questions 85-86
in opposing the 1970 clean air act, the united states automobile industry argued that meeting the act's standards for automobile emissions was neither economically feasible nor environmentally necessary. however, the catalytic converter, invented in 1967, enabled automakers to meet the 1970 standards efficiently. currently, automakers are lobbying against the government's attempt to pass legislation that would tighten restrictions on automobile emissions. the automakers contend that these new restrictions would be overly expensive and unnecessary to efforts to curb air pollution. clearly, the automobile industry's position should not be heeded.
85. which one of the following most accurately expresses the method used to counter the automakers' current position?
(a) the automakers' premises are shown to lead to a contradiction.
(b) facts are mentioned that show that the automakers are relying on false information.
(c) a flaw is pointed out in the reasoning used by the automakers to reach their conclusion.
(d) a comparison is drawn between the automakers' current position and a position they held in the past.
(e) evidence is provided that the new emissions legislation is both economically feasible and environmentally necessary.
86. which one of the following, if true, lends the most support to the automakers' current position?
(a) the more stringent the legislation restricting emission BEComes, the more difficult it becomes for automakers to provide the required technology economically.
(b) emissions-restriction technology can often be engineered so as to avoid reducing the efficiency with which an automobile uses fuel.
(c) not every new piece of legislation restricting emission requires new automotive technology in order for automakers to comply with it.
(d) the more automobiles there are on the road, the more stringent emission restrictions must be to prevent increased overall air pollution.
(e) unless forced to do so by the government, automakers rarely make changes in automotive technology that is not related to profitability.
87. a survey was recently conducted among ferry passengers on the north sea. among the results was this: more of those who had taken anti-seasickness medication before their trip reported symptoms of seasickness than those who had not taken such medication. it is clear, then, that despite claims by drug companies that clinical tests show the contrary, people would be better off not taking anti-seasickness medications.
which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion above?
(a) given rough enough weather, most ferry passengers will have some symptoms of seasickness.
(b) the clinical tests reported by the drug companies were conducted by the drug companies' staffs.
(c) people who do not take anti-seasickness medication are just as likely to respond to a survey on seasickness as people who do.
(d) the seasickness symptoms of the people who took anti-seasickness medication would have been more severe had they not taken the medication.
(e) people who have spent money on anti-seasickness medication are less likely to admit symptoms of seasickness than those who have not.
