A city planner argues: 'In the five years since we installed protected bicycle lanes on major avenues, the number of reported cycling accidents has decreased by 30%. This demonstrates the unequivocal success of the bicycle lane project in improving cyclist safety.' The reasoning in the city planner's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
Financial Analyst: 'Innovatech Corp's stock price has risen by over 20% in each of the past three years, a period during which they launched three groundbreaking products. Given their announcement of another major product launch this quarter, we can confidently expect another year of at least 20% growth for Innovatech's stock.' The analyst's conclusion logically depends on which of the following assumptions?
Archaeologist: The peculiar wear patterns on this flint artifact suggest it was used for scraping animal hides. Some critics, however, argue the patterns could have been caused by natural tumbling in a riverbed over centuries. Our recent discovery that the artifact was found in a sealed, arid cave, far from any ancient river, supports our initial hypothesis. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the archaeologist's argument?
In a certain legislature, a bill can only be introduced by a committee. Any bill that is approved by a majority of the committee in which it originates is then sent to the floor for a general vote. A bill becomes law only if it is approved by a majority of the committee and then receives a two-thirds majority of the general vote on the floor. However, any committee member who votes against a bill in their own committee is not permitted to vote on that same bill if it reaches the floor. If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true?
A public health official stated, 'Our city's new program, which provides free, fresh vegetables at community centers, is clearly working. In the year since the program began, hospital admissions for diet-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes and hypertension have fallen by 15%.' Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the official's argument?
A judicial ruling established that a journalist who receives classified government documents from a source is not liable for prosecution for publishing them, provided the journalist played no role in the illegal acquisition of the documents. The ruling's reasoning was that holding journalists liable would create a chilling effect on the press's ability to report on matters of public interest. Which one of the following principles most accurately underlies the judicial ruling described?
Art Critic: The new painting by the celebrated artist is being praised as a masterpiece simply because of the artist's fame. But a true masterpiece must be judged on its own merits, not on the reputation of its creator. Therefore, because its acclaim is based on the artist's reputation, the painting is not a true masterpiece. The flawed pattern of reasoning in the art critic's argument is most similar to that in which one of the following?
Maria: To reduce urban air pollution, we must mandate that all new vehicles sold in the city be electric. This is the only way to eliminate tailpipe emissions, the primary source of pollutants. Leo: While electric vehicles are a step forward, your proposal is too narrow. A more effective strategy would be a comprehensive plan that includes investing heavily in public transportation, creating more pedestrian-friendly zones, and promoting remote work, thereby reducing the total number of vehicles on the road. Leo's response to Maria proceeds by
The following passage is adapted from a 2022 article on astrobiology. The search for extraterrestrial life has often been guided by the principle of following the water. However, the discovery of extremophiles—organisms thriving in environments previously thought uninhabitable—has radically expanded our conception of where life might exist. From the crushing pressures and superheated waters of deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the acidic rivers of volcanic regions, these tenacious organisms demonstrate that life is far more adaptable than once imagined. This resilience has profound implications for astrobiology, particularly in the context of icy moons like Jupiter's Europa. Beneath Europa's thick ice shell is believed to lie a vast liquid water ocean, warmed not by sunlight but by tidal forces from Jupiter's immense gravity. While this subglacial ocean is dark and cold, the potential existence of hydrothermal vents on its seafloor presents a tantalizing possibility. On Earth, such vents support entire ecosystems independent of sunlight, with chemosynthetic bacteria forming the base of the food web. These bacteria derive energy from chemical reactions, metabolizing compounds like hydrogen sulfide. If similar vents exist on Europa, they could provide the necessary energy and chemical gradients to support a unique biosphere. Thus, the study of Earth's extremophiles serves as more than a mere biological curiosity; it provides a crucial analog, a proof of concept that life can persist in the absence of the conditions we find on Earth's surface. While sending a probe to drill through miles of ice is a monumental engineering challenge, the lessons learned from our planet's most inhospitable corners suggest that the potential reward is a discovery that would reshape our understanding of life in the cosmos. The main point of the passage is to
The following passage is adapted from a 2022 article on astrobiology. The search for extraterrestrial life has often been guided by the principle of following the water. However, the discovery of extremophiles—organisms thriving in environments previously thought uninhabitable—has radically expanded our conception of where life might exist. From the crushing pressures and superheated waters of deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the acidic rivers of volcanic regions, these tenacious organisms demonstrate that life is far more adaptable than once imagined. This resilience has profound implications for astrobiology, particularly in the context of icy moons like Jupiter's Europa. Beneath Europa's thick ice shell is believed to lie a vast liquid water ocean, warmed not by sunlight but by tidal forces from Jupiter's immense gravity. While this subglacial ocean is dark and cold, the potential existence of hydrothermal vents on its seafloor presents a tantalizing possibility. On Earth, such vents support entire ecosystems independent of sunlight, with chemosynthetic bacteria forming the base of the food web. These bacteria derive energy from chemical reactions, metabolizing compounds like hydrogen sulfide. If similar vents exist on Europa, they could provide the necessary energy and chemical gradients to support a unique biosphere. Thus, the study of Earth's extremophiles serves as more than a mere biological curiosity; it provides a crucial analog, a proof of concept that life can persist in the absence of the conditions we find on Earth's surface. While sending a probe to drill through miles of ice is a monumental engineering challenge, the lessons learned from our planet's most inhospitable corners suggest that the potential reward is a discovery that would reshape our understanding of life in the cosmos. The passage suggests that if life exists in Europa's ocean, it would most likely be dependent on