| Critical Reasoning Butler: December 2025 |
| December 3 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 Four patients taking the sleeping pill SleepSoon, manufactured by DrugRite, died during a six-month period, yet the government health agency of Country X decided not to remove SleepSoon from the market. Many industry observers were surprised, since the death of so many patient staking a particular drug will often lead to the drug’s being removed from the market.
Which of the following, if true, provides the best indication that the government health agency’s decision was logically well supported?
A. In the previous two-year period, twelve patients taking SleepSoon died, while only two patients taking other sleeping pills died during the same time period.
B. The deaths of the patients taking SleepSoon were found to be unrelated to the sleeping pill SleepSoon.
C. The government health agency of Country X issued new guidelines for drug companies to help standardize the safety criteria that a drug must meet prior to being placed on the market.
D. Consumer groups lobbied for legislation requiring drugs to meet stricter safety standards before being placed on the market.
E. Many DrugRite employees left the company for jobs at other drug manufacturers
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CR 2 The Smithtown Theatre, which stages old plays, has announced an expansion that will double its capacity along with its operating costs. The theatre is only slightly profitable at present. In addition, all of the current customers live in Smithtown, and the population of the town is not expected to increase in the next several years. Thus, the expansion of the Smithtown Theatre will prove unprofitable.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument?
(A) A large movie chain plans to open a new multiplex location in Smithtown later this year.
(B) Concession sales in the Smithtown Theatre comprise a substantial proportion of the theatre's revenues.
(C) Many recent arrivals to Smithtown are students that are less likely to attend the Smithtown Theatre than are older residents.
(D) The expansion would allow the Smithtown Theatre to stage larger, more popular shows that will attract customers from neighboring towns.
(E) The Board of the Smithtown Theatre often solicits input from residents of the town when choosing which shows to stage.