| Critical Reasoning Butler: May 2025 |
| May 27 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 While cooking pasta, most Italian chefs add some cooking oil. The reason for this is not difficult to ascertain. Oil by nature is a greasy substance so the use of cooking oil prevents the pasta from sticking to the utensil its being cooked in.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls into question the explanation above?
(A) The oil used most often by Italian chefs for cooking is olive oil, which has a neutral taste.
(B) While it is being cooked, the pasta never comes in contact with the oil.
(C) There are some Italian chefs who do not use cooking oil while cooking pasta.
(D) If added in large quantities, the cooking oil can spoil the taste of the pasta.
(E) To provide added taste is not the reason why cooking oil is added to pasta while it is being cooked.
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CR 2 Clerical workers show more signs of stress during the work day than those in executive or higher positions. According to the findings of a study, employees on the lower levels of job hierarchy had higher blood pressure and increased heart rate in the mornings. They also had higher average levels of the stress hormone Cortisol throughout the day.
Each of the following is an assumption in the argument, EXCEPT:
(A) The study is representative of all employees in general.
(B) High blood pressure cannot be caused by factors other than stress.
(C) The hormone Cortisol does not itself cause stress.
(D) Increased heart rate is a sign of stress.
(E) The higher average salary and, in general, better lifestyle of the employees at the executive and higher positions, to an extent, insulates them from stress.