Prep2012-Pack1-CR-001 VCR07575 Easy

　　According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two highway bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority's plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

　　Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority's plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

　　A. Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.

　　B. Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.

　　C. Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.

　　D. When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.

　　E. The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.

　　Prep2012-Pack1-CR-002 VCR07580 Easy

　　Roland: The alarming fact is that 90 percent of the people in this country now report that they know someone who is unemployed.

　　Sharon: But a normal, moderate level of unemployment is 5 percent, with 1 out of 20 workers unemployed. So at any given time if a person knows approximately 50 workers, 1 or more will very be unemployed.

　　Sharon's argument is structured to lead to which of the following as a conclusion?

　　A. The fact that 90% of the people know someone who is unemployed is not an indication that unemployment is abnormally high.

　　B. The current level of unemployment is not moderate.

　　C. If at least 5% of workers are unemployed, the result of questioning a representative group of people cannot be the percentage Roland cites.

　　D. It is unlikely that the people whose statements Roland cites are giving accurate reports.

　　E. If an unemployment figure is given as a certain percent, the actual percentage of those without jobs is even higher.

　　Prep2012-Pack1-CR-003 Vcr07609 Easy

　　Guitar strings often go “dead”—become less responsive and bright in tone—after a few weeks of intense use. A researcher whose son is a classical guitarist hypothesized that dirt and oil, rather than changes in the material properties of the string, were responsible.

　　Which of the following investigations is most likely to yield significant information that would help to evaluate the researcher‘s hypothesis?

　　A. Determining if a metal alloy is used to make the strings used by classical guitarists

　　B. Determining whether classical guitarists make their strings go dead faster than do folk guitarists

　　C. Determining whether identical lengths of string, of the same gauge, go dead at different rates when strung on various brands of guitars

　　D. Determining whether a dead string and a new string produce different qualities of sound

　　E. Determining whether smearing various substances on new guitar strings causes them to go dead

　　Prep2012-Pack1-CR-004 Vcr07638 Easy

　　Increases in the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the human bloodstream lower bloodstream cholesterol levels by increasing the body's capacity to rid itself of excess cholesterol. Levels of HDL in the bloodstream of some individuals are significantly increased by a program of regular exercise and weight reduction.

　　Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements above?

　　A. Individuals who are underweight do not run any risk of developing high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

　　B. Individuals who do not exercise regularly have a high risk of developing high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream late in life.

　　C. Exercise and weight reduction are the most effective methods of lowering bloodstream cholesterol levels in humans.

　　D. A program of regular exercise and weight reduction lowers cholesterol levels in the bloodstream of some individuals.

　　E. Only regular exercise is necessary to decrease cholesterol levels in the bloodstream of individuals of average

　　Prep2012-Pack1-CR-005 VCR07639 Easy

　　In Asia, where palm trees are non-native, the trees' flowers have traditionally been pollinated by hand, which has kept palm fruit productivity unnaturally low. When weevils known to be efficient pollinators of palm flowers were introduced into Asia in 1980, palm fruit productivity increased— by up to 50 percent in some areas—but then decreased sharply in 1984.

　　Which of the following statements, if true, would best explain the 1984 decrease in productivity?

　　A. Prices for palm fruit fell between 1980 and 1984 following the rise in production and a concurrent fall in demand.

　　B. Imported trees are often more productive than native trees because the imported ones have left behind their pests and diseases in their native lands.

　　C. Rapid increases in productivity tend to deplete trees of nutrients needed for the development of the fruit-producing female flowers.

　　D. weevil population in Asia remained at approximately the same level between 1980 and 1984.

　　E. Prior to 1980 another species of insect pollinated the Asian palm trees, but not as efficiently as the species of weevil that was introduced in 1980.