A
Scientists are better able to preserve the habitats of endangered species now than ever before.
B
Species that would have become extinct have been saved due to the establishment of animal refuges.
C
Scientists estimate that at least 2000 species become extinct every year.
D
Many countries do not recognize the increased economic benefit of tourism associated with preserved natural habitats.
E
Programs have been proposed that will transfer endangered species out of habitats that are in danger of being destroyed.
Belinda: I find it natural and an admirable display of candor. Letting people know of the damage their negligence causes is responsible behavior.
A
ill-prepared lawyers damage their clients’ causes
B
the judge’s criticism of lawyers is irresponsible
C
a lawyer’s being ill-prepared to argue a client’s case constitutes negligence
D
famous lawyers have a greater responsibility to be well prepared than do lawyers who are not famous
E
it is to be expected that ill-prepared lawyers would offend the court in which they appear
A
Displacement pulses travel longer distances than other types of seismic shock.
B
Scientific predictions based on computer models often fail when tested in the field.
C
While displacement pulses have only recently been discovered, they have accompanied all earthquakes that have ever occurred.
D
The displacement pulses made by low- and medium-intensity earthquakes are much less powerful than those made by the strongest earthquakes.
E
Computer models have been very successful in predicting the effects of other types of seismic shock.
Terry: Months ago, I submitted a claim for my stolen bicycle to my insurance company. After hearing nothing for several weeks, I contacted the firm and found they had no record of my claim. Since then, I have resubmitted the claim twice and called the firm repeatedly, but I have yet to receive a settlement. Anyone can make mistakes, of course, but the persistence of the error makes me conclude that the company is deliberately avoiding paying up.
Summary
Terry submitted a claim for his stolen bicycle.
Weeks later, the insurance company had no record of the claim.
Terry then submitted the claim two more times, but has not received a settlement.
Anyone can make mistakes.
Because of the persistence of the error, Terry believes that the company is avoiding paying the settlement.
Notable Valid Inferences
Terry believes that the delay in paying the settlement is not an unintentional mistake by the insurance company.
A
Consumers should avoid attributing dishonesty to a corporation when the actions of the corporation might instead be explained by incompetence.
This must be false. Terry has attributed dishonesty to the corporation, even though the corporation’s actions could be explained by incompetence. Terry’s conclusion that the company is deliberately avoiding paying the settlement is a violation of this principle.
B
Consumers should attempt to keep themselves informed of corporate behavior that directly affects their interests.
This could be true. We just don’t have enough information to determine how much Terry has been keeping himself informed.
C
In judging the quality of service of a corporation, a consumer should rely primarily on the consumer’s own experience with the corporation.
This could be true. Terry is relying on his own experience to make his conclusion, so this principle has not been violated.
D
In judging the morality of a corporation’s behavior, as opposed to that of an individual, mitigating circumstances are irrelevant.
This could be true. Terry doesn’t seem to be considering mitigating circumstances, so the information given is consistent with the principle in (D).
E
Corporations ought to make available to a customer any information the customer requests that is relevant to the customer’s interests.
This could be true. The first time Terry reached out, the corporation answered that they had no record of his claim. In further communications, we only know that Terry hasn’t received his settlement; we don’t know if the corporation withheld information.