Analyzing Arguments Practice Test Questions - Logical Reasoning -- Free Practice

Question 1

Fifty years ago most families in the village drew water from the well and cooked on wood fires. Today most homes have taps and gas stoves. Some elders still prefer water from the old well.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

the old well is no longer safe to drink from.✓✗

B

villagers earn more money today than fifty years ago.✓✗

C

gas stoves are cheaper to use than wood fires.✓✗

D

daily life in the village has changed over the past fifty years.✓✗

E

the elders dislike modern life.✓✗

Explanation

The paragraph contrasts the way water was drawn and food was cooked fifty years ago with what happens today, so daily life has changed. Nothing is said about the safety of the well, about earnings, about the cost of cooking, or about the elders' feelings towards modern life, apart from their preference for the well water.

Question 2

In the early days of railways in India, passengers often carried their own bedding and food, and trains halted at small stations for long periods. Today trains run to strict timetables, and meals are served on board on many routes.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

railway travel in India has changed since its early days.✓✗

B

trains today are safer than trains in the past.✓✗

C

passengers in the past enjoyed travelling more than passengers today.✓✗

D

railways are more important today than they were in the past.✓✗

E

railway food today is better than the food passengers carried in the past.✓✗

Explanation

The paragraph focuses on the idea that railway travel is different from what it was in the early days. There is no support for the claims about safety, enjoyment or importance. The last statement is incorrect because, even though meals are served today, this does not necessarily mean the food is better.

Question 3

A library card allows the holder to borrow up to four books at a time for fourteen days. Books that are returned after the due date attract a fine for each extra day. Members who have unpaid fines cannot borrow any more books until the fines are cleared.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

library fines are too high.✓✗

B

members may keep a book for a month.✓✗

C

a member with unpaid fines cannot borrow more books until the fines are paid.✓✗

D

libraries lose money on late books.✓✗

E

four books at a time is too few.✓✗

Explanation

This is clearly stated in the third sentence. The paragraph does not say that the fines are too high, since no amounts are given. The loan period is fourteen days, not a month. Nothing is said about libraries losing money. The paragraph does not say that four books is too few.

Question 4

Under the Right to Information Act, a citizen may ask a government office for information about its work. The office must reply to the request within thirty days. If the office refuses to give the information without giving a reason, the citizen may appeal to a higher authority.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

government offices always refuse to give information.✓✗

B

citizens must pay a large fee to ask for information.✓✗

C

the Right to Information Act should be changed.✓✗

D

every appeal to a higher authority is successful.✓✗

E

a government office must normally reply to a citizen's request for information within thirty days.✓✗

Explanation

This is clearly supported in the second sentence. Nothing in the paragraph suggests that offices always refuse, so the second statement is incorrect. Fees are not mentioned. There is no support for the claim that the Act should be changed. The paragraph says a citizen may appeal, but not that appeals always succeed.

Question 5

The internet gives students quick access to a huge amount of information. A question that once took an afternoon in a library can now be answered in seconds. However, not every website is accurate, and some contain mistakes or out-of-date facts. Students who copy without checking may end up repeating errors.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

libraries will soon disappear.✓✗

B

some of the information found on the internet is wrong.✓✗

C

students no longer need teachers.✓✗

D

most websites are full of mistakes.✓✗

E

the internet was created for students.✓✗

Explanation

The third sentence states that not every website is accurate and that some contain mistakes or out-of-date facts. The passage says nothing about libraries disappearing or about teachers. It says that some websites contain mistakes, not most of them. It does not say why the internet was created.

Question 6

Television news keeps us informed about events around the world. It shows us places we may never visit and people we may never meet. However, news programmes must fit into limited time, and important details are sometimes left out. A short report can leave viewers with an incomplete picture.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

television news reports sometimes leave out details that viewers need.✓✗

B

television news is always inaccurate.✓✗

C

newspapers are more reliable than television news.✓✗

D

viewers should stop watching the news.✓✗

E

television is the best way to learn about the world.✓✗

Explanation

This is stated in the third and fourth sentences. The passage does not say that television news is always inaccurate, only that details are sometimes left out. Newspapers are not mentioned. The passage does not advise viewers to stop watching, and it does not claim that television is the best way to learn about the world.

Question 7

The first bicycles were built about two hundred years ago. The early models had no pedals and were pushed along with the feet. Over time pedals, chains and rubber tyres were added, and today there are bicycles made for racing, mountain trails and city streets.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

early bicycles were more reliable than modern bicycles.✓✗

B

bicycles are cheaper than cars.✓✗

C

bicycles have changed a great deal since the first models were built.✓✗

D

racing bicycles are the most popular kind of bicycle.✓✗

E

the first bicycle was built in Europe.✓✗

Explanation

The passage lists many changes, such as pedals, chains, rubber tyres and bicycles for different uses, which supports the first statement. There is no information about the reliability of early bicycles, the cost of bicycles compared with cars, which kind is most popular, or where the first bicycle was built.

Question 8

The first printed books appeared in Europe about five hundred and fifty years ago. At the beginning, only a few thousand copies were printed each year. Over the centuries the number grew steadily, and today millions of books are published every year.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

books were not important before printing began.✓✗

B

the number of books published each year has grown a great deal since printing began.✓✗

C

printed books are better than handwritten books.✓✗

D

printing was invented in Europe.✓✗

E

nobody could read before the first printed books appeared.✓✗

Explanation

The last two sentences state that only a few thousand copies were printed at first and that millions of books are published every year today, which supports the first statement. The passage does not say how important books were before printing, does not compare printed and handwritten books, and does not say that printing was invented in Europe (only that the first printed books appeared there). Nothing is said about reading.

Question 9

Learning a musical instrument is a rewarding hobby, but it takes more than enthusiasm. Before buying a guitar, a beginner should decide how much time can be spared for practice each week. A person who can practise only once a week may find that progress is very slow.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

the guitar is the easiest instrument to learn.✓✗

B

people who practise once a week never improve.✓✗

C

playing music makes people more intelligent.✓✗

D

a beginner should think about how much practice time is available before taking up an instrument.✓✗

E

enthusiasm is not important for learning an instrument.✓✗

Explanation

The second sentence advises beginners to decide how much time they can spend on practice before buying an instrument. The passage does not compare the guitar with other instruments. It says progress may be slow, not that it never happens. It says nothing about intelligence. It says that learning takes more than enthusiasm, not that enthusiasm is unimportant.

Question 10

Cycling to work has become popular in many cities, but it may not suit everyone. Before you decide to give up your car, you need to think about how far you live from your office and how safe the roads are. If your journey is long or the traffic is heavy, cycling might not be your best choice.

This paragraph best supports the statement that

A

cycling is faster than driving in cities.✓✗

B

cycling will soon replace cars in most cities.✓✗

C

people who cycle to work are healthier than other people.✓✗

D

the roads in cities are unsafe for all cyclists.✓✗

E

before changing the way you travel to work, you should think about your own circumstances.✓✗

Explanation

The second sentence points out that people should think about the distance and the safety of the roads before giving up their car, which supports the first statement. There is no evidence to support the claim that cycling is faster. The passage does not say that cycling will replace cars. Nothing is said about the health of cyclists. The passage says that safety matters, but not that the roads are unsafe for every cyclist.

Question 11

Mrs. Mason is gifted with psychic powers that enable her to foretell future events. In the past, Mrs. Mason has predicted such actual events as the election of President Clinton, the stock market crash of 1987, and the St. Louis Cardinals' 1982 World Series victory. These are just a few of Mrs. Mason's accurate predictions. The answer to which of the following questions would be most useful in evaluating the strength of the argument above?

A

What percentage of Mrs. Mason's predictions has come true?✓✗

B

Could the election of President Reagan have been predicted without the help of psychic powers?✓✗

C

What is the actual mechanism by which Mrs. Mason's psychic powers are supposed to operate?✓✗

D

Do most scientists accept the idea that the power to predict the future through psychic means really exists?✓✗

Explanation

The argument cites a handful of correct predictions as evidence of real psychic ability. Knowing what percentage of ALL her predictions came true reveals whether these are a representative hit rate or cherry-picked successes among many failures, directly bearing on the argument's strength.

Question 12

Ever since I arrived at the college last week, I've been shocked by the poor behavior of the students. The student population is completely lacking in proper social skills. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the above conclusion?

A

Students who are away from their parents often exhibit rude behavior.✓✗

B

The college numbers over 50,000 students.✓✗

C

The narrator is a student and has interacted with many students.✓✗

D

The narrator was reluctant to stay at the college.✓✗

Explanation

If the college has over 50,000 students, the narrator's one week of observation is far too small a sample to justify a sweeping generalization about the "student population," weakening the conclusion.

Question 13

There is clear evidence that the mandated use of safety seats by children under age four has resulted in fewer child fatalities over the past five years. Compared to the five-year period prior to the passage of laws requiring the use of safety seats, fatalities of children under age four have decreased by 30 percent. Which one of the following, if true, most substantially strengthens the argument above?

A

The number of serious automobile accidents involving children under age four has remained steady over the past five years.✓✗

B

Automobile accidents involving children have decreased sharply over the past five years.✓✗

C

The use of air bags in automobiles has increased by 30 percent over the past five years.✓✗

D

Most fatal automobile accidents involving children under age four occur in the driveway of their home.✓✗

Explanation

If the number of serious accidents involving young children stayed the same, then the drop in fatalities cannot be explained by fewer accidents -- ruling out this alternative explanation strengthens the claim that safety seats caused the reduction.