答案解析
Prep2012-Pack1-CR-051 VCR006443 Medium
Reasoning
Why would the farmers leave the fields empty even though conditions suggest it would be profitable to plant soybeans? The farmers were not able to plant corn this year. Consequently, why would they not make up for it by planting soybeans? Soybean prices are especially high, so it would presumably be profitable to plant them. Why would the farmers leave the fields empty instead? Look for an answer option suggesting why it would be unprofitable or unfeasible for them to take advantage of the conditions favoring soybean planting.
A. Corn planting season is over, and therefore the farmers could not plant corn to profit from the high corn prices--and even if they could, it would not explain why they are leaving the fields empty.
B. This does not explain why the farmers are not planting soybeans. If the farmers anticipate serious financial losses, that would be all the more reason for them to try to recover financially by planting soybeans.
C. Correct. This gives a good reason for not planting soybeans. It might not be profitable to do so.
D. The passage is about the farmers who could not plant corn, not about those who could.
E. If the farmers are accustomed to planting soybeans, it would probably be even easier and more profitable for them to do so this year rather than leaving the fields empty.
The correct answer is C.Prep2012-Pack1-CR-052 VCR07545 Hard
Argument Construction
Situation
Lawyers who advertise charge less. In the past, when advertising restrictions have been removed, the number of lawyers advertising rose and legal costs to consumers fell. However, eliminating the requirement to specify fees in advertisements would raise consumers’ legal costs. If lawyers are not required to specify their fees in ads, many lawyers who advertise will raise their fees, and consumer costs are to rise.
Reasoning
What part do the two sentences in boldface play in the argument? This question asks the reader to look carefully at how the advocate's argument is constructed and in particular at how the two sentences in boldface are related. It is necessary to understand the consumer advocate's main point: if lawyers are not required to specify fees in advertisements, consumers’ legal costs are likely to rise. The first boldface sentence shows the cause-and-effect relation of lawyers’ ads and falling consumer costs, a relation the advocate predicts will not continue in the current case. The second boldface sentence explains why that relation will change.
A. The first sentence is presented as true, but the second sentence does not follow as a consequence; rather, it contradicts the first sentence.
B. The first sentence shows cause and effect, but the consumer advocate does not argue that it will be repeated.
The advocate argues that it will not be repeated.
C. Correct. The first sentence shows general cause and effect in a situation that the advocate argues will not be true in this particular case. The second sentence explains why it will not be true.
D. The consumer advocate predicts legal costs will rise; the first sentence does not offer evidence in support of that prediction, but rather evidence that costs have always fallen.
E. The first sentence gives a general cause-and-effect relationship, not a special consideration; the second sentence shows how that relationship could change.
The correct answer is C.
Prep2012-Pack1-CR-053 VCR07570 Hard
Argument Construction
Situation
Bicycle racers are the only consumers willing to pay for innovations in bicycle technology. Manufacturers therefore innovation to the standards established for competitive bicycle racing.
Reasoning
What is being assumed in this argument? This argument implies a connection between what bicycle racers want and what bicycle manufacturers make. The passage states that only racers are interested in innovation and to pay for it.
Bicycle manufacturers have determined it is not worthwhile to produce innovative bicycles that do not meet official standards. What is the implied interaction? It is reasonable to assume that racers must not be interested in buying models that, while innovative, do not meet official standards for racing; they will pay only for those innovations that are acceptable in competition.
A. The argument concerns innovation in bicycle technology. It is not about the entire market for all bicycles, so no assumption is made about traditional bicycles.
B. The passage does not discuss where the best innovations are likely to be created, so no assumption about small workshops versus large manufacturers is made.
C. Correct. This statement properly identifies the conclusion’s underlying assumption that bicycle racers do not buy bicycles they cannot use for racing.
D. The passage does not discuss different national markets; no assumption can be made about them.
E. The passage does not indicate what the authorities do or do not know; this statement is extraneous to the passage and cannot be assumed.
The correct answer is C.
