Practice Module 4

Practice Module 4
Question 1
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A recent study by a drugs company found that the amount of money spent on a specific pill
used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the UK showed wide regional variation.
Alzheimer's is a condition associated with the ageing process. In some areas the expenditure
was as low as £1 per head of the population over 65 whereas in others it was as high as £10
per head. These pills are the most effective treatment for this condition that is currently
available. Therefore, this is another example of 'post-code lottery' where the effectiveness of
treatment for a health condition will depend upon where you live.
1. Which one of the following is an assumption underlying the above argument?
The pills are very successful in halting the progress of

Alzheimer's disease.
The drugs company that did the research doesn't have a vested
interest in selling the pills.
There are no regional variations in the incidence of Alzheimer's in

the 65+ age group.
There are no regional variations in the number of people in the

65+ age group.
It is not possible to develop Alzheimer's disease below the age of

65.
1. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The argument discusses how different areas of the country spend different amounts per head
of the population over 65 on a certain treatment for Alzheimer’s, and then concluded that this
means that different areas of the country will have differing levels of treatment for
Alzheimer’s no point is it stated that different areas of the country experience the same
incidence of Alzheimer’s per head of the population over 65. If this does differ in different
areas, then it may well be that different areas spend the same amount per case of Alzheimer’s
on the treatment, making the argument’s conclusion invalid. Thus, C correctly identifies an
assumption in the argument.
Option A → is incorrect as the argument states that the pills are the most effective treatment
available. Thus, how they are used is a significant factor in how effective treatment can be.
Whether or not they are significantly effective is relevant, and thus A is not an assumption.
Option B → is a completely irrelevant point, which does not affect the argument’s
conclusion.
Option D → is irrelevant because the argument refers to the expenditure on the treatment per
head of population over 65, so has already taken into account regional variations in numbers
of people over 65.
Option E → is not an assumption because it is not needed to be true for the argument’s
conclusion to be valid.
Question 2
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All the teams in a local football league have now played each other once this season. Below
is the current league table:
2. What was the result of the match between United and County?
United 0 -
County 0
United 1 -
County 0
United 0 -
County 1
United 1 -
County 1
United 2 -
County 1
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
To answer this question, we must work out what we can tell from the table, and then deduce
other results as we move along.
Immediately, we can tell several things:

 Rovers have won all their games and United and
County have both lost only one game each. Thus, both
teams have lost to United.
 United have won 2 games, and have only scored 2
goals. Thus, both those games must have been won 1-0
by United.
 Similarly, United have lost one game, and have only
conceded 1 goal. So, they must have lost that game, 1-
0.
 This accounts for all of United’s scored and conceded
goals. Thus, we know United’s other game must have
been a 0-0 draw.
Thus, at this point, we know the following:
 Neither team can have lost the game, as each team has
only lost 1 game each, both against Rovers.
 The score must be either 1-0 or 0-0, because these are
the only scores which have occurred in any on United’s
games.
Question 3
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When my father ran a pizza shop he sold pizzas for a fixed amount plus an amount
proportional to the ingredients used. A regular pizza uses twice the ingredients of a mini one
and a large pizza twice those of a regular one.
3. Which one of the following price scales could he have used for mini, regular and large
pizzas?
£0.49, £1.00,
£1.96
£1.00, £2.00,
£3.00
£1.10, £2.20,
£3.30
£1.70, £2.00,
£2.40
£2.00, £3.00,
£5.00
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Each Pizza has a fixed charge. Let the fixed charge be termed X.
Each pizza also has a variable charge, proportional to the amount of ingredients used. Let the
variable charge for a small pizza be termed Y.
 A small pizza will have 1Y as its variable charge.

 A regular pizza will have 2Y as its variable charge, as
it uses twice the ingredients of a small pizza.
 A large pizza will have 4Y as its variable charge, as it
uses twice the ingredients of a regular pizza.
Thus, we are looking for a set of prices which can be described as (X+Y), (X+2Y) and
(X+4Y), where both X and Y are constants. Only the prices inOption E follow this pattern,
with X and Y both being £1.
Question 4
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John wishes to have 500 copies of a brochure printed and is offered a choice of two price
structures:
1. An equal cost for each brochure printed, regardless of

number.
2. An initial fixed cost followed by a lower cost than
structure 1 for each brochure.
4. Which one of the following sets of information would be sufficient for him to be able to
decide which of the two price structures would be least expensive?
The number of brochures for which the total bill would be the
same by both structure 1 and structure 2.
An example showing the cost of 500 brochures for structure 1

and 200 brochures using structure 2.
The cost per brochure using structure 1 and the initial cost using
structure 2.
An example showing the cost of 200 brochures using structure 1

and 200 brochures using structure 2.
The cost of 1 brochure using structure 1 and 2 brochures using

structure 2.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Let the number of brochures be X. We can now describe the price of each structure as
follows:
 Price structure 1) simply equals X (Y), where Y is the

cost per brochure.
 Price structure 2) cost equals W=X(Z), where W is the
fixed price and Z is the cost per brochure. We know
that Z is smaller than Y.
Thus, we can see that:
 Price structure 2 will start out as the most expensive

due to W.
 However, because Y is larger than Z, as the number of
brochures increases, the price of price structure 1) will
increase at a larger rate then the price structure of 2)
 Thus, as the number of brochures increases, price
structure 2) will be comparatively less expensive when
compared with price structure 1) until we reach a point
where they are the same (let this number be termed
Equiv)
 Above point Equiv, price structure 2 will be cheaper.
Thus, knowing point Equiv (the number of brochures for which each price structure is the
same) is sufficient to know which price structure will be cheaper. If point Equiv is greater
than 500, price structure 1) will be cheaper. If point Equiv is less than 500, price structure 2)
will be cheaper, thus making A the correct answer choice.
Question 5
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The preservation of First Class sections on trains is indefensible. This is not because it is
socially divisive, which it is; nor because it is very expensive, which it also is; but because it
inevitably leads to a relatively poorer service in Standard Class sections of trains. Clearly, in
order to attract First Class passengers, it is necessary to maintain certain levels of discomfort
in those compartments which cater to the great majority of travelers. There is, for example, a
powerful disincentive to make more space generally available on trains, as one of the main
inducements to travel First Class is to escape overcrowding and be assured of a seat. Yet,
additional space would add significantly to the safety and comfort of most passengers.
5. Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the above argument?
More people are now using First Class sections on trains than
ever before.
The whole rail service benefits from the increased revenue

generated by the high cost of First Class tickets.
On many trains the First-Class section occupies only a small

proportion of the total accommodation.
No one is excluded from travelling in the First-Class sections of

trains, provided they are prepared to pay the higher fare.
Some people who travel in First Class sections of trains would

not use the trains if there were no First-Class sections.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
This passage is giving reasons that the maintenance of a first-class section on trains is
detrimental to the service enjoyed by most passengers (those travelling in standard class).
Option B → We can quickly see that if B is true, then the opposite is actually true, and first
class is of benefit to the rest of the rail service, thanks to the revenue it produces. Thus, B
weakens the argument.
Option D → is an irrelevant statement as the passage has said that first class is not
indefensible because of the expense.
Option C → This actually strengthens the argument as it reinforces the idea that the majority
of people are travelling in standard class, thus contributing to the conclusion that most
passengers suffer from the first-class provision.
Question 6
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This table shows how household sizes in Great Britain changed between 1961 and 1991.
6. What was the change in the percentage of households with fewer than 3 people between
1971 and 1991?
1
0
1
1
1
7
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
This question asks us to calculate the change in the percentage of households with fewer than
3 people. In calculating this, the total number of households and the average are not
necessary. The % figures give us enough information. This simplifies the question as we need
only to consider a small section of the table.
First, we calculate the total % of households with less than 3 people in 1971:
 18% of households had 1 person in 1971
 32% of households had 2 people in 1971
 Thus, a total of 50% of households had fewer than 3
people in 1971.
Next, we calculate the total % of households with less than 3 people in 1991:
 27% of households had 1 person in 1991.

 34% of households had 2 people in 1991.
 Thus, a total of 61% of households had fewer than 3
people in 1971.
The difference between 61 and 50 is 11, so we can see that the change in percentage is 11%.
Thus, the correct answer is D.
Question 7
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To play a football pools game, participants must select four matches from the fifty matches
on the coupon. Points are scored depending on the result of each match as follows:
If the home team wins, the participant scores 1.0 point

If the away team wins, the participant scores 1.5 points
If the match is a draw, the participant scores 3.0 points
7. Which of the following total scores for the four matches is not possible?
8.5
points
9.0
points
9.5
points
10.0
points
10.5
points
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The simplest way to answer this question is to go through the answers and see if each one can
be achieved from the possible scores for 4 matches:
 8.5 points can be achieved through 2 draws, an away

won and a home won (3+3+1+1.5=8.5), so A is a
possible score.
 9 points can be achieved through 2 draws and 2 away
wins, (3+3+1.5+1.5=9), so B is a possible score.
 9.5 points cannot be achieved, so C is not a possible
score.
 10 points can be achieved through 3 draws and a home
win (3+3+3+1.5=10.5) so E, is a possible score.
Question 8
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Questions 8 – 10 refer to the following information:
In the ideal world of economic theory, switching workers from hourly wages to piecework
rates should boost productivity. But in the real world, such a change is often unworkable
because of the cost and difficulty of measuring individual output or the possible harmful
effects on morale or quality of output. When the conditions are right, however, reports
researcher Edward Lazear, the productivity payoff can be dramatic. In a new study, Lazear
outlines the experience of SafeGlass Corporation, a nationwide installer of automobile glass.
With the help of a computerized system to keep track of inventory and installation times,
SafeGlass changed its compensation policies from hourly to piece-rate pay. While guaranteed
a minimum of $11/hour, glass installers were offered the alternative of receiving $20 per unit
installed, giving them an incentive to earn more by working faster. To keep quality from
suffering, the task of replacing defectively installed windshields at no pay was assigned to the
same shop. Because the names of the original installers were known to their co-workers,
employees felt strong peer pressure to improve their performance or resign.
The result was that average productivity per worker rose 20%--a gain that partly benefited the
workers, whose average earnings rose by 10%. Furthermore, overall company output rose by
36%, as the bonus from rising worker productivity was enhanced by less absenteeism and
lower turnover among the most productive workers, along with the attrition of less productive
workers.
8. The primary purpose of the passage is to
show why some theories are easily applied to the real world,
while others are not.
introduce new information about a common business practice.

describe the successful application of a theory.
contrast two possible approaches to solving a problem.
point out the pitfalls of a common business practice.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The passage describes how though a switch from hourly wages to piecework rates can be
challenging, yet successful, hence it explains the successful application of a theory.
Question 9
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workers.
9. According to the information contained in the passage, the author would most likely agree
with which of the following statements?
The productivity of businesses that use piece-rate pay is superior

to that of businesses that pay hourly wages.
Piece-rate pay will not increase productivity for some businesses.
Piece-rate pay is a good choice for businesses in the automobile

industry.
Piece-rate pay plans that lack a guaranteed minimum hourly rate
will fail to increase productivity.
The best workers prefer to be paid by the piece, not by the hour.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The passage mentions how the change from hourly wages to piece work rates is often
unworkable owing to the costs and the difficulty of measuring individual output, or the
possible harmful effects on morale or quality of output. This means that there is a chance that
the switch may not always be successful in all cases.
Question 10
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workers.
10. It can be inferred from the content of the passage that
some workers at SafeGlass did not directly benefit from the

changed policy.
all workers who did not benefit from the changed policy chose to
leave the company.
some of the best workers at SafeGlass left the company after the
new pay plan began.
the most productive workers at SafeGlass were those who also

had computer skills.
the new policy at SafeGlass could not have been instituted

without computers.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The passage mentions that it was via a computerized system that a track of installation&
inventory times was maintained, thus making it possible for Safe glass to change its
compensation policy from hourly wage rate to piece rate, thus making E the correct answer
choice.
Question 11
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Jars of Bestcaff coffee weighing 200g are normally £2.50 at Kostless and Savemore, but both
supermarkets have a special offer this week:
11. By how much per kilogram is Kostless's offer better value for money than Savemore's?
£1.50 per
kg
£4.00 per
kg
£7.00 per
kg
£8.50 per
kg
£16.00 per
kg
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
To solve this question, we need to work out the prices for a kilogram of coffee from each
super market:
 Kostless normally charges £2.50. With the offer of 80p

off, this will now be £ 1.70*5* 200 jars, which will
make 1 kg of coffee. Thus, the price for 1 kg of coffee
is £ 581.70, which is £ 8.50.
 Savemore charges £2.50 for 200 g. With the offer, we
now get an extra 25% extra for the same price. Thus,
for £ 2.50, we will now get 250 g extra of coffee. Thus,
I kg of coffee will cost 4*2.50, which is £10.
Therefore, a kg of coffee costs £ 8.50 from Kostless, and £10 from Savemore. This a kg of
coffee is £1.50 cheaper at Kostless.
Question 12
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The table shows the areas of the countries of the European Union.
12. What is the minimum number of countries needed to make up at least 50% of the total
land area?
1
1
2
2
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
In answering this question, we safely ignore the actual area of each country and the
population density of each country. The % of EU area accounted for by each country is
sufficient information, meaning we only need to consider the middle column of the table.
This simplifies the question.
To get the minimum number of countries required to account for 50% of total area, we should
simply add up countries in size order, beginning with the largest, until we reach 50% of total
area.
 The largest country in the table is France, accounting

for 14.6% of total area.
 The next largest country is Spain, accounting for
11.4% of total area (we have now accounted for 26%
of total area)
 The next largest country is Sweden, accounting for
10.2% of total area (we have now accounted for 36.2%
of total area)
 The next largest company is Germany, accounting for
of total area)
 The next largest country is Finland, accounting for
of total area).
These 5 countries account for over 50% of the total area of the EU. This, the answer is A.
Question 13
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Similar effects have similar causes. The problem is deciding when one set of effects
sufficiently resembles another to infer a similar cause. You say that the universe resembles a
man-made object like a house, so its cause must also be similar, an intelligent designer,
resembling human beings. But is the universe so like a house? It seems to resemble an animal
or vegetable just as closely, so why should its origin not lie in reproduction or some
vegetative process? The universe contains many classes of effects and objects, all with their
different causes. There seems to be no compelling reason for concluding that the universe as
a whole resembles one of these classes of effects or objects more closely than another.
13. Which one of the following is a conclusion that can reliably be drawn from the above
reasoning?
The universe bears no resemblance to a man-made object like a

house.
The inference that the universe and man-made objects have

similar causes is not justified.
The world resembles a vegetable more closely than a house.
The universe is not the result of intelligent design.
The most likely origin of the universe is a reproductive process.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Option A & C → Both are incorrect, as the argument states that the universe resembles a
vegetable just as closely as it resembles a house. It does not say it resembles a statement
more, or that it does not resemble a house.
Option D & E → These are also incorrect as the argument makes no claim as to which is the
most likely origin of the universe, and it does not state that any possibility is definitely
correct. It simply states that we cannot conclude that it was the result of intelligent design.
Option B → Correctly pointed out the argument’s conclusion. The argument is explaining
how this particular conclusion of the universe’s origin is not specified.
Question 14
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At first glance, there is no phenomenon creepier than crop circles - huge geometric designs
that appear in fields overnight seemingly without cause, explanation or reason. UFO
enthusiasts are quick to supply all three, by attributing the patterns to alien visitors seeking to
communicate with humans, using laser beams or other advanced technology to flatten the
crops. These fanciful claims can fortunately be dismissed thanks to two quite mundane
observations. Firstly, ordinary Earth-born individuals have repeatedly demonstrated how to
produce the effects with nothing more elaborate than a rope and a plank. Secondly, there is a
clear parallel for the phenomenon in the form of urban graffiti. Sneaking into fields to make
crop circles is simply a rural variation of a widespread and well-documented human urge.
14. Which one of the following is an implicit, underlying assumption that is made by the
above argument?
Where two explanations compete, we should accept the more

ordinary one.
There is nothing difficult or technical about producing crop

circles.
Alien visitors would not try to communicate with humans by

flattening crops.
No visits from intelligent aliens have as yet been documented.
The appearance overnight of huge geometrical designs is creepy

if it cannot be explained.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The argument claims that fanciful claims of aliens causing crop circles can be dismissed on
the basis that a more mundane, ordinary explanation exists.Option A correctly points out that
this assumes that where 2 explanations exist, we should accept the more ordinary one. Thus,
if the statement in A incorrect, the argument’s conclusion is no longer valid.
Option B, C & D → All these provide reasons to believe that aliens have not produced crop
circles, and why they are simply a form of rural graffiti. Thus, they all strengthen the
argument, but are not essential for its conclusion to be valid, and so are not assumptions.
Question 15
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When you install a burglar alarm in your home, you do so presumably because the cost of the
alarm is less than the expected benefits. The cost of a burglary, if one occurs, is likely to be
much higher than the cost of fitting an alarm. A clearly visible box on an outside wall of an
alarmed house alerts and discourages potential thieves. Because your house is less likely to
be burgled, your neighbour's house may be more vulnerable. Therefore, while there may be
little impact on overall crime levels, expensive security devices reduce crimes against those
with the devices but increase crimes against those without.
15. Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the above argument?
For similar houses, a higher percentage of those without intruder

alarms are burgled than those with alarms.
As the percentage of houses with intruder alarms increased from

40% to 90%, house burglary rates fell by 60% and there was a
rise in street muggings of 100%.
Burglars perceive an alarm as a signal that there are items well

worth stealing in a house, while no alarm indicates less valuable
contents.
Only 60% of houses with alarms set the alarm every day.
Burglars know that 25% of all visible alarm boxes are fakes, but
cannot tell the fake from the genuine.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Option A & B → these actually strengthen the argument’s conclusion, suggesting that
houses with burglar alarms are less at risk from burglary because of this, whilst
houses/people without alarms are at higher risk.
Option D → this is completely irrelevant.
Option E → not relevant to the argument’s conclusion as it does not say anything about how
a visible burglar alarm box affects the risks of a house being burgled.
Option C → Implies that burglars will be more likely to burgle houses with visible burglar
alarm boxes, due to the implied value of items in the house. Thus, C weakens the argument’s
conclusion, and thus this is the correct answer.
Question 16
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Dates may be written in an eight-digit form. For instance, 19 January 2005 may be written
19-01-2005.
16. In what year will the next date occur for which all eight digits are different?
201
3
213
4
214
5
234
5
245
6
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
First, we need to assess what possible digits the month and the date can have.
 The month can be any number from 01-12. Thus, the

month must contain either a “0” or a “1”.
 The day can be any number from 01-31. Thus, the day
must contain either a ‘0”, a “1”, a ‘2”, or a “3”.
 All the possible years have a “2” in them, so the day
cannot include a “2”, thus it must contain a “0”, a ‘1”,
or a “3”.
 We can see that if the day contains a “3”, it must be
either “30” or “31”. This means that the month must
either not contain a “1”, or not contain a “0”.
Now, we can assess those years, and see if the numbers taken up leave a possible
combination of day and month, without repeating digits.
 If 2013 is the year, then “2”, “0”, “1” and “3” are
already taken up. This means this year is not a possible
answer, as the month has to contain either “0” or “1”.
 If 2134, is the year, then “2”, “1”, “3” and “4” are
already taken up. This means this year is not a possible
answer. In order not to share a digit, both the month
and the day would have to contain a “0” which means
they would share a digit with each other.
 If 2145 is the year, then “2”, “1”, “4”, and “5” are
already taken up. Thus, the month will have to contain
“0” as ‘1” has been taken up. This means, the day
cannot contain “0”, “1”, or ‘2”, so it must contain a
“3”. This means the day has to be either “30” or “31”,
both of which already include a digit already used in
the date. Thus, this year is not a possible answer.
Question 17
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The following table shows the results of a test on smokers trying to quit. Of 240 people, half
were given nicotine tablets and half were given a placebo (a substance containing no
medication).
The researchers assumed that: of the smokers given nicotine tablets, the same proportion
would have quit without using them as would have quit using the placebo.
17. How many of the smokers that were given the nicotine tablets can the researchers
conclude had quit due to taking the tablets?
1
6
3
2
3
9
4
0
4
5
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
We are trying to calculate how many more people have quit smoking, thanks to the nicotine
patches than would be expected if they had just been given the placebo.
We can see from the table that 24 out of 120 smokers given placebo have quit successfully.
We are told that the researchers predict the same proportion of people would have quit
without using nicotine patches as did whilst using the placebo. Since there are 120 people
given placebo, and 120 people given nicotine, this means that we would expect 24 people to
quit successfully without using the nicotine patches.
Question 18
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In a high-speed police chase, police drivers sometimes lose sight of the car they are chasing.
But that’s no reason to give up. All they have to do is take the first left, and then the first left
again. Pursued drivers are likely to keep taking turns as they come up, as this seems
instinctively like the best way to lose someone who is following them. They are not going to
turn right as this involves waiting and checking for oncoming traffic. Therefore, take a couple
of left turns and the police car will soon have their criminal in sight once again!
18. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen this argument?
Car chases tend to end with the pursued driver losing control of
their vehicle.
Drivers in TV car chases tend to turn left rather than right when
pursued.
Police drivers are usually able to sustain faster average speeds

over a length of time than other drivers.
Police drivers usually request overhead assistance from a

helicopter when chasing criminals in cars.
Two left turns might take the criminal where they want to be
going.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Option A & B → these are irrelevant. The issue of drivers losing control of the vehicle is
irrelevant to which turns they will take whilst what happens in TV car chases may not
necessarily be what happens in real life car chases. Thus, these are incorrect.
Option D → This is also irrelevant as further assistance is irrelevant to what direction the
drivers being pursued will go.
Option E → This appears relevant, but does not affect how the argument’s reasoning leads
on to its conclusion. The argument describes how pursued drivers will frequently wish to
turn, and how left turns are easier and quicker, and then describes how this means police
taking left turns will soon catch up to the criminals. The idea of criminals turning left because
that leads to their destination is a separate point from this reasoning.
Option C → Strengthens the argument. It relates to the idea that even if the police follow the
path of a criminal, if they wish to catch up they must surely travel at a faster speed. Thus, if C
is true, the argument’s conclusion is much more solid.
Question 19
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I often order items from a mail order catalogue. The charges for postage and packing (to be
added to the order value) are as follows:
Order value:
less than £25.00 - £4.50
£25.00 to £49.99 - £8.50
£50.00 to £74.99 - £12.00
£75.00 to £99.99 - £15.00
£100.00 and over - £17.50
Just before sending off my latest order, I noticed that the current catalogue offers half price
postage and packing for orders of 8 or more items. My order was for 7 items, with an order
value of £74.60. I could not find anything else I wanted, so I just added the cheapest item in
the catalogue (priced at £1.25) to my order.
19. By how much did adding the extra item to my order reduce the total cost?
£3.2
5
£4.5
0
£4.7
5
£5.7
5
£6.2
5
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Without the extra item, the total price would have been £74.60. We can see from the question
that for an order of this price, there would be a £12 charge for postage and packing (for
orders between £50 and £74.99) thus the total price would be £86.60.
With the extra item, the total price for the order is now £75.85. We can see from the question
that the normal charge for postage and packing for such an order would be £15. However,
since we now have 8 items, the postage and packing charge is halved, this a £7.50 charge is
levied for postage and packing. Thus, the total price is £83.35.
86.60-83.35=3.25, thus the extra item took £3.25 off the total price.
Question 20
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Many people who live near to mobile phone masts are worried that radiation from these
masts will damage their health. Mobile phones themselves have also been suspected of
emitting dangerous levels of radiation, and a report recommended that children should be
discouraged from making non-essential calls. Emission of radiation from the masts is much
lower than that from a mobile phone. A few seconds making a phone call is comparable to 24
hours of exposure from a mast. Radiation from both these sources is below the international
guidelines as to what is a dangerous level, but no one can yet be certain if these guidelines
accurately reflect the level of risk.
20. Which one of the following can be drawn as a conclusion from the above passage?
People who use mobile phones are putting their health at risk.
The international guidelines underestimate the risk to health

from low levels of radiation.
The health risk from living near a phone mast is lower than that
from using a mobile phone.
People who live near mobile phone masts overestimate the risks
to their health from these masts.
If extensive use of mobile phones is not harmful to health,

radiation from a mast is unlikely to be a risk.
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The passage describes how both mobile phones and masts emit radiations and describes how
mobile phones emit much more. The passage then discusses how these levels are both below
what the guidelines say is dangerous, but that we cannot be sure if these guidelines are
accurate. From this, we cannot conclude that mobile phones put people’s health at risk, we
can only conclude that we can’t be certain that they don’t. Thus, Option A is incorrect.
Neither can we conclude that the guidelines are incorrect, or those living close to a mast over-
estimate the risk, thus B and D are both incorrect.
Option C is mistaken, since the passage says that there is less radiation emitted from a
mobile phone than a mast, and describes how much lower the radiation level is. However,
occasional/infrequent mobile phone use may result in less radiation than living near a mast.
Thus, C is not valid.
However, Option E identifies a valid conclusion. Since the radiation levels are lower from a
mast, if extensive mobile phone use poses no threat, it is unlikely that living near a mast does.
Question 21
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Questions 21 – 24 are based on the following information:
Even moderate exercise boosts longevity, study says Sorry, couch potatoes - the verdict is in:
people who exercise regularly really do live longer.
In fact, people who get a good workout almost daily can add nearly four years to their lives,
according to the first study to quantify the impact of physical activity this way. The
researchers looked at records of more than 5,000 middle aged and elderly Americans and
found that those who had moderate to high levels of activity lived 1.4 to 3.6 years longer than
those who got little exercise, largely because they put off developing heart disease - the
nation's leading killer. Men and women benefited about equally.
Previous studies have found that being physically active has a host of health benefits. It
reduces the risk of being overweight and of developing many illnesses and improves overall
quality of life. But the new study is the first to directly calculate the effect on how long
people live.
Oscar Franco, of the Erasmus M.C. University Medical Center in Rotterdam, and his
colleagues analyzed the data from the Framingham Heart Study, a well-known research
project that has followed 5,209 residents of one Massachusetts town for more than 40 years,
collecting detailed information about their lifestyles and health. People who engaged in
moderate activity - the equivalent of walking for 30 minutes a day – lived on average 1.4
years longer than those who were less active. Those who took on more intense exercise - the
equivalent of running half an hour a day - extended their lives on average by 3.6 years, the
researchers found.
Franco and others noted that this and other studies show that people do not have to be
exercise fanatics to reap the benefits. "What we're talking about is small changes," said James
Hill of the University of Colorado in Denver. "We're telling people to get out and walk more.
Fifteen, 20 or 30 minutes of walking each day is probably enough."
21. If the average lifespan of an American male who does not exercise is 75, to how much
might this average be expected to be increased by running for 30 minutes a day? (Answer to
the nearest year.)
7
6
7
7
7
8
7
9
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The extension is an average 3.6 years with 30 minutes of running a day. This increase would
be from 75 to 78.6, which we round up to 79.
Question 22
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people live.
researchers found.
22. What, approximately, is the percentage increase in extra years of lifespan due to running
for 30 minutes a day, rather than walking for the same time?
2.9
%
4.8
%
157
%
257
%
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
There are 3.6 years extra lifespan for running 30 minutes, and 1.4 for walking. Percentage
increase is (3.6-1.4) *100/1.4, which is 157%.
Question 23
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people live.
researchers found.
23. "Franco's findings show that even for people who are already middle-aged, exercising
more can add years to their lives."
What is the relationship of this observation and the information given in the passage?
It is a conclusion which may be drawn from the

passage.
It is a necessary reason for the main conclusion of

the passage.
It infers more than is supported by the evidence in

the passage.
It is an explanation for the findings presented in

the passage.
It counters the main conclusion of the passage.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
This observation is not stated in the passage, and cannot be inferred from the passage- there is
nothing about when the people started exercising. It doesn’t, however, counter the passage.
Question 24
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people live.
researchers found.
24. Which of the following is an unstated assumption made in drawing the main conclusion?
The elderly and middle aged who exercise have done so

throughout their lives.
Those people who walk for exercise do so vigorously.

Being overweight reduces lifespan.
It is the exercising rather than other factors which increases

longevity.
Exercise delays the onset of heart disease.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The conclusion is that “people who exercise regularly really do live longer”, suggesting a
causal link between exercising and living longer (although there may be another factor
linking these two variables). A Doesn’t necessarily need to be assumed for the conclusion to
make sense. The vigor of walking is not an idea of the passage, one can be overweight but
still exercise a lot which counters C & E.
Question 25
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University education is not a matter of forcing through the largest number of graduates at the
lowest possible short-term cost. This would not serve the needs of the current generation of
students and, even from a narrow economic viewpoint, it would not promote economic
prosperity in the long term. It is often a poor economic practice to skimp on the production
costs of a product, even when you are only interested in the eventual monetary profit to be
made from it. But in any event university education has wider purposes than merely the
promotion of economic prosperity.
25. Which of the following is an underlying assumption of the above argument?
The principal purpose of university education is to serve the

needs of the present generation of students.
The principal purpose of university education is to promote the

long term economic prosperity of the community.
The more money the manufacturer spends on the production of a

product, the greater the eventual profit is likely to be.
Policies of cost-cutting are likely to reduce the extent to which

the university education will achieve its overall purpose.
Universities should be managed so as to make a monetary profit,

but they should also promote certain non-financial values.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Option A & B → The passage describes 2 purposes of university education, and then
mentions that there are others. It does not claim that any of these is the primary purpose, so A
and B are incorrect.
Option C & E → these are not relevant to the argument’s conclusion (which is that
University should not simply consist of forcing through as many graduates as possible at
minimum cost), thus, neither are assumptions.
Option D → this correctly identifies an assumption. The argument discusses how we should
not simply force through graduates at minimum cost. However, it is not stated that cost
cutting policies will stop at universities achieving their overall purpose. If this is not true, the
argument’s conclusion is no longer valid. Thus, D is the correct answer choice.
Question 26
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At Marland College, all 120 pupils in year 11 take two languages at GCSE. The table below
shows the numbers of pupils taking each language combination.
26. What percentage of those taking Spanish are also taking French? (Give your answer to the
nearest 1% if necessary).
12
%
23
%
35
%
39
%
54
%
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
First, we must calculate the number of students studying Spanish. We can see that the
Spanish features twice in this table, in the second row from the top, and in the right-hand
column.
Thus, we simply add up the numbers in the second row from the top, and in the right-hand
column. This gives us a total of 40 (14+9+13+4=40). Now, we see how many students are
studying French and Spanish. We see from the left-hand column of the table that there are 14
students studying Spanish and French. Thus, we simply calculate 14 as Spanish and French.
(14/40) x100=35. Thus, 35% of students studying Spanish are also studying French. Hence, C
is the correct answer.
Question 27
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The diagram below shows Morden Hall and the network of paths within the grounds.
When the owner takes his dog for a walk he always starts and finishes at the intersection
outside the front door and (keeping to the paths) walks one complete triangular route.
27. How many different routes does he have to choose from? (Clockwise and anticlockwise
around the same triangle counts as one route only.)
1
0
1
1
1
2
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
We can see that the different lines readily product 5 triangles, immediately apparent. Thus,
this accounts for 5 possible routes. The other routes are as follows:
 Start at the central intersection, proceed to the top left
corner, then proceed to the bottom most corner, then
proceed back to the intersection. A mirror image route
is also possible using the top right corner. This
accounts for 2 more possible routes.
 Start at the central intersection, proceed to the top left
corner, then proceed to the bottom most corner. At this
point we then proceed in the direction of the top right
corner, but stop where there is an intersection with a
path leading to the central intersection. We then head
back to the starting point, along the path to the central
intersection. Again, an opposite route is possible,
beginning by heading to the top right corner. This
accounts for 2 more possible routes.
 Start at the central intersection, and proceed to the top
left corner, then head to the top right corner. At this
point, we proceed in the direction of the bottom most
corner, but stop at the same intersection described in
the last possible route, and head back to the central
intersection. Again, there is an opposite possible route,
beginning be heading to the top right corner, then to
the top left corner. This accounts for two more possible
routes.
Thus, we have accounted for 11 possible routes. Thus, D is the correct answer.
Question 28
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Although study leave in the run up to exams is traditional, and benefits well-motivated,
organized students, recent thinking suggests that it is not the best way to improve results.
Some students are required to do housework or help in the family business rather than
studying. Many others spend time playing computer games, watching daytime TV or hanging
around with friends instead of revising. Schools which provide in-school study areas with
teacher supervision and a programme of booster revision sessions are getting more A*s and
fewer Ds. It is time to ditch study leave.
28. Which one of the following best expresses the main conclusion of the argument?
Many students do not make good use of their study leave.
Students who work hard find study leave useful.
Study leave is not the best way for students to gain high
results.
Study leave ought to be abandoned.

Traditional methods of education need to be updated to
improve results.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
This argument discusses how study leave, whilst benefitting hardworking students does not
produce the best results.
Option C → The passage then finishes by saying “it is time to ditch study leave”. This last
sentence is crucial. Without this last sentence, C would possibly be the main conclusion, as
there would be no suggestion in the argument that study leave should be abandoned, simply
that it is not the best way to attain high results. However, the last sentence means that the
argument does conclude that study leave should be abandoned. This means, C is now an
intermediate conclusion, going on to support the conclusion given in D.
Option D → From the information above, we can see that D is the main conclusion.
Option A →this is a reason given to support C, and thus contributing towards supporting D.
hence, it is not a conclusion itself.
Option E → This adds further strength to the argument, but is not a direct conclusion from it,
as the argument has not claimed that traditional methods need to be updated.
Option B → This actually weakens the argument by picking up on the fact that some
students do very well with study leave, thanks to their own hard work and organization.
Question 29
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Cannabis smoking is widespread, even though it is illegal. It is also more dangerous to health
than most people realize. If we want to reduce the use of cannabis, it should be legalized.
People do not turn away from dangerous habits unless they are fully aware of the damage
these habits can cause. We should have learnt this lesson from the example of tobacco
smoking, which has declined dramatically because people have seen that it results in deaths
from lung cancer.
29. Which one of the following is an assumption underlying the above argument?
People who still smoke tobacco are unaware that it can affect
their health.
Unless cannabis smoking is legalized, its dangers will not be

widely known.
If tobacco smoking had been illegal, it would have been less

widespread.
There has been insufficient research on the damage caused by

cannabis smoking.
Cannabis users are motivated by the fact that they are engaging
in an illegal activity.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The argument concludes that we should legalize Cannabis in order to reduce its use. It backs
up this with reasoning describing how the dangers of Cannabis need to be more widely
known if its use it to decrease. At no point has it been stated that the dangers will not widely
be known without legalizing cannabis, and if this not true, the assumption’s conclusion is no
longer valid. Therefore, Bis an assumption in this argument.
Option D → Is irrelevant, because the argument has stated that it is more dangerous than
people realize, so we accept this as true.
Option A &C → are both irrelevant to the idea that legalizing cannabis would allow the
dangers to become more widely known. Thus, none of these three answers affect the
argument’s conclusions, so none are assumptions.
Option E → Would strengthen the argument, if true, but it is not required for the augment’s
reasons to lead on to its conclusion. Therefore, E is not an assumption.
Question 30
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To encourage themselves to lose weight, Alma, Brigit, Cara, Danni and Evelyn each put £10
into a pot. They weighed themselves when they began and again at the end of each week. The
one who had lost most weight after 4 weeks won the £50. The following chart shows their
progress:
30. Who won the £50?
Alma
Brigit
Cara
Dann
i
Evely
n
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The 50 pounds go to the one who loses the most weight after 4 weeks. Thus, we need to
calculate the difference in weight at the start, and after 4 weeks for each person. Weeks 1, 2
and 3 are irrelevant.
 Alma started at 71 kg, and weighed 64 kg after 4

weeks, so has lost 7 kg.
 Brigit started at 67 kg and weighed 62 kg after 4
 Cara started at 63.5 kg and weighed 57.5 kg after 4
 Danni started at 66.5 kg and weighed 60 kg after 4
weeks, so has lost 6.5kg.
 Evelyn started at 69 kg and weighed 61 kg after 4
Thus, Evelyn has lost the most weight after 4 weeks, and thus she gets the money.
Question 31
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The following extract is from a novel about a nine-year-o/d girt who is being mistreated by
her peers. She is in the kitchen, baking a cake with her mother when, suddenly and
unexpectedly, her mother raises the subject.
'You don't have to play with them,' my mother says, 'There must be other little girls you
can play with Instead,'
I look at her. Misery washes over me like a slow wind. What has she noticed, what has she
guessed, what is she about to do? She might tell their mothers. This would be the worst thing
she could do Also I can't imagine it. My mother is not like the other mothers, she doesn't fit in
with the rest of them. She does not inhabit the house, the way the other mothers do: she's airy
and hard to pin down. The others don't go skating on the neighborhood rink, or walk in the
ravine by themselves. They seem to me grown up in a way that my own mother is not. I think
of Carol's mother in her twin set, her skeptical smile, Cordelia's with her glasses on a chain
and her vagueness, Grace's and her hairpins and drooping apron. My mother will turn up on
their doorsteps, wearing slacks, carrying a bouquet of weeds, incongruous. They won't
believe her.
'When I was little and the kids called names, we used to say, "Sticks and stones will break
my bones but names will never hurt me”’, she says. Her arm goes vigorously around, mixing,
efficient and strong.
'They don't call me names,' I say. 'They're my friends.' I believe this,
'You have to learn to stand up for yourself,' says my mother. 'Don't let them push you
around. Don't be spineless. You have to have more backbone,' She dollops the batter into the
tins, I think of sardines and their backbones. You can eat their backbones. The bones crumble
between your teeth; one touch and they fall apart. This must be what my backbone is like:
hardly there at all. What is happening to me is my fault, for not having more backbone.
My mother sets down the bowl and puts her arms around me. 'I wish I knew what to do,'
she says. This Is a confession. Now I know what I've been suspecting: as far as this thing is
concerned, she is powerless.
31. What does the passage suggest about the mother's attitude towards the treatment of her
daughter?
She is angry about the treatment of her daughter.
She is trying to help her daughter but has little to

offer.
She is embarrassed at not being able to assist her

daughter.
She is confident that the advice she gives will help

her daughter.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The last paragraph of the passage states how the mother hugs her daughter and expresses her
helplessness at not being able to understand how she can help her daughter out, making B the
correct answer choice
Question 32
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believe her.
32. Which one of the following best describes how the daughter is feeling?
Angry
Worried
Optimistic
Unconcern
ed
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Line 5 expresses how the girl feels miserable when her mother tells her to play with other
girls, as she worries that her mother knows something that she hasn’t told her. Lines 7-15 of
the passage show how the girl’s mother is different from those of her friends, and how the
girl is aware of it as well. The above shows the girl is worried about the events, thus B is the
correct answer choice.
Question 33
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believe her.
33. The comment by the daughter that 'My mother is not like the other mothers' is best
described as
proud and
defiant.
sarcastic and
bitter.
kind but
misguided.
critical but
accepting.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
While the lines 7-15 show the girl’s thoughts on how her mother is different from other
mothers, and how she is unlikely to fit in with them, however, while she is critical, she is not
sarcastic or defiant, but more accepting of her mother as she is. This makes D the correct
answer choice
Question 34
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believe her.
34. Which one of the following would be of most help to the daughter at this stage?
The daughter takes the mother's advice to stand up to the
bullies.
The mother withdraws and lets the daughter resolve it by

herself.
The daughter recognizes that she does not deserve to be

mistreated.
The daughter pretends that everything is all right and

ignores the bullying.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Line 20 of the passage shows how the girl perceives that her so called friends do not call her
names, and also states that she believes in the same. This indicates, that the daughter does not
recognize that she is being bullied, and therefore is accepting the situation as it is. The
situation can only change when the girl recognizes that she is being bullied, and that she does
not deserve to be.
Question 35
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believe her.

35. Which one of the following is preventing the problem being solved?
the mother's inability to relate to the other

mothers.
the daughter's failure to hide the effects of

bullying.
the mother's lack of interest in her daughter's

welfare.
the daughter's inability to accept that she is

being mistreated.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The passage shows clearly how the girl is being mistreated by her so-called friends, and how
the girl’s mother realizes the same as well. However, the statements by the daughter show
that the girl fails to recognize that she is being bullied, thus the problem is unrecognized,
hence there is no effort to resolve it, and this the problem remains unsolved.
Question 36
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Below is a list of the Angevin and Plantagenet kings of England and the dates of their reigns.
36. Which of the following bar charts represents a distribution of the lengths of the reigns of
these kings?
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
First, we need to calculate the total length of the reign of each king, from the dates given in
the table.
 Henry II – 35 years
 Richard II – 13 years
 John – 17 years
 Henry III – 56 years
 Edward I – 35 years

 Edward II – 20 years
 Edward III – 50 years
 Richard II – 22 years.
We can see that all possible answers have the same groupings when we group according to
the length of reign. Therefore, we can take these groupings and see how many kings’ for into
each category. We see that:
 1 king reigned between 1-15 years (Richard I)

 3 Kings reigned between 16-30 years, (John, Edward II
and Richard II)
 2 kings reigned between 31-45 years (Henry II and
Edward I)
 2 kings reigned for longer than 45 years (Henry III and
Edward III)
We see that only graph E shows this distribution.

Question 37
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A man drives off from his house and travels through the village at a constant speed. As he
leaves the village behind, his speed increases to a new constant value which he maintains
until he reaches a steep hill which slows him down. At the top of the hill the driver stops for a
few minutes to admire the view. He realizes that he has left his picnic basket at home and so
drives rapidly back along his route to collect it.
37. Which one of the following graphs best represents the driver's distance from home
throughout his journey?
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
To answer this question, we break down each section of the journey described in the
question, and see what we would expect the graph to do at this point:
 First, the driver drives away from home at a constant

speed. Therefore, we should expect a straight line,
heading up and to the right (because both time and
distance from home are increasing.
 Next, the driver increases his speed to a new constant
speed, thus the next section of the graph is expected to
have a line with a steeper gradient than the last (since
the new speed is higher than the last). The line should
still be going upwards because the driver is going away
from home.
 Next the driver reaches a hill, slowing him down to a
new constant speed, thus the next section of the graph
will have a lone with a decreased gradient. The line
should still be straight and going upwards to the right,
because the time and distance from home are both
increasing.
 Next, the driver stops for several minutes, at this point
we expect a flat line since there is no movement either
away, or towards home. This line continues to the right
because time continues to progress while the driver
stops.
 Finally, the driver heads back down his route. Thus, we
expect the next section of the graph to have a line
going down and to the right, because the driver is
closer to home as time progresses.
Only D follows the expected pattern.
Option A → does not have a line heading downward after the flat section, so does not show
the return home
Option B → shows a decrease in speed rather than an increase in speed on the 2nd section of
the graph, so does not show the driver’s increase in speed
Option C → starts with a flat line, so does not show the drivers initial constant speed
Option E → does not have a flat section, so it does not show the time the driver stopped.
Question 38
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If children are sitting in rows in a classroom, the teacher can have eye contact with all of
them while she is explaining something to them. This is not always possible if they are sitting
in groups around tables. Also, when they look up, instead of seeing the child opposite in a
group and being tempted to talk, they see the teacher. So, sitting in rows helps children to
concentrate better on their work and should therefore be the standard arrangement in every
school classroom.
38. Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the above argument?
Rows of desks take up no more classroom space than

tables.
Some children are easily distracted whether they sit in rows

or in groups.
Sitting in groups of between four and seven makes

discussion work easier.
Traditionalists argue that teaching the whole class in rows

is best.
If desks are arranged in rows, children can all see visual

aids more easily.
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Option C → weakens the argument by suggesting that work can be better done with children
sitting in groups at tables.
Option B → also weakens the argument by giving less importance to whether children sit in
groups or rows, as children may be distracted either way.
Option A → irrelevant.
Option D → irrelevant, as the fact that traditionalists favour this arrangement does not affect
the conclusion that it is better to do so.
Option E → strengthens the argument, as children can see visual aids more clearly, and thus
they can concentrate more on their work.
Question 39
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"There are more police officers than ever before in the history of this country. We have more
police officers and more community support officers. That is why, last week, crime was
down. Crime is down 30 per cent."
39. Which of the following states the flaw in the argument above?
Community support officers don't have the same powers as

police officers.
Crime levels can be measured in different ways.
Crime could have fallen if there had been no increase in

policing.
The fact that crime was down last week does not mean it
will stay down.
Having more police officers may mean more crime is being

detected.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The argument describes an increase in police officer numbers, and then concludes that is why
crime is down.
Option C → correctly points out the flaw in this reasoning - crime may have fallen anyway,
and may thus not be down due to this factor.
Option B → not a valid flaw because the question states that crime is down. Thus, we must
accept this as true for the purposes of a critical thinking assessment and thus different ways of
measuring crime are irrelevant.
Option A, D & E → all are irrelevant statements that do not affect the argument’s
conclusion.
Question 40
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The differences between human beings are sometimes more striking than the similarities.
There is a minority of people who, driven by a competitive urge to be the first or the best,
undertake ambitious expeditions involving severe physical deprivations, high risk of fatality,
and extreme isolation. Compare these people to the majority who prefer an easy, risk free life
of comfort and we can see that one human being can be as different from another in their
behaviour as two different species of animal. Any attempt to form general rules about human
behaviour needs to bear this variation in mind.
40. Which one of the following best expresses the conclusion of the passage above?
Members of the human race can be as different in their behaviour

as two separate species of animal.
Humans who take risks in the interests of achieving unusual

feats are untypical.
Variation in human behaviour makes it difficult to generalize.
Differences between people can be more striking than

similarities.
Human beings are superior to all other animals.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Option E → completely irrelevant
Option B → also irrelevant as the argument does not say anything about whether risk taking
humans are atypical. It simply means variation.
Option A → a simply stated reason in the passage, and not a conclusion
Option D → also a stated fact in the passage, thus it can be seen as a conclusion, but it is an
immediate conclusion, which goes on to support the main conclusion from the passage, it is
not the main conclusion itself.
Option C → readily follows from the reasoning given in the passage as a whole. If the
reasoning in this passage is true, we have good reason to believe the statement made in C.
Thus, this is the main conclusion of the passage.
Question 41
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Questions 41 - 44 refer to the following information: br />

Section 1: Cycling level – facts
According to the 2005 National Travel Survey (NTS) cycling is a relatively rare means of
travel in the UK, and is declining.
 Cycling accounts for 1% of all trips*, and 2% of trips

of less than 2 miles, including those that are made on
foot.
 The average person makes 14 cycle trips per year and
cycles a distance of 36 miles.
 When asked how often they ride a bike, 15% of the
population say at least once a week, and a further 8%
say at least once a month. Over two thirds (69%) of
people say they cycle less than once a year or never.
 Those who do cycle average 5 trips a week by bicycle
and travel 13 miles in a week. Cycling accounts for a
fifth (22%) of all trips by cyclists**.
* For the purposes of the survey a ‘trip’ is a one-way journey having a single main purpose –
e.g. going to work.
** A ‘cyclist’ is someone who cycles once a week or more.
Section 2: Charts
Section 3: Cycling, income and car-ownership
People living in households with lower levels of income make, on average, fewer bicycle
trips and travel shorter distances by bicycle than those in higher income households. Those in
the highest income quintile (top 20%) cycle 49 miles per person per year compared with 29
miles among people in the lowest income quintile. The poorest fifth, despite being the least
likely to own a car, are also the least likely to cycle.
41. Which of the following is the best estimate of the average number of trips by all modes of
travel made per person per week?
1
0
1
3
2
0
2
5
2
7
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Average of 14 cycle trips per person per year, which is roughly 1% of their trips. Thus, there
are 1,400 trips per person per year, which is roughly 1,400/50, approximately 27 per week.
Question 42
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foot.
e.g. going to work.
Section 2: Charts
42. Which one of the following can safely be inferred from Section 1 of the fact sheet?
85% of the population cycle less than 1 mile a week.
Less than one trip per month is made by bicycle for

every UK resident.
More miles are walked than cycled in the UK.
8 % of the population cycle between 1 and 11 times a

year.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Option A → This is not correct, we know that 85% cycle less than once a week, but we don’t
know what distance.
Option B → This cannot be inferred, as there is not enough information.
Option C → This cannot be inferred, not enough information
Option D → This can be inferred – 15% cycle at least once a week, 8% at least once a
month, and 69% less than once a year. This leaves 100-8-15-69=8% that cycle between 1 and
11 times a year.
Question 43
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foot.
e.g. going to work.
Section 2: Charts
43. Referring to Section 3 "Those in the highest income quintile (top 20 %) cycle 49 miles
per person per year compared with 29 miles among people in the lowest quintile." The
relationship shown in Chart 3 between car ownership and cycling seems to contradict the data
on cycling and income.
Which of the following, if true, would adequately explain this seeming contradiction?
Among males, trip rates by bicycle decrease as car ownership

increases.
Among females there is no correlation between car ownership

and cycling.
A significant number of people with average or above average

incomes do not own cars.
The main reason for cycling among all income groups is leisure
rather than work.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The graph suggests that having more cars means you cycle less. The text suggests that having
more income means you cycle more. Thus, we need a reason to explain the inverse relation of
income and cars, and Option C is the only answer that does this.
Question 44
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foot.
e.g. going to work.
Section 2: Charts
44. Which of the following statements is supported by the data in charts 1 and 2?
1. Males between 21 and 29, cycle more than twice as far

per trip as males between 11 and 16.
2. Males between 11 and 16, cycle more often than males
between 17 and 20 but average fewer miles per trip.
3.
1 but not 2
2 but not 1
Both 1 and
2
Neither 1
nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. Males between 21 and 29 cycle 78 miles a year, making 27 trips,
so 78/27 is approximately 2.6 miles per trip. Males between 11 and 16 cycle 74 miles a year,
making 46 trips, so 74/46 is approximately 1.5 miles per trip. The first result is less than
double the second.
Statement 2 is correct. We can see that males between 11 and 16 cycle 46 times a year and
males between 17-20 cycle 29 times per year, s the former cycle more often. However, they
average less per trip (74/46 is approximately 1.5 miles, 59/29 is approximately 2 miles per
trip).
Question 45
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It would be a good idea if the police force was separated into two divisions, one for proper
policing i.e. protecting citizens and upholding law and order, and the other for road traffic.
This second division could be combined with traffic wardens as basically they are doing a
similar job: obtaining money from road users. Perhaps then there would be a proper focus put
on catching criminals and protecting the law-abiding public, and we would have a police
force doing the job they were actually intended to do.
45. Which one of the following best describes the flaw in the above argument?
It overlooks the fact that many traffic offences are both criminal
and a serious danger to the public.
It rests on the false assumption that the police do not protect

citizens or catch criminals.
It ignores the fact that traffic wardens and the police have
different duties and different powers.
It wrongly equates protecting citizens with catching criminals.
It implies that the police once did the job they were supposed to
do.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Option B → Incorrect, as the argument does not assume that police do not protect criminals
or the public. It simply argues for a proper focus to be put on this. This does require us to
accept there is currently no proper focus on this, but it does not require us to accept that this
job is currently not carried out. Thus, B is not an assumption
Option C &E → both these are irrelevant to the argument’s conclusion and are not flaws.
Option D → correct, as the argument states that a proper focus could be put on catching
criminals and protecting the public, these jobs could be carried out independently.
Option A → this is a flaw, because the argument is implying that focus on road offences
currently detracts from catching criminals and protecting the public. If road incidents are
criminal and dangerous, then this conclusion is no longer valid.
Question 46
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If you practise playing a musical instrument, your playing will get better. I have not practised
playing the piano, so my playing has not got better. I have an exam in two months’ time. So, I
must practise every day if I want to do well.
46. Which of the following most closely parallels the reasoning in the argument?
If you practise playing the cello your playing will get better. Dawn
has not practised much but her playing has got better so she
must have done enough. She may even pass her Grade III exam
next month.
If you work hard at a sport, you will become better. I have not
worked hard at my trampolining, so I have not become better.
There is a competition next month. So, I must work hard if I want
to do well.
If you work hard at running you will get faster. I have worked
hard to get faster, and I have started winning races. There is a
race next week. If I want to win it I must keep practising.
People who practise a craft get better at that craft. All master
craftsmen and women have put long hours of practice into their
art. It is impossible to become an expert without practising.
Practise makes perfect. I have practised hard on my violin so I

should soon be perfect. I have a competition coming up soon
which I fully expect to win.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The argument’s reasoning can be summarized as “If A happens, B will happen A hasn’t
happened, so neither has B. If we want B to happen, A must happen.” In the question, A is
practicing an instrument, and B is becoming better at playing it. Only Option B follows this
reasoning, with A being hard at trampolining, and B getting better at it.
Option A → A does not happen, but B still happens, so this is different from the question.
Option C → A does happen, so B does happen
Option D → Follows a different style of reasoning claiming “if A happens, B will happen.
Therefore, all who have achieved B must have done A. This is not the same reasoning as in
the question.
Option E → Also follows a different style of reasoning claiming that A causes B. A has
happened, so we expect B to happen, which is different from the question’s reasoning.
Question 47
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Legislation is needed in order to prevent the abuse of genetic testing by insurance companies.
New genetic tests may reveal how likely an individual is to suffer from certain debilitating or
fatal conditions in later life. Without legislation, insurance companies might make such tests
compulsory and make those at risk pay more for insurance. This would be unfair. We do not
choose our genes; we are born with them. People should not be penalised for things over
which they have no control.
47. Which one of the following best illustrates the principle underlying the above argument?
Kylie did not deliberately get her accounts wrong, but she should
pay the fine anyway. She should have made sure the accounts
were right.
Some people have lost everything in the flood. Their insurance

companies are responsible for their losses. Therefore, the
Government should not help out.
Philip should not receive any help paying his debts, however
sorry one may be for him. He knew in advance that his business
venture was very risky.
Late payment normally incurs a fine. But Jamuna's payment was

held up because postal workers were on strike, so she should not
be made to pay the fine.
Three people were not properly informed of possible financial

losses when they joined the scheme. Their financial advisors
should lose their professional licenses.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The question refers to a situation of people being penalized for things over which they have
no control. Option D illustrates this payment, saying Jamuna’s payment was delayed by
something she had no control over (postal strikes), so she should not be penalized.
Option A → Claims that Kelly did have control over her accounts, even though her mistake
was not deliberate, so she should be fined.
Option C → This says that Philip did have control over his losses so he should not be helped.
Neither of these answers follows the principle outlined in the passage.
Option E → this option is referring to those responsible for a problem (the financial
advisors) being punished (by losing their licenses)
Option B → This discusses a situation where those responsible for helping people in a given
situation should be left to do so, and others should not intervene. These are both vastly
different from the principle described in the passage.
Question 48
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As part of a journey, I must travel from Bowbridge to Down land. I can choose either the
motorway (known locally as 'the road to hell') or the old road known as Buttercup Way. On
the motorway I average 60 mph, on the old road I average 40 mph. I can change from one to
the other at Clatterton where they cross.
.
The distances by the two roads are as follows:
48. If I take the fastest route, what will be the time saving over the slowest route?
5 min
10
min
15
min
20
min
30
min
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
To answer this question, we must calculate how long each section would take by each road.
 Each part of the journey (Bowbridge to Clatterton and

Clatterton to Downland) is 35 miles long. Since the
average speed on the motorway is 60mph, each section
will take 35 minutes if travelling by motorway.
 From Bowbridge to Clatterton is 30 miles on Buttercup
way. Since we are travelling at 40mph (average) this
will take 45 minutes.
Thus, the fastest route is to travel by motorway from Bowbridge to Clatterton, and by
Buttercup way from Clatterton to Downland. This will take 35+30 minutes, which is 65
minutes
The slowest route is to travel by Buttercup way from Bowbridge to Clatterton, and then by
motorway from Clatterton to Downland. This will take 45+35 minutes, which is 80 minutes.
Thus, the fastest route will take 15 minutes less than the slower route, this the correct answer
is C.
Question 49
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The table below, from a newspaper, shows how much money you will need at various points
in the future to buy items costing $1,000 today, depending on the annual rate of inflation.
Raoul has just bought a new car for $10,000. He expects this car to last him 8 years, when he
will buy another equivalent model. He puts $10,000 into a bank account ready to pay for the
next car. The price of cars rises with inflation at 8% and his savings only earn interest of 6%.
49. How much will he need to add to his savings when he needs to buy his new car?
$
1612
$
2570
$
5338
$
5940
$
8510
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The question appears to require some complex calculations of compound interest, but on
closer inspection we can see that all the information we require has been provided to us.
Raul’s savings are rising at the rate of 6% per year. This, we can calculate how much they
will be worth at in years by looking at how much an item will cost in 8 years, and treating
Raul’s savings as rising in exactly the same manner as 6% inflation. We can see that in 8
years, what was worth 1,000willbeworth1,000willbeworth1594, thus savings
of 10,000willbeworth10,000willbeworth15,940.
We now calculate the cost of the car in 8 years, based on an 8% inflation rate. Raul will buy
an equivalent model, so the current cost would
be 10,000,in8yearswith810,000,in8yearswith81,000 will
cost 1,851,sothecarcosting1,851,sothecarcosting10,000 will cost 18,510.Raul
′ssavingswillcover18,510.Raul′ssavingswillcover15,940, hence he will
need 18,510−18,510−15,940=$2,570 extra to buy the car.
Question 50
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Britain's property market is in the midst of a full-scale slump with house prices falling at their
fastest rate in 15 years, according to a new study. But why is there an assumption that
continuing rises in house prices is a good thing? Why not see the fall in house prices as a
welcome change? House prices as a percentage of income are grossly overpriced. Low
interest rates and cheap mortgages have led to the property market, particularly in London,
being overvalued. Surely this will make houses more affordable. First time buyers will be
happy beneficiaries of a housing slump. Others finding a silver lining in the gloom are those
in rural communities for whom a house had seemed simply out of reach.
50. Which one of the following is the main conclusion of the above argument?
Low interest rates and cheap mortgages have led to an
overvaluing of the property market.
It is always assumed that continually rising house prices are a

good thing.
Rural communities will no longer find buying a house out of

reach.
Surely a slump in prices will make buying a house more

affordable.
We should view the fall in house prices as a good thing.
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Option E → this correctly identifies the main conclusion to the passage.

Option B → is not a conclusion, and simply a fact stated in the passage, which is argued
about, questioned and refuted.
All the other possible answers are reasons which go to support the main conclusion. If we
accept A, C or D are true, they give us good cause to believe that we should view the fall in
house prices as a good thing. Thus, E is the main conclusion.

Practice Module 4

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Practice Module 4

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Practice Module 4

1. Which one of the following is an assumption underlying the above argument?

The pills are very successful in halting the progress of

There are no regional variations in the incidence of Alzheimer's in

There are no regional variations in the number of people in the

It is not possible to develop Alzheimer's disease below the age of

Immediately, we can tell several things:

Thus, at this point, we know the following:

 A small pizza will have 1Y as its variable charge.

1. An equal cost for each brochure printed, regardless of

An example showing the cost of 500 brochures for structure 1

An example showing the cost of 200 brochures using structure 1

The cost of 1 brochure using structure 1 and 2 brochures using

 Price structure 1) simply equals X (Y), where Y is the

Thus, we can see that:

 Price structure 2 will start out as the most expensive

The whole rail service benefits from the increased revenue

On many trains the First-Class section occupies only a small

No one is excluded from travelling in the First-Class sections of

Some people who travel in First Class sections of trains would

 27% of households had 1 person in 1991.

If the home team wins, the participant scores 1.0 point

 8.5 points can be achieved through 2 draws, an away

Questions 8 – 10 refer to the following information:

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

introduce new information about a common business practice.

contrast two possible approaches to solving a problem.

point out the pitfalls of a common business practice.

Questions 8 – 10 refer to the following information:

The productivity of businesses that use piece-rate pay is superior

Piece-rate pay will not increase productivity for some businesses.

Piece-rate pay is a good choice for businesses in the automobile

Questions 8 – 10 refer to the following information:

10. It can be inferred from the content of the passage that

some workers at SafeGlass did not directly benefit from the

the most productive workers at SafeGlass were those who also

the new policy at SafeGlass could not have been instituted

 Kostless normally charges £2.50. With the offer of 80p

 The largest country in the table is France, accounting

The universe bears no resemblance to a man-made object like a

The inference that the universe and man-made objects have

The world resembles a vegetable more closely than a house.

The universe is not the result of intelligent design.

The most likely origin of the universe is a reproductive process.

Where two explanations compete, we should accept the more

There is nothing difficult or technical about producing crop

Alien visitors would not try to communicate with humans by

No visits from intelligent aliens have as yet been documented.

The appearance overnight of huge geometrical designs is creepy

For similar houses, a higher percentage of those without intruder

As the percentage of houses with intruder alarms increased from

Burglars perceive an alarm as a signal that there are items well

 The month can be any number from 01-12. Thus, the

18. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen this argument?

Police drivers are usually able to sustain faster average speeds

Police drivers usually request overhead assistance from a

The international guidelines underestimate the risk to health

If extensive use of mobile phones is not harmful to health,

Questions 21 – 24 are based on the following information:

Questions 21 – 24 are based on the following information:

It is a conclusion which may be drawn from the

It is a necessary reason for the main conclusion of

It infers more than is supported by the evidence in

It is an explanation for the findings presented in