1. Biologists have noted reproductive abnormalities in fish that are immediately downstream of paper mills. One possible cause is dioxin, which paper mills release daily and which can alter the concentration of hormones in fish. However, dioxin is unlikely to be the cause, since the fish recover normal hormone concentrations relatively quickly during occasional mill shutdowns and dioxin decomposes very slowly in the environment. Which one of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? (A) Some of the studies that show that fish recover quickly during shutdowns were funded by paper manufacturers. (B) The rate at which dioxin decomposes varies depending on the conditions to which it is exposed. (C) Normal river currents carry the dioxin present in the river far downstream in a few hours. (D) Some of the fish did not recover rapidly from the physiological changes that were induced by the changes in hormone concentrations. (E) The connection between hormone concentrations and reproductive abnormalities is not thoroughly understood.
2. Decentralization enables divisions of a large institution to function autonomously. This always permits more realistic planning and strongly encourages innovation, since the people responsible for decision making are directly involved in implementing the policies they design. Decentralization also permits the central administration to focus on institution-wide issues without being overwhelmed by the details of daily operations. The statements above most strongly support which one of the following? (A) In large institutions whose divisions do not function autonomously, planning is not maximally realistic. (B) Innovation is not always encouraged in large centralized institutions. (C) For large institutions the advantages of decentralization outweigh its disadvantages. (D) The central administrations of large institutions are usually partially responsible for most of the details of daily operations. (E) The people directly involved in implementing policies are always able to make innovative and realistic policy decisions.
Polling data reveal that an overwhelming majority of nine-year-olds can correctly identify the logos of major cigarette brands. However, of those nine-year-olds who recognize such logos, less than 1 percent smoke. Therefore, there is little or no connection between recognition of cigarette brand logos and smoking. Which one of the following uses flawed reasoning most similar to the flawed reasoning above? (A) The concern about the long-term effect on dolphins of small quantities of mercury in the ocean is unfounded. During a three-month observation period, 1,000 dolphins were exposed to small quantities of mercury in seawater, with no effect on the animals. (B) Many ten-year-olds dream of becoming actors. Yet it is not likely they will seriously consider becoming actors, because most parents discourage their children from pursuing such a highly competitive career. (C) Most dentists recommend using fluoride to reduce the incidence of cavities, but few recommend giving up candy entirely; so, using fluoride is probably more effective in preventing cavities than is avoiding sweets. (D) A large percentage of men exercise moderately throughout their lives, but the average life span of those who do so is not significantly greater than of those who get little or no exercise. So there is little or no correlation between moderate exercise and good health. (E) Most people cannot name their legislative representatives. Nonetheless, this is insignificant, for when queried, most of them displayed an adequate command of current political issues.
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