| Critical Reasoning Butler: September 2025 |
| September 5 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 Loneliness is commonly reported in elderly populations. A study of elderly people found that those who owned dogs reported feeling less lonely than those who did not own dogs. Clearly, an elderly person who adopts a pet will be less likely to suffer feelings of loneliness than an elderly person without a pet.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above?
(A) Owning a pet has been linked to several health benefits, including lower blood pressure.
(B) Some people feel that cats do not engage socially with their owners as much as dogs do.
(C) The number of elderly people who own pets is projected to rise in the coming years.
(D) A large percentage of elderly dog owners report taking their dogs for walks and to dog parks.
(E) Pets other than dogs provide the same benefits of companionship as do dogs.
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CR 2 The city of Northtown collects an average of $2.2 million in business taxes per year. Neighboring Southtown collects an average of $1.8 million in business taxes per year. Both cities assess business taxes on net profits. In an attempt to attract new businesses to Southtown, the spokesperson for the chamber of commerce of that city uses these statistics to claim that Southtown’s lower business tax rate offers amore favorable environment for business than can be found in Northtown.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously undermine the spokesperson’s argument?
(A) Most tax revenue collected in Northtown comes from business taxes.
(B) Most tax revenue collected in Southtown comes from business taxes.
(C) The net profits generated by Northtown businesses are currently twice those of Southtown businesses.
(D) Northtown has twice the population of Southtown.
(E) Southtown businesses generate twice as much sales revenue as do Northtown businesses.