| Critical Reasoning Butler: January 2025 |
| January 19 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 The government’s efforts to stifle the import of foreign electronic items failed in 2000. If these efforts had been successful, the wholesale price of most electronic items would not have dropped substantially in 2000.
The argument in the passage depends on which of the following assumptions?
A) The foreign electronic goods supply fell considerably in 2000.
B) In 2000, the drop in the wholesale price of most foreign electronic items was not solely because of the drop in the demand of such items.
C) The domestic production of electronic items increased at a higher rate than did the import of such items.
D) In 2000, the wholesale price of a few foreign electronic items increased considerably.
E) The price to the average consumer for foreign electronic items did not drop considerably in 2000.
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CR 2 Textile engineers have created a fiber coating to produce fabric that prevents viruses from adhering to the surface. However, the coating is fairly expensive, and the fabric consumes more chemicals and water in its production than do traditional fabrics. Resultantly,
for the majority of textile companies, the increased earnings from the new premium fabric would not offset the costs of the fiber coating and additional chemicals. Yet, as demand for garments that can repel viruses continues to rise, the use of coated fiber of this type is expected to spread extensively.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. The first presents a development that the argument predicts will lead to a certain result; the second recognizes a consideration that tends to weigh against that prediction.
B. The first provides a context for the argument; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
C. The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will lead to a certain result; the second is a state of affairs that, as per the argument, contributes to bringing about that result.
D. The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
E. The first and the second each provide evidence that supports the main conclusion of the argument.