Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author hypothesizes that the increased reports of tornadoes since the 1950s is probably explained by our finding a higher percentage of tornadoes that occur rather than an increase in the actual number of tornadoes. This is based on the fact that our ability to find tornadoes has improved since the 1950s.
Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that our ability to find tornadoes has increased enough to account entirely for the increased reports of tornadoes since 1950.
A
The physical damage caused by the average tornado has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
The argument concerns whether the number of tornadoes has increased. The damage produced by an average tornado does not reveal anything about the overall number of tornadoes.
B
The number of tornadoes hitting major population centers annually has more than doubled since the 1950s.
If anything, this might undermine the argument by suggesting that there has been an increase in the number of tornadoes.
C
The number of large and medium sized tornadoes reported annually has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
This suggests there hasn’t been an overall increase in actual tornadoes, because we’d expect all kinds of tornadoes to increase, not just the small ones. Instead, the explanation for the increased reports of small tornadoes might simply be easier identification of them.
D
The annual number of deaths due to tornadoes has increased steadily since the 1950s.
If anything, this might undermine the argument by suggesting that there might be more tornadoes (which would account for the increased deaths due to tornadoes).
E
The geographic range in which tornadoes are most prevalent has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
This tells us that the range in which tornadoes are most common has been about the same. But the range staying the same doesn’t tell us anything about the overall frequency of tornadoes within that range.
"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why does the average resident of Charlesville spend more on winter heating expenses than does the average resident of Taychester despite the fact that Taychester is always significantly colder than Charlesville?
Objective
Remember that this is an “except” question! The right answer will be the only one that does not offer an explanation of why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating. The rest of the answers will explain some difference between Charlesville and Taychester that accounts for the greater winter heating expenses in Charlesville.
A
Heat loss due to wind is less in Taychester than in Charlesville.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: even with the higher temperatures, the wind causes more heat to escape houses there than it does in Taychester (which probably means it’s windier in Charlesville, but could be due to house structures).
B
Although Charlesville is always fairly warm during the daytime, temperatures in Charlesville drop steeply at night.
This doesn’t matter. Even if it’s way colder in Charlesville at night than it is during the day, the stimulus says that it’s always at least ten degrees colder in Taychester, night or day. We’d still expect the heating expenses there to be greater.
C
Utility rates in Taychester are lower than utility rates in Charlesville.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: the rates there are just higher! Even if they’re not actually using as much heat as the Taychester residents are, they’re paying more because it’s simply more expensive to heat a home in Charlesville.
D
People who are used to warmer temperatures generally keep their homes warmer in the winter than do people who are used to colder temperatures.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating. Accustomed to colder temperatures, Taychester residents are less fazed by the winter than are the people in Charlesville, who are spoiled by a warmer climate and choose to heat their homes more.
E
Houses in colder climates are usually better insulated than houses in warmer climates.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: they have to generate more heat to make up for what they lose to poor insulation.
Alvaro: But the problems are always caused by a failure to recode the database properly. The best advice for a company considering a database overhaul is to do the job right.
Speaker 1 Summary
Michele concludes that people should think twice before proceeding with a database overhaul. This is because the benefits of an overhaul rarely outweigh the problems of an overhaul.
Speaker 2 Summary
Alvaro asserts that problems of an overhaul are always caused by failing to recode the database properly. Thus, he concludes that a company considering an overhaul should do the overhaul correctly.
Objective
We’re looking for a point of disagreement. A point of disagreement is difficult to predict up front. They seem to disagree over how to approach a database overhaul. Michele recommends strongly considering whether an overhaul is the right decision. Alvaro recommends doing an overhaul correctly, but doesn’t express as much caution about doing the overhaul as Michele does.
A
why companies should consider overhauling their databases
Neither speaker has an opinion. They don’t get into any particular reasons that a company should consider overhauling their databases.
B
whether the problems experienced during a database overhaul ever outweigh the rewards
Alvaro doesn’t have an opinion. He doesn’t discuss the benefits of a database overhaul and whether they ever outweigh the problems.
C
which kinds of database overhauls have more problems than are justified by the rewards
Neither speaker has an opinion. They don’t discuss different kinds of database overhauls or which kinds have more problems than benefits.
D
what a company should do when considering a database overhaul
This is a point of disagreement. Michele thinks companies should think twice before proceeding. In other words, they should strongly consider not doing the overhaul. Alvaro recommends something different. To him, the best advice for companies is to do the overhaul correctly.
E
when professional experience is required to correctly recode a database
Neither speaker has an opinion. They don’t discuss the need for professional experience to recode a database.