Critical Reasoning

Advertisement: A leading economist has determined that among people who used computers at their place of employment last year, those who also owned portable computers earned 25 percent more on average than those who did not. Owning a laptop computer leads to a higher- paying job.
Which one of the following identifies an error of reasoning in the advertisement?
(A) It attempts to support a sweeping generalization on the basis of information about only a small number of individuals.
(B) Its conclusion merely restates a claim made earlier in the argument.
(C) It mistakes statistical correlation for logical causation.
(D) It offers information as support for a conclusion when that information actually shows that the conclusion is false.
(E) It projects currently existing trends indefinitely into the future.
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Questions 12-13


Philip: Over the year since the bridge toll hike, revenues from the toll have increased. However, the profits of our city's tourist trade have decreased dramatically, forcing several public attractions to be closed and reducing city revenues by an amount exceeding the increase in toll revenue. Therefore, the hike did not serve its purpose.
Matilda: It is a misrepresentation to suggest that raising the toll decreased tourism. Last year there was a well-publicized flood which affected buildings in the historic downtown area. Attendance for those attractions was consistent with previous years before the flood and following post-flood renovations.

12. Which of the following is an assumption upon which Philip's argument relies?
(A) The bridge toll hike was a poor idea.
(B) Tourism is an important way to maintain institutional memory for our city and to promote its public image.
(C) Any measure that proves harmful to our city's tourist trade should be rescinded.
(D) The purpose of the toll hike was to increase city revenues.
(E) Tolls should not be prohibitively high, because allowing people to come to our city is a good in itself.


13. To which of the following are Philip and Matilda committed to disagreeing?
(A) the purpose of the toll hike
(B) the cause of the decrease in tourism
(C) the environmental impact of commuters
(D) whether the tourist trade's profits have decreased
(E) whether the historic downtown area was damaged in the flood

C
12. D
13. B

Explanation 1: Data shows that people with laptops earn 25% more. The ad takes this data to conclude that ownership of laptop leads to (causation) high paying job. Thus statistical data is mistaken for causation.

Explantion 12: Phillip says "forcing several public attractions to be closed and reducing city revenues". (Putting the assumption here). But the purpose of toll hike was to increase city revenues. Hence it didnot serve the purpose.

Explanation 13: Phillip thinks toll hike decreased tourism while Matilda thinks its the flood.


Please let me know the answers. Thanks.

A
D
B

OA:
C
D
B

I still feel A should be the answer.