| Critical Reasoning Butler: August 2026 |
| August 24 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 A recent study has revealed, through meticulous research,
a link between the harmful hydrocarbons in air pollutants and the IQ test scores of children. The research involved measuring the quality of air that pregnant women breathed during the third trimester of pregnancy, and then following the children born from that pregnancy until an IQ test could be administered.
Many external factors were taken into consideration, such as the mother's IQ and the family's home environment with regards to intellectual development. Health officials, having studied this information, plan to tackle the phenomenon by increasing public awareness on the matter through campaigns aimed at warning parents-to-be.
In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
(A) The first associates a cause with an effect; the second demonstrates the reasoning behind the formation of such an association.
(B) The first is a relationship contradicted by the conclusion; the second is factual information that supports that conclusion.
(C) The first is the result of an analysis; the second weakens the possibility of doubt with regards to the accuracy of that analysis.
D) The first is a correlation between two entities; the second is evidence that directly strengthens the existence of that correlation.
(E) The first offers a logical connection between two factors; the second indicates a possible flaw in the credibility of that connection.
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CR 2 Because the Gelrica temple, which attracts thousands of tourists every month, was built using volcanic-composite rocks, its ruins are still fairly intact and in fair condition, considering their age. However, vibrations caused by the constant footsteps of visitors to the site are a major force behind the recent acceleration of its decomposition, significantly more damaging than acid rain and smog from the nearby metropolitan. There are currently no funds available to install protective systems at the site. Since the only funding for the ruins comes from entrance fees paid by visitors, the site's destruction seems inevitable.
The answer to which of the following would be most useful in evaluating the argument?
A. For how long would the site need to be closed in order to complete the installation process of the protective systems?
B. How much damage would be done to the site before sufficient funds could be raised to pay for the protective systems?
C. What would be an accurate estimation of the price for the installation of adequate protective systems at the site?
D. Is the source of the volcanic-composite rocks known?
E. What percentage of the overall damage is caused by the footsteps of tourists visiting the temple ruins?