analysis of an argument
time—30 minutes
directions: in this section you will be asked to write a critique of the argument presented below. you are not being asked to present your own views on the subject.
read the argument and the insructions that follow it. and then make any notes in your test booklet that will help you plan your response. begin writing your response on the separate answer sheet. make sure that you use the answer sheet that goes with this writing task.
the following appeared in a memorandum from the director of human resources to the exectuive Officers of company x.
"last year, we surveyed our employees on improvements needed at company x by having them rank, in order of importance. the issues presented on a list of possible improvements. improved communications between employees and management was consistently ranked as the issue of highest importance by the employees who responded to the survey. as you know, we have since instituted regular communications sessions conducted by high-level management. which the employees can attend on a voluntary basis. therefore, it is likely that most employees at company x now feel that the improvement most needed at the company has been made."
discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. in your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. for example. you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. you can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument. what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
analyusis of an issue
time—30 minutes
directions: in this section, you will need to analyze the issue presented below and explain your views on it. the question has no "correct" answer. instead, you should consider various perspectives as you develop your own position on the issue.
read the statement and the instructions that follow it, and then make any notes in your test booklet that will help you plan your response. begin writing your response on the separate answer sheet. make sure that you use the answer sheet that goes with this writing task.
"employees should keep their private lives and personal activities as separate as possible from the workplace."
discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience. observations, or reading.
section1
time—25 minutes
22 questions
1. the black hole has entered the popular imagmation as an object too massive that neither light nor matter can escape its gravitational pull.
(a) too massive that neither light nor matter can escape its
(b) too massive for either allowing light or matter to escape its
(c) massive enough that either light or matter cannot escape their
(d) so massive that neither light nor matter could escape their
(e) so massive that neither light nor matter can escape its
2. after crude oil natural gas is the united states second biggest fuel source and supplied almost exclusively from reserves in north america.
(a) after crude oil natural gas is the united states second biggest fuel source and supplied almost exclusively from reserves in north america.
(b) natural gas after crude oil the united states second biggest fuel source, supplied almost exclusively from reserves in north america.
(c) being supplied almost exclusively from reseryes in north america natural gas, the united states second biggest fuel source after crude oil.
(d) natural gas the united states second biggest fuel source after crude oil is supplied almost exclusively from reserves in north america.
(e) natural gas is supplied almost exclusively fro m reserves in north america, being the united states second biggest fuel source after crude oil.
