Question 1
Statement:
Many organizations have implemented work-from-home policies, believing that allowing employees to work remotely leads to increased productivity, better work-life balance, and lower operational costs. However, some critics argue that remote work reduces collaboration, creates communication barriers, and makes employee monitoring more challenging.
Which of the following strengthens the argument in favor of remote work?
A) A recent study found that employees who work from home complete 20% more tasks than their office-based counterparts, demonstrating a measurable increase in productivity.
B) Many employees report feeling isolated and disconnected from their colleagues when working remotely, which can reduce engagement.
C) Some companies that implemented remote work policies saw a decline in innovation due to reduced in-person brainstorming sessions.
D) Office-based employees tend to have more structured workdays, which may lead to more consistent performance.
E) A survey found that most employees prefer hybrid work models over fully remote setups, suggesting that remote work alone may not be the best approach.
Question 2
Statement:
Plastic pollution has become a significant environmental issue, prompting many governments worldwide to consider banning single-use plastic bags. Proponents of the ban argue that plastic bags contribute to land and marine pollution, take centuries to decompose, and harm wildlife. However, opponents claim that banning plastic bags will lead to job losses in the plastic manufacturing industry, increase costs for businesses, and force consumers to buy alternatives that may not be more environmentally friendly.
Which of the following weakens the argument for banning single-use plastic bags?
A) Several countries that banned plastic bags experienced a significant reduction in plastic waste, suggesting that such bans are effective.
B) Biodegradable plastic bags are more expensive to produce than regular plastic bags, which may increase costs for businesses and consumers.
C) Plastic bag manufacturers would have to shut down, leading to job losses and economic instability in affected industries.
D) Many grocery stores have already switched to reusable bags voluntarily, making a government-imposed ban unnecessary.
E) Studies show that reusable bags, when not washed regularly, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, raising health concerns.
Question 3
Statement:
Many educators and school administrators believe that requiring students to wear uniforms helps improve discipline, reduce peer pressure, and create a sense of unity among students. They argue that school uniforms eliminate distractions related to fashion choices and reduce socioeconomic disparities among students. However, critics argue that uniforms suppress individuality, impose additional financial burdens on families, and have little impact on actual student behavior.
Which of the following weakens the argument that school uniforms improve discipline?
A) Schools with strict uniform policies report fewer behavioral issues, indicating a possible link between uniforms and discipline.
B) Some students feel more confident and perform better academically when they are allowed to wear clothing of their choice, which suggests that self-expression can contribute to student success.
C) Parents often complain about the cost of purchasing school uniforms, which may create financial stress for low-income families.
D) A study found that schools with and without uniform policies have similar rates of disciplinary incidents, suggesting that uniforms may not be a significant factor in improving student behavior.
E) Some teachers report that enforcing uniform policies takes up valuable instructional time, which could be better spent on academic activities.
Question 4
Statement:
Some economists argue that increasing the minimum wage leads to economic growth by boosting workers’ purchasing power, which in turn stimulates demand for goods and services. Others contend that higher wages force businesses to cut jobs or reduce hiring, leading to increased unemployment.
Which of the following strengthens the argument that increasing the minimum wage benefits the economy?
A) A study found that regions that raised their minimum wage saw an increase in consumer spending without significant job losses.
B) Some businesses reported reducing employee hours in response to higher labor costs.
C) Several small businesses shut down after the government mandated higher wages.
D) Research shows that when wages rise, companies often increase prices to compensate, which can lead to inflation.
E) Countries with lower minimum wages tend to have more employment opportunities.
Question 5
Statement:
A growing number of schools have started offering free lunch programs, arguing that proper nutrition improves students’ academic performance and overall well-being. Critics, however, claim that such programs increase government spending and may be unnecessary for families who can afford to provide meals.
Which of the following weakens the argument for free lunch programs?
A) Research shows that students who eat nutritious meals perform better on standardized tests.
B) Some families that qualify for free meals can already afford to provide nutritious lunches for their children.
C) Schools that offer free meals have seen an increase in attendance rates.
D) Malnourished students are more likely to struggle academically than well-fed students.
E) Many schools receive external funding to support free lunch programs, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.
Question 6
Statement:
Advertising executives argue that celebrity endorsements significantly increase brand sales because consumers trust well-known figures and aspire to their lifestyles. However, some marketers claim that celebrity endorsements can backfire if the celebrity becomes involved in a scandal.
Which of the following weakens the argument that celebrity endorsements increase sales?
A) A survey found that 70% of consumers trust recommendations from family and friends over celebrity endorsements.
B) Many top brands use celebrities in their advertisements and experience significant sales growth.
C) Some consumers view celebrity-endorsed products as more prestigious.
D) Companies that use celebrities in their marketing often spend millions on endorsement deals.
E) An analysis showed that products endorsed by celebrities sell at higher prices than non-endorsed products.
Question 7
Statement:
Some researchers argue that social media positively impacts mental health by allowing individuals to stay connected with friends and family, find support groups, and express themselves. Others believe excessive social media use contributes to anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem.
Which of the following strengthens the argument that social media benefits mental health?
A) A study found that people who use social media to stay connected with family and friends report higher levels of happiness.
B) Excessive social media use has been linked to increased rates of depression among teenagers.
C) Many users compare themselves to unrealistic portrayals on social media, leading to self-esteem issues.
D) Several countries have introduced laws to limit screen time due to concerns about social media addiction.
E) A survey showed that many social media users feel pressured to curate a perfect online image.
Question 8
Statement:
Some urban planners argue that investing in public transportation reduces traffic congestion, lowers pollution, and provides a more affordable alternative to private vehicles. However, others claim that public transit systems are expensive to maintain and often underutilized.
Which of the following weakens the argument for investing in public transportation?
A) Cities that expanded their public transit systems saw a reduction in traffic congestion.
B) Many buses and trains run at low occupancy during non-peak hours, making them inefficient.
C) Studies show that areas with extensive public transportation have lower air pollution levels.
D) High-speed rail systems can transport thousands of passengers at once, reducing reliance on cars.
E) Public transportation fares are often lower than the cost of maintaining a personal vehicle.
Solutions
Solutions and Explanations
Question 1
Correct Answer: A
The argument in favor of remote work is that it improves productivity. Option A supports this by citing a study that shows employees complete 20% more tasks when working remotely. This provides strong empirical evidence for the claim.
- B weakens the argument by highlighting employee isolation.
- C and D weaken the argument by discussing drawbacks of remote work.
- E suggests hybrid work as a preferred model, which does not strongly support full remote work.
Question 2
Correct Answer: C
The argument for banning plastic bags is that they cause pollution. The best way to weaken this argument is to show that banning them has significant economic downsides, such as job losses in the plastic manufacturing industry (C).
- A strengthens the ban by citing successful case studies.
- B mentions cost concerns but does not directly oppose the environmental argument.
- D suggests voluntary action but does not directly weaken the argument for government intervention.
- E raises health concerns but is unrelated to environmental impact.
Question 3
Correct Answer: D
The argument is that uniforms improve discipline. If there is no difference in discipline rates between schools with and without uniforms (D), then the argument is undermined.
- A strengthens the argument.
- B discusses confidence and academics, not discipline.
- C highlights cost issues but does not affect the discipline argument.
- E discusses enforcement challenges but does not directly address discipline outcomes.
Question 4
Correct Answer: A
The argument states that increasing the minimum wage helps the economy. A strengthens this by citing a study that shows an increase in consumer spending with no job losses.
- B, C, and D weaken the argument by highlighting negative economic impacts.
- E discusses other countries but does not relate to the wage-increase argument.
Question 5
Correct Answer: B
The argument for free lunch programs is that they help students. B weakens this by showing that some families who receive free meals don’t actually need them.
- A, C, D, and E all strengthen the argument.
Question 6
Correct Answer: A
The argument states that celebrity endorsements increase sales. A weakens this by stating that people trust recommendations from family and friends more than from celebrities, reducing the impact of endorsements.
- B, C, and E all support celebrity endorsements.
- D discusses marketing costs but does not challenge the effectiveness of endorsements.
Question 7
Correct Answer: A
The argument states that social media benefits mental health. A supports this by citing a study that shows higher happiness levels among those who use social media to stay connected with loved ones.
- B, C, D, and E all weaken the argument by discussing negative effects.
Question 8
Correct Answer: B
The argument states that investing in public transportation is beneficial. B weakens this by showing that many buses and trains run at low occupancy, making them inefficient.
- A, C, D, and E all support the benefits of public transport.
