January 26th, 2010 | 
Author: The function of government is to satisfy the genuine wants of the masses, and government cannot satisfy those wants unless it is informed about what those wants are. Freedom of speech ensures that such information will reach the ears of government officials. Therefore, freedom of speech is indispensable for a healthy state.
Which one of the following, if true, would NOT undermine the conclusion of the argument?
- People most often do not know what they genuinely want.
- Freedom of speech tends ultimately to undermine social order, and social order is a prerequisite for satisfying the wants of the masses.
- The proper function of government is not to satisfy wants, but to provide equality of opportunity.
- Freedom of speech is not sufficient for satisfying the wants of the masses: social order is necessary as well.
- Rulers already know what the people want.
Highlight to see answer: D
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Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public health greatly underestimate the influence of the values held by individuals. This influence is indicated by the fact that the astonishing decline in mortality from infectious disease during the past century was primarily due to an improvement in living conditions. To a substantial degree, these improvements depended on the emphasis by an increasing share of the population on cleanliness, prudence, and moderation.
The main point of the passage is made primarily by
(A) analyzing existing data on medical practices and health outcomes
(B) presenting a set of related cause-and-effect assertions
(C) applying several general principles to a specific case
(D) presenting a general observation and supporting it with several specific examples
(E) refuting in detail a commonly accepted argument
Highlight to see answer: B
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Some good cooks are gourmet cooks who pride themselves on always using extravagantly rich ingredients in elaborate recipes. Some good cooks can be characterized as fast-food cooks. They may use rich ingredients as long as the recipes are easy to follow and take little time. Other good cooks are health food enthusiasts, who are concerned primarily with the nutritional value of food. But even though not all good cooks are big eaters, they all enjoy preparing and serving food.
If the information in the passage is true, which one of the following CANNOT be true?
- Most good cooks do not use extravagantly rich ingredients.
- Everyone who enjoys preparing and serving food is a good cook.
- More good cooks who use extravagantly rich ingredients are big eaters than are good cooks who do not use such ingredients.
- There are fewer good cooks who enjoy serving and preparing food than there are good cooks who are big eaters.
- Gourmet cooks, fast-food cooks, and cooks who are health food enthusiasts are all big eaters.
Highlight to see answer: D
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Brushing your teeth regularly, no matter which toothpaste you use, will reduce your chances of tooth decay. Scientists have concluded that, when you brush, you reduce tooth decay by removing the film of plaque that forms on teeth and gums. So, you can forget about fluorides: brush your teeth carefully and say goodbye to cavities.
Which one of the following is a criticism of the reasoning in the argument?
(A) Brushing with fluoride toothpaste has been shown to reduce tooth decay.
(B) The fact that brushing will reduce tooth decay does not show that fluorides are of no value.
(C) Few people adequately remove plaque by brushing.
(D) People have plaque on their teeth most of the time.
(E) Scientists have been wrong about fluorides.
Highlight to see answer: B
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