Critical Reasoning Strengthen Mock Tests

The pharmaceutical company invested heavily in clinical trials for its new drug, yet the drug failed to demonstrate statistically significant improvement over existing treatments. Nevertheless, the company proceeded with the marketing campaign, arguing that patient preference data showed a 60 percent favorability rating. Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the company's decision to proceed with marketing?

A city replaced incandescent streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights. After the switch, the city reported a 40 percent reduction in electricity costs for street lighting. The city's public works director attributed this reduction entirely to the higher energy efficiency of LED technology. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the director's attribution?

Company X plans to reduce employee absenteeism by offering flexible work hours. The company president argues that since many employees report that rigid schedules are the primary cause of their absences, allowing them to choose their own hours will significantly reduce the number of days missed. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the president's argument?

A pharmaceutical company developed a drug that reduces the symptoms of a chronic autoimmune disease in 80% of patients. The drug, however, causes serious side effects in 15% of users, including liver damage requiring monitoring. Despite these side effects, the company argues that the drug should be widely prescribed because the alternative treatments benefit only 40% of patients and have milder side effects. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the company's argument?

A study of 10,000 readers found that those who read fiction for at least thirty minutes per day scored higher on tests of emotional intelligence than those who read nonfiction or used social media for equivalent amounts of time. The researchers concluded that reading fiction causally improves emotional intelligence, perhaps because it requires readers to simulate the perspectives and emotions of complex characters. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the researchers' conclusion?

The government is considering imposing a tax on sugary beverages to combat rising obesity rates. Public health officials cite evidence from countries that have implemented similar taxes, where sugary drink consumption declined by an average of 20 percent. However, beverage industry lobbyists argue that obesity is a multifactorial problem and that a tax on sugary drinks alone will have negligible impact. Which of the following, if true, most supports the beverage industry lobbyists' argument?

The pharmaceutical company announced that its new drug reduced blood pressure by an average of 15 millimeters of mercury in patients with moderate hypertension. The company then requested that the regulatory agency approve the drug for over-the-counter sale. Which of the following, if true, most supports the company's request for over-the-counter approval?

The new policy was intended to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging commuters to use public transportation. However, six months after implementation, surveys showed that the majority of commuters still preferred driving their own cars. The policy maker therefore claimed that the policy had failed to change commuter habits. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the policy maker's argument?