

Many studies have been conducted to determine whether listening to classical music is beneficial for a baby's growth, stemming from the idea that the complex rhythms of the music simulates brain development. From these studies, there has been little evidence or much scientific explanation that affirms these claims. However, classical music may aid in soothing a baby's mood and happier babies have better growth and development, leading to overall improved health. Even though there has been no conclusive evidence, these studies serve to continue the examination and potential advancements within infant health.Which of the following options reflect the conclusion of this passage?

Billions of years ago, penguins were birds that could fly but eventually they evolved to lose this ability. Research has concluded that it was more ideal for penguins to swim in their environment with the shape of their wings evolved into marine mammal-type flippers. Their ability to swim was advantageous in catching food such as fish, helping the species thrive. As their habitat suited swimming, the need for flying declined ultimately leading to the loss of that ability. Despite many bird species benefiting from flight, penguins have become good swimmers in their journey for survival.Which of the following options reflect a conclusion in this passage.?

Koalas are known to be very sleepy and lazy animals where their day typically consists of eating and sleeping. This idea can be explained by examining their diet, koalas live in woodlands of eucalyptus trees across the eastern region of Australia and eat the eucalyptus leaves of these trees. There is limited nutritional value and calorie content in the leaves which take long to digest, thus causing the koala to gain little energy from their diet. Koalas can sleep between 18 to 22 hours a day, making them seem like very lazy animals.Which of the following options reflect the conclusion of this passage?

Occupations such as the police force and firefighters use dogs in some of their work, serving to complete tasks that humans are not capable of or simply being mascots of the department. For example dogs have a better sense of smell than humans which can aid in detecting certain items that are concealed. Dalmatians, a breed of dog, are best known for their role in the firefighting department, previously Dalmatians served to guard firefighting apparatus. Nowadays they often serve as a mascot for the fire service.Which of the following options reflect the conclusion of this passage?

The human ability of empathy is considered one of the most important feelings that allows people to connect with one another, where to be empathetic is to understand and share someone else's emotions. One's capacity to be empathetic can be perceived through acts of kindness and selflessness, as well as being sensitive to other's emotions. People who are more empathetic tend to enter jobs that involve taking care of others or expressing emotion in their work, such as nurses and writers. While some people may think being empathetic is a sign of weakness, it underpins our ability to maintain connections with other humans.Which of the following options reflect the conclusion of this passage?

Many children play specific sports in primary school but typically only a small portion of these children, approximately 30%, continue with sport past the age of 13. Many adults have hypothesised that as children grow older, sport changes into a competitive activity that requires an increased amount of training to succeed. This prompts the idea that playing sport is not worthwhile unless the child has the potential to compete. Pressure is also placed on the child where they may lose interest and motivation to pursue the sport recreationally. Despite this, it is encouraged for children to continue with sport as there are many skills and experiences to gain.Which of the following options reflect the conclusion of this passage?

There are many types of cars and vehicles, each specifically designed for their purpose where one consideration includes the type of fuel they use. Two common fuels are diesel and petrol, cars typically use petrol while trucks and larger vehicles use diesel. This is because diesel releases more energy than petrol, functioning to power trucks that carry heavy loads. Diesel fuel requires special diesel engines which typically require less repair, partially incentivising the purchase of diesel engine cars despite their smaller popularity compared to petrol cars. However, diesel releases more bad molecules into the air when used and can be more expensive than petrol. Ordinary cars with petrol engines can function sufficiently with the power provided with petrol, lowing the demand for diesel engines cars.Which of the following options reflect a conclusion in this passage?

Every year during Autumn, the amount of people that become sick periodically increases. Seasonal sickness is largely due to the increased amount of allergens in the air, such as pollen, that can cause hay fever and nasal irritation. This irritation can then increase the chance of becoming sick after the seasonal allergens have subsided while also coupled with the cold weather of winter. Some people confuse common colds with hay fever, being sick is where one contracts a virus while hay fever is the body's response to the exposure of allergens. To prevent seasonal sickness, it is ideal to wear a face mask to lower the exposure to allergens.Which of the following options reflect a conclusion in this passage?

James was thinking about what he wanted to be in the future, he was curious about what career he would choose and about the meaning of life. He decides to ask a wise teacher at school for her advice. She said: ''You may be asking the same question when you are 18 and fresh out of high school, and that's alright. You don't find the meaning of life, you create it. Do what makes you happy and be the best person you can along your journey of life." James did not really understand what she meant, but he was now excited and knew that there were good things to look forward to.Which of the following options reflect a conclusion in this passage?

People have 2 fields of vision: left and right. Each field of Vision relies on both eyes, although the left field of vision is primarily reliant on the left eye, and the right field of vision on the right. This is why people can still see from both visual fields even after losing sight in one eye. However, damage to the back of the left hemisphere of the brain could cause a person to be blind to the right half of their visual field.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above statement?

The Golden Record is a phonograph containing pictures and sounds from Earth carried aboard the Voyager spacecraft, now nearly 23 billion kilometres from Earth. In total, there are 115 photos and sounds stored in the gold-plated disc, including spoken greetings from 55 languages, as well as images of human life. Later this century, the spacecraft itself may become inoperable, but will continue to travel the vast expanses of space with the record on board, where one day it will hopefully reach a civilisation advanced enough to decode its message, and have some record of human existence on Earth.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above statement?

Despite its popularity in modern culture, the origins of the Christmas tree remain a topic of debate. While various European countries contest over the title of the first country to introduce the festive tradition, historians claim that the Christmas tree originated in Germany, where a Christmas tree was erected in the Strasbourg Cathedral, and the town promptly issued a ban on felling trees due to its popularity. Modern traditions likely stem from the international popularisation of the Christmas tree by Queen Victoria in 1848.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above passage?

Everyone likes to believe that they are unbiased, particularly when they are presenting what is supposed to be a neutral argument. However, there are unconscious biases we make in almost every situation, due to shortcuts our brains takes to speed up the thought process. One example is confirmation bias, which prevents many people from changing their mind, as long as they have any form of evidence supporting their point of view.What might a person with confirmation bias assume?

Honesty, although perceived as a virtue, has also been assumed by many to be a disadvantageous behaviour in situations where lying without consequence has a greater reward. However, a recent study has found that the vast majority of people choose to be honest despite greater gains and no chance of getting caught, whether it be for the sake of being honest, or for the sake of being perceived as honest. This came as a surprise to the scientists conducting the study, who aim to investigate detailed causes of the phenomenon in further research.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above passage?

Although cold temperatures are not the direct cause of a cold, research shows that lower temperatures compromise our immune systems and has proven that anecdotal evidence may have some truth. Winter air, which is often dry, lowers the ability of our mucus to trap unwanted particles before they move into our lungs, causing an infection. Furthermore, colder temperatures near the nose prevent people from making a sufficient supply of a protein necessary to combat infections, lowering our immune response. These factors, put together, are the reason why flu 'seasons' exist.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above passage?

Psychologists often create models to predict human behaviour using a framework. For example, if someone were to make a decision using the rational decision-making model, they would first assign numerical values based on preference to each aspect of a decision, then calculate the sum of all aspects for any particular decision. This allows them to choose the outcome that maximises their preferences according to their numerical value. Of course, most people do not choose to make decisions based on a long set of calculations involving the different outcomes of each decision - many of the decisions they make are too insignificant to deliberate on. This has proven the rational model to be an inaccurate representation of human behaviour.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above statement?

Children's bedtime stories play a fundamental role in how they deal with situations later in life. One example is the role of monsters in such stories. While some may argue that the incorporation of monsters into children's stories may negatively affect their sleep, studies have shown that, by giving the children a method of eliminating the monster in the story, children may be able to pick up on coping mechanisms for dealing with difficulties in their own lives. As it turns out, there is more positive merit than negative consequence in children being exposed to monsters in their bedtime stories, despite the fear they are supposed to elicit.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above passage?

The Moral Machine is an experiment which aims to guide the decisions made by machines based on the opinions of real people. It runs a series of ethical dilemmas which may be faced by self-driving cars, such as the choice between crashing into pedestrians, or sacrificing the driver in order to avoid them, and records the answers made by participants. This enables machines to make ethical decisions should similar situations arise in real life.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above statement?

Fairness can be defined as the equal distribution of something between everyone. In a situation where an event is unfair, there are two positions to be in: the advantageous position, and the disadvantageous position. To test people's responses to unfairness, their aversion to being in an advantageous position could be compared to their aversion to being in a disadvantageous position. In a 2015 study, it was proven that children develop aversion to being at an advantage years after they develop an aversion to being at a disadvantage. This shows that children tend to be more selfish when they are younger.Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above statement?

In the United States, about $5,200 per person per year is spent on health care, while in Britain the amount is about half that. A recent study indicated that middle-aged white Americans have a significantly higher rate of diabetes and heart disease than do middle-aged white Britons. Even after eliminating from the study the lifestyle differences of diet, exercise, smoking, and drinking, the data showed that the Americans have poorer health than their British counterparts. The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

Spokesperson: In the 2006 election of the city mayor, 55% of the voters were female. All the voters were between ages 18 and 70 and 2/3 of them supported the incumbent mayor. The incumbent mayor won the election with a substantially greater number of votes than any other candidate. If the statements made by the Spokesperson are true, then which of the following must be true?

In 2003, the Making Hits Record Company spent 40% of its total budget on the production of ten albums, 30% of its budget on the marketing of these albums, and the remainder of its budget on overhead costs. In the same year, the Song Factory Record Company spent 20% of its total budget on the production of 10 albums and 60% of its budget on the marketing of these albums. Making Hits sold a total of 800,000 copies of the ten records it produced in 2003, while the Song Factory sold a total of 1,600,000 copies of the ten records it produced in 2003. Assuming each company met its budget, which of the following conclusions is best supported by the information given above?

Due to high jet fuel costs, airline carriers are looking for new ways to increase revenues and thereby counteract declining profits. Airline A has proposed increasing the number of passengers that can fit on its airplanes by creating several standing room only “seats” in which passengers would be propped against a padded backboard and held in place with a harness. This proposal, since it relates to passenger safety, cannot be implemented without prior approval by the Federal Aviation Administration. The above statements, if true, indicate that Airline A has made which of the following conclusions?

A recent research study of undergraduate students analyzed the effects of music on human emotions. Each of the 200 participants attended at least 1 two-hour concert of classical music per week over the course of 12 weeks of their spring semester. At the end of the experiment, all of the students filled out a questionnaire assessing their emotional state. Based on the results of the questionnaires, all of the 10 students who attended the greatest number of concerts reported lower stress levels and higher satisfaction with their lives. Also, most of the 20 students who attended the fewest number of concerts reported below-average levels of emotional comfort. Which of the following must be true based on the evidence presented above?

Columnist: The winner of this year's national spelling bee won by correctly spelling the spoken word Ursprache, which means “fame” in German. Given the richness of our language, why must we resort to words taken from modern foreign languages to challenge our best spellers? Ursprache is listed in our dictionary, as are words from many other foreign languages, but future spelling bees should limit themselves to words in our dictionary that have been anglicized in all aspects because spelling English words, not knowledge of linguistics and international phonetics, is the point of these contests. Which of the following can most reasonably be inferred from the argument above?

In Eastland, from 2000 to 2005, the total consumption of fish increased by 4.5 percent, and the total consumption of poultry products increased by 9.0 percent. During this time, the population of Eastland increased by 6 percent, in part due to new arrivals from surrounding areas. Which of the following can one infer based on the statements above?

Everyone who has graduated from TopNotch High School has an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 120. Most students with an IQ of over 120 and all students with an IQ of over 150 who apply to one or more Ivy League universities are accepted to at least one of them. The statements above, if true, best support which of the following conclusions?

According to a recent study on financial roles, one-third of high school seniors say that they have “significant financial responsibilities.” These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, contributing to food, shelter, or clothing for themselves or their families. At the same time, a second study demonstrates that a crisis in money management exists for high school students. According to this study, 80% of high school seniors have never taken a personal finance class even though the same percentage of seniors has opened bank accounts and one-third of these account holders have bounced a check. Which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn from the statements above?

Analyst: Creative professionals, such as clothing designers, graphic designers, and decorators, often have very poor managerial skills and do not succeed when they try to run their own businesses. In fact, most of these creative types are less skilled in business than is the average white-collar professional who does not work in a creative field. Generally, creative talent and business acumen rarely go hand in hand. If the analyst's argument is taken as true, which of the following statements can properly be concluded?

Advocates insist that health savings accounts are an efficient method to reduce medical expenses. However, widespread adoption of these accounts will soon undermine the public's health. One reason for this is that most people will be reluctant to deplete their accounts to pay for regular preventive examinations, so that in many cases a serious illness will go undetected until it is far advanced. Another reason is that poor people, who will not be able to afford health savings accounts, will no longer receive vaccinations against infectious diseases. The statements above, if true, most support which of the following?

Albinism is a rare genetic condition that inhibits the production of melanin, or pigmentation, in the skin and hair. People born with albinism are unusually susceptible to sunburn, melanoma, and a range of other health issues that are generally connected to excessive exposure to the sun. The statements above, if true, provide the most support for which of the following conclusions?

Celiac disease results from an inability of the digestive tract, specifically the small intestine, to absorb gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and certain other grains. The body's immune system attacks the gluten as if the protein were a harmful pathogen, often resulting in serious damage to the intestinal lining. People who suffer from celiac disease must eliminate gluten from their diets. Symptoms of the disease include abdominal cramps, bloating, and anemia. If the statements above are true, which of the following assertions can be made on the basis of them?

Mayville Airport and Newcomb Airport have the same number of flight departures each day. Mayville Airport experiences 26 departure delays per 100 flights, while Newcomb Airport experiences 20 departure delays per 100 flights. When delays caused by bad weather are disregarded, Mayville Airport has 5 fewer departure delays per 100 flights than Newcomb Airport does. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the information given above?

The head baker at Barry's Bagels can either purchase flour in-person from the local flour mill, Larry's Local Mill, or order a shipment of flour from an out-of-state mill, Isadore's Interstate Mill. The cost of the flour from Isadore's Interstate Mill is 10 percent less than the cost of the flour from Larry's Local Mill. Even after shipping and handling fees are added, it is still cheaper to order flour that has to be shipped from Isadore's than to buy flour locally from Larry's. The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

Box office receipts for independent movies for the first half of this year have increased by 20 percent over the total receipts for independent movies for all of last year. Last year, 50 independent movies were released, while so far this year only 20 independent movies have been released. The number of independent movies slated for release in the second half of this year is roughly equal to the number released so far. If the statements above are true, which of the following must be true?

According to a recent magazine article, of those office employees who typically work 8 hours at the office each day but sometimes say that they will work at home on a particular day, 25 percent actually work less than one hour. At the same time, over 90 percent of those same office employees believe they are more productive working at home than working in their office. The statements above, if true, best support which of the following conclusions about the office employees discussed in the article?

On Monday, Daisy's Lemonade Stand sold lemonade at 20 cents per cup. The Lemon Shack sold lemonade at 30 cents per cup. At the end of the day, Daisy's Lemonade Stand and the Lemon Shack reported identical revenues and identical profits. The statements above best support which of the following assertions?

Government restrictions have severely limited the amount of stem cell research American companies can conduct. Because of these restrictions, many American scientists who specialize in the field of stem cell research have signed long-term contracts to work for foreign companies. Recently, Congress has proposed lifting all restrictions on stem cell research. Which of the following conclusions can most properly be inferred from the information above?

As many as 98,000 people die each year due to medical error. In a campaign to reduce lethal errors, thousands of hospitals introduced six key changes, including rapid-response teams, re-checks of patient medication, and new guidelines for preventing infection. The campaign estimated that, over an 18-month period, more than 100,000 lives were saved as a direct result of the program. Which of the following can be most properly inferred from the above statements?

Federal law prohibits businesses from reimbursing any employees for the cost of owning and operating a private aircraft that is used for business purposes. Thus, many American companies themselves purchase private aircraft. The vast majority of the business aviation fleet is owned by small and mid-size businesses, and flights are strictly for business purposes, with mostly mid-level employees on board. These companies and their boards of directors are in full compliance with the law and with what is best for their businesses. Which of the following can be most properly inferred from the statements above?

Antoine: The alarming fact is that among children aged 19 years and younger, the number taking antipsychotic medicines soared 73 percent in the last four years. That is greater than the increase in the number of adults taking antipsychotic medicines during the same period.

The ability to analyze genomes — sequences of DNA — has grown more and more sophisticated. Scientists are able to examine the biological past in finer detail and with greater accuracy. A new analysis of the genetic links between early humans and chimpanzees has led to a hypothesis that the two species diverged more recently than previous estimates indicated. This gives credence to a very startling new theory: the ancestors of humans and chimpanzees might have hybridized to produce the lineage from which modern humans eventually developed. What can be inferred from the statements above?

The restaurant business wastes more energy than any other industry in the United States. Nearly 80 percent of the

Under a new clean air proposal, the government has decided to tighten controls on the release of certain toxic chemicals, including benzene, formaldehyde, and other carcinogens, by chemical plants. The stated purpose of this proposal is to reduce cancers caused by air pollution. Yet, the chemical industry, rather than the government, is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the proposal. If the past actions of certain polluters in the chemical industry are any indication of future behavior, the net result of the new proposal will be an increase, rather than a decrease, in carcinogens released into the air. The author is arguing that _ .

Since 1995, Congress has exempted oil companies that have leases issued by the federal government allowing them to drill for deep-water oil off the Gulf of Mexico from royalty payments as an incentive to spur development in times of low oil and gas prices. These leases were supposed to have included a provision that reinstates the royalties should the market prices of oil and gas exceed a certain level. Because of an error by the federal government, however, the language that reinstates the royalties is missing from the more than 1,100 leases issued by the U.S. government in 1998 and 1999. Since the market price of oil and gas has recently risen far above the threshold levels, this error could allow the oil companies to reap a windfall of more than $10 billion through the life of the leases. In response, the government is pressuring the oil companies to renegotiate the leases. The executives of the oil companies strongly oppose renegotiation; all have issued statements stating that they expect the government to honor the terms of the contracts and that renegotiating a duly signed agreement would set a bad precedent. Which of the following statements best reflects the position of the oil company executives?

Only those students who maintain 2.5 grade point averages are allowed to participate in school sports. Amy is captain of the school's tennis team, so she must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Which of the following statements best summarizes the main point of the above argument?

Companies are often torn between the benefits of focusing on one major product or service and the drawbacks of relying too heavily on one primary source of income. While narrow focus can provide a company with an advantage over competitors that offer a wider range of products or services, an undiversified income stream can leave a company susceptible to major fluctuations in cash flow. We can see this tension realized when, for example,

Calorie restriction, a diet high in nutrients but low in calories, is known to prolong the life of rats and mice by preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. A six-month study of 48 moderately overweight people, who each reduced their calorie intake by at least 25 percent, demonstrated decreases in insulin levels and body temperature, with the greatest decrease observed in individuals with the greatest percentage change in their calorie intake. Low insulin level and body temperature are both considered signs of longevity, partly because an earlier study by other researchers found both traits in long-lived people. If the above statements are true, they support which of the following inferences?

Last January, in an attempt to lower the number of traffic fatalities, the state legislature passed its “Click It or Ticket” law. Under the new law, motorists can be pulled over and ticketed for not wearing their seat belts, even if an additional driving infraction has not been committed. Lawyers and citizens' groups are already protesting the law, saying it unfairly infringes on the rights of the state's drivers. Law enforcement groups counter these claims by stating that the new regulations will save countless additional lives. Which of the following inferences is best supported by the passage above?

In a certain state, hunting permits require the hunter to be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver's license or state identification, and have completed a safety program within the past 5 years. The hunter must also sign a legal document pledging not to consume alcohol while hunting. Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the above statements?

The public often protests when an unregulated service industry is found to be corrupt. However, regulation often leads to increased costs for the consumer. Fewer companies survive in a regulated market, leading to decreased competition and higher prices. The public then responds negatively to the increased costs of these services. The statements above best support which of the following?

A certain medication used to treat migraine headaches acts by blocking pain receptors in the brain. When a person takes the medication within one hour after ingesting grapefruit or grapefruit juice, however, the effectiveness of the medication is significantly diminished. Researchers have determined that the grapefruit contains a compound that alters the shape of the pain receptors, with the result that the medication can no longer bind with them completely. Which of the following conclusions could be most properly drawn from the information given above?

Educator: Like any other difficult pursuit, music requires intense study and practice in order for one to become proficient. But many school music programs encourage only children who demonstrate early aptitude to continue studying music, while children who are not especially musical are directed towards other activities. Having learned to think of themselves as musically inept, these children do not devote any time to music and thus deprive themselves of the opportunity to develop a latent talent. The educator's statements, if true, would best support which of the following conclusions?

Improved technology and equipment often result in fewer injuries during high-risk activities such as rock climbing and scuba diving. But participant education also plays a large role in reducing the number of injuries sustained during these activities. People who are poorly trained in these activities run a much higher risk of injury even if provided with the latest and best equipment. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the information above?