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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ForTestTakers ForInstitutions
ETSHome>GREHome>GeneralTest>PreparefortheTest>AnalyticalWriting>
AnalyzeanArgument

Pool of Argument Topics

Introduction UnderstandingtheContextforWriting PreparingfortheArgumentTask HowtoInterpret
NumbersinArgumentTopics TipsforthisSection SampleArgumentTask SampleEssayResponses
PoolofArgumentTopics ScoringGuide
ThispagecontainstheArgumenttopicsfortheAnalyticalWritingsectionoftheGRE GeneralTest.Whenyou
takethetest,youwillbepresentedwithoneArgumenttopicfromthispool.
EachArgumenttopicconsistsofapassagethatpresentsanargumentfollowedbyspecifictaskinstructionsthat
tellyouhowtoanalyzetheargument.Thewordingofsometopicsinthetestmightvaryslightlyfromwhatis
presentedhere.Also,becausetheremaybemultipleversionsofsometopicswithsimilaroridenticalwording
butwithdifferenttaskinstructions,itisveryimportanttoreadyourtesttopicanditsspecifictaskdirections
carefullyandrespondtothewordingasitappearsintheactualtest.
Wovenbasketscharacterizedbyaparticulardistinctivepatternhavepreviouslybeenfoundonlyinthe
immediatevicinityoftheprehistoricvillageofPaleaandthereforewerebelievedtohavebeenmadeonlybythe
Paleanpeople.Recently,however,archaeologistsdiscoveredsucha"Palean"basketinLithos,anancient
villageacrosstheBrimRiverfromPalea.TheBrimRiverisverydeepandbroad,andsotheancientPaleans
couldhavecrosseditonlybyboat,andnoPaleanboatshavebeenfound.Thusitfollowsthatthesocalled
PaleanbasketswerenotuniquelyPalean.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedaspartofalettertotheeditorofascientificjournal.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Arecentstudyofeighteenrhesusmonkeysprovidescluesastotheeffectsofbirthorderonanindividual's
levelsofstimulation.Thestudyshowedthatinstimulatingsituations(suchasanencounterwithanunfamiliar
monkey),firstborninfantmonkeysproduceuptotwiceasmuchofthehormonecortisol,whichprimesthebody
forincreasedactivitylevels,asdotheiryoungersiblings.Firstbornhumansalsoproducerelativelyhighlevels
ofcortisolinstimulatingsituations(suchasthereturnofaparentafteranabsence).Thestudyalsofoundthat
duringpregnancy,firsttimemothermonkeyshadhigherlevelsofcortisolthandidthosewhohadhadseveral
offspring."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
ThefollowingappearedasalettertotheeditorfromaCentralPlazastoreowner.
"Overthepasttwoyears,thenumberofshoppersinCentralPlazahasbeensteadilydecreasingwhilethe
popularityofskateboardinghasincreaseddramatically.ManyCentralPlazastoreownersbelievethatthe
decreaseintheirbusinessisduetothenumberofskateboardusersintheplaza.Therehasalsobeenadramatic
increaseintheamountoflitterandvandalismthroughouttheplaza.Thus,werecommendthatthecityprohibit
skateboardinginCentralPlaza.Ifskateboardingisprohibitedhere,wepredictthatbusinessinCentralPlaza
willreturntoitspreviouslyhighlevels."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinaletterfromahomeownertoafriend.
"OfthetwoleadingrealestatefirmsinourtownAdamsRealtyandFitchRealtyAdamsRealtyisclearly
superior.Adamshas40realestateagentsincontrast,Fitchhas25,manyofwhomworkonlyparttime.
Moreover,Adams'revenuelastyearwastwiceashighasthatofFitchandincludedhomesalesthataveraged
$168,000,comparedtoFitch's$144,000.HomeslistedwithAdamssellfasteraswell:tenyearsagoIlistedmy
homewithFitch,andittookmorethanfourmonthstoselllastyear,whenIsoldanotherhome,Ilisteditwith
Adams,andittookonlyonemonth.Thus,ifyouwanttosellyourhomequicklyandatagoodprice,youshould
useAdamsRealty."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditoroftheBalmerIslandGazette.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"OnBalmerIsland,wheremopedsserveasapopularformoftransportation,thepopulationincreasesto
100,000duringthesummermonths.Toreducethenumberofaccidentsinvolvingmopedsandpedestrians,the
towncouncilofBalmerIslandshouldlimitthenumberofmopedsrentedbytheisland'smopedrental
companiesfrom50perdayto25perdayduringthesummerseason.Bylimitingthenumberofrentals,the
towncouncilwillattainthe50percentannualreductioninmopedaccidentsthatwasachievedlastyearonthe
neighboringislandofSeaville,whenSeaville'stowncouncilenforcedsimilarlimitsonmopedrentals."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ArcticdeerliveonislandsinCanada'sarcticregions.Theysearchforfoodbymovingovericefromislandto
islandduringthecourseoftheyear.Theirhabitatislimitedtoareaswarmenoughtosustaintheplantsonwhich
theyfeedandcoldenough,atleastsomeoftheyear,fortheicetocovertheseaseparatingtheislands,allowing
thedeertotraveloverit.Unfortunately,accordingtoreportsfromlocalhunters,thedeerpopulationsare
declining.Sincethesereportscoincidewithrecentglobalwarmingtrendsthathavecausedtheseaicetomelt,
wecanconcludethatthepurporteddeclineindeerpopulationsistheresultofthedeer'sbeingunabletofollow
theirageoldmigrationpatternsacrossthefrozensea.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromtheBoardofDirectorsofMonarchBooks.
"WerecommendthatMonarchBooksopenacafinitsstore.Monarch,havingbeeninbusinessatthesame
locationformorethantwentyyears,hasalargecustomerbasebecauseitisknownforitswideselectionof
booksonallsubjects.Clearly,openingthecafwouldattractmorecustomers.Spacecouldbemadeforthecaf
bydiscontinuingthechildren'sbooksection,whichwillprobablybecomelesspopulargiventhatthemost
recentnationalcensusindicatedasignificantdeclineinthepercentageofthepopulationunderageten.Opening
acafwillallowMonarchtoattractmorecustomersandbettercompetewithRegalBooks,whichrecently
openeditsowncaf."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthedirectorofstudenthousingatBuckinghamCollege.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Toservethehousingneedsofourstudents,BuckinghamCollegeshouldbuildanumberofnewdormitories.
Buckingham'senrollmentisgrowingand,basedoncurrenttrends,willdoubleoverthenext50years,thus
makingexistingdormitoryspaceinadequate.Moreover,theaveragerentforanapartmentinourtownhasrisen
inrecentyears.Consequently,studentswillfinditincreasinglydifficulttoaffordoffcampushousing.Finally,
attractivenewdormitorieswouldmakeprospectivestudentsmorelikelytoenrollatBuckingham."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Nature'sWay,achainofstoressellinghealthfoodandotherhealthrelatedproducts,isopeningitsnext
franchiseinthetownofPlainsville.Thestoreshouldprovetobeverysuccessful:Nature'sWayfranchisestend
tobemostprofitableinareaswhereresidentsleadhealthylives,andclearlyPlainsvilleissuchanarea.
Plainsvillemerchantsreportthatsalesofrunningshoesandexerciseclothingareatalltimehighs.Thelocal
healthclubhasmoremembersthanever,andtheweighttrainingandaerobicsclassesarealwaysfull.Finally,
Plainsville'sschoolchildrenrepresentanewgenerationofpotentialcustomers:theseschoolchildrenarerequired
toparticipateinafitnessforlifeprogram,whichemphasizesthebenefitsofregularexerciseatanearlyage.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Twentyyearsago,Dr.Field,anotedanthropologist,visitedtheislandofTertia.Usinganobservationcentered
approachtostudyingTertianculture,heconcludedfromhisobservationsthatchildreninTertiawererearedby
anentirevillageratherthanbytheirownbiologicalparents.Recentlyanotheranthropologist,Dr.Karp,visited
thegroupofislandsthatincludesTertiaandusedtheinterviewcenteredmethodtostudychildrearing
practices.IntheinterviewsthatDr.Karpconductedwithchildrenlivinginthisgroupofislands,thechildren
spentmuchmoretimetalkingabouttheirbiologicalparentsthanaboutotheradultsinthevillage.Dr.Karp
decidedthatDr.Field'sconclusionaboutTertianvillageculturemustbeinvalid.Someanthropologists
recommendthattoobtainaccurateinformationonTertianchildrearingpractices,futureresearchonthesubject
shouldbeconductedviatheinterviewcenteredmethod.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ThecouncilofMapleCounty,concernedaboutthecounty'sbecomingoverdeveloped,isdebatingaproposed
measurethatwouldpreventthedevelopmentofexistingfarmlandinthecounty.Butthecouncilisalso
concernedthatsucharestriction,bylimitingthesupplyofnewhousing,couldleadtosignificantincreasesin
thepriceofhousinginthecounty.ProponentsofthemeasurenotethatChestnutCountyestablishedasimilar
measuretenyearsago,anditshousingpriceshaveincreasedonlymodestlysince.However,opponentsofthe
measurenotethatPineCountyadoptedrestrictionsonthedevelopmentofnewresidentialhousingfifteenyears
ago,anditshousingpriceshavesincemorethandoubled.Thecouncilcurrentlypredictsthattheproposed
measure,ifpassed,willresultinasignificantincreaseinhousingpricesinMapleCounty.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
Fifteenyearsago,OmegaUniversityimplementedanewprocedurethatencouragedstudentstoevaluatethe
teachingeffectivenessofalltheirprofessors.Sincethattime,Omegaprofessorshavebeguntoassignhigher
gradesintheirclasses,andoverallstudentgradeaveragesatOmegahaverisenby30percent.Potential
employers,lookingatthisdramaticriseingrades,believethatgradesatOmegaareinflatedanddonot
accuratelyreflectstudentachievementasaresult,Omegagraduateshavenotbeenassuccessfulatgettingjobs
ashavegraduatesfromnearbyAlphaUniversity.Toenableitsgraduatestosecurebetterjobs,Omega
Universityshouldterminatestudentevaluationofprofessors.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Inanattempttoimprovehighwaysafety,PruntyCountylastyearlowereditsspeedlimitfrom55to45miles
perhouronallcountyhighways.Butthisefforthasfailed:thenumberofaccidentshasnotdecreased,and,
basedonreportsbythehighwaypatrol,manydriversareexceedingthespeedlimit.PruntyCountyshould
insteadundertakethesamekindofroadimprovementprojectthatButlerCountycompletedfiveyearsago:
increasinglanewidths,resurfacingroughhighways,andimprovingvisibilityatdangerousintersections.Today,
majorButlerCountyroadsstillhavea55mphspeedlimit,yettherewere25percentfewerreportedaccidentsin
ButlerCountythispastyearthantherewerefiveyearsago.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedaspartofanarticleinabusinessmagazine.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Arecentstudyrating300maleandfemaleMentianadvertisingexecutivesaccordingtotheaveragenumberof
hourstheysleeppernightshowedanassociationbetweentheamountofsleeptheexecutivesneedandthe
successoftheirfirms.Oftheadvertisingfirmsstudied,thosewhoseexecutivesreportedneedingnomorethan6
hoursofsleeppernighthadhigherprofitmarginsandfastergrowth.Theseresultssuggestthatifabusiness
wantstoprosper,itshouldhireonlypeoplewhoneedlessthan6hoursofsleeppernight."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingmemorandumisfromthebusinessmanagerofHappyPancakeHouserestaurants.
"Recently,butterhasbeenreplacedbymargarineinHappyPancakeHouserestaurantsthroughoutthe
southwesternUnitedStates.Thischange,however,hashadlittleimpactonourcustomers.Infact,onlyabout2
percentofcustomershavecomplained,indicatingthatanaverageof98peopleoutof100arehappywiththe
change.Furthermore,manyservershavereportedthatanumberofcustomerswhoaskforbutterdonot
complainwhentheyaregivenmargarineinstead.Clearly,eitherthesecustomersdonotdistinguishbutterfrom
margarineortheyusetheterm'butter'torefertoeitherbutterormargarine."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
InsurveysMasonCityresidentsrankwatersports(swimming,boating,andfishing)amongtheirfavorite
recreationalactivities.TheMasonRiverflowingthroughthecityisrarelyusedforthesepursuits,however,and
thecityparkdepartmentdevoteslittleofitsbudgettomaintainingriversiderecreationalfacilities.Foryears
therehavebeencomplaintsfromresidentsaboutthequalityoftheriver'swaterandtheriver'ssmell.In
response,thestatehasrecentlyannouncedplanstocleanupMasonRiver.Useoftheriverforwatersportsis,
therefore,suretoincrease.Thecitygovernmentshouldforthatreasondevotemoremoneyinthisyear'sbudget
toriversiderecreationalfacilities.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromthemanagerofWWACradiostation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Toreverseadeclineinlistenernumbers,ourownershavedecidedthatWWACmustchangefromitscurrent
rockmusicformat.Thedeclinehasoccurreddespitepopulationgrowthinourlisteningarea,butthatgrowth
hasresultedmainlyfrompeoplemovinghereaftertheirretirement.Wemustmakelistenersofthesenew
residents.Wecouldswitchtoamusicformattailoredtotheirtastes,butacontinuingdeclineinlocalsalesof
recordedmusicsuggestslimitedinterestinmusic.Insteadweshouldchangetoanewsandtalkformat,aform
ofradiothatisincreasinglypopularinourarea."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingisamemorandumfromthebusinessmanagerofatelevisionstation.
"Overthepastyear,ourlatenightnewsprogramhasdevotedincreasedtimetonationalnewsandlesstimeto
weatherandlocalnews.Duringthisperiod,mostofthecomplaintsreceivedfromviewerswereconcernedwith
ourstation'scoverageofweatherandlocalnews.Inaddition,localbusinessesthatusedtoadvertiseduringour
latenightnewsprogramhavecanceledtheiradvertisingcontractswithus.Therefore,inordertoattractmore
viewerstoournewsprogramsandtoavoidlosinganyfurtheradvertisingrevenues,weshouldexpandour
coverageofweatherandlocalnewsonallournewsprograms."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Twoyearsago,radiostationWCQPinRockvilledecidedtoincreasethenumberofcallinadviceprogramsthat
itbroadcastsincethattime,itsshareoftheradioaudienceintheRockvillelisteningareahasincreased
significantly.GivenWCQP'srecentsuccesswithcallinadviceprogramming,andcitinganationwidesurvey
indicatingthatmanyradiolistenersarequiteinterestedinsuchprograms,thestationmanagerofKICKin
MedwayrecommendsthatKICKincludemorecallinadviceprogramsinanattempttogainalargeraudience
shareinitslisteningarea.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingisamemorandumfromthebusinessmanagerofatelevisionstation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Overthepastyear,ourlatenightnewsprogramhasdevotedincreasedtimetonationalnewsandlesstimeto
weatherandlocalnews.Duringthistimeperiod,mostofthecomplaintsreceivedfromviewerswereconcerned
withourstation'scoverageofweatherandlocalnews.Inaddition,localbusinessesthatusedtoadvertiseduring
ourlatenightnewsprogramhavejustcanceledtheiradvertisingcontractswithus.Therefore,inordertoattract
moreviewerstotheprogramandtoavoidlosinganyfurtheradvertisingrevenues,weshouldrestorethetime
devotedtoweatherandlocalnewstoitsformerlevel."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinanarticlewrittenbyDr.Karp,ananthropologist.
"Twentyyearsago,Dr.Field,anotedanthropologist,visitedtheislandofTertiaandconcludedfromhis
observationsthatchildreninTertiawererearedbyanentirevillageratherthanbytheirownbiologicalparents.
However,myrecentinterviewswithchildrenlivinginthegroupofislandsthatincludesTertiashowthatthese
childrenspendmuchmoretimetalkingabouttheirbiologicalparentsthanaboutotheradultsinthevillage.This
researchofmineprovesthatDr.Field'sconclusionaboutTertianvillagecultureisinvalidandthusthatthe
observationcenteredapproachtostudyingculturesisinvalidaswell.Theinterviewcenteredmethodthatmy
teamofgraduatestudentsiscurrentlyusinginTertiawillestablishamuchmoreaccurateunderstandingof
childrearingtraditionsthereandinotherislandcultures."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Accordingtoarecentreport,cheatingamongcollegeanduniversitystudentsisontherise.However,Groveton
Collegehassuccessfullyreducedstudentcheatingbyadoptinganhonorcode,whichcallsforstudentstoagree
nottocheatintheiracademicendeavorsandtonotifyafacultymemberiftheysuspectthatothershavecheated.
Groveton'shonorcodereplacedasysteminwhichteacherscloselymonitoredstudentsunderthatsystem,
teachersreportedanaverageofthirtycasesofcheatingperyear.Inthefirstyearthehonorcodewasinplace,
studentsreportedtwentyonecasesofcheatingfiveyearslater,thisfigurehaddroppedtofourteen.Moreover,
inarecentsurvey,amajorityofGrovetonstudentssaidthattheywouldbelesslikelytocheatwithanhonor
codeinplacethanwithout.Thus,allcollegesanduniversitiesshouldadopthonorcodessimilartoGroveton'sin
ordertodecreasecheatingamongstudents.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinanarticlewrittenbyDr.Karp,ananthropologist.

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"Twentyyearsago,Dr.Field,anotedanthropologist,visitedtheislandofTertiaandconcludedfromhis
observationsthatchildreninTertiawererearedbyanentirevillageratherthanbytheirownbiologicalparents.
However,myrecentinterviewswithchildrenlivinginthegroupofislandsthatincludesTertiashowthatthese
childrenspendmuchmoretimetalkingabouttheirbiologicalparentsthanaboutotheradultsinthevillage.This
researchofmineprovesthatDr.Field'sconclusionaboutTertianvillagecultureisinvalidandthusthatthe
observationcenteredapproachtostudyingculturesisinvalidaswell.Theinterviewcenteredmethodthatmy
teamofgraduatestudentsiscurrentlyusinginTertiawillestablishamuchmoreaccurateunderstandingof
childrearingtraditionsthereandinotherislandcultures."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ArecentlyissuedtwentyyearstudyonheadachessufferedbytheresidentsofMentiainvestigatedthepossible
therapeuticeffectofconsumingsalicylates.Salicylatesaremembersofthesamechemicalfamilyasaspirin,a
medicineusedtotreatheadaches.Althoughmanyfoodsarenaturallyrichinsalicylates,foodprocessing
companiesalsoaddsalicylatestofoodsaspreservatives.Thetwentyyearstudyfoundacorrelationbetweenthe
riseinthecommercialuseofsalicylatesandasteadydeclineintheaveragenumberofheadachesreportedby
studyparticipants.Atthetimewhenthestudyconcluded,foodprocessingcompanieshadjustdiscoveredthat
salicylatescanalsobeusedasflavoradditivesforfoods,and,asaresult,manycompaniesplantodoso.Based
onthesestudyresults,somehealthexpertspredictthatresidentsofMentiawillsufferevenfewerheadachesin
thefuture.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
Thefollowingwaswrittenasapartofanapplicationforasmallbusinessloanbyagroupofdevelopersinthe
cityofMonroe.
"AjazzmusicclubinMonroewouldbeatremendouslyprofitableenterprise.Currently,thenearestjazzclubis
65milesawaythus,theproposednewjazzclubinMonroe,theCNote,wouldhavethelocalmarketallto
itself.Plus,jazzisextremelypopularinMonroe:over100,000peopleattendedMonroe'sannualjazzfestival
lastsummerseveralwellknownjazzmusiciansliveinMonroeandthehighestratedradioprograminMonroe
is'JazzNightly,'whichairseveryweeknightat7P.M.Finally,anationwidestudyindicatesthatthetypicaljazz
fanspendscloseto$1,000peryearonjazzentertainment."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.

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ThefollowingappearedinthesummaryofastudyonheadachessufferedbytheresidentsofMentia.
"Salicylatesaremembersofthesamechemicalfamilyasaspirin,amedicineusedtotreatheadaches.Although
manyfoodsarenaturallyrichinsalicylates,forthepastseveraldecades,foodprocessingcompanieshavealso
beenaddingsalicylatestofoodsaspreservatives.Thisriseinthecommercialuseofsalicylateshasbeenfound
tocorrelatewithasteadydeclineintheaveragenumberofheadachesreportedbyparticipantsinourtwenty
yearstudy.Recently,foodprocessingcompanieshavefoundthatsalicylatescanalsobeusedasflavoradditives
forfoods.Withthisnewuseforsalicylates,wecanexpectacontinuedsteadydeclineinthenumberof
headachessufferedbytheaveragecitizenofMentia."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditorofalocalnewspaper.
"CommuterscomplainthatincreasedrushhourtrafficonBlueHighwaybetweenthesuburbsandthecity
centerhasdoubledtheircommutingtime.Thefavoredproposalofthemotorists'lobbyistowidenthehighway,
addinganadditionallaneoftraffic.Butlastyear'sadditionofalanetothenearbyGreenHighwaywasfollowed
byaworseningoftrafficjamsonit.AbetteralternativeistoaddabicyclelanetoBlueHighway.Manyarea
residentsarekeenbicyclists.Abicyclelanewouldencouragethemtousebicyclestocommute,andsowould
reducerushhourtrafficratherthanfosteringanincrease."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinthesummaryofastudyonheadachessufferedbytheresidentsofMentia.
"Salicylatesaremembersofthesamechemicalfamilyasaspirin,amedicineusedtotreatheadaches.Although
manyfoodsarenaturallyrichinsalicylates,forthepastseveraldecades,foodprocessingcompanieshavealso
beenaddingsalicylatestofoodsaspreservatives.Thisriseinthecommercialuseofsalicylateshasbeenfound
tocorrelatewithasteadydeclineintheaveragenumberofheadachesreportedbyparticipantsinourtwenty
yearstudy.Recently,foodprocessingcompanieshavefoundthatsalicylatescanalsobeusedasflavoradditives
forfoods.Withthisnewuseforsalicylates,wecanexpectacontinuedsteadydeclineinthenumberof
headachessufferedbytheaveragecitizenofMentia."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinaneditorialinalocalnewspaper.
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"CommuterscomplainthatincreasedrushhourtrafficonBlueHighwaybetweenthesuburbsandthecity
centerhasdoubledtheircommutingtime.Thefavoredproposalofthemotorists'lobbyistowidenthehighway,
addinganadditionallaneoftraffic.Opponentsnotethatlastyear'sadditionofalanetothenearbyGreen
Highwaywasfollowedbyaworseningoftrafficjamsonit.Theirsuggestedalternativeproposalisaddinga
bicyclelanetoBlueHighway.Manyarearesidentsarekeenbicyclists.Abicyclelanewouldencouragethemto
usebicyclestocommute,itisargued,therebyreducingrushhourtraffic."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedasarecommendationbyacommitteeplanningatenyearbudgetforthecityof
Calatrava.
"Thebirthrateinourcityisdeclining:infact,lastyear'sbirthratewasonlyonehalfthatoffiveyearsago.Thus
thenumberofstudentsenrolledinourpublicschoolswillsoondecreasedramatically,andwecansafelyreduce
thefundsbudgetedforeducationduringthenextdecade.Atthesametime,wecanreducefundingforathletic
playingfieldsandotherrecreationalfacilities.Asaresult,wewillhavesufficientmoneytofundcityfacilities
andprogramsusedprimarilybyadults,sincewecanexpecttheadultpopulationofthecitytoincrease."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditorofParsonCity'slocalnewspaper.
"InourregionofTrillura,themajorityofmoneyspentontheschoolsthatmoststudentsattendthecityrun
publicschoolscomesfromtaxesthateachcitygovernmentcollects.Theregion'scitiesdiffer,however,inthe
budgetaryprioritytheygivetopubliceducation.Forexample,bothasaproportionofitsoveralltaxrevenues
andinabsoluteterms,ParsonCityhasrecentlyspentalmosttwiceasmuchperyearasBlueCityhasforits
publicschoolseventhoughbothcitieshaveaboutthesamenumberofresidents.Clearly,ParsonCity
residentsplaceahighervalueonprovidingagoodeducationinpublicschoolsthanBlueCityresidentsdo."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofQuiotManufacturing.

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"Duringthepastyear,QuiotManufacturinghad30percentmoreonthejobaccidentsthanatthenearby
PanoplyIndustriesplant,wheretheworkshiftsareonehourshorterthanours.Expertssaythatsignificant
contributingfactorsinmanyonthejobaccidentsarefatigueandsleepdeprivationamongworkers.Therefore,
toreducethenumberofonthejobaccidentsatQuiotandtherebyincreaseproductivity,weshouldshorteneach
ofourthreeworkshiftsbyonehoursothatemployeeswillgetadequateamountsofsleep."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromtheplanningdepartmentofanelectricpowercompany.
"Severalrecentsurveysindicatethathomeownersareincreasinglyeagertoconserveenergy.Atthesametime,
manufacturersarenowmarketingmanyhomeappliances,suchasrefrigeratorsandairconditioners,thatare
almosttwiceasenergyefficientasthosesoldadecadeago.Also,newtechnologiesforbetterhomeinsulation
andpassivesolarheatingarereadilyavailabletoreducetheenergyneededforhomeheating.Therefore,the
totaldemandforelectricityinourareawillnotincreaseandmaydeclineslightly.Sinceourthreeelectric
generatingplantsinoperationforthepasttwentyyearshavealwaysmetourneeds,constructionofnew
generatingplantswillnotbenecessary."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThevicepresidentofhumanresourcesatClimpsonIndustriessentthefollowingrecommendationtothe
company'spresident.
"Inanefforttoimproveouremployees'productivity,weshouldimplementelectronicmonitoringofemployees'
Internetusefromtheirworkstations.EmployeeswhousetheInternetfromtheirworkstationsneedtobe
identifiedandpunishedifwearetoreducethenumberofworkhoursspentonpersonalorrecreational
activities,suchasshoppingorplayinggames.Byinstallingsoftwaretodetectemployees'Internetuseon
companycomputers,wecanpreventemployeesfromwastingtime,fosterabetterworkethicatClimpson,and
improveouroverallprofits."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinaletterfromtheowneroftheSunnysideTowersapartmentcomplextoitsmanager.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Onemonthago,alltheshowerheadsinthefirstthreebuildingsoftheSunnysideTowerscomplexwere
modifiedtorestrictmaximumwaterflowtoonethirdofwhatitusedtobe.Althoughactualreadingsofwater
usagebeforeandaftertheadjustmentarenotyetavailable,thechangewillobviouslyresultinaconsiderable
savingsforSunnysideCorporation,sincethecorporationmustpayforwatereachmonth.Exceptforafew
complaintsaboutlowwaterpressure,noproblemswithshowershavebeenreportedsincetheadjustment.I
predictthatmodifyingshowerheadstorestrictwaterflowthroughoutalltwelvebuildingsintheSunnyside
Towerscomplexwillincreaseourprofitsevenmoredramatically."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingreportappearedinthenewsletteroftheWestMeriaPublicHealthCouncil.
"Aninnovativetreatmenthascometoourattentionthatpromisestosignificantlyreduceabsenteeisminour
schoolsandworkplaces.AstudyreportsthatinnearbyEastMeria,wherefishconsumptionisveryhigh,people
visitthedoctoronlyonceortwiceperyearforthetreatmentofcolds.Clearly,eatingasubstantialamountof
fishcanpreventcolds.Sincecoldsrepresentthemostfrequentlygivenreasonforabsencesfromschooland
work,werecommendthedailyuseofIchthaidanutritionalsupplementderivedfromfishoilasagoodway
topreventcoldsandlowerabsenteeism."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinarecommendationfromtheplanningdepartmentofthecityofTransopolis.
"Tenyearsago,aspartofacomprehensiveurbanrenewalprogram,thecityofTransopolisadaptedfor
industrialusealargeareaofseverelysubstandardhousingnearthefreeway.Subsequently,severalfactories
wereconstructedthere,crimeratesintheareadeclined,andpropertytaxrevenuesfortheentirecityincreased.
Tofurtherrevitalizethecity,weshouldnowtakesimilaractioninadecliningresidentialareaontheopposite
sideofthecity.Sincesomehousesandapartmentsinexistingnearbyneighborhoodsarecurrentlyunoccupied,
alternatehousingforthosedisplacedbythisactionwillbereadilyavailable."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthenewvicepresidentofSartorian,acompanythatmanufactures
men'sclothing.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Fiveyearsago,atatimewhenwehaddifficultiesinobtainingreliablesuppliesofhighqualitywoolfabric,we
discontinuedproductionofouralpacaovercoat.Nowthatwehaveanewfabricsupplier,weshouldresume
production.Thiscoatshouldsellverywell:sincewehavenotofferedanalpacaovercoatforfiveyearsand
sinceourmajorcompetitornolongermakesanalpacaovercoat,therewillbepentupcustomerdemand.Also,
sincethepriceofmosttypesofclothinghasincreasedineachofthepastfiveyears,customersshouldbe
willingtopaysignificantlyhigherpricesforalpacaovercoatsthantheydidfiveyearsago,andourcompany
profitswillincrease."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ArecentsalesstudyindicatesthatconsumptionofseafooddishesinBayCityrestaurantshasincreasedby30
percentduringthepastfiveyears.Yettherearenocurrentlyoperatingcityrestaurantswhosespecialtyis
seafood.Moreover,themajorityoffamiliesinBayCityaretwoincomefamilies,andanationwidestudyhas
shownthatsuchfamilieseatsignificantlyfewerhomecookedmealsthantheydidadecadeagobutatthesame
timeexpressmoreconcernabouthealthfuleating.Therefore,thenewCaptainSeafoodrestaurantthat
specializesinseafoodshouldbequitepopularandprofitable.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
MilkanddairyproductsarerichinvitaminDandcalciumsubstancesessentialforbuildingandmaintaining
bones.Manypeoplethereforesaythatadietrichindairyproductscanhelppreventosteoporosis,adiseasethat
islinkedtobothenvironmentalandgeneticfactorsandthatcausesthebonestoweakensignificantlywithage.
Butalongtermstudyofalargenumberofpeoplefoundthatthosewhoconsistentlyconsumeddairyproducts
throughouttheyearsofthestudyhaveahigherrateofbonefracturesthananyotherparticipantsinthestudy.
Sincebonefracturesaresymptomaticofosteoporosis,thisstudyresultshowsthatadietrichindairyproducts
mayactuallyincrease,ratherthandecrease,theriskofosteoporosis.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinahealthnewsletter.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Atenyearnationwidestudyoftheeffectivenessofwearingahelmetwhilebicyclingindicatesthattenyears
ago,approximately35percentofallbicyclistsreportedwearinghelmets,whereastodaythatnumberisnearly
80percent.Anotherstudy,however,suggeststhatduringthesametenyearperiod,thenumberofbicycle
relatedaccidentshasincreased200percent.Theseresultsdemonstratethatbicyclistsfeelsaferbecausetheyare
wearinghelmets,andtheytakemorerisksasaresult.Thus,toreducethenumberofseriousinjuriesfrom
bicycleaccidents,thegovernmentshouldconcentratemoreoneducatingpeopleaboutbicyclesafetyandlesson
encouragingorrequiringbicycliststowearhelmets."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingisalettertotheheadofthetourismbureauontheislandofTria.
"ErosionofbeachsandalongtheshoresofTriaIslandisaseriousthreattoourislandandourtouristindustry.
Inordertostoptheerosion,weshouldchargepeopleforusingthebeaches.Althoughthissolutionmayannoya
fewtouristsintheshortterm,itwillraisemoneyforreplenishingthesand.Replenishingthesand,aswasdone
toprotectbuildingsonthenearbyislandofBatia,willhelpprotectbuildingsalongourshores,therebyreducing
thesebuildings'riskofadditionaldamagefromseverestorms.Andsincebeachesandbuildingsintheareawill
bepreserved,Tria'stouristindustrywillimproveoverthelongterm."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumwrittenbythechairpersonoftheWestEggTownCouncil.
"Twoyearsago,consultantspredictedthatWestEgg'slandfill,whichisusedforgarbagedisposal,wouldbe
completelyfilledwithinfiveyears.Duringthepasttwoyears,however,thetown'sresidentshavebeen
recyclingtwiceasmuchmaterialastheydidinpreviousyears.Nextmonththeamountofrecycledmaterial
whichincludespaper,plastic,andmetalshouldfurtherincrease,sincechargesforpickupofotherhousehold
garbagewilldouble.Furthermore,over90percentoftherespondentstoarecentsurveysaidthattheywoulddo
morerecyclinginthefuture.Becauseofourtown'sstrongcommitmenttorecycling,theavailablespaceinour
landfillshouldlastforconsiderablylongerthanpredicted."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditorofajournalonenvironmentalissues.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Overthepastyear,theCrustCopperCompany(CCC)haspurchasedover10,000squaremilesoflandinthe
tropicalnationofWestFredonia.Miningcopperonthislandwillinevitablyresultinpollutionand,sinceWest
Fredoniaisthehomeofseveralendangeredanimalspecies,inenvironmentaldisaster.Butsuchdisasterscanbe
preventedifconsumerssimplyrefusetopurchaseproductsthataremadewithCCC'scopperunlessthe
companyabandonsitsminingplans."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingispartofamemorandumfromthepresidentofHumanaUniversity.
"LastyearthenumberofstudentswhoenrolledinonlinedegreeprogramsofferedbynearbyOmniUniversity
increasedby50percent.Duringthesameyear,Omnishowedasignificantdecreasefromprioryearsin
expendituresfordormitoryandclassroomspace,mostlikelybecauseinstructionintheonlineprogramstakes
placeviatheInternet.Incontrast,overthepastthreeyears,enrollmentatHumanaUniversityhasfailedtogrow,
andthecostofmaintainingbuildingshasincreasedalongwithourbudgetdeficit.Toaddresstheseproblems,
HumanaUniversitywillbeginimmediatelytocreateandactivelypromoteonlinedegreeprogramslikethoseat
Omni.WepredictthatinstitutingtheseonlinedegreeprogramswillhelpHumanabothincreaseitstotal
enrollmentandsolveitsbudgetproblems."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinahealthmagazinepublishedinCorpora.
"MedicalexpertssaythatonlyonequarterofCorpora'scitizensmeetthecurrentstandardsforadequate
physicalfitness,eventhoughtwentyyearsago,onehalfofallofCorpora'scitizensmetthestandardsasthen
defined.Buttheseexpertsaremistakenwhentheysuggestthatspendingtoomuchtimeusingcomputershas
causedadeclineinfitness.SinceoverallfitnesslevelsarehighestinregionsofCorporawherelevelsof
computerownershiparealsohighest,itisclearthatusingcomputershasnotmadecitizenslessphysicallyfit.
Instead,asshownbythisyear'sunusuallylowexpendituresonfitnessrelatedproductsandservices,therecent
declineintheeconomyismostlikelythecause,andfitnesslevelswillimprovewhentheeconomydoes."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromtheownerofMoviesGalore,achainofmovierentalstores.
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"Becauseofdecliningprofits,wemustreduceoperatingexpensesatMoviesGalore'stenmovierentalstores.
Raisingpricesisnotagoodoption,sincewearefamousforourlowprices.Instead,weshouldreduceour
operatinghours.LastmonthourstoreindowntownMarstonreduceditshoursbyclosingat6:00p.m.rather
than9:00p.m.andreduceditsoverallinventorybynolongerstockinganyDVDreleasedmorethanfiveyears
ago.Sincewehavereceivedveryfewcustomercomplaintsaboutthesenewpolicies,weshouldnowadopt
thematallotherMoviesGalorestoresasourbeststrategiesforimprovingprofits."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinamagazinearticleaboutplanningforretirement.
"Clearviewshouldbeatopchoiceforanyoneseekingaplacetoretire,becauseithasspectacularnaturalbeauty
andaconsistentclimate.AnotheradvantageisthathousingcostsinClearviewhavefallensignificantlyduring
thepastyear,andtaxesremainlowerthanthoseinneighboringtowns.Moreover,Clearview'smayorpromises
manynewprogramstoimproveschools,streets,andpublicservices.Andbestofall,retireesinClearviewcan
alsoexpectexcellenthealthcareastheygrowolder,sincethenumberofphysiciansintheareaisfargreater
thanthenationalaverage."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingispartofamemorandumfromthepresidentofHumanaUniversity.
"LastyearthenumberofstudentswhoenrolledinonlinedegreeprogramsofferedbynearbyOmniUniversity
increasedby50percent.Duringthesameyear,Omnishowedasignificantdecreasefromprioryearsin
expendituresfordormitoryandclassroomspace,mostlikelybecauseonlineinstructiontakesplaceviathe
Internet.Incontrast,overthepastthreeyears,enrollmentatHumanaUniversityhasfailedtogrowandthecost
ofmaintainingbuildingshasincreased.Thus,toincreaseenrollmentandsolvetheproblemofbudgetdeficitsat
HumanaUniversity,weshouldinitiateandactivelypromoteonlinedegreeprogramslikethoseatOmni."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

Anancient,traditionalremedyforinsomniathescentoflavenderflowershasnowbeenprovedeffective.In
arecentstudy,30volunteerswithchronicinsomniaslepteachnightforthreeweeksonlavenderscented
pillowsinacontrolledroomwheretheirsleepwasmonitoredelectronically.Duringthefirstweek,volunteers
continuedtotaketheirusualsleepingmedication.Theysleptsoundlybutwakenedfeelingtired.Atthe
beginningofthesecondweek,thevolunteersdiscontinuedtheirsleepingmedication.Duringthatweek,they
sleptlesssoundlythanthepreviousweekandfeltevenmoretired.Duringthethirdweek,thevolunteersslept
longerandmoresoundlythanintheprevioustwoweeks.Therefore,thestudyprovesthatlavendercures
insomniawithinashortperiodoftime.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingmemorandumisfromthebusinessmanagerofHappyPancakeHouserestaurants.
"ButterhasnowbeenreplacedbymargarineinHappyPancakeHouserestaurantsthroughoutthesouthwestern
UnitedStates.Onlyabout2percentofcustomershavecomplained,indicatingthat98peopleoutof100are
happywiththechange.Furthermore,manyservershavereportedthatanumberofcustomerswhoaskforbutter
donotcomplainwhentheyaregivenmargarineinstead.Clearly,eitherthesecustomerscannotdistinguish
butterfrommargarineortheyusetheterm'butter'torefertoeitherbutterormargarine.Thus,toavoidthe
expenseofpurchasingbutterandtoincreaseprofitability,theHappyPancakeHouseshouldextendthiscost
savingchangetoitsrestaurantsinthesoutheastandnortheastaswell."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinaletterfromtheowneroftheSunnysideTowersapartmentbuildingtoitsmanager.
"Onemonthago,alltheshowerheadsonthefirstfivefloorsofSunnysideTowersweremodifiedtorestrictthe
waterflowtoapproximatelyonethirdofitsoriginalflow.Althoughactualreadingsofwaterusagebeforeand
aftertheadjustmentarenotyetavailable,thechangewillobviouslyresultinaconsiderablesavingsfor
SunnysideCorporation,sincethecorporationmustpayforwatereachmonth.Exceptforafewcomplaints
aboutlowwaterpressure,noproblemswithshowershavebeenreportedsincetheadjustment.Clearly,
restrictingwaterflowthroughoutallthetwentyfloorsofSunnysideTowerswillincreaseourprofitsfurther."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinahealthmagazine.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"ThecitizensofForsythehaveadoptedmorehealthfullifestyles.Theirresponsestoarecentsurveyshowthatin
theireatinghabitstheyconformmorecloselytogovernmentnutritionalrecommendationsthantheydidten
yearsago.Furthermore,therehasbeenafourfoldincreaseinsalesoffoodproductscontainingkiran,a
substancethatascientificstudyhasshownreducescholesterol.Thistrendisalsoevidentinreducedsalesof
sulia,afoodthatfewofthemosthealthycitizensregularlyeat."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
HumansarrivedintheKalikoIslandsabout7,000yearsago,andwithin3,000yearsmostofthelargemammal
speciesthathadlivedintheforestsoftheKalikoIslandshadbecomeextinct.Yethumanscannothavebeena
factorinthespecies'extinctions,becausethereisnoevidencethatthehumanshadanysignificantcontactwith
themammals.Further,archaeologistshavediscoverednumeroussiteswherethebonesoffishhadbeen
discarded,buttheyfoundnosuchareascontainingthebonesoflargemammals,sothehumanscannothave
huntedthemammals.Therefore,someclimatechangeorotherenvironmentalfactormusthavecausedthe
species'extinctions.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinaneditorialinabusinessmagazine.
"AlthoughthesalesofWhirlwindvideogameshavedeclinedoverthepasttwoyears,arecentsurveyofvideo
gameplayerssuggeststhatthissalestrendisabouttobereversed.Thesurveyaskedvideogameplayerswhat
featurestheythoughtweremostimportantinavideogame.Accordingtothesurvey,playersprefergamesthat
providelifelikegraphics,whichrequirethemostuptodatecomputers.Whirlwindhasjustintroducedseveral
suchgameswithanextensiveadvertisingcampaigndirectedatpeopletentotwentyfiveyearsold,theage
groupmostlikelytoplayvideogames.Itfollows,then,thatthesalesofWhirlwindvideogamesarelikelyto
increasedramaticallyinthenextfewmonths."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofmarketingatDuraSock,Inc.

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"Arecentstudyofourcustomerssuggeststhatourcompanyiswastingthemoneyitspendsonitspatented
Enduremanufacturingprocess,whichensuresthatoursocksarestrongenoughtolastfortwoyears.Wehave
alwaysadvertisedouruseoftheEndureprocess,butthenewstudyshowsthatdespiteoursocks'durability,our
averagecustomeractuallypurchasesnewDuraSockseverythreemonths.Furthermore,ourcustomerssurveyed
inourlargestmarket,northeasternUnitedStatescities,saythattheymostvalueDuraSocks'stylishappearance
andavailabilityinmanycolors.Thesefindingssuggestthatwecanincreaseourprofitsbydiscontinuinguseof
theEnduremanufacturingprocess."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofmarketingatDuraSock,Inc.
"Arecentstudyofourcustomerssuggeststhatourcompanyiswastingthemoneyitspendsonitspatented
Enduremanufacturingprocess,whichensuresthatoursocksarestrongenoughtolastfortwoyears.Wehave
alwaysadvertisedouruseoftheEndureprocess,butthenewstudyshowsthatdespiteoursocks'durability,our
averagecustomeractuallypurchasesnewDuraSockseverythreemonths.Furthermore,ourcustomerssurveyed
inourlargestmarket,northeasternUnitedStatescities,saythattheymostvalueDuraSocks'stylishappearance
andavailabilityinmanycolors.Thesefindingssuggestthatwecanincreaseourprofitsbydiscontinuinguseof
theEnduremanufacturingprocess."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThevicepresidentforhumanresourcesatClimpsonIndustriessentthefollowingrecommendationtothe
company'spresident.
"Inanefforttoimproveouremployees'productivity,weshouldimplementelectronicmonitoringofemployees'
Internetusefromtheirworkstations.EmployeeswhousetheInternetinappropriatelyfromtheirworkstations
needtobeidentifiedandpunishedifwearetoreducethenumberofworkhoursspentonpersonalor
recreationalactivities,suchasshoppingorplayinggames.Installingsoftwareoncompanycomputerstodetect
employees'Internetuseisthebestwaytopreventemployeesfromwastingtimeonthejob.Itwillfosterabetter
workethicatClimpsonandimproveouroverallprofits."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthepresidentofBowerBuilders,acompanythatconstructsnew
homes.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Anationwidesurveyrevealsthatthetwomostdesiredhomefeaturesarealargefamilyroomandalarge,well
appointedkitchen.AnumberofhomesinourareabuiltbyourcompetitorDomusConstructionhavesuch
featuresandhavesoldmuchfasterandatsignificantlyhigherpricesthanthenationalaverage.Toboostsales
andprofits,weshouldincreasethesizeofthefamilyroomsandkitchensinallthehomeswebuildandshould
makestateoftheartkitchensastandardfeature.Moreover,ourlargerfamilyroomsandkitchenscancomeat
theexpenseofthediningroom,sincemanyofourrecentbuyerssaytheydonotneedaseparatediningroom
forfamilymeals."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinaletterfromafirmprovidinginvestmentadviceforaclient.
"MosthomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilas
theirmajorfuelforheating.Lastheatingseasonthatregionexperienced90dayswithbelownormal
temperatures,andclimateforecasterspredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmoreyears.
Furthermore,manynewhomesarebeingbuiltintheregioninresponsetorecentpopulationgrowth.Becauseof
thesetrends,wepredictanincreaseddemandforheatingoilandrecommendinvestmentinConsolidated
Industries,oneofwhosemajorbusinessoperationsistheretailsaleofhomeheatingoil."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinanarticleintheGrandviewBeacon.
"FormanyyearsthecityofGrandviewhasprovidedannualfundingfortheGrandviewSymphony.Lastyear,
however,privatecontributionstothesymphonyincreasedby200percentandattendanceatthesymphony's
concertsintheparkseriesdoubled.Thesymphonyhasalsoannouncedanincreaseinticketpricesfornext
year.Givensuchdevelopments,somecitycommissionersarguethatthesymphonycannowbefullyself
supporting,andtheyrecommendthatfundingforthesymphonybeeliminatedfromnextyear'sbudget."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthedirectorofalargegroupofhospitals.

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"Inalaboratorystudyofliquidantibacterialhandsoaps,aconcentratedsolutionofUltraCleanproduceda40
percentgreaterreductioninthebacteriapopulationthandidtheliquidhandsoapscurrentlyusedinour
hospitals.DuringasubsequenttestofUltraCleanatourhospitalinWorkby,thathospitalreportedsignificantly
fewercasesofpatientinfectionthandidanyoftheotherhospitalsinourgroup.Therefore,topreventserious
patientinfections,weshouldsupplyUltraCleanatallhandwashingstationsthroughoutourhospitalsystem."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditoroftheParkvilleDailynewspaper.
"Throughoutthecountrylastyear,asmoreandmorechildrenbelowtheageofnineparticipatedinyouth
leaguesports,over40,000oftheseyoungplayerssufferedinjuries.Wheninterviewedforarecentstudy,youth
leaguesoccerplayersinseveralmajorcitiesalsoreportedpsychologicalpressureexertedbycoachesand
parentstowingames.Furthermore,educationexpertssaythatlongpracticesessionsforthesesportstakeaway
timethatcouldbeusedforacademicactivities.Sincethedisadvantagesoutweighanyadvantages,wein
Parkvilleshoulddiscontinueorganizedathleticcompetitionforchildrenundernine."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
CollectorsprizetheancientlifesizeclaystatuesofhumanfiguresmadeonKaliIslandbuthavelongwondered
howKalineseartistswereabletodepictbodieswithsuchrealisticprecision.Sincearchaeologistshaverecently
discoveredmoldsofhumanheadsandhandsonKali,wecannowconcludethattheancientKalineseartists
usedmoldsofactualbodies,notsculptingtoolsandtechniques,tocreatethesestatues.Thisdiscoveryexplains
whyKalineseminiaturestatueswereabstractandentirelydifferentinstyle:moldscouldbeusedonlyforlife
sizesculptures.ItalsoexplainswhyfewancientKalinesesculptingtoolshavebeenfound.Inlightofthis
discovery,collectorspredictthatthelifesizesculptureswilldecreaseinvaluewhiletheminiaturesincreasein
value.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

WhenStanleyParkfirstopened,itwasthelargest,mostheavilyusedpublicparkintown.Itisstillthelargest
park,butitisnolongerheavilyused.Videocamerasmountedinthepark'sparkinglotslastmonthrevealedthe
park'sdropinpopularity:therecordingsshowedanaverageofonly50carsperday.Incontrast,tinyCarlton
Parkintheheartofthebusinessdistrictisvisitedbymorethan150peopleonatypicalweekday.Anobvious
differenceisthatCarltonPark,unlikeStanleyPark,providesampleseating.Thus,ifStanleyParkisevertobe
aspopularwithourcitizensasCarltonPark,thetownwillobviouslyneedtoprovidemorebenches,thereby
convertingsomeoftheunusedopenareasintospacessuitableforsocializing.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromtheownerofachainofcheesestoreslocatedthroughouttheUnited
States.
"Formanyyearsallthestoresinourchainhavestockedawidevarietyofbothdomesticandimportedcheeses.
Lastyear,however,allofthefivebestsellingcheesesatourneweststoreweredomesticcheddarcheesesfrom
Wisconsin.Furthermore,arecentsurveybyCheesesoftheWorldmagazineindicatesanincreasingpreference
fordomesticcheesesamongitssubscribers.Sinceourcompanycanreduceexpensesbylimitinginventory,the
bestwaytoimproveprofitsinallofourstoresistodiscontinuestockingmanyofourvarietiesofimported
cheeseandconcentrateprimarilyondomesticcheeses."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedaspartofabusinessplandevelopedbythemanageroftheRialtoMovieTheater.
"Despiteitsdowntownlocation,theRialtoMovieTheater,alocalinstitutionforfivedecades,mustmakebig
changesorcloseitsdoorsforever.ItshouldfollowtheexampleofthenewApexTheaterinthemalloutsideof
town.WhentheApexopenedlastyear,itfeaturedavideoarcade,plushcarpetingandseats,andastateofthe
artsoundsystem.Furthermore,inarecentsurvey,over85percentofrespondentsreportedthatthehighpriceof
newlyreleasedmoviespreventsthemfromgoingtothemoviesmorethanfivetimesperyear.Thus,ifthe
Rialtointendstoholdontoitsshareofadecreasingpoolofmoviegoers,itmustofferthesamefeaturesas
Apex."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

Arecentstudyreportedthatpetownershavelonger,healthierlivesonaveragethandopeoplewhoownnopets.
Specifically,dogownerstendtohavealowerincidenceofheartdisease.Inlightofthesefindings,Sherwood
HospitalshouldformapartnershipwithSherwoodAnimalSheltertoinstituteanadoptadogprogram.The
programwouldencouragedogownershipforpatientsrecoveringfromheartdisease,whichshouldreducethese
patients'chanceofexperiencingcontinuingheartproblemsandalsoreducetheirneedforongoingtreatment.As
afurtherbenefit,thepublicityabouttheprogramwouldencouragemorepeopletoadoptpetsfromtheshelter.
Andthatwillreducetheincidenceofheartdiseaseinthegeneralpopulation.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofalarge,highlydiversifiedcompany.
"Tenyearsagoourcompanyhadtwonewofficebuildingsconstructedasregionalheadquartersfortworegions.
ThebuildingswereerectedbydifferentconstructioncompaniesAlphaandZeta.Althoughthetwobuildings
hadidenticalfloorplans,thebuildingconstructedbyZetacost30percentmoretobuild.However,that
building'sexpensesformaintenancelastyearwereonlyhalfthoseofAlpha's.Inaddition,theenergy
consumptionoftheZetabuildinghasbeenlowerthanthatoftheAlphabuildingeveryyearsinceits
construction.Giventhesedata,plusthefactthatZetahasastableworkforcewithlittleemployeeturnover,we
recommendusingZetaratherthanAlphaforournewbuildingproject,eventhoughAlpha'sbidpromiseslower
constructioncosts."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofalarge,highlydiversifiedcompany.
"Tenyearsagoourcompanyhadtwonewofficebuildingsconstructedasregionalheadquartersfortworegions.
ThebuildingswereerectedbydifferentconstructioncompaniesAlphaandZeta.Althoughthetwobuildings
hadidenticalfloorplans,thebuildingconstructedbyZetacost30percentmoretobuild.However,that
building'sexpensesformaintenancelastyearwereonlyhalfthoseofAlpha's.Furthermore,theenergy
consumptionoftheZetabuildinghasbeenlowerthanthatoftheAlphabuildingeveryyearsinceits
construction.SuchdataindicatethatweshoulduseZetaratherthanAlphaforourcontemplatednewbuilding
project,eventhoughAlpha'sbidpromiseslowerconstructioncosts."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ThefollowingisalettertotheeditoroftheWaymarshTimes.
"TraffichereinWaymarshisbecomingaproblem.Althoughjustthreeyearsagoastatetrafficsurveyshowed
thatthetypicaldrivingcommutertook20minutestogettowork,thecommutenowtakescloserto40minutes,
accordingtothesurveyjustcompleted.Membersofthetowncouncilalreadyhavesuggestedmoreroad
buildingtoaddresstheproblem,butaswellasbeingexpensive,thenewconstructionwillsurelydisruptsome
ofourresidentialneighborhoods.ItwouldbebettertofollowtheexampleofthenearbycityofGarville.Last
yearGarvilleimplementedapolicythatrewardspeoplewhoshareridestowork,givingthemcouponsforfree
gas.PollutionlevelsinGarvillehavedroppedsincethepolicywasimplemented,andpeoplefromGarvilletell
methatcommutingtimeshavefallenconsiderably.ThereisnoreasonwhyapolicylikeGarville'sshouldn't
workequallywellinWaymarsh."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingappearedasalettertotheeditorofanationalnewspaper.
"Yourrecentarticleoncorporatedownsizing*inElthyriamaintainsthatthemajorityofcompetentworkerswho
havelostjobsasaresultofdownsizingfaceseriouseconomichardship,oftenforyears,beforefindingother
suitableemployment.ButthisclaimisunderminedbyarecentreportontheElthyrianeconomy,whichfound
thatsince1999farmorejobshavebeencreatedthanhavebeeneliminated,bringingtheunemploymentratein
Elthyriatoitslowestlevelindecades.Moreover,twothirdsofthesenewlycreatedjobshavebeeninindustries
thattendtopayaboveaveragewages,andthevastmajorityofthesejobsarefulltime."
*Downsizingistheprocesswherebycorporationsdeliberatelymakethemselvessmaller,reducingthenumber
oftheiremployees.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedontheMozartSchoolofMusicWebsite.
"TheMozartSchoolofMusicshouldbethefirstchoiceforparentsconsideringenrollingtheirchildinmusic
lessons.Firstofall,theMozartSchoolwelcomesyoungstersatallabilityandagelevelsthereisnoauditionto
attendtheschool.Second,theschooloffersinstructioninnearlyallmusicalinstrumentsaswellawiderangeof
stylesandgenresfromclassicaltorock.Third,thefacultyincludessomeofthemostdistinguishedmusiciansin
thearea.Finally,manyMozartgraduateshavegoneontobecomewellknownandhighlypaidprofessional
musicians."

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Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThepresidentofGroveCollegehasrecommendedthatthecollegeabandonitscenturyoldtraditionofall
femaleeducationandbeginadmittingmen.Pointingtootherallfemalecollegesthatexperiencedanincreasein
applicationsafteradoptingcoeducation,thepresidentarguesthatcoeducationwouldleadtoasignificant
increaseinapplicationsandenrollment.However,thedirectorofthealumnaeassociationopposestheplan.
Arguingthatallfemaleeducationisessentialtotheveryidentityofthecollege,thedirectorcitesannual
surveysofincomingstudentsinwhichthesestudentssaythattheschool'sallfemalestatuswastheprimary
reasontheyselectedGrove.ThedirectoralsopointstoasurveyofGrovealumnaeinwhichamajorityof
respondentsstronglyfavoredkeepingthecollegeallfemale.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditorofaBatavianewspaper.
"ThedepartmentofagricultureinBataviareportsthatthenumberofdairyfarmsthroughoutthecountryisnow
25percentgreaterthanitwas10yearsago.Duringthissametimeperiod,however,thepriceofmilkatthe
localExcelloFoodMarkethasincreasedfrom$1.50toover$3.00pergallon.Topreventfarmersfrom
continuingtoreceiveexcessiveprofitsonanapparentlyincreasedsupplyofmilk,theBataviagovernment
shouldbegintoregulateretailmilkprices.Suchregulationisnecessarytoensurefairpricesforconsumers."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinanewsletterofferingadvicetoinvestors.
"Over80percentoftherespondentstoarecentsurveyindicatedadesiretoreducetheirintakeoffoods
containingfatsandcholesterol,andtodaylowfatproductsaboundinmanyfoodstores.Sincemanyofthefood
productscurrentlymarketedbyOldDairyIndustriesarehighinfatandcholesterol,thecompany'ssalesare
likelytodiminishgreatlyandcompanyprofitswillnodoubtdecrease.WethereforeadviseOldDairy
stockholderstoselltheirshares,andotherinvestorsnottopurchasestockinthiscompany."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertheadviceandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheadvice.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ThefollowingrecommendationappearedinamemofromthemayorofthetownofHopewell.
"Twoyearsago,thenearbytownofOceanViewbuiltanewmunicipalgolfcourseandresorthotel.Duringthe
pasttwoyears,tourisminOceanViewhasincreased,newbusinesseshaveopenedthere,andOceanView'stax
revenueshaverisenby30percent.Therefore,thebestwaytoimproveHopewell'seconomyandgenerate
additionaltaxrevenuesistobuildagolfcourseandresorthotelsimilartothoseinOceanView."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofafooddistributioncompanywithfoodstorage
warehousesinseveralcities.
"Recently,wesignedacontractwiththeFlyAwayPestControlCompanytoprovidepestcontrolservicesat
ourfastfoodwarehouseinPalmCity,butlastmonthwediscoveredthatover$20,000worthoffoodtherehad
beendestroyedbypestdamage.Meanwhile,theBuzzoffPestControlCompany,whichwehaveusedformany
years,continuedtoserviceourwarehouseinWintervale,andlastmonthonly$10,000worthofthefoodstored
therehadbeendestroyedbypestdamage.EventhoughthepricechargedbyFlyAwayisconsiderablylower,
ourbestmeansofsavingmoneyistoreturntoBuzzoffforallourpestcontrolservices."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
SincethoseissuesofNewsbeatmagazinethatfeaturedpoliticalnewsontheirfrontcoverwerethepoorest
sellingissuesoverthepastthreeyears,thepublisherofNewsbeathasrecommendedthatthemagazinecurtail
itsemphasisonpoliticstofocusmoreexclusivelyoneconomicsandpersonalfinance.Shepointstoarecent
surveyofreadersofgeneralinterestmagazinesthatindicatesgreaterreaderinterestineconomicissuesthanin
politicalones.Newsbeat'seditor,however,opposestheproposedshiftineditorialpolicy,pointingoutthatvery
fewmagazinesofferextensivepoliticalcoverageanymore.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingistakenfromamemofromtheadvertisingdirectoroftheSuperScreenMovieProduction
Company.

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"Accordingtoarecentreportfromourmarketingdepartment,duringthepastyear,fewerpeopleattendedSuper
Screenproducedmoviesthaninanyotheryear.Andyetthepercentageofpositivereviewsbymoviereviewers
aboutspecificSuperScreenmoviesactuallyincreasedduringthepastyear.Clearly,thecontentsofthese
reviewsarenotreachingenoughofourprospectiveviewers.Thus,theproblemliesnotwiththequalityofour
moviesbutwiththepublic'slackofawarenessthatmoviesofgoodqualityareavailable.SuperScreenshould
thereforeallocateagreatershareofitsbudgetnextyeartoreachingthepublicthroughadvertising."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinabusinessmagazine.
"AsaresultofnumerouscomplaintsofdizzinessandnauseaonthepartofconsumersofPromofoodstuna,the
companyrequestedthateightmillioncansofitstunabereturnedfortesting.Promofoodsconcludedthatthe
cannedtunadidnot,afterall,poseahealthrisk.Thisconclusionisbasedontestsperformedonsamplesofthe
recalledcansbychemistsfromPromofoodsthechemistsfoundthatoftheeightfoodchemicalsmost
commonlyblamedforcausingsymptomsofdizzinessandnausea,fivewerenotfoundinanyofthetestedcans.
Thechemistsdidfindsmallamountsofthethreeremainingsuspectedchemicalsbutpointedoutthatthese
occurnaturallyinallcannedfoods."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeaddressedinordertodecide
whethertheconclusionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhow
theanswerstothequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheconclusion.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofmarketingatDuraSocks,Inc.
"ArecentstudyofDuraSockscustomerssuggeststhatourcompanyiswastingthemoneyitspendsonits
patentedEnduremanufacturingprocess,whichensuresthatoursocksarestrongenoughtolastfortwoyears.
WehavealwaysadvertisedouruseoftheEndureprocess,butthenewstudyshowsthatdespitethesocks'
durability,ourcustomers,onaverage,actuallypurchasenewDuraSockseverythreemonths.Furthermore,
customerssurveyedinourlargestmarketnortheasternUnitedStatescitiessaythattheymostvalueDura
Socks'stylishappearanceandavailabilityinmanycolors.Thesefindingssuggestthatwecanincreaseour
profitsbydiscontinuinguseoftheEnduremanufacturingprocess."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingisalettertotheeditorofanenvironmentalmagazine.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"In1975awildlifecensusfoundthatthereweresevenspeciesofamphibiansinXanaduNationalPark,with
abundantnumbersofeachspecies.However,in2002onlyfourspeciesofamphibianswereobservedinthe
park,andthenumbersofeachspeciesweredrasticallyreduced.Therehasbeenasubstantialdeclineinthe
numbersofamphibiansworldwide,andglobalpollutionofwaterandairisclearlyimplicated.Thedeclineof
amphibiansinXanaduNationalPark,however,almostcertainlyhasadifferentcause:in1975,troutwhichare
knowntoeatamphibianeggswereintroducedintothepark."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingisalettertotheeditorofanenvironmentalmagazine.
"TwostudiesofamphibiansinXanaduNationalParkconfirmasignificantdeclineinthenumbersof
amphibians.In1975thereweresevenspeciesofamphibiansinthepark,andtherewereabundantnumbersof
eachspecies.However,in2002onlyfourspeciesofamphibianswereobservedinthepark,andthenumbersof
eachspeciesweredrasticallyreduced.Oneproposedexplanationisthatthedeclinewascausedbythe
introductionoftroutintothepark'swaters,whichbeganin1975.(Troutareknowntoeatamphibianeggs.)"
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
InastudyofthereadinghabitsofWaymarshcitizensconductedbytheUniversityofWaymarsh,most
respondentssaidthattheypreferredliteraryclassicsasreadingmaterial.However,asecondstudyconductedby
thesameresearchersfoundthatthetypeofbookmostfrequentlycheckedoutofeachofthepubliclibrariesin
Waymarshwasthemysterynovel.Therefore,itcanbeconcludedthattherespondentsinthefirststudyhad
misrepresentedtheirreadinghabits.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemoatXYZcompany.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"WhenXYZlaysoffemployees,itpaysDelanyPersonnelFirmtoofferthoseemployeesassistanceincreating
rsumsanddevelopinginterviewingskills,iftheysodesire.Laidoffemployeeshavebenefitedgreatlyfrom
Delany'sservices:lastyearthosewhousedDelanyfoundjobsmuchmorequicklythandidthosewhodidnot.
Recently,ithasbeenproposedthatweusethelessexpensiveWalshPersonnelFirminplaceofDelany.This
wouldbeamistakebecauseeightyearsago,whenXYZwasusingWalsh,onlyhalfoftheworkerswelaidoff
atthattimefoundjobswithinayear.Moreover,Delanyisclearlysuperior,asevidencedbyitsbiggerstaffand
largernumberofbranchoffices.Afterall,lastyearDelany'sclientstookanaverageofsixmonthstofindjobs,
whereasWalsh'sclientstooknine."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
InastudyofthereadinghabitsofWaymarshcitizensconductedbytheUniversityofWaymarsh,most
respondentssaidtheypreferredliteraryclassicsasreadingmaterial.However,asecondstudyconductedbythe
sameresearchersfoundthatthetypeofbookmostfrequentlycheckedoutofeachofthepubliclibrariesin
Waymarshwasthemysterynovel.Therefore,itcanbeconcludedthattherespondentsinthefirststudyhad
misrepresentedtheirreadingpreferences.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumwrittenbythevicepresidentofHealthNaturally,asmallbut
expandingchainofstoressellinghealthfoodandotherhealthrelatedproducts.
"Ourpreviousexperiencehasbeenthatourstoresaremostprofitableinareaswhereresidentsarehighly
concernedwithleadinghealthylives.WeshouldthereforebuildoneofournewstoresinPlainsville,which
clearlyhasmanysuchresidents.Plainsvillemerchantsreportthatsalesofrunningshoesandexerciseequipment
areatalltimehighs.Thelocalhealthclub,whichnearlyclosedfiveyearsagoduetolackofbusiness,hasmore
membersthanever,andtheweighttrainingandaerobicsclassesarealwaysfull.Wecanevenanticipateanew
generationofcustomers:Plainsville'sschoolchildrenarerequiredtoparticipateinaprogramcalledFitnessfor
Life,whichemphasizesthebenefitsofregularexerciseatanearlyage."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemoatXYZcompany.

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"WhenXYZlaysoffemployees,itpaysDelanyPersonnelFirmtoofferthoseemployeesassistanceincreating
rsumsanddevelopinginterviewingskills,iftheysodesire.Laidoffemployeeshavebenefitedgreatlyfrom
Delany'sservices:lastyearthosewhousedDelanyfoundjobsmuchmorequicklythandidthosewhodidnot.
Recently,ithasbeenproposedthatweusethelessexpensiveWalshPersonnelFirminplaceofDelany.This
wouldbeamistakebecauseeightyearsago,whenXYZwasusingWalsh,onlyhalfoftheworkerswelaidoff
atthattimefoundjobswithinayear.Moreover,Delanyisclearlysuperior,asevidencedbyitsbiggerstaffand
largernumberofbranchoffices.Afterall,lastyearDelany'sclientstookanaverageofsixmonthstofindjobs,
whereasWalsh'sclientstooknine."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumwrittenbythevicepresidentofHealthNaturally,asmallbut
expandingchainofstoressellinghealthfoodandotherhealthrelatedproducts.
"Ourpreviousexperiencehasbeenthatourstoresaremostprofitableinareaswhereresidentsarehighly
concernedwithleadinghealthylives.WeshouldthereforebuildoneofournewstoresinPlainsville,which
clearlyhasmanysuchresidents.Plainsvillemerchantsreportthatsalesofrunningshoesandexerciseequipment
areatalltimehighs.Thelocalhealthclub,whichnearlyclosedfiveyearsagoduetolackofbusiness,hasmore
membersthanever,andtheweighttrainingandaerobicsclassesarealwaysfull.Wecanevenanticipateanew
generationofcustomers:Plainsville'sschoolchildrenarerequiredtoparticipateinaprogramcalledFitnessfor
Life,whichemphasizesthebenefitsofregularexerciseatanearlyage."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Threeyearsago,becauseoffloodingattheWesternPaleanWildlifePreserve,100lionsand100western
gazellesweremovedtotheEastPaleanPreserve,anareathatishometomostofthesamespeciesthatare
foundinthewesternpreserve,thoughinlargernumbers,andtotheeasterngazelle,acloserelativeofthe
westerngazelle.Theonlydifferenceinclimateisthattheeasternpreservetypicallyhasslightlylessrainfall.
Unfortunately,afterthreeyearsintheeasternpreserve,theimportedwesterngazellepopulationhasbeen
virtuallyeliminated.Sincetheslightreductioninrainfallcannotbethecauseofthevirtualeliminationof
westerngazelle,theirdisappearancemusthavebeencausedbythelargernumberofpredatorsintheeastern
preserve.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

WorkersinthesmalltownofLeevilletakefewersickdaysthanworkersinthelargecityofMasonton,50miles
away.Moreover,relativetopopulationsize,thediagnosisofstressrelatedillnessisproportionallymuchlower
inLeevillethaninMasonton.AccordingtotheLeevilleChamberofCommerce,thesefactscanbeattributedto
thehealthbenefitsoftherelativelyrelaxedpaceoflifeinLeeville.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromthemanagerofWWACradiostation.
"WWACmustchangefromitscurrentrockmusicformatbecausethenumberoflistenershasbeendeclining,
eventhoughthepopulationinourlisteningareahasbeengrowing.Thepopulationgrowthhasresultedmainly
frompeoplemovingtoourareaaftertheirretirement,andwemustmakelistenersofthesenewresidents.But
theyseemtohavelimitedinterestinmusic:severallocalstoressellingrecordedmusichaverecentlyclosed.
Therefore,justchangingtoanotherkindofmusicisnotgoingtoincreaseouraudience.Instead,weshould
adoptanewsandtalkformat,aformofradiothatisincreasinglypopularinourarea."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThevicepresidentofhumanresourcesatClimpsonIndustriessentthefollowingrecommendationtothe
company'spresident.
"ArecentnationalsurveyfoundthatthemajorityofworkerswithaccesstotheInternetatworkhadused
companycomputersforpersonalorrecreationalactivities,suchasbankingorplayinggames.Inaneffortto
improveouremployees'productivity,weshouldimplementelectronicmonitoringofemployees'Internetuse
fromtheirworkstations.Usingelectronicmonitoringsoftwareisthebestwaytoreducethenumberofhours
Climpsonemployeesspendonpersonalorrecreationalactivities.Wepredictthatinstallingsoftwaretomonitor
employees'Internetusewillallowustopreventemployeesfromwastingtime,therebyincreasingproductivity
andimprovingoverallprofits."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthenewvicepresidentofSartorian,acompanythatmanufactures
men'sclothing.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Fiveyearsago,atatimewhenwehaddifficultyobtainingreliablesuppliesofhighqualitywoolfabric,we
discontinuedproductionofourpopularalpacaovercoat.Nowthatwehaveanewfabricsupplier,weshould
resumeproduction.Giventheoutcryfromourcustomerswhenwediscontinuedthisproductandthefactthat
noneofourcompetitorsoffersacomparableproduct,wecanexpectpentupconsumerdemandforouralpaca
coats.ThisdemandandtheoverallincreaseinclothingpriceswillmakeSartorian'salpacaovercoatsmore
profitablethaneverbefore."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthenewvicepresidentofSartorian,acompanythatmanufactures
men'sclothing.
"Fiveyearsago,atatimewhenwehaddifficultyobtainingreliablesuppliesofhighqualitywoolfabric,we
discontinuedproductionofourpopularalpacaovercoat.Nowthatwehaveanewfabricsupplier,weshould
resumeproduction.Giventheoutcryfromourcustomerswhenwediscontinuedthisproductandthefactthat
noneofourcompetitorsoffersacomparableproduct,wecanexpectpentupconsumerdemandforouralpaca
coats.Duetothisdemandandtheoverallincreaseinclothingprices,wecanpredictthatSartorian'salpaca
overcoatswillbemoreprofitablethaneverbefore."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinanemailsentbythemarketingdirectoroftheClassicalShakespeareTheatreof
Bardville.
"Overthepasttenyears,therehasbeena20percentdeclineinthesizeoftheaverageaudienceatClassical
ShakespeareTheatreproductions.Inspiteofincreasedadvertising,weareattractingfewerandfewerpeopleto
ourshows,causingourprofitstodecreasesignificantly.Wemusttakeactiontoattractnewaudiencemembers.
Thebestwaytodosoisbyinstitutinga'ShakespeareinthePark'programthissummer.Twoyearsagothe
nearbyAvonRepertoryCompanystarteda'FreePlaysinthePark'program,anditsprofitshaveincreased10
percentsincethen.Ifwestarta'ShakespeareinthePark'program,wecanpredictthatourprofitswillincrease,
too."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthebusinessmanagerofMonarchBooks.
"SinceitsopeninginCollegevilletwentyyearsago,MonarchBookshasdevelopedalargecustomerbasedueto
itsreaderfriendlyatmosphereandwideselectionofbooksonallsubjects.Lastmonth,BookandBean,a
combinationbookstoreandcoffeeshop,announceditsintentiontoopenaCollegevillestore.MonarchBooks
shouldopenitsowninstorecafinthespacecurrentlydevotedtochildren'sbooks.Givenrecentnational
censusdataindicatingasignificantdeclineinthepercentageofthepopulationunderageten,salesofchildren's
booksarelikelytodecline.Byreplacingitschildren'sbookssectionwithacaf,MonarchBookscanincrease
profitsandwardoffcompetitionfromBookandBean."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthebusinessmanagerofMonarchBooks.
"SinceitsopeninginCollegevilletwentyyearsago,MonarchBookshasdevelopedalargecustomerbasedueto
itsreaderfriendlyatmosphereandwideselectionofbooksonallsubjects.Lastmonth,BookandBean,a
combinationbookstoreandcoffeeshop,announceditsintentiontoopenaCollegevillestore.MonarchBooks
shouldopenitsowninstorecafinthespacecurrentlydevotedtochildren'sbooks.Givenrecentnational
censusdataindicatingasignificantdeclineinthepercentageofthepopulationunderageten,salesofchildren's
booksarelikelytodecline.Byreplacingitschildren'sbookssectionwithacaf,MonarchBookscanincrease
profitsandwardoffcompetitionfromBookandBean."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Thefollowingwaswrittenasapartofanapplicationforasmallbusinessloanbyagroupofdevelopersinthe
cityofMonroe.
"JazzmusicisextremelypopularinthecityofMonroe:over100,000peopleattendedMonroe'sannualjazz
festivallastsummer,andthehighestratedradioprograminMonroeis'JazzNightly,'whichairsevery
weeknight.Also,anumberofwellknownjazzmusiciansownhomesinMonroe.Nevertheless,thenearestjazz
clubisoveranhouraway.GiventhepopularityofjazzinMonroeandarecentnationwidestudyindicatingthat
thetypicaljazzfanspendscloseto$1,000peryearonjazzentertainment,ajazzmusicclubinMonroewould
betremendouslyprofitable."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

Thereisnowevidencethattherelaxedpaceoflifeinsmalltownspromotesbetterhealthandgreaterlongevity
thandoesthehecticpaceoflifeinbigcities.BusinessesinthesmalltownofLeevillereportfewerdaysofsick
leavetakenbyindividualworkersthandobusinessesinthenearbylargecityofMasonton.Furthermore,
Leevillehasonlyonephysicianforitsonethousandresidents,butinMasontontheproportionofphysiciansto
residentsisfivetimesashigh.Finally,theaverageageofLeevilleresidentsissignificantlyhigherthanthatof
Masontonresidents.Thesefindingssuggestthatpeopleseekinglongerandhealthierlivesshouldconsider
movingtosmallcommunities.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingwaswrittenasapartofanapplicationforasmallbusinessloanbyagroupofdevelopersinthe
cityofMonroe.
"JazzmusicisextremelypopularinthecityofMonroe:over100,000peopleattendedMonroe'sannualjazz
festivallastsummer,andthehighestratedradioprograminMonroeis'JazzNightly,'whichairsevery
weeknight.Also,anumberofwellknownjazzmusiciansownhomesinMonroe.Nevertheless,thenearestjazz
clubisoveranhouraway.GiventhepopularityofjazzinMonroeandarecentnationwidestudyindicatingthat
thetypicaljazzfanspendscloseto$1,000peryearonjazzentertainment,wepredictthatournewjazzmusic
clubinMonroewillbeatremendouslyprofitableenterprise."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
Thereisnowevidencethattherelaxedpaceoflifeinsmalltownspromotesbetterhealthandgreaterlongevity
thandoesthehecticpaceoflifeinbigcities.BusinessesinthesmalltownofLeevillereportfewerdaysofsick
leavetakenbyindividualworkersthandobusinessesinthenearbylargecityofMasonton.Furthermore,
Leevillehasonlyonephysicianforitsonethousandresidents,butinMasontontheproportionofphysiciansto
residentsisfivetimesashigh.Finally,theaverageageofLeevilleresidentsissignificantlyhigherthanthatof
Masontonresidents.ThesefindingssuggestthattherelaxedpaceoflifeinLeevilleallowsresidentstolive
longer,healthierlives.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofamanufacturingcompany.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Duringthepastyear,workersatournewlyopenedfactoryreported30percentmoreonthejobaccidentsthan
workersatnearbyPanoplyIndustries.Panoplyproducesproductsverysimilartothoseproducedatourfactory,
butitsworkshiftsareonehourshorterthanours.Expertssaythatfatigueandsleepdeprivationamongworkers
aresignificantcontributingfactorsinmanyonthejobaccidents.Panoply'ssuperiorsafetyrecordcantherefore
beattributedtoitsshorterworkshifts,whichallowitsemployeestogetadequateamountsofrest."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofButlerManufacturing.
"Duringthepastyear,workersatButlerManufacturingreported30percentmoreonthejobaccidentsthan
workersatnearbyPanoplyIndustries,wheretheworkshiftsareonehourshorterthanours.Arecent
governmentstudyreportsthatfatigueandsleepdeprivationamongworkersaresignificantcontributingfactors
inmanyonthejobaccidents.Ifweshorteneachofourworkshiftsbyonehour,wecanimproveButler
Manufacturing'ssafetyrecordbyensuringthatouremployeesareadequatelyrested."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromtheBoardofDirectorsofButlerManufacturing.
"Duringthepastyear,workersatButlerManufacturingreported30percentmoreonthejobaccidentsthan
workersatnearbyPanoplyIndustries,wheretheworkshiftsareonehourshorterthanours.Arecent
governmentstudyreportsthatfatigueandsleepdeprivationamongworkersaresignificantcontributingfactors
inmanyonthejobaccidents.Therefore,werecommendthatButlerManufacturingshorteneachofitswork
shiftsbyonehour.ShortershiftswillallowButlertoimproveitssafetyrecordbyensuringthatitsemployees
areadequatelyrested."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthebusinessmanagerofachainofcheesestoreslocatedthroughout
theUnitedStates.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Formanyyearsallthestoresinourchainhavestockedawidevarietyofbothdomesticandimportedcheeses.
Lastyear,however,allofthefivebestsellingcheesesatourneweststoreweredomesticcheddarcheesesfrom
Wisconsin.Furthermore,arecentsurveybyCheesesoftheWorldmagazineindicatesanincreasingpreference
fordomesticcheesesamongitssubscribers.Sinceourcompanycanreduceexpensesbylimitinginventory,the
bestwaytoimproveprofitsinallofourstoresistodiscontinuestockingmanyofourvarietiesofimported
cheeseandconcentrateprimarilyondomesticcheeses."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromtheownerofachainofcheesestoreslocatedthroughouttheUnited
States.
"Formanyyearsallthestoresinourchainhavestockedawidevarietyofbothdomesticandimportedcheeses.
Lastyear,however,allofthefivebestsellingcheesesatourneweststoreweredomesticcheddarcheesesfrom
Wisconsin.Furthermore,arecentsurveybyCheesesoftheWorldmagazineindicatesanincreasingpreference
fordomesticcheesesamongitssubscribers.Sinceourcompanycanreduceexpensesbylimitinginventory,the
bestwaytoimproveprofitsinallofourstoresistodiscontinuestockingmanyofourvarietiesofimported
cheeseandconcentrateprimarilyondomesticcheeses."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromthegeneralmanagerofKNOWradiostation.
"SeveralfactorsindicatethatradiostationKNOWshouldshiftitsprogrammingfromrockandrollmusictoa
continuousnewsformat.Consider,forexample,thatthenumberofpeopleinourlisteningareaoverfiftyyears
ofagehasincreaseddramatically,whileourtotalnumberoflistenershasdeclined.Also,musicstoresinour
areareportdecreasedsalesofrecordedmusic.Finally,continuousnewsstationsinneighboringcitieshavebeen
verysuccessful.Theswitchfromrockandrollmusicto24hournewswillattractolderlistenersandsecure
KNOWradio'sfuture."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromthemanagerofKNOWradiostation.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"SeveralfactorsindicatethatKNOWradiocannolongersucceedasarockandrollmusicstation.Consider,for
example,thatthenumberofpeopleinourlisteningareaoverfiftyyearsofagehasincreaseddramatically,
whileourtotalnumberoflistenershasdeclined.Also,musicstoresinourareareportdecreasedsalesofrock
androllmusic.Finally,continuousnewsstationsinneighboringcitieshavebeenverysuccessful.Wepredict
thatswitchingKNOWradiofromrockandrollmusicto24hournewswillallowthestationtoattractolder
listenersandmakeKNOWradiomoreprofitablethanever."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromtheownerofMoviesGalore,achainofmovierentalstores.
"Inordertostoptherecentdeclineinourprofits,wemustreduceoperatingexpensesatMoviesGalore'sten
movierentalstores.Sincewearefamousforourspecialbargains,raisingourrentalpricesisnotaviablewayto
improveprofits.LastmonthourstoreindowntownMarstonsignificantlydecreaseditsoperatingexpensesby
closingat6:00P.M.ratherthan9:00P.M.andbyreducingitsstockbyeliminatingallmoviesreleasedmore
thanfiveyearsago.Byimplementingsimilarchangesinourotherstores,MoviesGalorecanincreaseprofits
withoutjeopardizingourreputationforofferinggreatmoviesatlowprices."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemorandumfromtheownerofMoviesGalore,achainofmovierentalstores.
"Inordertoreversetherecentdeclineinourprofits,wemustreduceoperatingexpensesatMoviesGalore'sten
movierentalstores.Sincewearefamousforourspecialbargains,raisingourrentalpricesisnotaviablewayto
improveprofits.LastmonthourstoreindowntownMarstonsignificantlydecreaseditsoperatingexpensesby
closingat6:00p.m.ratherthan9:00p.m.andbyreducingitsstockbyeliminatingallmoviesreleasedmore
thanfiveyearsago.Therefore,inordertoincreaseprofitswithoutjeopardizingourreputationforofferinggreat
moviesatlowprices,werecommendimplementingsimilarchangesinourothernineMoviesGalorestores."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthepersonneldirectortothepresidentofAcmePublishingCompany.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"ManyothercompanieshaverecentlystatedthathavingtheiremployeestaketheEasyReadSpeedReading
Coursehasgreatlyimprovedproductivity.Onegraduateofthecoursewasabletoreada500pagereportin
onlytwohoursanothergraduaterosefromanassistantmanagertovicepresidentofthecompanyinundera
year.Obviously,thefasteryoucanread,themoreinformationyoucanabsorbinasingleworkday.Moreover,
EasyReadwouldcostAcmeonly$500peremployeeasmallpricetopaywhenyouconsiderthebenefits.
IncludedinthisfeeisathreeweekseminarinSpruceCityandalifelongsubscriptiontotheEasyRead
newsletter.Clearly,toimproveproductivity,AcmeshouldrequireallofouremployeestotaketheEasyRead
course."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertheadviceandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheadvice.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofafooddistributioncompanywithfoodstorage
warehousesinseveralcities.
"Recently,wesignedacontractwiththeFlyAwayPestControlCompanytoprovidepestcontrolservicesat
ourwarehouseinPalmCity,butlastmonthwediscoveredthatover$20,000worthoffoodtherehadbeen
destroyedbypestdamage.Meanwhile,theBuzzoffPestControlCompany,whichwehaveusedformanyyears
inPalmCity,continuedtoserviceourwarehouseinWintervale,andlastmonthonly$10,000worthofthefood
storedtherehadbeendestroyedbypestdamage.EventhoughthepricechargedbyFlyAwayisconsiderably
lower,ourbestmeansofsavingmoneyistoreturntoBuzzoffforallourpestcontrolservices."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofalarge,highlydiversifiedcompany.
"Tenyearsagoourcompanyhadtwonewofficebuildingsconstructedasregionalheadquartersfortwo
differentregions.ThebuildingswereerectedbytwodifferentconstructioncompaniesAlphaandZeta.Even
thoughthetwobuildingshadidenticalfloorplans,thebuildingconstructedbyZetacost30percentmoreto
build,anditsexpensesformaintenancelastyearweretwicethoseofthebuildingconstructedbyAlpha.
Furthermore,theenergyconsumptionoftheZetabuildinghasbeenhigherthanthatoftheAlphabuildingevery
yearsinceitsconstruction.Suchdata,plusthefactthatAlphahasastableworkforcewithlittleemployee
turnover,indicatethatweshoulduseAlpharatherthanZetaforourcontemplatednewbuildingproject."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofafooddistributioncompanywithfoodstorage
warehousesinseveralcities.
"Recently,wesignedacontractwiththeFlyAwayPestControlCompanytoprovidepestcontrolservicesat
ourwarehouseinPalmCity,butlastmonthwediscoveredthatover$20,000worthoffoodtherehadbeen
destroyedbypestdamage.Meanwhile,theBuzzoffPestControlCompany,whichwehaveusedformanyyears
inPalmCity,continuedtoserviceourwarehouseinWintervale,andlastmonthonly$10,000worthofthefood
storedtherehadbeendestroyedbypestdamage.Thisdifferenceinpestdamageisbestexplainedbythe
negligenceofFlyAway."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofafooddistributioncompanywithfoodstorage
warehousesinseveralcities.
"Recently,wesignedacontractwiththeFlyAwayPestControlCompanytoprovidepestcontrolservicesat
ourwarehouseinPalmCity,butlastmonthwediscoveredthatover$20,000worthoffoodtherehadbeen
destroyedbypestdamage.Meanwhile,theBuzzoffPestControlCompany,whichwehaveusedformanyyears
inPalmCity,continuedtoserviceourwarehouseinWintervale,andlastmonthonly$10,000worthofthefood
storedtherehadbeendestroyedbypestdamage.EventhoughthepricechargedbyFlyAwayisconsiderably
lower,ourbestmeansofsavingmoneyistoreturntoBuzzoffforallourpestcontrolservices."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedaspartofanarticleinabusinessmagazine.
"Arecentstudyrating300maleandfemaleadvertisingexecutivesaccordingtotheaveragenumberofhours
theysleeppernightshowedanassociationbetweentheamountofsleeptheexecutivesneedandthesuccessof
theirfirms.Oftheadvertisingfirmsstudied,thosewhoseexecutivesreportedneedingnomorethansixhoursof
sleeppernighthadhigherprofitmarginsandfastergrowth.Onthebasisofthisstudy,werecommendthat
businesseshireonlypeoplewhoneedlessthansixhoursofsleeppernight."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

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Evidencesuggeststhatacademichonorcodes,whichcallforstudentstoagreenottocheatintheiracademic
endeavorsandtonotifyafacultymemberiftheysuspectthatothershavecheated,arefarmoresuccessfulthan
areothermethodsatdeterringcheatingamongstudentsatcollegesanduniversities.Severalyearsago,
GrovetonCollegeadoptedsuchacodeanddiscontinueditsoldfashionedsysteminwhichteachersclosely
monitoredstudents.Undertheoldsystem,teachersreportedanaverageofthirtycasesofcheatingperyear.In
thefirstyearthehonorcodewasinplace,studentsreportedtwentyonecasesofcheatingfiveyearslater,this
figurehaddroppedtofourteen.Moreover,inarecentsurvey,amajorityofGrovetonstudentssaidthatthey
wouldbelesslikelytocheatwithanhonorcodeinplacethanwithout.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
Severalyearsago,GrovetonCollegeadoptedanhonorcode,whichcallsforstudentstoagreenottocheatin
theiracademicendeavorsandtonotifyafacultymemberiftheysuspectthatothershavecheated.Groveton's
honorcodereplacedasysteminwhichteacherscloselymonitoredstudents.Underthatsystem,teachers
reportedanaverageofthirtycasesofcheatingperyear.Thehonorcodehasprovenfarmoresuccessful:inthe
firstyearitwasinplace,studentsreportedtwentyonecasesofcheatingfiveyearslater,thisfigurehad
droppedtofourteen.Moreover,inarecentsurvey,amajorityofGrovetonstudentssaidthattheywouldbeless
likelytocheatwithanhonorcodeinplacethanwithout.Suchevidencesuggeststhatallcollegesand
universitiesshouldadopthonorcodessimilartoGroveton's.Thischangeissuretoresultinadramaticdecline
incheatingamongcollegestudents.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthedirectorofalargegroupofhospitals.
"Inacontrolledlaboratorystudyofliquidhandsoaps,aconcentratedsolutionofextrastrengthUltraCleanhand
soapproduceda40percentgreaterreductioninharmfulbacteriathandidtheliquidhandsoapscurrentlyused
inourhospitals.DuringourrecenttestofregularstrengthUltraCleanwithdoctors,nurses,andvisitorsatour
hospitalinWorktown,thehospitalreportedsignificantlyfewercasesofpatientinfection(a20percent
reduction)thandidanyoftheotherhospitalsinourgroup.Therefore,topreventseriouspatientinfections,we
shouldsupplyUltraCleanatallhandwashingstations,includingthoseusedbyvisitors,throughoutourhospital
system."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
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Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthedirectorofalargegroupofhospitals.
"Inacontrolledlaboratorystudyofliquidhandsoaps,aconcentratedsolutionofextrastrengthUltraCleanhand
soapproduceda40percentgreaterreductioninharmfulbacteriathandidtheliquidhandsoapscurrentlyused
inourhospitals.DuringourrecenttestofregularstrengthUltraCleanwithdoctors,nurses,andvisitorsatour
hospitalinWorktown,thehospitalreportedsignificantlyfewercasesofpatientinfection(a20percent
reduction)thandidanyoftheotherhospitalsinourgroup.Theexplanationforthe20percentreductionin
patientinfectionsistheuseofUltraCleansoap."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
Thefollowingappearedinahealthnewsletter.
"Atenyearnationwidestudyoftheeffectivenessofwearingahelmetwhilebicyclingindicatesthattenyears
ago,approximately35percentofallbicyclistsreportedwearinghelmets,whereastodaythatnumberisnearly
80percent.Anotherstudy,however,suggeststhatduringthesametenyearperiod,thenumberofaccidents
causedbybicyclinghasincreased200percent.Theseresultsdemonstratethatbicyclistsfeelsaferbecausethey
arewearinghelmets,andtheytakemorerisksasaresult.Thus,thereisclearlyacallforthegovernmentto
strivetoreducethenumberofseriousinjuriesfrombicycleaccidentsbylaunchinganeducationprogramthat
concentratesonthefactorsotherthanhelmetusethatarenecessaryforbicyclesafety."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthedirectorofalargegroupofhospitals.
"Inacontrolledlaboratorystudyofliquidhandsoaps,aconcentratedsolutionofextrastrengthUltraCleanhand
soapproduceda40percentgreaterreductioninharmfulbacteriathandidtheliquidhandsoapscurrentlyused
inourhospitals.DuringourrecenttestofregularstrengthUltraCleanwithdoctors,nurses,andvisitorsatour
hospitalinWorktown,thehospitalreportedsignificantlyfewercasesofpatientinfection(a20percent
reduction)thandidanyoftheotherhospitalsinourgroup.Therefore,topreventseriouspatientinfections,we
shouldsupplyUltraCleanatallhandwashingstations,includingthoseusedbyvisitors,throughoutourhospital
system."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.

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Thefollowingappearedinahealthnewsletter.
"Atenyearnationwidestudyoftheeffectivenessofwearingahelmetwhilebicyclingindicatesthattenyears
ago,approximately35percentofallbicyclistsreportedwearinghelmets,whereastodaythatnumberisnearly
80percent.Anotherstudy,however,suggeststhatduringthesametenyearperiod,thenumberofaccidents
causedbybicyclinghasincreased200percent.Theseresultsdemonstratethatbicyclistsfeelsaferbecausethey
arewearinghelmets,andtheytakemorerisksasaresult.Thusthereisclearlyacallforthegovernmentto
strivetoreducethenumberofseriousinjuriesfrombicycleaccidentsbylaunchinganeducationprogramthat
concentratesonthefactorsotherthanhelmetusethatarenecessaryforbicyclesafety."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthepersonneldirectortothepresidentofAcmePublishingCompany.
"ManyothercompanieshaverecentlystatedthathavingtheiremployeestaketheEasyReadSpeedReading
Coursehasgreatlyimprovedproductivity.Onegraduateofthecoursewasabletoreada500pagereportin
onlytwohoursanothergraduaterosefromanassistantmanagertovicepresidentofthecompanyinundera
year.Obviously,thefasteryoucanread,themoreinformationyoucanabsorbinasingleworkday.Moreover,
EasyReadwouldcostAcmeonly$500peremployeeasmallpricetopaywhenyouconsiderthebenefits.
IncludedinthisfeeisathreeweekseminarinSpruceCityandalifelongsubscriptiontotheEasyRead
newsletter.Clearly,AcmewouldbenefitgreatlybyrequiringallofouremployeestotaketheEasyRead
course."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthepersonneldirectortothepresidentofAcmePublishingCompany.
"ManyothercompanieshaverecentlystatedthathavingtheiremployeestaketheEasyReadSpeedReading
Coursehasgreatlyimprovedproductivity.Onegraduateofthecoursewasabletoreada500pagereportin
onlytwohoursanothergraduaterosefromanassistantmanagertovicepresidentofthecompanyinundera
year.Obviously,thefasteryoucanread,themoreinformationyoucanabsorbinasingleworkday.Moreover,
EasyReadwouldcostAcmeonly$500peremployeeasmallpricetopaywhenyouconsiderthebenefits.
IncludedinthisfeeisathreeweekseminarinSpruceCityandalifelongsubscriptiontotheEasyRead
newsletter.Clearly,toimproveoverallproductivity,AcmeshouldrequireallofouremployeestotaketheEasy
Readcourse."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
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ThefollowingappearedinaletterfromtheowneroftheSunnysideTowersapartmentcomplextoitsmanager.
"Onemonthago,alltheshowerheadsinthefirstthreebuildingsoftheSunnysideTowerscomplexwere
modifiedtorestrictmaximumwaterflowtoonethirdofwhatitusedtobe.Althoughactualreadingsofwater
usagebeforeandaftertheadjustmentarenotyetavailable,thechangewillobviouslyresultinaconsiderable
savingsforSunnysideCorporation,sincethecorporationmustpayforwatereachmonth.Exceptforafew
complaintsaboutlowwaterpressure,noproblemswithshowershavebeenreportedsincetheadjustment.
Clearly,modifyingshowerheadstorestrictwaterflowthroughoutalltwelvebuildingsintheSunnysideTowers
complexwillincreaseourprofitsfurther."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinaletterfromtheowneroftheSunnysideTowersapartmentcomplextoitsmanager.
"Lastweek,alltheshowerheadsinthefirstthreebuildingsoftheSunnysideTowerscomplexweremodifiedto
restrictmaximumwaterflowtoonethirdofwhatitusedtobe.Althoughactualreadingsofwaterusagebefore
andaftertheadjustmentarenotyetavailable,thechangewillobviouslyresultinaconsiderablesavingsfor
SunnysideCorporation,sincethecorporationmustpayforwatereachmonth.Exceptforafewcomplaints
aboutlowwaterpressure,noproblemswithshowershavebeenreportedsincetheadjustment.Clearly,
modifyingshowerheadstorestrictwaterflowthroughoutalltwelvebuildingsintheSunnysideTowerscomplex
willincreaseourprofitsfurther."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingmemorandumisfromthebusinessmanagerofHappyPancakeHouserestaurants.
"ButterhasnowbeenreplacedbymargarineinHappyPancakeHouserestaurantsthroughoutthesouthwestern
UnitedStates.Onlyabout2percentofcustomershavefiledaformalcomplaint,indicatingthatanaverageof98
peopleoutof100arehappywiththechange.Furthermore,manyservershavereportedthatanumberof
customerswhoaskforbutterdonotcomplainwhentheyaregivenmargarineinstead.Clearly,eitherthese
customerscannotdistinguishbutterfrommargarineortheyusetheterm'butter'torefertoeitherbutteror
margarine.Thus,toavoidtheexpenseofpurchasingbutter,theHappyPancakeHouseshouldextendthiscost
savingchangetoitsrestaurantsthroughouttherestofthecountry."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
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ThefollowingmemorandumisfromthebusinessmanagerofHappyPancakeHouserestaurants.
"ButterhasnowbeenreplacedbymargarineinHappyPancakeHouserestaurantsthroughoutthesouthwestern
UnitedStates.Onlyabout2percentofcustomershavecomplained,indicatingthatanaverageof98peopleout
of100arehappywiththechange.Furthermore,manyservershavereportedthatanumberofcustomerswho
askforbutterdonotcomplainwhentheyaregivenmargarineinstead.Clearly,eitherthesecustomerscannot
distinguishbutterfrommargarineortheyusetheterm'butter'torefertoeitherbutterormargarine.Thus,we
predictthatHappyPancakeHousewillbeabletoincreaseprofitsdramaticallyifweextendthiscostsaving
changetoallourrestaurantsinthesoutheastandnortheastaswell."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheschoolboardinthetownofCenterville.
"Allstudentsshouldberequiredtotakethedriver'seducationcourseatCentervilleHighSchool.Inthepasttwo
years,severalaccidentsinandaroundCentervillehaveinvolvedteenagedrivers.Sinceanumberofparentsin
Centervillehavecomplainedthattheyaretoobusytoteachtheirteenagerstodrive,someotherinstructionis
necessarytoensurethattheseteenagersaresafedrivers.AlthoughtherearetwodrivingschoolsinCenterville,
parentsonatightbudgetcannotaffordtopayfordrivinginstruction.Thereforeaneffectiveandmandatory
programsponsoredbythehighschoolistheonlysolutiontothisseriousproblem."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingmemorandumisfromthebusinessmanagerofHappyPancakeHouserestaurants.
"ButterhasnowbeenreplacedbymargarineinHappyPancakeHouserestaurantsthroughoutthesouthwestern
UnitedStates.Onlyabout2percentofcustomershavecomplained,indicatingthatanaverageof98peopleout
of100arehappywiththechange.Furthermore,manyservershavereportedthatanumberofcustomerswho
askforbutterdonotcomplainwhentheyaregivenmargarineinstead.Clearly,eitherthesecustomerscannot
distinguishbutterfrommargarineortheyusetheterm'butter'torefertoeitherbutterormargarine.Thus,to
avoidtheexpenseofpurchasingbutterandtoincreaseprofitability,theHappyPancakeHouseshouldextend
thiscostsavingchangetoitsrestaurantsinthesoutheastandnortheastaswell."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.

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ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheschoolboardinthetownofCenterville.
"Allstudentsshouldberequiredtotakethedriver'seducationcourseatCentervilleHighSchool.Inthepasttwo
years,severalaccidentsinandaroundCentervillehaveinvolvedteenagedrivers.Sinceanumberofparentsin
Centervillehavecomplainedthattheyaretoobusytoteachtheirteenagerstodrive,someotherinstructionis
necessarytoensurethattheseteenagersaresafedrivers.AlthoughtherearetwodrivingschoolsinCenterville,
parentsonatightbudgetcannotaffordtopayfordrivinginstruction.Thereforeaneffectiveandmandatory
programsponsoredbythehighschoolistheonlysolutiontothisseriousproblem."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThedatafromasurveyofhighschoolmathandscienceteachersshowthatinthedistrictofSanleemanyof
theseteachersreportedassigningdailyhomework,whereasinthedistrictofMarlee,mostscienceandmath
teachersreportedassigninghomeworknomorethantwoorthreedaysperweek.Despitereceivinglessfrequent
homeworkassignments,Marleestudentsearnbettergradesoverallandarelesslikelytoberequiredtorepeata
yearofschoolthanarestudentsinSanlee.Theseresultscallintoquestiontheusefulnessoffrequenthomework
assignments.MostlikelytheMarleestudentshavemoretimetoconcentrateonindividualassignmentsthando
theSanleestudentswhohavehomeworkeveryday.Thereforeteachersinourhighschoolsshouldassign
homeworknomorethantwiceaweek.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheschoolboardinthetownofCenterville.
"Allstudentsshouldberequiredtotakethedriver'seducationcourseatCentervilleHighSchool.Inthepasttwo
years,severalaccidentsinandaroundCentervillehaveinvolvedteenagedrivers.Sinceanumberofparentsin
Centervillehavecomplainedthattheyaretoobusytoteachtheirteenagerstodrive,someotherinstructionis
necessarytoensurethattheseteenagersaresafedrivers.AlthoughtherearetwodrivingschoolsinCenterville,
parentsonatightbudgetcannotaffordtopayfordrivinginstruction.Thereforeaneffectiveandmandatory
programsponsoredbythehighschoolistheonlysolutiontothisseriousproblem."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

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WhiletheDepartmentofEducationinthestateofAttrarecommendsthathighschoolstudentsbeassigned
homeworkeveryday,thedatafromarecentstatewidesurveyofhighschoolmathandscienceteachersgiveus
reasontoquestiontheusefulnessofdailyhomework.InthedistrictofSanlee,86percentoftheteachers
reportedassigninghomeworkthreetofivetimesaweek,whereasinthedistrictofMarlee,lessthan25percent
oftheteachersreportedassigninghomeworkthreetofivetimesaweek.YetthestudentsinMarleeearnbetter
gradesoverallandarelesslikelytoberequiredtorepeatayearofschoolthanarethestudentsinSanlee.
Therefore,allteachersinourhighschoolsshouldassignhomeworknomorethantwiceaweek.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedasaneditorialinthestudentnewspaperofGrovetonCollege.
"Tocombattherecentlyreporteddramaticriseincheatingamongcollegestudents,collegesanduniversities
shouldadopthonorcodessimilartoGroveton's,whichcallsforstudentstoagreenottocheatintheiracademic
endeavorsandtonotifyafacultymemberiftheysuspectthatothershavecheated.Groveton'shonorcode
replacedanoldfashionedsysteminwhichteacherscloselymonitoredstudents.Underthatsystem,teachers
reportedanaverageofthirtycasesofcheatingperyear.Thehonorcodehasprovenfarmoresuccessful:inthe
firstyearitwasinplace,studentsreportedtwentyonecasesofcheatingfiveyearslater,thisfigurehad
droppedtofourteen.Moreover,inarecentsurveyconductedbytheGrovetonhonorcouncil,amajorityof
studentssaidthattheywouldbelesslikelytocheatwithanhonorcodeinplacethanwithout."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromabudgetplannerforthecityofGrandview.
"OurcitizensarewellawareofthefactthatwhiletheGrandviewSymphonyOrchestrawasstrugglingto
succeed,ourcitygovernmentpromisedannualfundingtohelpsupportitsprograms.Lastyear,however,private
contributionstothesymphonyincreasedby200percent,andattendanceatthesymphony'sconcertsinthepark
seriesdoubled.Thesymphonyhasalsoannouncedanincreaseinticketpricesfornextyear.Suchdevelopments
indicatethatthesymphonycannowsucceedwithoutfundingfromcitygovernmentandwecaneliminatethat
expensefromnextyear'sbudget.Therefore,werecommendthatthecityofGrandvieweliminateitsfundingfor
theGrandviewSymphonyfromnextyear'sbudget.Bydoingso,wecanpreventacitybudgetdeficitwithout
threateningthesuccessofthesymphony."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
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WhiletheDepartmentofEducationinthestateofAttrasuggeststhathighschoolstudentsbeassigned
homeworkeveryday,thedatafromarecentstatewidesurveyofhighschoolmathandscienceteachersgiveus
reasontoquestiontheusefulnessofdailyhomework.InthedistrictofSanlee,86percentoftheteachers
reportedassigninghomeworkthreetofivetimesaweek,whereasinthedistrictofMarlee,lessthan25percent
oftheteachersreportedassigninghomeworkthreetofivetimesaweek.YetthestudentsinMarleeearnbetter
gradesoverallandarelesslikelytoberequiredtorepeatayearofschoolthanarethestudentsinSanlee.
Therefore,werecommendthatallteachersinourhighschoolsshouldassignhomeworknomorethantwicea
week.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemototheboardoftheGrandviewSymphony.
"ThecityofGrandviewhasprovidedannualfundingfortheGrandviewSymphonysincethesymphony's
inceptiontenyearsago.Lastyearthesymphonyhiredaninternationallyknownconductor,whohasbeenable
toattracthighprofileguestmusicianstoperformwiththesymphony.Sincethen,privatecontributionstothe
symphonyhavedoubledandattendanceatthesymphony'sconcertsintheparkserieshasreachednewhighs.
NowthattheGrandviewSymphonyisanestablishedsuccess,itcanraiseticketprices.Increasedrevenuefrom
largeraudiencesandhigherticketpriceswillenablethesymphonytosucceedwithoutfundingfromthecity
government."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
Hospitalstatisticsregardingpeoplewhogototheemergencyroomafterrollerskatingaccidentsindicatethe
needformoreprotectiveequipment.Withinthatgroupofpeople,75percentofthosewhohadaccidentsin
streetsorparkinglotshadnotbeenwearinganyprotectiveclothing(helmets,kneepads,etc.)oranylight
reflectingmaterial(cliponlights,glowinthedarkwristpads,etc.).Clearly,thestatisticsindicatethatby
investinginhighqualityprotectivegearandreflectiveequipment,rollerskaterswillgreatlyreducetheirriskof
beingseverelyinjuredinanaccident.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromabudgetplannerforthecityofGrandview.

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"WhentheGrandviewSymphonywasestablishedtenyearsago,thecityofGrandviewagreedtoprovidethe
symphonywithannualfundinguntilthesymphonybecameselfsustaining.Twoyearsago,thesymphonyhired
aninternationallyknownconductor,whohasbeenabletoattracthighprofileguestmusicianstoperformwith
thesymphony.Sincethen,privatecontributionstothesymphonyhavetripledandattendanceatthesymphony's
outdoorsummerconcertserieshasreachedrecordhighs.Nowthatthesymphonyhassucceededinfindingan
audience,thecitycaneliminateitsfundingofthesymphony."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThecitizensofForsythehaveadoptedmorehealthfullifestyles.Theirresponsestoarecentsurveyshowthatin
theireatinghabitstheyconformmorecloselytogovernmentnutritionalrecommendationsthantheydidten
yearsago.Furthermore,therehasbeenafourfoldincreaseinsalesoffoodproductscontainingkiran,a
substancethatascientificstudyhasshownreducescholesterol.Thistrendisalsoevidentinreducedsalesof
sulia,afoodthatfewofthehealthiestcitizensregularlyeat.
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinamemototheboardofdirectorsofacompanythatspecializesinthedeliveryof
heatingoil.
"MosthomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilas
theirmajorfuelforheating.Lastheatingseason,thatregionexperienced90dayswithbelownormal
temperatures,andclimateforecasterspredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmoreyears.
Furthermore,manynewhomesarebeingbuiltintheregioninresponsetorecentpopulationgrowth.Becauseof
thesetrends,wecansafelypredictthatthisregionwillexperienceanincreaseddemandforheatingoilduring
thenextfiveyears."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
Thefollowingappearedinamemototheboardofdirectorsofacompanythatspecializesinthedeliveryof
heatingoil.

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"MosthomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilas
theirmajorfuelforheating.Lastheatingseason,thatregionexperienced90dayswithbelownormal
temperatures,andclimateforecasterspredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmoreyears.
Furthermore,manynewhomesarebeingbuiltintheregioninresponsetorecentpopulationgrowth.Becauseof
thesetrends,wecansafelypredictthatthisregionwillexperienceanincreaseddemandforheatingoilduring
thenextfiveyears."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingrecommendationwasmadebythepresidentandadministrativestaffofGroveCollege,aprivate
institution,tothecollege'sgoverningcommittee.
"WerecommendthatGroveCollegepreserveitscenturyoldtraditionofallfemaleeducationratherthanadmit
menintoitsprograms.Itistruethatamajorityoffacultymembersvotedinfavorofcoeducation,arguingthatit
wouldencouragemorestudentstoapplytoGrove.But80percentofthestudentsrespondingtoasurvey
conductedbythestudentgovernmentwantedtheschooltoremainallfemale,andoverhalfofthealumnaewho
answeredaseparatesurveyalsoopposedcoeducation.Keepingthecollegeallfemalewillimprovemorale
amongstudentsandconvincealumnaetokeepsupportingthecollegefinancially."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingrecommendationwasmadebythepresidentandadministrativestaffofGroveCollege,aprivate
institution,tothecollege'sgoverningcommittee.
"WerecommendthatGroveCollegepreserveitscenturyoldtraditionofallfemaleeducationratherthanadmit
menintoitsprograms.Itistruethatamajorityoffacultymembersvotedinfavorofcoeducation,arguingthatit
wouldencouragemorestudentstoapplytoGrove.But80percentofthestudentsrespondingtoasurvey
conductedbythestudentgovernmentwantedtheschooltoremainallfemale,andoverhalfofthealumnaewho
answeredaseparatesurveyalsoopposedcoeducation.Keepingthecollegeallfemalewillimprovemorale
amongstudentsandconvincealumnaetokeepsupportingthecollegefinancially."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingrecommendationwasmadebythepresidentandadministrativestaffofGroveCollege,aprivate
institution,tothecollege'sgoverningcommittee.

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"WerecommendthatGroveCollegepreserveitscenturyoldtraditionofallfemaleeducationratherthanadmit
menintoitsprograms.Itistruethatamajorityoffacultymembersvotedinfavorofcoeducation,arguingthatit
wouldencouragemorestudentstoapplytoGrove.But80percentofthestudentsrespondingtoasurvey
conductedbythestudentgovernmentwantedtheschooltoremainallfemale,andoverhalfofthealumnaewho
answeredaseparatesurveyalsoopposedcoeducation.Keepingthecollegeallfemalewillimprovemorale
amongstudentsandconvincealumnaetokeepsupportingthecollegefinancially."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinaletterfromafirmprovidinginvestmentadvicetoaclient.
"HomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilastheir
majorfuelforheating.Lastyearthatregionexperienced90dayswithbelowaveragetemperatures,andclimate
forecastersatWaymarshUniversitypredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmoreyears.
Furthermore,manynewhomeshavebeenbuiltinthisregionduringthepastyear.Becausethesedevelopments
willcertainlyresultinanincreaseddemandforheatingoil,werecommendinvestmentinConsolidated
Industries,oneofwhosemajorbusinessoperationsistheretailsaleofhomeheatingoil."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
BentonCityresidentshaveadoptedhealthierlifestyles.Arecentsurveyofcityresidentsshowsthattheeating
habitsofcityresidentsconformmorecloselytogovernmentnutritionalrecommendationsthantheydidten
yearsago.Duringthosetenyears,localsalesoffoodproductscontainingkiran,asubstancethatascientific
studyhasshownreducescholesterol,haveincreasedfourfold,whilesalesofsulia,afoodrarelyeatenbythe
healthiestresidents,havedeclineddramatically.Becauseofthesepositivechangesintheeatinghabitsof
BentonCityresidents,wepredictthattheobesityrateinthecitywillsoonbewellbelowthenationalaverage.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinamemototheboardofdirectorsofBargainBrandCereals.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Oneyearagoweintroducedourfirstproduct,BargainBrandbreakfastcereal.Ourverylowpricesquickly
drewmanycustomersawayfromthetopsellingcerealcompanies.Althoughthecompaniesproducingthetop
brandshavesincetriedtocompetewithusbyloweringtheirpricesandalthoughseveralplantointroducetheir
ownbudgetbrands,notoncehaveweneededtoraiseourpricestocontinuemakingaprofit.Givenoursuccess
insellingcereal,werecommendthatBargainBrandnowexpanditsbusinessandbeginmarketingotherlow
pricedfoodproductsasquicklyaspossible."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemototheboardofdirectorsofBargainBrandCereals.
"Oneyearagoweintroducedourfirstproduct,BargainBrandbreakfastcereal.Ourverylowpricesquickly
drewmanycustomersawayfromthetopsellingcerealcompanies.Althoughthecompaniesproducingthetop
brandshavesincetriedtocompetewithusbyloweringtheirpricesandalthoughseveralplantointroducetheir
ownbudgetbrands,notoncehaveweneededtoraiseourpricestocontinuemakingaprofit.Givenoursuccess
insellingcereal,werecommendthatBargainBrandnowexpanditsbusinessandbeginmarketingotherlow
pricedfoodproductsasquicklyaspossible."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
Thefollowingappearedinaletterfromafirmprovidinginvestmentadvicetoaclient.
"HomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilastheir
majorfuelforheating.Lastyearthatregionexperiencedtwentydayswithbelowaveragetemperatures,and
localweatherforecastersthroughouttheregionpredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmore
years.Furthermore,manynewhomeshavebeenbuiltinthisregionduringthepastyear.Basedonthese
developments,wepredictalargeincreaseinthedemandforheatingoil.Therefore,werecommendinvestment
inConsolidatedIndustries,oneofwhosemajorbusinessoperationsistheretailsaleofhomeheatingoil."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinaletterfromafirmprovidinginvestmentadvicetoaclient.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"HomesinthenortheasternUnitedStates,wherewintersaretypicallycold,havetraditionallyusedoilastheir
majorfuelforheating.Lastyearthatregionexperiencedtwentydayswithbelowaveragetemperatures,and
localweatherforecastersthroughouttheregionpredictthatthisweatherpatternwillcontinueforseveralmore
years.Furthermore,manynewhomeshavebeenbuiltinthisregionduringthepastyear.Becauseofthese
developments,wepredictanincreaseddemandforheatingoilandrecommendinvestmentinConsolidated
Industries,oneofwhosemajorbusinessoperationsistheretailsaleofhomeheatingoil."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingrecommendationwasmadebythepresidentandadministrativestaffofGroveCollege,aprivate
institution,tothecollege'sgoverningcommittee.
"Recently,therehavebeendiscussionsaboutendingGroveCollege'scenturyoldtraditionofallfemale
educationbyadmittingmalestudentsintoourprograms.Atarecentfacultymeeting,amajorityoffaculty
membersvotedinfavorofcoeducation,arguingthatitwouldencouragemorestudentstoapplytoGrove.
However,Grovestudents,bothpastandpresent,areagainsttheideaofcoeducation.Eightypercentofthe
studentsrespondingtoasurveyconductedbythestudentgovernmentwantedtheschooltoremainallfemale,
andoverhalfofthealumnaewhoansweredaseparatesurveyalsoopposedcoeducation.Therefore,we
recommendmaintainingGroveCollege'straditionofallfemaleeducation.Wepredictthatkeepingthecollege
allfemalewillimprovemoraleamongstudentsandconvincealumnaetokeepsupportingthecollege
financially."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthemarketingdirectorofTopDogPetStores.
"FiveyearsagoFishEmporiumstartedadvertisinginthemagazineExoticPetsMonthly.Theirstoressawsales
increaseby15percentaftertheiradsbeganappearinginthemagazine.ThethreeFishEmporiumstoresinGulf
Citysawanevengreaterincreasethanthat.BecauseTopDogPetStoresisbasedinGulfCity,itseemsclear
thatweshouldstartplacingourownadsinExoticPetsMonthly.Ifwedoso,wewillbesuretoreversethe
recenttrendofdecliningsalesandstartmakingaprofitagain."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthemarketingdirectorofTopDogPetStores.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Fiveyearsago,FishEmporiumstartedadvertisinginthemagazineExoticPetsMonthly.Theirstoressawsales
increaseby15percent.ThethreeFishEmporiumstoresinGulfCitysawanevengreaterincreasethanthat.
BecauseTopDoghassomeofitslargeststoresinGulfCity,itseemsclearthatweshouldstartplacingourown
adsinExoticPetsMonthly.Ifwedoso,wewillbesuretoreversetherecenttrendofdecliningsalesandstart
makingaprofitagain."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditoroftheBalmerIslandGazette.
"ThepopulationonBalmerIslandincreasesto100,000duringthesummermonths.Toreducethenumberof
accidentsinvolvingmopedsandpedestrians,thetowncouncilofBalmerIslandplanstolimitthenumberof
mopedsrentedbyeachoftheisland'ssixmopedrentalcompaniesfrom50perdayto30perdayduringthe
summerseason.Lastyear,theneighboringislandofTorseauenforcedsimilarlimitsonmopedrentalsandsawa
50percentreductioninmopedaccidents.WepredictthatputtingtheselimitsintoeffectonBalmerIslandwill
resultinthesamereductioninmopedaccidents."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
ThefollowingappearedinarecommendationfromthePresidentoftheAmburgChamberofCommerce.
"LastOctober,thecityofBellevilleinstalledhighintensitylightinginitscentralbusinessdistrict,and
vandalismtheredeclinedalmostimmediately.ThecityofAmburg,ontheotherhand,recentlyinstitutedpolice
patrolsonbicyclesinitsbusinessdistrict.However,therateofvandalismhereremainsconstant.Sincehigh
intensitylightingisclearlythemosteffectivewaytocombatcrime,werecommendusingthemoneythatis
currentlybeingspentonbicyclepatrolstoinstallsuchlightingthroughoutAmburg.Ifweinstallthishigh
intensitylighting,wewillsignificantlyreducecrimeratesinAmburg."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingisarecommendationfromthepersonneldirectortothepresidentofAcmePublishingCompany.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"ManyothercompanieshaverecentlystatedthathavingtheiremployeestaketheEasyReadSpeedReading
Coursehasgreatlyimprovedproductivity.Onegraduateofthecoursewasabletoreada500pagereportin
onlytwohoursanothergraduaterosefromanassistantmanagertovicepresidentofthecompanyinundera
year.Obviously,thefasteryoucanread,themoreinformationyoucanabsorbinasingleworkday.Moreover,
EasyReadwouldcostAcmeonly$500peremployeeasmallpricetopaywhenyouconsiderthebenefits.
IncludedinthisfeeisathreeweekseminarinSpruceCityandalifelongsubscriptiontotheEasyRead
newsletter.Clearly,AcmewouldbenefitgreatlybyrequiringallofouremployeestotaketheEasyRead
course."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromabudgetplannerforthecityofGrandview.
"ItistimeforthecityofGrandviewtostopfundingtheGrandviewSymphonyOrchestra.Itistruethatthe
symphonystruggledfinanciallyformanyyears,butlastyearprivatecontributionstothesymphonyincreased
by200percentandattendanceatthesymphony'sconcertsintheparkseriesdoubled.Inaddition,the
symphonyhasjustannouncedanincreaseinticketpricesfornextyear.Forthesereasons,werecommendthat
thecityeliminatefundingfortheGrandviewSymphonyOrchestrafromnextyear'sbudget.Wepredictthatthe
symphonywillflourishintheyearstocomeevenwithoutfundingfromthecity."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingmemoappearedinthenewsletteroftheWestMeriaPublicHealthCouncil.
"Aninnovativetreatmenthascometoourattentionthatpromisestosignificantlyreduceabsenteeisminour
schoolsandworkplaces.AstudyreportsthatinnearbyEastMeria,whereconsumptionoftheplantbeneficiais
veryhigh,peoplevisitthedoctoronlyonceortwiceperyearforthetreatmentofcolds.Clearly,eatinga
substantialamountofbeneficiacanpreventcolds.Sincecoldsarethereasonmostfrequentlygivenforabsences
fromschoolandwork,werecommendthedailyuseofnutritionalsupplementsderivedfrombeneficia.We
predictthiswilldramaticallyreduceabsenteeisminourschoolsandworkplaces."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingwaswrittenbyagroupofdevelopersinthecityofMonroe.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"AjazzmusicclubinMonroewouldbeatremendouslyprofitableenterprise.Atpresent,thenearestjazzclubis
over60milesawayfromMonroethus,ourproposedclub,theCNote,wouldhavethelocalmarketalltoitself.
Inaddition,thereisampleevidenceofthepopularityofjazzinMonroe:over100,000peopleattendedMonroe's
jazzfestivallastsummer,severalwellknownjazzmusiciansliveinMonroe,andthehighestratedradio
programinMonroeis'JazzNightly.'Finally,anationwidestudyindicatesthatthetypicaljazzfanspendsclose
to$1,000peryearonjazzentertainment.WethereforepredictthattheCNotecannothelpbutmakemoney."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whetherthepredictionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhowthe
answerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheprediction.
HumansarrivedintheKalikoIslandsabout7,000yearsago,andwithin3,000yearsmostofthelargemammal
speciesthathadlivedintheforestsoftheKalikoIslandswereextinct.Previousarchaeologicalfindingshave
suggestedthatearlyhumansgenerallyreliedonbothfishingandhuntingforfoodsincearchaeologistshave
discoverednumeroussitesintheKalikoIslandswherethebonesoffishwerediscarded,itislikelythatthe
humansalsohuntedthemammals.Furthermore,researchershaveuncoveredsimpletools,suchasstoneknives,
thatcouldbeusedforhunting.Theonlyclearexplanationisthathumanscausedtheextinctionofthevarious
mammalspeciesthroughexcessivehunting.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
ThefollowingmemoappearedinthenewsletteroftheWestMeriaPublicHealthCouncil.
"Aninnovativetreatmenthascometoourattentionthatpromisestosignificantlyreduceabsenteeisminour
schoolsandworkplaces.AstudyreportsthatinnearbyEastMeria,wherefishconsumptionisveryhigh,people
visitthedoctoronlyonceortwiceperyearforthetreatmentofcolds.Thisshowsthateatingasubstantial
amountoffishcanclearlypreventcolds.Furthermore,sincecoldsarethereasonmostfrequentlygivenfor
absencesfromschoolandwork,attendancelevelswillimprove.Therefore,werecommendthedailyuseofa
nutritionalsupplementderivedfromfishoilasagoodwaytopreventcoldsandlowerabsenteeism."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromavicepresidentofAltaManufacturing.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"Duringthepastyear,AltaManufacturinghadthirtypercentmoreonthejobaccidentsthannearbyPanoply
Industries,wheretheworkshiftsareonehourshorterthanours.Expertsbelievethatasignificantcontributing
factorinmanyaccidentsisfatiguecausedbysleepdeprivationamongworkers.Therefore,toreducethenumber
ofonthejobaccidentsatAlta,werecommendshorteningeachofourthreeworkshiftsbyonehour.Ifwedo
this,ouremployeeswillgetadequateamountsofsleep."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingisaletterthatrecentlyappearedintheOakCityGazette,alocalnewspaper.
"TheprimaryfunctionoftheCommitteeforaBetterOakCityistoadvisethecitygovernmentonhowtomake
thebestuseofthecity'slimitedbudget.However,atsomeofourrecentmeetingswefailedtomakeimportant
decisionsbecauseofthefoolishobjectionsraisedbycommitteememberswhoarenotevenresidentsofOak
City.PeoplewhoworkinOakCitybutwholiveelsewherecannotfullyunderstandthebusinessandpoliticsof
thecity.Afterall,onlyOakCityresidentspaycitytaxes,andthereforeonlyresidentsunderstandhowthat
moneycouldbestbeusedtoimprovethecity.Werecommend,then,thattheCommitteeforaBetterOakCity
votetorestrictitsmembershiptocityresidentsonly.Wepredictthat,withouttheinterferenceofnonresidents,
thecommitteewillbeabletomakeOakCityabetterplaceinwhichtoliveandwork."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromthemayorofBrindleburgtothecitycouncil.
"Twoyearsago,thetownofSeasideVistaopenedanewmunicipalgolfcourseandresorthotel.Sincethen,the
SeasideVistaTourismBoardhasreporteda20%increaseinvisitors.Inaddition,localbanksreportedasteep
riseinthenumberofnewbusinessloanapplicationstheyreceivedthisyear.Theamountoftaxmoneycollected
bySeasideVistahasalsoincreased,allowingthetowntoannounceplanstoimproveSeasideVista'sroadsand
bridges.WerecommendbuildingasimilargolfcourseandresorthotelinBrindleburg.Wepredictthatthis
projectwillgenerateadditionaltaxrevenuethatthecitycanusetofundmuchneededpublicimprovements."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
Thefollowingappearedinamemofromthevicepresidentofacompanythatbuildsshoppingmallsaroundthe
country.
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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"ThesurfaceofasectionofRoute101,pavedjusttwoyearsagobyGoodIntentionsRoadways,isnowbadly
crackedwithanumberofdangerouspotholes.Inanotherpartofthestate,asectionofRoute40,pavedby
AppianRoadwaysmorethanfouryearsago,isstillingoodcondition.Inademonstrationoftheircontinuing
commitmenttoquality,AppianRoadwaysrecentlypurchasedstateoftheartpavingmachineryandhiredanew
qualitycontrolmanager.Therefore,IrecommendhiringAppianRoadwaystoconstructtheaccessroadsforall
ournewshoppingmalls.IpredictthatourAppianaccessroadswillnothavetoberepairedforatleastfour
years."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedinarecommendationfromthepresidentofAmburg'sChamberofCommerce.
"LastOctoberthecityofBellevilleinstalledhighintensitylightinginitscentralbusinessdistrict,and
vandalismtheredeclinedwithinamonth.ThecityofAmburghasrecentlybegunpolicepatrolsonbicyclesin
itsbusinessdistrict,buttherateofvandalismthereremainsconstant.Weshouldinstallhighintensitylighting
throughoutAmburg,then,becausedoingsoisamoreeffectivewaytocombatcrime.Byreducingcrimeinthis
way,wecanrevitalizethedecliningneighborhoodsinourcity."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatspecificevidenceisneededtoevaluatetheargumentand
explainhowtheevidencewouldweakenorstrengthentheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinalettertotheeditoroftheBalmerIslandGazette.
"ThepopulationonBalmerIslanddoublesduringthesummermonths.Duringthesummer,then,thetown
councilofBalmerIslandshoulddecreasethemaximumnumberofmopedrentalsallowedateachoftheisland's
sixmopedandbicyclerentalcompaniesfrom50perdayto30perday.Thiswillsignificantlyreducethe
numberofsummertimeaccidentsinvolvingmopedsandpedestrians.TheneighboringislandofTorseauactually
sawa50percentreductioninmopedaccidentslastyearwhenTorseau'stowncouncilenforcedsimilarlimitson
mopedrentals.Tohelpreducemopedaccidents,therefore,weshouldalsoenforcetheselimitationsduringthe
summermonths."
Writearesponseinwhichyouexaminethestatedand/orunstatedassumptionsoftheargument.Besure
toexplainhowtheargumentdependsontheseassumptionsandwhattheimplicationsareforthe
argumentiftheassumptionsproveunwarranted.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ArecentsalesstudyindicatesthatconsumptionofseafooddishesinBayCityrestaurantshasincreasedby30
percentduringthepastfiveyears.Yettherearenocurrentlyoperatingcityrestaurantswhosespecialtyis
seafood.Moreover,themajorityoffamiliesinBayCityaretwoincomefamilies,andanationwidestudyhas
shownthatsuchfamilieseatsignificantlyfewerhomecookedmealsthantheydidadecadeagobutatthesame
timeexpressmoreconcernabouthealthfuleating.Therefore,thenewCaptainSeafoodrestaurantthat
specializesinseafoodshouldbequitepopularandprofitable.
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeaddressedinordertodecide
whethertheconclusionandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplainhow
theanswerstothequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetheconclusion.
ThefollowingappearedasalettertotheeditorfromtheownerofaskateshopinCentralPlaza.
"TwoyearsagothecitycouncilvotedtoprohibitskateboardinginCentralPlaza.Theyclaimedthatskateboard
userswereresponsibleforlitterandvandalismthatwerekeepingothervisitorsfromcomingtotheplaza.Inthe
pasttwoyears,however,therehasbeenonlyasmallincreaseinthenumberofvisitorstoCentralPlaza,and
litterandvandalismarestillproblematic.SkateboardingispermittedinMonroePark,however,andthereisno
problemwithlitterorvandalismthere.InordertorestoreCentralPlazatoitsformerglory,then,werecommend
thatthecityliftitsprohibitiononskateboardingintheplaza."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationandtheargumentonwhichitisbasedarereasonable.Besuretoexplain
howtheanswerstothesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.
ThefollowingappearedaspartofanarticleinaDilltonnewspaper.
"InanefforttobringnewjobstoDilltonandstimulatethecity'sflaggingeconomy,Dillton'scitycouncilvoted
lastyeartolowerthecity'scorporatetaxrateby15percentatthesametime,thecitybeganofferinggenerous
relocationgrantstoanycompanythatwouldmovetoDillton.Sincethesechangeswentintoeffect,twonew
factorieshaveopenedinDillton.Althoughthetwofactoriesemploymorethan1,000people,theunemployment
rateinDilltonremainsunchanged.Theonlyclearexplanationforthisisthatthenewfactoriesarestaffedwith
outoftownworkersratherthanDilltonresidents."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscussoneormorealternativeexplanationsthatcouldrivalthe
proposedexplanationandexplainhowyourexplanation(s)canplausiblyaccountforthefactspresented
intheargument.
ThefollowingappearedinamemofromNewVenturesConsultingtothepresidentofHobCo,Inc.,achainof
hobbyshops.

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

"OurteamhascompleteditsresearchonsuitablebuildingsitesforanewHobCohobbyShopinthecityof
Grilldon.WediscoveredthattherearecurrentlynohobbyshopsinsoutheasternGrilldon.Whenourresearchers
conductedapollofarearesidents,88percentofthosewhorespondedindicatedthattheywouldwelcomethe
openingofahobbyshopinsoutheasternGrilldon.Grilldonisinaregionofthenationinwhichthehobby
businesshasincreasedby300percentduringthepastdecade.Inaddition,Grilldonhasaverylargepopulation
ofretirees,ademographicwithampletimetodevotetohobbies.Wethereforerecommendthatyouchoose
southeasternGrilldonasthesiteforyournextHobCoHobbyShop.Wepredictthatashopinthisareawilldraw
asteadystreamofenthusiasticnewHobCocustomers."
Writearesponseinwhichyoudiscusswhatquestionswouldneedtobeansweredinordertodecide
whethertherecommendationislikelytohavethepredictedresult.Besuretoexplainhowtheanswersto
thesequestionswouldhelptoevaluatetherecommendation.

See also:
PoolofIssueTopics

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IntroductiontotheGREArgumentTask(ForTestTakers)

ETSMeasuringthePowerofLearning.
Copyright2016byEducationalTestingService.Allrightsreserved.
Alltrademarksarepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.

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