| Critical Reasoning Butler: September 2025 |
| October 30 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 Preconceived notions of the world, especially that of the so-called Third World, have colored our perceptions enough to blind us to its true state, illustrated by decades of reliable statistics. The currently prevalent and popular juxtaposition of the struggling Third World and the flourishing First World is consistent with the state of the world in the mid - twentieth century, not the world in which we currently reside. For example, while the richest 20% of the world's population earn 74% of the total income and the poorest 20% earn 2%, the majority of the world's population belongs to a "middle-class", earning 24% of the total income. Most countries, with the exception of those African countries devastated by AIDS, share a relatively high life expectancy and low fertility rate. Child mortality rates in many Asian and South American nations are on par with those of the "developed world"; in fact, the country with the lowest child mortality rate in 2007 was Singapore. Unfortunately, most people's ignorance of these facts and others like them stems from a lack of access to understandable data. Although the data are available, access to statistics is often costly and, even when free access is granted, statistics are presented in a dull fashion, which repels all but the most dedicated.
Which of the following would most weaken the author's statement that reliable statistics illustrate the true state of the world?
(A) Statistics show averages which blur the complex nature of the state of any country.
(B) Statistics have been available for every country in the world for many years.
(C) Statistics from countries considered to be part of the Third World are of the same quality as those gathered in First World countries.
(D)The general public is not interested in analyzing statistics.
(E) Gathering statistics is more time consuming and expensive in some countries than in others.
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CR 2 In a recent experiment, scientists constructed an environment with certain conditions that would contribute to excessive stress levels in lab rats. The rats were separated into two groups before being subjected to the stressful environment. One group was treated with linaloyl oxide through natural respiration while the other was not. Although it has been believed for centuries by certain medicinal researchers that
the plant-based alcohol could be effective as an anxiety reducer, the broader medical community has remained skeptical. This skepticism will clearly change since the published results of the experiment reveal that
there was an undeniable link between the administered substance and the moderate and controlled status of the treated rats' neutrophil granulocytes, a central component of the immune system indicative of stress, despite the manipulated, stress-inducing environment.
In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
(A) The first is a theory that is in accordance with the argument's main position; the second is evidence that exposes the refutability of the defence of that position.
(B) The first is a speculative statement based on reasoning; the second is an elaboration of certain findings recorded as evidence that agrees with that speculation.
(C) The first is a questionable concept; the second develops that concept, forming a more comprehensive hypothesis.
(D) The first is an untested proposal of a causal relationship that the argument favors; the second calls that relationship into question.
(E) The first is historical evidence leading to the basis of the argument's position; the second is proof of that position