1. Some Shakespearean scholars have argued that certain passages in Macbeth, the witches’ songs, for example, could not have been written by Shakespeare because they are inferior in quality to anything that Shakespeare wrote.

Which of the following statements points out the most serious logical flaw in the above argument?

What answer?             

• Other critics have voiced exactly the opposite opinion of the quality of the passages in question.
• Some people believe that all of the plays said to have been written by Shakespeare were actually written by someone else.
• Shakespeare probably included the witches in order to please James I who had a keen interest in the subject.  
• It is impossible to determine the quality of everything that Shakespeare wrote prior to determining whether the passages in question were written by Shakespeare.    
• Shakespeare had a reputation for writing very quickly without taking the time to revise.

№2 Jules reads more than Kim.

Millie reads less than Nurry.

Leon reads more than Millie.

Kim and Nurry read exactly the same amount.

If the information above is true, which of the following must also be true?

What answer?

• Leon reads more than Jules.
• Leon reads more than Nurry.
• Jules reads more than Millie.
• Kim reads less than Leon.
• Kim reads less than Millie.

№3 The spoils system is the practice of awarding public offices for party services. When a new party comes to office, the elected leaders may find places for faithful followers.

Which of the following constitutes the most serious disadvantage for employing the spoils system?

What answer?

• A major disadvantage of utilizing the spoils system is that it is illegal at all levels in our country.
• It is sometimes difficult to ascertain who is deserving of rewards for party services.
• Since the spoils system is less than ten years old in the United States, it has not had a chance to be proven good or bad.
• The chief disadvantage of the spoils system in the United States is that it is appropriate at times but not at other times.
• The victorious party must shape policies to satisfy its supporters and be held accountable.

№4 Bill owns more shares of AT&T than Sue.

Gordon owns more shares of AT&T than Henry.

Henry owns fewer shares of AT&T than George.

Sue and George own the same number of shares of AT&T.

If the above information is true, which of the following information must also be true?

What answer?

• Sue owns fewer shares of AT&T than Gordon.
• Gordon owns more shares of AT&T than Bill.
• Bill owns more shares of AT&T than Henry.
• Sue owns fewer shares of AT&T than Henry.
• Gordon owns more shares of AT&T than George.

№ 5 The American school system is getting more children who are diverse and living in poverty. These children have more deficiencies; their needs are different and greater.

Which of the following statements is not supported by the above conclusions?

What answer?

• The needs of all these many children are not being met.
• It costs more to educate the children with many deficiencies and needs.
• Education must be left to the schools and not interfered with by the home.
• Although  the United States makes a tremendous dollar expenditure for education, the deficit in education seems to grow.       
• Many Americans remain ill-prepared for the real world.

№6 Alvin is trying to choose between the inexpensive, two-door subcompact and a roomier, more stylish car that costs several thousand dollars more. He is probably going to buy the subcompact. It gets much better mileage, and there has been a recent increase in the cost of gasoline. Given Alvin’s present salary, after taxes and living expenses, he can budget about $300 for car payments. The finance company is offering Alvin a five-year loan at five percent with $1,000 down. At that rate he would not be able to make the payments on the more expensive car. In addition, Alvin must consider insurance. He could reduce the premiums by opting for a policy with high deductibles, but after making the down payment he would not have enough money in his savings account to cover the deductibles in case of an accident.

Which of the following changes would make it easier for Alvin to afford the more expensive car?

What answer?

• Alvin chooses the insurance policy with the lowest deductibles.
• The state increases the amount of liability insurance every car owner is required to carry.
• The finance company lowers the interest rate on Alvin’s car loan.
• Alvin chooses to pay the lowest possible downpayment.
• The mileage claimed for the cars by the manufacturer is higher than the actual mileage Alvin will get driving to work.

№7 Students need to spend more time studying for standardized tests which colleges use in selection of students. With that test preparation scores could be raised and colleges would be likely to admit the students who apply. Such investment of study time could result in an improved student body at colleges and universities.

Which of the following conclusions can most properly be drawn from the information above?

What answer?

• The low test scores have been a cause of economic recession.
• Increased study time could benefit both the students and the institutions of higher education.
• Low test scores have caused a decline in education quality at colleges and universities across the nation.
• Increased enrollments in colleges and universities is likely to be accompanied by the creation of more jobs on campuses across the nation.
• Colleges and universities will decrease their enrollments unless students indicate that they are better prepared.