CRITICAL REASONING TEST 2 FOCUS GMAT

1. Jupiter vs. Mars Scientists suspect that Europa, a moon orbiting Jupiter,
may contain living organisms. However, the government recently
scrapped an unmanned science mission to Europa and replaced it with a
project aimed at landing an astronaut on Mars. Polls show that the
public is far more fascinated by space travel than by discovering life
elsewhere in the universe. Critics argue that the government's decision
making process places a greater emphasis on popularity than it does on
the importance of scientific research.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen a contention by

the government that the new project is a better use of its funds?

(A) In the first year of the project, the government will spend 30% of its
total budget on developing a space shuttle that can travel to Mars;
that figure is expected to drop to 0% after five years.

(B) The government cannot be absolutely certain of the chances for

success of either project.

(C) Some scientists are convinced that a mission to Europa would add
immeasurably to our understanding of the universe.

(D) A new telescope that has just become available to scientists promises
to yield more information than the planned mission to Europa was
designed to provide.

(E) Most people feel that a shuttle to Mars is the next logical step in the
development of a system that will allow humans to travel even
further in the solar system.

2. In a recent poll, 71% of respondents reported that they cast votes in the
most recent national election. Voting records show, however, that only
60% of eligible voters actually voted in that election.
 Which of the following pieces of evidence, if true, would provide the
best explanation for the discrepancy?

(A) The margin of error for the survey was plus or minus five percentage
points.
(B) Fifteen percent of the survey's respondents were living overseas at
the time of the election.
(C) Prior research has shown that people who actually do vote are also
more likely to respond to polls than those who do not vote.
(D) Some people who intend to vote are prevented from doing so by last-
minute conflicts on election day or other complications.
(E) People are less likely to respond to a voting poll on the same day that
they voted.

3. Media Critic: Network executives allege that television viewership is

decreasing due to the availability of television programs on other
platforms, such as the internet and mobile devices. These executives
claim that declining viewership will cause advertising revenue to fall
and networks will thus be unable to spend the large sums necessary to
produce high-quality programming. That development, in turn, will lead
to a dearth of programming for the very devices that cannibalized
television's audience. However, research shows that users of alternative
platforms are exposed to new programs and, as a result, actually
increase the number of hours per week that they watch television. This
demonstrates that alternative platforms will not prevent networks from
increasing advertising revenue.

The portions in boldface play which of the following roles in the media
critic's argument?
(A) The first is an inevitable trend that weighs against the critic's claim;
the second is that claim.
(B) The first is a prediction that is challenged by the argument; the
second is a finding upon which the argument depends.
(C) The first clarifies the reasoning behind the critic's claim; the second
demonstrates why that claim is flawed.
(D) The first acknowledges a position that the network executives accept
as true; the second is a consequence of that position.
 (E) The first opposes the critic's claim through an analogy; the second
outlines a scenario in which that claim will not hold.

4. Methyltetrachloride (MTC) is a chemical found in some pesticides, glues,

and sealants. Exposure to MTC can cause people to develop asthma. In
order to halve the nation's asthma rate, the government plans to ban all
products containing MTC.

The government's plan to halve the nation's asthma rate relies on which
of the following assumptions?
(A) Exposure to MTC is responsible for no less than half of the nation's
asthma cases.
(B) Products containing MTC are not necessary to the prosperity of the
American economy.
(C) Asthma has reached epidemic proportions.
(D) Exercise and proper nutrition are helpful in maintaining respiratory
health.
(E) Dust mites and pet dander can also cause asthma.

5. Recently, the tuition at most elite private colleges has been rising faster
than inflation. Even before these increases, many low and middle income
families were unable to afford the full tuition costs for their children at
these institutions of higher learning. With the new tuition increases,
these colleges will soon cater solely to students with affluent family
backgrounds.

Which of the following would it be most useful to determine in order to

evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether students from affluent families are more likely to prefer
public or private colleges
(B) Whether students from low and middle income families are qualified
to attend elite private colleges
(C) Whether low income families are less likely to be able to afford
tuition costs than middle income families
(D) Whether tuition costs at elite public colleges have also been rising
faster than inflation
 (E) Whether grants or scholarships are earmarked for students from
economically disadvantaged families.

6. Studies show that impoverished families give away a larger percentage

of their income in charitable donations than do wealthy families. As a
result, fundraising consultants recommend that charities direct their
marketing efforts toward individuals and families from lower
socioeconomic classes in order to maximize the dollar value of incoming
donations.

Which of the following best explains why the consultants' reasoning is

flawed?
(A) Marketing efforts are only one way to solicit charitable donations.
(B) Not all impoverished families donate to charity.
(C) Some charitable marketing efforts are so expensive that the resulting
donations fail to cover the costs of the marketing campaign.
(D) Percentage of income is not necessarily indicative of absolute dollar
value.
(E) People are more likely to donate to the same causes to which their
friends donate.

7. Donut Chain, wishing to increase the profitability of its new store, will
place a coupon in the local newspaper offering a free donut with a cup of
coffee at its grand opening. Donut Chain calculates that the cost of the
advertisement and the free donuts will be more than recouped by the
new business generated through the promotion.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the prediction that

Donut Chain's promotion will increase the new store's profitability?
(A) Donut Chain has a loyal following in much of the country.
(B) Donut Chain has found that the vast majority of new visitors to its
stores become regular customers.
(C) One donut at Donut Chain costs less than a cup of coffee.
(D) Most of the copies of the coupon in the local newspaper will not be
redeemed for free donuts.
(E) Donut Chain's stores are generally very profitable.
8. Supporters of a costly new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) initiative assert that the project will benefit industrial
companies as well as the military itself. In many instances, military
research has resulted in technologies that have fueled corporate
development and growth, and this pattern can be expected to continue.

Each of the following, if true, serves to weaken the argument above

EXCEPT:
(A) The research initiative will occupy many talented scientists, many of
whom would otherwise have worked for private corporations.
(B) In the past decade, DARPA has adopted an increasingly restrictive
stance regarding the use of intellectual property resulting from its
research.
(C) If the DARPA initiative hadn't been approved, much of the funding
would instead have been directed toward tax breaks for various
businesses.
(D) At any given time, DARPA is conducting a wide variety of costly
research projects.
(E) The research initiative is focused on defence mechanisms that will
reduce injury to soldiers during combat, a need that is non-existent for
private corporations.

9. Traditionally, public school instructors have been compensated according

to seniority. Recently, educational experts have criticized the system as
one that rewards lackadaisical teaching and reduces motivation to excel.
Instead, these experts argue that, to retain exceptional teachers and
maintain quality instruction, teachers should receive salaries or bonuses
based on performance rather than seniority.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument of the

educational experts?
(A) Some teachers express that financial compensation is not the only
factor contributing to job satisfaction and teaching performance.
(B) School districts will develop their own unique compensation
structures that may differ greatly from those of other school districts.
 (C) Upon leaving the teaching profession, many young, effective teachers
cite a lack of opportunity for more rapid financial advancement as a
primary factor in the decision to change careers.
(D) In school districts that have implemented pay for performance
compensation structures, standardized test scores have dramatically
increased.
(E) A merit-based system that bases compensation on teacher
performance reduces collaboration, which is an integral component of
quality instruction.

10. In 2001 the Peruvian government began requiring tourists to buy

permits to hike the Inca Trail to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Only
500 people per day are now allowed to hike the Inca Trail, whereas
before 2001 daily visitors numbered in the thousands. The Peruvian
government claims that this permit program has successfully prevented
deterioration of archaeological treasures along the Inca Trail.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?

(A) Since 2001, Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu but without a visitor
limit have disintegrated at a significantly greater rate than those on the
Inca Trail.
(B) Villages near Machu Picchu have experienced declines in income, as
fewer tourists buy fewer craft goods and refreshments.
(C) Many of the funds from the sale of Inca Trail permits are used to hire
guards for archaeological sites without permit programs.
(D) Since 2001, tourist guides along the Inca Trail have received 50% to
100% increases in take-home pay.
(E) The total number of tourists in Peru has risen substantially since
2001, even as the number of tourists hiking the Inca Trail has remained
constant.

11. Nitrogen triiodide is a highly explosive chemical that is easy to make

from only two ingredients: ammonia and concentrated iodine. However,
nitrogen triiodide has never been known to be used in a terrorist or
criminal attack.
 Which of the following, if true, is the most likely explanation for the
discrepancy described above?
(A) Ammonia can be bought in a grocery store, but concentrated iodine
must be obtained from somewhat more restricted sources, such as
chemical supply houses.
(B) Nitrogen triiodide is only one of several powerful explosives that can
be made from ammonia.
(C) Many terrorists and criminals have used other chemical explosives
such as TNT or PETN.
(D) Airport security devices are typically calibrated to detect nitrogen
compounds, such as ammonia and ammonium compounds.
(E) Nitrogen triiodide is extremely shock sensitive and can detonate as a
result of even slight movement.

12. Government restrictions have severely limited the amount of stem cell
research United States companies can conduct. Because of these
restrictions, many United States 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 statements can most properly be inferred from

the information above?
(A) Some foreign companies that conduct stem cell research work under
fewer restrictions than some United States companies do.
(B) Because United States scientists are under long-term contracts to
foreign companies, there will be a significant influx of foreign
professionals into the United States.
(C) In all parts of the world, stem cell research is dependent on the
financial backing of local government.
(D) In the near future, United States companies will no longer be at the
forefront of stem cell research.
(E) If restrictions on stem cell research are lifted, many of the United
States scientists will break their contracts to return to United States
companies.