| Critical Reasoning Butler: August 2025 |
| August 13 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
This claim that homo habilis, homo rudolfensis and homo erectus, the three species previously identified as existing worldwide in the era of approximately 2 million years ago, might represent a single species, is considered tentative, since it is based on a single analysis in the journal Science of a single fossil specimen known as "skull 5." One evolutionary biologist predicts that a wealth of new articles will support this case in the coming year, but even if that prediction proves correct, the new articles will lend no support to the claim that the three species are in fact one, since _______________.
A. only fossils can lend support to this claim, not articles about fossils
B. subsequent articles will expand upon and improve the argument presented in the original article in Science
C. the new articles will most likely construct new arguments based on fossils previously discovered and attributed to the three species
D. the new articles, like the original article, will most likely draw their conclusion from a single fossil record, "skull 5"
E. no articles prior to the original article in Science give any credibility to the claim that the three species might in fact be a single species
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CR 2 Analyst: In our nation's television news programs, the number of stories aired about armed conflicts in Africa was much lower last year than it had been previously. Many armed conflicts have been fully or partly resolved with ceasefire agreements, and others have lessened in intensity due to the fatigue of the combating forces, so it is probably that the low number of articles is due to a decline in armed conflict in Africa.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the analyst's argument?
A. Every story about armed conflict in Africa that was submitted to air last year was aired.
B. The time it takes to research, write, and air a journalistic report of an armed conflict has declined over the last several years.
C. The number of total stories aired on television news programs in the nation was the same last year as in previous years.
D. A single armed conflict can easily lead to newsworthy developments justifying a large number of stories aired on television.
E. Just prior to last year, several major news shows revised certain prohibitions against airing stories about armed conflict in Africa.
May 08
12 Aug 2025, 08:00
