According to a newly published study, consuming five or more servings of plain yogurt per day can help people

lose weight. Two groups of people with equal average starting weights and otherwise similar diets were tracked over one year. After one year, the average weight of those who consumed five or more servings of plain yogurt per day was six pounds less than the average weight of those who did not. It can be seen that eating plain yogurt is an effective weight-loss method. 1. The answer to which of the following questions would be most useful in evaluating the claim about plain yogurt above? A. Would flavored yogurt be as effective as plain yogurt? B. Can one reasonably expect people to stick to a fiveservings-per-day regimen of plain yogurt? C. Did the two groups of people follow similar exercise regimens? D. Is it possible to lose weight through drinking more water? E. Were the two groups tracked beyond 12 months?

African exploration in the late nineteenth century is almost entirely a story of white males: scientists, traders and missionaries. Mary Henrietta Kingsley stands out as an exception. Ostensibly, Kingsley planned her first trip to Africa so she could conduct research on fetishes and complete the academic treatise her father, an explorer, had begun. Privately, Kingsley told a friend she was traveling to Africa "to die," though she had dreamt of such an adventure since childhood. Nevertheless, she prepared for the trip carefully, interviewing friends, doctors, missionaries, and former explorers, all of whom advised her not to make the trek. Kingsley was undaunted and set off for West Africa carrying only £300, and chemicals and specimen cases designed to collect samples of unknown fish and insects for the British Museum. Kingsley sailed the coast, finally putting in at the mouth of the Congo. Recognizing that the natives were naturally suspicious of Europeans traveling without an obvious purpose, Kingsley purchased cloth and other goods in the port and traveled inland for six months as a trader, exchanging goods for food and shelter along the way. During this and her second trip in 1895, Kingsley demonstrated resourcefulness in dealing with such challenges as rescuing a native from cannibals, defeating a leopard with a bucket of water, learning to pilot a native canoe up the Ogooue River, and becoming the first white woman and third "Englishman" to climb the 14,435 foot Mount Cameroon. Upon her return to London, Kingsley campaigned for an enlightened African policy, published her bookTravels in West Africa and advocated a forum for the serious ethnological study of Africa. Kingsley's third trip was to Cape Town during the 1900 Boer War. There she encountered an epidemic of dysentery, volunteered to nurse prisoners of war, contracted typhoid, and died.

2. What is the main purpose of this passage? A. To demonstrate that even the most seasoned African explorers are at risk due to disease. B. To outline the early history of African exploration. C. To establish the need for a more tolerant colonial policy in 19
th

century England.

D. To discuss the achievements of one female explorer. E. To argue that the contributions made by women explorers in Africa were as important as those made by men.

3. The author suggests that Mary Kingsley may have gone to Africa for each of the following reasons EXCEPT: A. to serve as an Anglican missionary B. to complete her father's fetish research C. to fulfill a childhood dream D. to collect specimens of fish and insects for the British Museum E. to die

4. Mary Kingsley's reason for purchasing cloth and other supplies at the mouth of the Congo was: A. to be able to trade for food and shelter along the way B. to earn extra money to finance her trip C. to assuage the natives' concerns over her motives D. to acquire examples of fetish sculptures for her father's research E. to acquaint the natives with European goods

5. Why does the author insert the anecdotes about Kingsley's travels in paragraph three? A. To show that she was not afraid of wild beasts. B. To compare the obstacles faced by female travelers with those faced by male explorers of the day. C. To entice you into reading Kinsley's best-selling book Travels in West Africa. D. To emphasize the dangers Mary faced in her travels. E. To illustrate Kingsley's ability to conquer a variety of challenges.

Numerous studies of chemotherapy patients over the last ten years have shown that patients who had regularly attended support groups or received counseling experienced significantly fewer side effects and shorter recovery times from chemotherapy than did patients who had not. Clearly, although the mainstream scientific community has been slow to acknowledge it, psychological support has an effect on the body's ability to heal. 6. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above? A. The survival rates for chemotherapy patients in the study were virtually identical regardless of whether or not they received support. B. The patients who did not attend support groups chose not to do so, even though they were healthy enough to attend. C. Many medical doctors believe that the mind plays a role in the causation and prevention of illness. D. The majority of chemotherapy patients must undergo more than one round of treatment. E. Some hospitals do not conduct support groups on their premises for chemotherapy patients and their families.

Media reports about portable electronic devices and social media often reference the concept of addiction. Countless articles warn that many young people are becoming addicted to the use of MP3 players, cell phones, and social mediabearing laptops. "Addiction," however, is a medical term with a precise definition, one that journalists and commentators can use incorrectly. A recent qualitative study of study of college students illustrates this issue well. As opposed to quantitative studies, which produce statistics, qualitative studies provide insight and anecdotal color. In this study, a group of students disengaged from social media and electronic devices for a 24-hour period and reported their experiences. While it is true that some students in the study used words such as "addiction" or "withdrawal" to describe their feelings during the experiment, most reported that they felt disconnected from their peers and current events. While not quantitative, the study's findings suggest that for most people, social media is simply a new way to achieve traditional social goals. Nevertheless, reports about the study remained steeped in the language of addiction. Some news outlets even went so far as to claim that the study proved certain popular social media sites to be addictive. But addiction is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition; merely having a difficult time disengaging from a behavior does not in itself qualify that behavior as an addiction. A better term for the behavior chronicled by the study might be "lack of impulse control." 7. The author's main objective is to A. describe an example of social media research methodology. B. provide the reader with empirical data on social media use. C. argue against the improper use of a medical term.

D. argue for a heavier use of statistics in social media studies. E. argue that the term "addiction" should be discarded.

8. It can be inferred from the students' use of the terms "addiction" and "withdrawal" that A. the study of social media use did not achieve its goals. B. some college students use medical terminology in an exaggerated way . C. the psychological community needs to revise its strict definition of the term "addiction." D. the participants in the study were deceptive in their responses. E. many college students do not understand the proper definitions of medical terminology.

9. The author probably mentions the precise medical definition of "addiction" in order to A. demonstrate the care the medical community takes with terminology. B. explain why a metaphoric use of the word ought not be confused with a literal use. C. make a point about how sensationalist journalism can undermine the goals of scientific reporting. D. stun the reader with the raw facts of addiction. E. highlight the intricate etymological history of a word that has come to have many meanings.

10. Of all the possible threats that affect American national security, the possibility of electromagnetic attack is maybe the more difficult for analysis. A. is maybe the more difficult for analysis B. is probably the most difficult to analyze C. is maybe the most difficult for analysis D. is probably the more difficult to analyze E. is, it may be, the analysis that is most difficult

Socioeconomists who argue that worldwide mass starvation is unavoidable in the next century are mistaken. To see this, we only need to look at the recent history of Africa. Although several African countries had widespread famines in the 1960s through the 1980s, the food supply since then has been quite reliable. 11. The answer to which of the following questions would be most helpful in evaluating the argument above? A. Is the increase of food availability in Africa since the 1980s an anomaly or the result of reproducible factors? B. Over how long of a period have socioeconomists followed mass starvation phenomena? C. How many Africans have emigrated to other parts of the world since the 1980s? D. How much African land is reclaimed each year for use in agriculture? E. How much food aid has been provided to Africa from elsewhere since the 1980s?

Due to an error in the drafting of the documents, a company that received a government loan to pursue research in the wind energy sector is exempt from interest payments for the 20year life of the loan. The intent had been that the loan would be interest-free only until the cost per watt of wind energy fell below a certain threshold. This would pave the way for the company to generate enough operating revenue to stay solvent on its own. Wind energy prices have now reached that threshold, and the company is effectively earning free money due to its zero-interest loan. When approached by government lawyers about renegotiating the terms of the loan, however, the management of the company balked at the idea, arguing that doing so would violate long-established principles of legal agreements. 12. Which of the following statements best reflects the position of the company's management? A. One should always seize unique opportunities. B. People should not make impositions upon others that they would not like to have made upon themselves. C. Those who possess something have the right to profit from it, even if the thing were unjustly obtained. D. Breaking one's written word is unfair. E. Justice is most satisfying when it is poetic.

A behavioral scientist hypothesized that the constant barrage of noise that surrounds modern humans leads to antisocial behavior. To test this hypothesis, he placed a loudspeaker beside the cage of a pair of guinea pigs and played white noise through it. He brought the loudspeaker closer to the animals each subsequent day of the experiment, thereby increasing the guinea pigs' daily exposure of noise. The scientist observed that the guinea pigs stopped socializing with each other after the seventh day but resumed socializing normally when the loudspeaker was removed from the cage. 13. Which of the following, if true, most seriously jeopardizes the scientist's hypothesis? A. During the experiment, the guinea pigs stopped socializing due to the intense level of the noise. B. In a similar experiment conducted by another scientist, the guinea pigs did not resume socializing when the noise source was removed. C. On the seventh day, the loudspeaker took up so much space in the cage that the guinea pigs could not get near each other. D. Prior to the experiment, the guinea pigs used in the experiment socialized with each other normally. E. The sound pressure level from a loudspeaker increases to the inverse square of the distance from the loudspeaker.

Due to increased competition, the market share of Peak Value Enterprises in low-interest loans has dropped by 15 percent in the last two years. This will most probably lead to lower revenue for the company, as low-interest loans constitute a large part of its business. 14. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? A. Loan types other than low-interest loans collectively account for a larger share of Peak Value's business than do low-interest loans. B. Many people in the last two years have paid off their low-interest loans from Peak Value in order to refinance with another provider. C. Peak Value offers lower closing costs than most other loan originators and thereby attracts more business. D. The size of the total market in low-interest loans has doubled in the last two years. E. Peak Value is the largest originator of low-interest loans in the country.

A more comprehensive definition of "sea level," one useful to cartographers, requires a broad understanding of various temporal and physical factors. First, consider the history of sea level: the position at which sea and land meet, averaged over tidal stages and coastlines, has been remarkably stable over time. Current sea level measures, though having risen very slightly over the last century, are approximately the same as they were 35,000 years ago. Thus, the referent for terrestrial altitudes and oceanic depths has been largely consistent for millennia, though cartographers' ability to make accurate measurements has, of course, improved with advances in technology. Through the processes of imaginative visualization and computer generation, much knowledge has been gained regarding the predictable nature of sea level. The oceans are governed primarily by Earth's gravity, which is strongest at the poles because of Earth's slightly ellipsoid shape, the result of billions of years of rotation. What keeps the oceans from pooling at the poles, drawn there by the greater gravitational forces, is the centrifugal force generated by Earth's rotation. This force is strong enough to cause a bulge of ocean about eight kilometers high around Earth's equator. Using sophisticated computer models, today's cartographers can postulate how the intersection of sea and land would change should the Earth ever cease to rotate on its axis. Over time, the bulge of ocean at the equator, no longer held in place by the centrifugal forces, would flatten out. Drawn by the pull of the two poles, Earth's main bodies of water would eventually become circumpolar, gathered in two massive pools around the top and bottom, so to speak, of the globe, leading to the emergence of a supercontinent around the planet's equator. 15. The passage is chiefly concerned with A. imparting an understanding about the effect of Earth's physical forces on sea life

B. arguing that the long-term stability of sea level assists in cartographic accuracy C. attempting to compose an explanation of one of Earth's topographical variables D. integrating hard data and thought experimentation to better visualize sea level E. positing a worst-case scenario to educate readers about Earth's fragile balance

16. According to the passage, which is true of the physical forces governing sea level? A. Gravity, along with rotation, is responsible for Earth's slightly ellipsoid shape. B. Centrifugal deterioration will eventually give rise to an enormous supercontinent. C. The centrifugal force is the dominant influence on the shape of Earth's oceans. D. The equatorial bulge is primarily a result of gravitational pooling at Earth's poles. E. Gravitational forces have more influence on the oceans than does centrifugal force.

17. The author makes all of the following statements about historic sea levels EXCEPT A. Variations in them have been noted in the last 35,000 years. B. Their consistency has allowed cartographers to improve their measurements. C. While mutable, they have, broadly speaking, maintained stability for millennia. D. They are measured at many times and places to obtain a useful average. E. Measurements of depth and elevation are made relative to their height.

18. One reason some particle physicists are switching to astronomy late in their careers is that they tire of spending years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments; astronomers have an infinite and ready-made supply of environments at their disposal. A. One reason some particle physicists are switching to astronomy late in their careers is that they tire of spending years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments; astronomers have an infinite and ready-made supply of environments at their disposal B. Late in their careers, one reason that some particle physicists are switching to astronomy is suggested by the fact that particle physicists must spend years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments, while astronomers have an infinite and ready-made supply of environments at their disposal C. Late in their careers, one reason that some particle physicists are switching to astronomy is suggested by the fact that particle physicists must spend years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments, while an infinite and ready-made supply of environments is at the disposal of astronomers D. The fact that particle physicists must spend years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments while astronomers have an infinite and readymade supply of environments at their disposal is one reason, late in their careers, some particle physicists are switching to astronomy E. The existence of an infinite and ready-made supply of environments at the disposal of astronomers compared with the fact that particle physicists must spend years constructing environments in which they can conduct experiments suggests one reason some particle physicists are switching to astronomy late in their careers

In Country Y, for-profit hospitals help far fewer patients than either private non-profit or public non-profit hospitals. At the same time, compared to non-profit hospitals, for-profit hospitals draw a disproportionate share of government healthcare subsidies, such as prescription reimbursement and other treatment credits, for their patients. It must be, then, that forprofit hospitals enroll a greater proportion of poor patients than do non-profit hospitals. 19. The conclusion above depends on which of the following assumptions? A. For-profit hospitals provide similar quality of medical care as do non-profit hospitals receiving government aid. B. For-profit hospitals do not engage in fraudulent practices to boost their business by helping their patients obtain unneeded government aid. C. The majority of patients at for-profit hospitals do not default on paying their medical bills after they leave the hospital. D. Public non-profit hospitals and private non-profit hospitals both have a similar proportion of poor patients. E. The number of patients receiving government aid at forprofit hospitals is greater than the number of such patients at non-profit hospitals.

University President: Seventy-two percent of our students voted in favor of Hamburger Hut's request to build a restaurant on the site of the former student-run commissary. Hamburger Hut will increase the school's revenue and thus provide more money for other student services. Student Body President: But our recent survey demonstrated that the most important reason students want to be part of our school is the feeling of an entrepreneurial community that results from students running most of the stores on campus. 20. What is the best explanation for the apparent contradiction in opinions cited by the University President and the Student Body President? A. A student-run business might be able to generate as much revenue as a food chain. B. The recent survey cited by the Student Body President polled only prospective students. C. The recent survey cited by the Student Body President did not ask about preferences for a chain restaurant versus a student-run diner. D. Most students believe the feeling of an entrepreneurial community is more important than other student services. E. An increase in the money collected by the university may not result in additional money for student services.

Elementary school administrators observed that students tend to exhibit more behavioral problems on days when cinnamon rolls are served for breakfast in the school cafeteria. The administrators decided that the sugar content in the rolls causes hyperactivity and prevents the students from learning properly. As a result, the administrators decided to offer more breakfast options in an attempt to entice the students to eat something other than cinnamon rolls. 21. The plan is most likely to lead to the desired results if which of the following assumptions is true? A. The cafeteria staff will be interested in creating more options. B. Parents of the children will not oppose the plan. C. Offering a variety of breakfast choices has been helpful in reducing behavioral problems in nearby schools. D. The cost of the school breakfast will not need to be increased when the additional options are implemented. E. The additional options will not have equal or higher sugar content than the cinnamon rolls.

On Earth, the dynamic between global warming and the proliferation of greenhouse gases is typically regarded as having dangerous ramifications for our planet. This phenomenon, however, has a potential upside when we consider its implications for other planets. Mars has the potential to become a new human habitat; if the carbon dioxide trapped in its icy poles and in its soil were released, this currently "dead" planet could indeed become a giant greenhouse. While the project would take hundreds of years, the result could be an Earth-like ecosystem that could produce crops and even sustain whole forests. In time, Mars could prove to be a second home to the people of Earth. As wild as such a notion sounds, the science behind this potential transformation is sound enough. After all, we are now keenly aware of the atmosphere-thickening capacities of carbon dioxide and methane. Much of the latter is stored in our own arctic regions; as the arctic tundra melts, vast amounts of atmosphere-building methane are released into the air. After a series of 18-month survey missions, habitation modules could be established on Mars to enable more serious work in this direction to go forward. Factories could then be established that would spew the potent gases we seek to avoid on Earth into the planet's atmosphere. Within 200 years, the planet would be sufficiently insulated to allow microbes and lichens to grow, beginning a process of rock deformation that, in combination with the rain that would begin to fall, would eventually provide topsoil. Once this organic soil was in place-after a few hundred years-plants would start to flower. Boreal and even-temperate forests could grow. The Red Planet would turn green. 22. The author's main objective in writing this passage is to A. argue for converting Mars into a planet for Earth to colonize B. highlight the difficulties of bringing a dead planet to life

C. explain how to a habitable environment might be fashioned D. present a detailed plan for giving Mars an atmosphere E. illuminate the hidden similarities of Earth and Mars

23. It can be inferred from this passage that A. Earth will eventually need to convert Mars into a new home B. carbon dioxide and methane are not inherently harmful C. NASA is hard at work on plans to transform Mars into a habitable planet D. few people will want to uproot from their familiar lives and colonize Mars E. once microbes take hold, plants and trees will immediately flourish

24. The author probably mentions ""arctic tundra"" in order to A. illustrate the ecological challenges on Earth B. explain the presence of methane in Earth's atmosphere C. warn the reader of a growing danger D. explain the feasibility of an effort to transform a planet's climate E. show how methane could be transported to Mars

The average food stand at the Town's Founders Day Parade served 300 customers last year. Grace is planning to set up a cupcake stand to sell cupcakes during the parade, so she must rent a stand for $1,200. She has calculated that to cover her costs, she must sell 300 cupcakes at $4 each. 25. Which of the following statements casts the most doubt on Grace's chances of breaking even at the parade? A. If Grace shares her booth and the cost of the rental with a complementary business, she will not have to sell as many cupcakes to break even. B. Grace should not limit herself to 300 cupcakes; she should be prepared to sell more. C. Grace has not factored in the costs of raw materials or labor in calculating the amount of revenue she needs to generate to break even. D. At last year's parade, some booths served more than 300, and others served fewer than 300 customers. E. Many people prefer other types of food to cupcakes.

Unlike any other bird, the hummingbird has ball-and-socket shoulder joints that allow it to rotate its wings 180 degrees in all directions. Hummingbirds also have the unique ability to perform several feats of acrobatic flight, such as flying backward, flying upside-down, and hovering. 26. If the above statements are true, they provide the most support for which of the following claims? A. Some birds cannot hover. B. It is not possible for a bird without ball-and-socket shoulder joints to fly backward or upside-down. C. Birds without ball-and-socket shoulder joints develop alternative modes of acrobatic flight. D. Birds that cannot perform acrobatic feats have no need to rotate their wings 180 degrees in all directions. E. When other birds engage in acrobatic flight, their wings rotate less than 180 degrees.

A recent research study of working Americans analyzed the effects of viewing paintings on mental acuity. Each of the 100 participants viewed at least one piece of modern art per week over the course of 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the participants filled out a survey assessing their mental acuity. Based on the results of the questionnaires, the 20 participants who viewed the greatest number of paintings reported higher overall mental acuity. Also, a majority of the 15 participants who viewed the fewest number of paintings reported below-average levels of mental acuity. 27. Which of the following must be true based on the information presented above? A. At least some of the working Americans participated in the study in order to gain free access to art. B. More than eight participants viewed at least 13 paintings over the course of the experiment. C. Viewing art at least once per week improves the mental acuity of the majority of working Americans. D. During each week of the experiment, the participants spent less time doing personal activities as a result of participating in the study. E. Most of the 100 participants improved their mental acuity by viewing paintings.

Standard treatment of anxiety disorders involves psychotropic medication. However, new research may be literally shedding light on a new treatment for a broad array of psychological and neurological maladies. Using an emerging technology called optogenetics, scientists have discovered that by flashing a blue light on neurons specially engineered to react to light, they can seemingly cure anxiety disorders in mice. Prior to the treatment, the test mice huddled on one side of their box; after the flash of light was applied, the mice scurried freely across the enclosed space. The excitement around this development is largely due to the commonalities shared by mammalian brains. While mouse brains are significantly different from those of humans, the common elements may allow these experiments to provide deeper insight into the functioning-and malfunctioning-of human brains. Better still, if optogenetics actually functions the way it appears to, the light cure could treat anxiety disorders and Parkinson's disease in a substantially more targeted fashion than the standard drugs that work by flooding the brain with serotonin or dopamine. Describing the current method of treatment for these neurological issues, one scientist likened it to dumping a gallon of oil over a car engine for the purpose of changing the oil-a certain amount will likely fall into the right place. This haphazard method can cause as many brain disorders as it remedies, but the light treatment is capable of being applied far more precisely. However, given the bioengineering required to make the treatment work, many prospective patients might think twice before even considering it. For the time being, the value of optogenetics is seen primarily in its role as a research tool, allowing scientists to fire specific neurons and discover more precisely how certain triggers in the brain operate. 28. It can be inferred from this passage that

A. optogenetics will eventually become standard medical treatment for anxiety disorders and Parkinson's disease. B. because of differences between human and mouse brains, research into optogenetics has limited significance. C. if bioengineering became more widely accepted, optogenetics could become the preferred treatment for anxiety disorders. D. most people with anxiety disorders would be better off not taking drug treatments of any kind. E. the popular distaste for bioengineering is misguided.

29. The author most likely mentions the possibility of patients thinking twice about bioengineering in order to A. stress the complexity of optogenetic treatment. B. dramatize the difference between optogenetics and drug treatments. C. emphasize the harmful effect of optogenetics. D. demonstrate the extreme precision of which optogenetics is capable. E. explain why optogenetics is currently used in research rather than in medical treatments.

30. It can be inferred from the passage that the mice used in the research ""huddled"" on one side of the box because of A. herd mentality. B. mental anxiety. C. bioengineering. D. freed-up brain processes. E. overreactions to light stimuli.

31. Formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance do not apply to small, emergent economies in the same way they apply to established economies, because they are developing and are not in equilibrium. A. Formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance do not apply to small, emergent economies in the same way they apply to established economies, because they are developing and are not in equilibrium B. Because they are developing and are not in equilibrium, formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance do not apply to small, emergent economies in the same way they apply to established economies C. Because they are developing and are not in equilibrium, small, emergent economies are not subject to the same applicability of formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance as established economies D. Because small, emergent economies are developing and are not in equilibrium, formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance do not apply to them in the same way they apply to established economies E. Small, emergent economies are not subject to the applicability of formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance in the same way as established economies, because they are developing and are not in equilibrium

The price of flat-screen monitors will most likely increase in the next year. This is due to the current acute shortage of certain key materials used in the manufacture of display panels, which, in turn, has driven upward the market price of those same panels. 32. The answer to which of the following questions would provide information relevant to evaluating the argument above? A. Will the material shortage abate in the coming year? B. Have display panel prices remained steady at other times of material shortage? C. Will consumers be inclined to pay more for flat-panel displays? D. Was there a recent decline in the price of flat-panel monitor components other than display panels? E. What fraction of display panel manufacturers has been affected by the material shortage?

The term Luddite, as used in modern discourse, signifies someone who fears innovation and technological change. However, the origin of the word deserves closer inspection because its etymological evolution has served to occlude a vital piece of social history. In 1811, a group of disgruntled cloth finishers in Nottingham, England, rallied by a man named Ned Ludd, turned their wrath on efficient new automated looms, which enabled non-apprenticed workers to do their jobs. The nation's rulers responded harshly, passing an act that made the destruction of the looms punishable by death. In 1812, the Luddites continued undaunted, destroying looms at Rawfolds Mill in Yorkshire and killing a prominent mill owner. In subsequent trials, 64 men were indicted. Three were executed for murder, and fourteen were hanged for destroying machinery. Unrest worsened that year, as wheat prices rose and workers of all kinds found it nearly impossible to feed their families, but with military intervention the Luddites were silenced. Their story is newly relevant in today's era of burgeoning technology and worker displacement. Though the destruction of the looms was an extreme reaction, so was the official response to the revolt. Characterizing the Luddites as fearful seems misinformed; rather, they were rebels angered that no provisions had been made for them and that the government had backed the mill owners rather than the longtime workers. 33. The author would most likely agree that the Luddites might not have become violent if A. protections had been in place to ensure their safety B. the automated loom actually proved more efficient than their own handiwork C. the English government had made some provision for the loss of their livelihoods D. Ned Ludd had not called for an uprising to destroy the automated looms

E. wheat prices rose even higher

34. According to the passage, which of these is NOT a factor that drove the Luddites to revolt? A. government support of the mill owners B. Ned Ludd's call for action C. the efficiency of the new automated looms D. the displacement of skilled workers for unskilled workers E. new machinery that improved agricultural production, leading to falling wheat prices

35. According to the passage, high wheat prices A. strengthened the government's hand B. exacerbated the difficulties faced by the displaced workers C. led to a quick resolution of the Luddite revolt D. did not become a pivotal issue for the Luddites E. ended the mill owners' stranglehold on production

The prices of goods and services in Herbertville are significantly higher than those in Lancaster. Yet, citizens of Herbertville rarely purchase clothing and electronics in Lancaster, despite the fact that those items are more expensive in their hometown. 36. Which of the following, if true, would best explain the buying habits of the citizens of Herbertville? A. Citizens of Herbertville prefer the styles of clothing in Lancaster over those available in their home town. B. Stores in Lancaster receive the latest fashions and electronic equipment several weeks after they are available in Herbertville. C. The citizens of Lancaster resent the buying power of the people in Herbertville. D. The city council of Herbertville imposes high taxes on all goods purchased by individuals who do not live in Herbertville. E. The prices of Lancaster and Herbertville are both low compared to the prices of Jonestown.

Large increases in government spending cause a net decrease in jobs over time. Thus, as the government spends more money in the next decade, the unemployment rate will rise. Such a rise will cause interest rates to increase as well; as a result, corporate profits will almost certainly decline over the next decade. 37. Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument's conclusion? A. Increases in corporate profits from product innovation will not be large enough to offset the negative effect of increased interest rates. B. Government policy makers will not become more aware of the steps they can take to reduce wasteful healthcare programs run by the government. C. Increased interest rates similarly affect all small and large businesses. D. Some economists predict a greater than 1.5 percent rise in the unemployment rate during the next 15 years. E. The government is the sole cause of rising unemployment.

Though Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens lived alongside each other for tens of thousands of years, until recently there was no evidence that the two closely related species interbred. Now, a research group led by a Swedish biologist claims that interbreeding between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens may account for as much as 4 percent of the DNA of modern humans. The research group has been uniformly praised for its sophisticated use of genome-sequencing technologies and for the care it took in isolating the Neanderthal DNA, which was initially contaminated by microbial and fungal DNA. Despite these efforts, many anthropologists characterize the group's findings as speculative, in large part because other researchers have not yet had an opportunity to reproduce the group's results. 38. In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles? A. The first supports an assertion that a finding is premature; the second is that finding. B. The first evaluates a view widely held by scientists; the second offers a reason to doubt that view. C. The first reports a view widely held by scientists; the second offers evidence for that view. D. The first is evidence supporting a finding; the second cites a reason for skepticism about that finding. E. The first is evidence supporting a finding; the second is that finding.

Architects recently completed a survey of two-flat apartments built in Chicago prior to 1950 and found that these buildings were constructed with better styling and craftsmanship than other two-flat apartments found throughout the city. The architects reason that prior to 1950, architects and contractors placed more value on long-lasting and high-quality construction than their counterparts have since. 39. Which of the following, if true, most strongly counters the architects' reasoning? A. Building a two-flat apartment requires far more time and effort than building a single-family residential home. B. Two-flat apartments built prior to 1950 are much more commonly renovated than those built after 1950. C. Building materials used in two-flat apartments prior to 1950 were not much different than those used today. D. Today, the average two-flat apartment can be constructed in one-third the time it took to build a two-flat apartment prior to 1950. E. It is extremely time intensive and expensive to renovate a two-flat apartment in compliance with city code.

To the casual observer fortunate enough to have viewed the launch of a space shuttle, the raucous torrent of water that flooded the launch platform may have seemed part of a dramatic show. Those who considered the function of the water-1,135,620 liters of it-often assumed that it served to suppress the flames that flowed from the engine bells so that the shuttle did not sustain damage. Such an assumption is not entirely unfounded, given our understanding of fire's destructive nature and the extreme heat created during a launch. The primary function of the deluge, however, is much less intuitivethe water was intended not for flame suppression but sound suppression. People experience not only a constant onslaught of acoustic waves that their brains translate as sound but also infrasonic and ultrasonic waves that are so subtle as to be sensed only on an unconscious level. Sound intensity, as opposed to volume, refers to the energy of these waves and can be expressed as work in units of microjoules or as power in units of microwatts. Early materials testing indicated that the acoustic energy of launch sound reflected by the Mobile Launcher Platform was stressing the orbiter's wings and causing minor fatigue damage to the thermal curtains of the solid rocket boosters. The water, released 6.6 seconds before main engine ignition, flowed out in just 41 seconds, suppressing acoustic energy by about half. In a successful launch, by the time the flow was exhausted, the shuttle had attained enough altitude (305 meters) to escape the damaging acoustic reflection. 40. It can be inferred from the passage that A. acoustic energy is a daily threat to the safety of living things B. casual assumptions about causes and effects may be naive

C. further materials testing on spacecraft materials should be conducted D. the Mobile Launcher Platform was poorly designed E. observers should not have been allowed access to the launch viewing area

41. Which of the following would be the most likely topic for a paragraph that logically continues the passage, given an audience of lay readers interested in this subject? A. a mathematical representation of the suppression of acoustic energy that resulted from launch B. a budgetary justification for the additional expense of the water suppression system C. a cautionary explanation of how acoustic energy can cause long-term hearing loss D. a description of the safest locations from which shuttle launches were viewed E. information on the development of the sound suppression system

42. Which detail, if added to the first paragraph, would best support the author's contention that assuming the water's primary purpose is fire suppression is the more intuitive conclusion? A. Observers admire those who fly the shuttle and therefore worry about the crew's safety. B. Observers watch the launch through binoculars and telescopes, not from nearby. C. Sound-suppressing water is forcefully propelled through six huge nozzles called ""rainbirds."" D. Infrasonic and ultrasonic waves caused much of the sound damage to the space shuttle. E. Flame deflectors direct the engine blast down into a trench and away from the shuttle.

Mike sells custom motorcycles and motorcycle parts in the United States through Country Choppers and in Australia via OutBack Bikes. He can sell bikes to OutBack Bikes for 35 percent more than he can sell them to Country Choppers. Mike's business is based in the United States, but even after the cost of shipping bikes to Australia is accounted for, Mike still makes more money per bike from his sales to OutBack Bikes than from those to Country Choppers. 43. If true, the statements above best support which of the following conclusions? A. The cost of shipping bikes to Australia is more than 35 percent of the price at which Mike can sell bikes to Country Choppers. B. The cost of shipping bikes to Australia is less than 35 percent of the price at which Mike can sell his bikes to Country Choppers. C. Sale prices at OutBack Bikes are 35 percent above those at Country Choppers. D. OutBack Bikes sells bikes at a rate 35 percent faster than Country Choppers. E. Selling bikes to OutBack Bikes will reduce Country Choppers' business by 35 percent.

A moral hazard is a circumstance in which agents are isolated from the risks of their actions and thereby encouraged to behave in ways they would otherwise avoid. Classic cases of a moral hazard are those in which agents enjoy all the rewards of risky behaviors but share the costs. 44. Which of the following provides the best example of a moral hazard as that term is described above? A. Upon acquiring health insurance, a woman takes skiing lessons she would otherwise not have. B. A child attempts a dive he would not risk if he were not an experienced swimmer. C. Because a broker has special access to information, he recommends an investment he would otherwise judge to be too risky. D. A company determines bonuses on the basis of its long-term growth in value. E. A landlord rents to a tenant with poor credit because that tenant makes a substantial deposit.

It is unethical for a college professor to pursue a romantic relationship with a student, even if the student is at the age of legal consent. Therefore, no college professor should ever initiate such a relationship with a student. 45. Which of the following, if true, most validates the argument? A. A survey of college administrators found that many believe faculty/student dating is morally wrong. B. College professors should behave in an ethical manner. C. Professors are forbidden from dating students at many universities. D. Some professors who date students have had prior ethical complaints made against them for such behavior. E. Professors who date students may be in danger of losing their positions if the relationship is discovered.