Test: Strengthen Argument - GMAT MCQ

(A) Other major pork marketers will probably stop buying pork raised on feed containing growth-promoting antibiotics if Smee no longer buys such pork.
This option strengthens the argument by suggesting that Smee's decision will have a ripple effect, influencing other pork marketers to follow suit. This would further reduce the use of antibiotics in hog farming and potentially slow down the decline in antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

(B) The decline in hog growth due to discontinuation of antibiotics can be offset by improved hygiene.
This option doesn't directly address the effectiveness of antibiotics for humans. While it suggests that the decline in hog growth can be managed through improved hygiene practices, it doesn't strengthen the argument regarding the decline in antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

(C) Authorities are promoting the use of antibiotics to which microorganisms have not yet developed resistance.
This option weakens the argument. If authorities are promoting the use of antibiotics to which microorganisms have not developed resistance, it implies that the problem of antibiotic resistance is being addressed through the promotion of alternative antibiotics. This would lessen the impact of Smee's decision on slowing down the decline in antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

(D) A phase-out of use of antibiotics for hogs in one country reduced usage by over 50 percent over five years.
This option provides evidence that a phase-out of antibiotics for hogs in one country resulted in a significant reduction in usage. This supports the argument that Smee's decision to stop buying pork raised on antibiotics could have a substantial impact on reducing the use of antibiotics in hog farming and potentially slow the decline in antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

(E) If Smee stops buying pork raised with antibiotics, the firm's cost will probably increase.
This option doesn't directly strengthen the argument. While it suggests that Smee's costs might increase if they stop buying pork raised with antibiotics, it doesn't provide any information regarding the impact on antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

Based on the analysis, option (A) is the most suitable choice as it strengthens the argument that Smee's decision will likely slow the decline in antibiotics' effectiveness for humans.

(A) There are no plants in Greece in ancient times that produce more nectar than rhododendrons or oleanders do.
This option strengthens the argument by suggesting that rhododendrons and oleanders were indeed the predominant sources of nectar in ancient Greece. If these plants were the primary sources of nectar, it increases the likelihood that honey made from their nectar could have been poisonous as described in the texts.

(B) In areas where neither rhododendrons nor oleanders grow, honey is never poisonous.
This option doesn't directly support the accounts of the Greek texts. It only states that in areas where rhododendrons or oleanders don't grow, honey is never poisonous. It doesn't provide evidence specifically related to the Greek context or the toxicity of honey made from these plants.

(C) A beehive's honeycomb cannot have some sections that contain toxic honey and other sections that contain nontoxic honey.
This option weakens the argument by suggesting that the honey in a beehive cannot have both toxic and nontoxic sections. If this is true, it contradicts the possibility of honey made from rhododendron or oleander nectar being toxic for a limited time and then losing its toxicity.

(D) The incidents of honey poisoning related in the ancient texts occurred in the springtime or in the early summer.
This option provides strong support for the accounts of the Greek texts. It suggests that the incidents of honey poisoning described in the texts occurred during the time when rhododendrons and oleanders bloom, which aligns with the accounts of the poisonous honey being made from their nectar.

(E) Whether the honey in a beehive is toxic depends solely on which plants were the source of that was used to make the honey.
This option doesn't provide direct support for the accounts of the Greek texts. While it states that the toxicity of honey depends on the plants used to make it, it doesn't specifically address the toxicity of honey made from rhododendron or oleander nectar.

Based on the analysis, option (D) is the most suitable choice as it directly supports the accounts of the Greek texts by indicating that the incidents of honey poisoning occurred during the time when rhododendrons and oleanders bloom, which suggests a connection between the poisonous honey and the nectar from these plants.

(A) Only certain strains of streptococcal bacteria are associated with rheumatic fever.
This option provides an explanation by suggesting that specific strains of streptococcal bacteria are associated with rheumatic fever. It implies that not all streptococcal bacteria can trigger the immunological response that leads to rheumatic fever, supporting the idea that there is a specific relationship between certain strains and the development of the condition.

(B) The antibodies that the body produces to control a streptococcal infection can attack cells of the mucous membranes.
This option provides information about the antibodies produced in response to a streptococcal infection. However, it doesn't directly explain why only streptococcal bacteria give rise to rheumatic fever.

(C) Antibiotics have not proved as effective against streptococcal infections as they have against some other bacterial infections.
This option doesn't contribute to explaining why only streptococcal bacteria give rise to rheumatic fever. While it mentions the effectiveness of antibiotics against streptococcal infections, it doesn't provide an explanation specific to the relationship between streptococcal bacteria and rheumatic fever.

(D) Streptococcal bacteria are the only bacteria that are structurally similar to the cells of the body attacked in rheumatic fever.
This option provides a strong explanation for why only streptococcal bacteria give rise to rheumatic fever. It suggests that streptococcal bacteria are the only bacteria with a structural similarity to the cells of the body that are attacked during the development of rheumatic fever. This similarity may lead to an immunological response that mistakenly targets the body's own cells.

(E) Rheumatic fever can be misdiagnosed if it is not preceded by a serious streptococcal infection.
This option doesn't provide an explanation for why only streptococcal bacteria give rise to rheumatic fever. It simply states that rheumatic fever can be misdiagnosed if there is no preceding serious streptococcal infection.

Based on the analysis, option (D) is the most suitable choice as it provides a clear explanation for why only streptococcal bacteria give rise to rheumatic fever by highlighting the structural similarity between streptococcal bacteria and the cells of the body attacked during the development of the condition.

(A) Bungee jumping is safer than other activities such as free style rappelling or zip lining.
This option weakens the argument because it implies that even though bungee jumping may be safer than other activities, accidents still occur. It doesn't directly support the idea that individuals should be allowed to engage in bungee jumping based on personal choice and freedom.

(B) The operating licenses of a lot of bungee jumping companies have been canceled after incidents of accidents were reported from these companies.
This option doesn't directly support the argument made by the opponents of the ban. It suggests that bungee jumping companies have had their licenses canceled due to accidents, which could be seen as an argument in favor of stricter regulation rather than against a ban.

(C) Most accidents related to bungee jumping happen because of a weak or defective bungee cord.
This option weakens the argument by suggesting that the accidents in bungee jumping occur due to specific equipment issues. While it may indicate the need for safety regulations or improvements, it doesn't directly support the argument that individuals should be allowed to engage in bungee jumping based on personal choice and freedom.

(D) In the more than 400 documented accidents connected to bungee jumping, nobody other than the person making the jump has ever been injured.
This option provides strong support for the argument made by the opponents of the ban. It suggests that despite the accidents connected to bungee jumping, no one other than the person making the jump has been injured. This strengthens the idea that as long as nobody else is being harmed, individuals should have the freedom to choose bungee jumping.

(E) Bungee jumping companies can be allowed to operate as long as they implement some new safety measures.
This option weakens the argument because it suggests that allowing bungee jumping companies to operate is conditional upon implementing new safety measures. It implies that there are concerns about safety and regulation, which supports the idea of stricter oversight rather than arguing against a ban.

Based on the analysis, option (D) is the most suitable choice as it directly supports the argument made by the opponents of the ban by highlighting that no one other than the person making the jump has been injured in the accidents related to bungee jumping. This reinforces the notion that personal choice and freedom should be considered as long as no harm is caused to others.

(A) One should not undertake an action if one knows that doing so would seriously damage the health of many people.
This principle aligns with the argument's reasoning by stating that one should refrain from taking actions that would seriously harm the health of many people. It supports the assertion that MacArthur should not have published the diet book if it caused harm to individuals who followed the diet.

(B) One should not follow a particular method for achieving some end if doing so has the potential to damage one's health.
This principle focuses on individual actions and decisions rather than the publication of the diet book. It doesn't directly support the argument's reasoning regarding MacArthur's responsibility as an author and physician.

(C) One should publish a book recommending certain health-related measures if doing so is likely to improve many people's lives without also causing harm.
This principle opposes the argument's reasoning. It suggests that publishing a book recommending health-related measures is justifiable if it improves many people's lives without causing harm. It doesn't align with the argument's claim that the diet book caused harm due to the recommended low portions of fruits and vegetables.

(D) One should not publish a book recommending a particular means of attaining a goal unless one knows that the particular means can bring about that goal.
This principle doesn't directly support the argument's reasoning. While it discusses the publication of a book recommending a particular means to achieve a goal, it doesn't address the issue of potential harm caused by the recommended means.

(E) One should not publish a book recommending a particular course of action if one either knows or ought to know that taking that course of action would be unhealthful.
This principle strongly justifies the argument's reasoning. It states that one should not publish a book recommending a course of action if one either knows or should know that it would be unhealthful. This principle aligns with the argument's claim that MacArthur, as a physician, should have known that a diet low in fruits and vegetables is unhealthful.

Based on the analysis, option (E) is the most suitable choice as it best justifies the argument's reasoning by emphasizing the responsibility of a physician not to publish a book recommending a course of action that they either know or should know is unhealthful.

The passage states that hollyhocks raised in greenhouses by the Texas University botany school grow faster (20 centimeters per year) than hollyhocks raised outdoors by the Florida University botany school (14 centimeters per year), and the average growth rate of hollyhocks is 17 centimeters per year. The conclusion is that if a hollyhock originally planted outside by the Florida University botany school is transplanted to the greenhouses run by the Texas University botany school, its growth rate will be greater than it would have been.

Option A does not support the conclusion. It discusses overcrowding in the greenhouses, but it does not explain why the growth rate of hollyhocks would be greater when transplanted there.

Option B provides some information about hollyhocks transplanted to the Texas University greenhouses, but it does not address why the growth rate would be greater when transplanted there. It only states that some hollyhocks have growth rates exceeding 20 centimeters per year, which may or may not be related to their transplantation.

Option C provides some relevant information. It states that temperatures that favor hollyhock growth rates are more consistent in the greenhouses of Texas University than they are in the sites where hollyhocks are grown at Florida University. This suggests that the controlled and consistent temperature in the greenhouses may contribute to a higher growth rate for hollyhocks.

Option D provides information about the growth rate of hollyhocks grown by Florida University, but it does not directly address why the growth rate would be greater when transplanted to the Texas University greenhouses.

Option E provides information about hollyhocks transplanted from Texas University greenhouses to outdoor sites at Florida University, but it does not address why the growth rate would be greater when transplanted to the greenhouses.

Based on the given options, the best choice that supports the conclusion is:

C. Temperatures that favor hollyhock growth rates are more consistent in the greenhouses of Texas University than they are in the sites where hollyhocks are grown at Florida University.

The critics of the proposals argue that public referenda would be biased due to the influence of wealthy special-interest groups through television advertisements. To strengthen their argument, we need to find an option that supports the claim that wealthy special-interest groups can indeed influence voters' views through television advertisements.

Option (C) provides the most direct support for the critics' argument. It states that proponents of policies opposed by wealthy special-interest groups are often unable to afford advertising time on local television stations. This suggests that wealthy special-interest groups have an advantage in shaping public opinion through television advertisements, potentially leading to biased outcomes in public referenda.

Option (A) provides a reason why state legislators might support public referenda but does not directly address the influence of wealthy special-interest groups through television advertisements.

Option (B) discusses the number of people voting in elections and does not provide direct support for the influence of television advertisements on voters' views in public referenda.

Option (D) suggests opposing positions by special-interest groups, but it does not specifically address the influence of television advertisements on voters' views.

Option (E) discusses the reluctance of television stations to associate with a particular political opinion, but it does not directly support the claim that wealthy special-interest groups can influence voters' views through television advertisements.

Therefore, option (C) is the most suitable choice that strengthens the critics' argument.

(A) In other wildlife areas in India where the number of acres of woodland per tiger remains at least 15 acres, there has been no increase in the number of tiger attacks on humans.
This statement directly supports the scientists' hypothesis by providing evidence that maintaining a minimum of 15 acres of woodland per tiger in other areas has resulted in no increase in tiger attacks on humans. This suggests that the reduction in woodland per tiger caused by the logging operation is a contributing factor to the increase in attacks.

(B) Before the logging operation began, there were many fewer humans living in the area.
This statement does not directly relate to the hypothesis about the required acreage of woodland per tiger. It addresses the human population in the area before the logging operation but does not provide evidence about the impact of reduced woodland on tiger behavior.

(C) The largest number of acres per tiger before the logging operation began was 32 acres per tiger in one area of the sanctuary, whereas the smallest number of acres per tiger after the logging operation was 9 acres.
This statement provides evidence that the logging operation significantly reduced the number of acres of woodland per tiger, supporting the hypothesis that tigers need a minimum number of acres of woodland to remain content. It shows a clear decrease in the available woodland for each tiger.

(D) Other species of wild animals have begun competing with the Bengal tigers for the dwindling food supply.
This statement introduces a new factor: competition for food supply. While it suggests potential challenges for tigers, it does not directly address the hypothesis regarding the minimum acreage of woodland per tiger. It is more focused on the availability of food.

(E) The Bengal tiger has become completely extinct in other areas of Asia.
This statement, while providing information about the Bengal tiger's extinction in other areas, does not directly strengthen the hypothesis about the required acreage of woodland per tiger in the current scenario in India. It is not directly relevant to the specific situation being discussed.

In summary, option (A) is the statement that most directly supports the scientists' hypothesis by providing comparative evidence from other wildlife areas in India. Option (C) also supports the hypothesis by showing the reduction in woodland per tiger due to the logging operation. The other options either introduce new factors or are not directly related to the hypothesis.

A. All elected officials in his area experienced similar drops in approval numbers at the same time.
This option suggests that the drop in approval numbers is not specific to Congressman Jones but rather a widespread trend affecting all elected officials in the area. If this is the case, it supports Congressman Jones's claim that the tax increase and the phone calls decrying it were unrelated to his drop in approval. It suggests that there may be external factors influencing public sentiment in the area.

B. The citizens who called in to Congressman Jones's office had all voted for him in the previous election.
This option does not directly support Congressman Jones's position. It focuses on the fact that the citizens who called his office had previously voted for him, but it does not address the relationship between the tax increase and the drop in approval numbers. It is possible that these citizens were expressing their disappointment and frustration with Congressman Jones specifically due to the tax increase.

C. Elected officials are only likely to attribute drops in their approval numbers to policies only when citizens call their offices about these policies.
This option does not strongly support Congressman Jones's position. It suggests a conditional relationship between elected officials attributing drops in approval numbers to policies and citizens calling their offices about those policies. However, it does not provide direct evidence that the tax increase and the phone calls were unrelated to his drop in approval.

D. Congressman Jones previously raised taxes in his district and received a similar number of phone calls.
This option does not support Congressman Jones's position. If Congressman Jones had previously raised taxes and received a similar number of phone calls, it suggests a pattern where tax increases are associated with negative public reaction. This weakens his claim that the drop in approval numbers and the phone calls were unrelated to the tax increase.

E. Most voters in Congressman Jones's district list taxes as their number-one household expense.
This option does not directly support Congressman Jones's position. It provides information about the priorities of voters in his district, but it does not address the relationship between the tax increase and the drop in approval numbers. The fact that taxes are a significant household expense for most voters may actually suggest that the tax increase had a direct impact on their perception of Congressman Jones.

In summary, option (A) is the statement that most strongly supports Congressman Jones's position. It suggests that the drop in approval numbers is a broader trend affecting all elected officials in the area, indicating that factors other than the tax increase and phone calls are contributing to the decline in public support. The other options either introduce new factors or do not directly support Congressman Jones's claim.

(A) A shortage of courtroom space was not experienced until 1990, but from 1984 to 1992 the city spent a substantial amount of money each year to rent extra office space that the new courthouse would have provided.
This option directly supports Mayor Tyler's conclusion. It provides evidence that from 1984 to 1992, the city incurred significant expenses to rent extra office space due to the shortage of courtroom space. If the courthouse had been built in 1982, as the Mayor proposed, the need for renting additional office space and the associated expenses would have been eliminated, resulting in cost savings for the city.

(B) Roseville had substantially fewer court cases in 1992 than in 1982, but in 1982, the number of court cases was exceptionally large because of challenges to a controversial law passed in 1981 and repealed in 1982.
This option does not directly support Mayor Tyler's conclusion. While it provides information about the number of court cases in 1992 and 1982, it does not address the financial implications or cost savings related to the delay in building the courthouse.

(C) There was more opposition to the mayor's proposal in 1982 to build a new courthouse than to the proposal in 1992 for the courthouse to be built.
This option does not support Mayor Tyler's conclusion. It provides information about the level of opposition to the courthouse proposals in 1982 and 1992 but does not address the financial aspects or cost savings associated with the delay.

(D) In 1980, Councillor Simón supported a proposal to build a courthouse that would have cost substantially more than $26 million.
This option does not directly support Mayor Tyler's conclusion. While it provides information about Councillor Simón's past support for a more expensive courthouse proposal, it does not address the financial implications or cost savings related to the delay in building the courthouse.

(E) In 1987, a prominent judge resigned from office in protest against crowded prison conditions in the Roseville district.
This option does not directly support Mayor Tyler's conclusion. It provides information about a judge resigning in protest against crowded prison conditions but does not address the financial aspects or cost savings related to the delay in building the courthouse.

In summary, option (A) is the statement that most strongly supports Mayor Tyler's conclusion. It directly supports the cost-saving aspect of the delay by highlighting the substantial expenses incurred by the city to rent additional office space during the shortage of courtroom space. The other options either provide unrelated information or do not directly support the conclusion about cost savings.