Log in | Sign up | Feedback | Blog

Search

Archives ForumsNew! B-Schools Events MBA Vocabulary

English Test 35

Directions for Questions from 1 to 5:

Read the arguments given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. It is a sad fact that among a large cohort of artists and writers, almost all will struggle while a small
number will derive a disproportionate share of fame and attention. The same applies to the so-called
masterpieces that determine a canon: a few pieces displace others from the lists in a “winner-take-all”
effect–all the while the neglected pieces languish and disappear from our literary consciousness.

Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the above?

 

j Factors beyond those common to all artists or artistic creations may determine the success or failure of artists or writers to strive to achieve
k
l
m
n
greatness since only a few of them will succeed anyway
j For a neglected piece to become a masterpiece, it has to benefit from a ‘winner-take-all-effect’.
k
l
m
n
j There are some writers or artists who can achieve success without the benefit of a “winner-take-all’ effect
k
l
m
n
j It is pointless for all writers and artists to try for success because only a few will succeed anyway
k
l
m
n
j The potential success of any artist or an artistic creation is unpredictable because of the ‘winnertake- all’ effect.
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

2. Division Manager: I want to replace the Semitron computers in my division with Vitanet computers

General Manager: Why?

Division Manager: It costs 28 percent less to train new staff on the Vitanet

General Manager: But that is not a good enough reason. The high cost of replacement parts make
Vitanet computers more expensive to maintain than Semitron computers

Which two of the following statements, taken together would most satisfactorily weaken the Division
Manager’s case for and strengthen the General Manager’s case against the replacement of computers?

A. Vitanet computers have a lower onetime purchase and installation cost than Semitron computers
and have a better record of runtime before replacement
B. The average cost of retraining the existing staff, currently using Semitron computers, on Vitanet
Computers is approximately 37 per cent higher than the average cost of training new staff on
Vitanet
C. Currently all employees in the company are required to attend workshops on how to use Semitron
computers in new applications
D. Experienced users of Semitron computers command much higher salaries than do prospective
employees who have no experience in the use of computers.
E. Studies have found the average productivity of a programmer using a Vitanet computer to be the
same or less than that of a programmer using a Semitron computer.
 

j AD
k
l
m
n
j BE
k
l
m
n
j BC
k
l
m
n
j CE
k
l
m
n
j DE
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

3. Preventive Treatment for diabetes forestalls certain medical expenses by preventing strokes and heart
disease. Yet any money so saved amounts to only one-fourth of the expenditures required to treat the
diabetic population. Therefore, there is no economic justification for preventive treatment for diabetes.

The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?
 

j It relies on the judgment of experts in a matter to which their expertise is irrelevant

k
l
m
n
j It presupposes what it seeks to establish
k
l
m
n
j It simply ignores the existence of potential counterevidence
k
l
m
n
j It seeks to arrive at a general conclusion based on evidence that may be insufficient in itself to support that conclusion
k
l
m
n
j It generalizes from atypical occurrences
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

4. Bank depositors in the United States are all financially protected against bank failures because the
government insures all individuals’ bank deposits. An economist argues that this insurance is partly
www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=105
responsible for the high rate of bank failures, since it removes from depositors any financial incentive Page 1 / 3
to find out whether the bank that holds their money is secure against failure. If depositors were more
inquisitive, then banks would need to be secure in order to compete for depositors’ money.
 4. Bank depositors in the United States are all financially protected against bank failures because the
government insures all individuals’ bank deposits. An economist argues that this insurance is partly
responsible for the high rate of bank failures, since it removes from depositors any financial incentive
to find out whether the bank that holds their money is secure against failure. If depositors were more
inquisitive, then banks would need to be secure in order to compete for depositors’ money.

In the above passage, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
 

j The first is evidence that the economist offers in support of a certain prediction; the second is that position
k
l
m
n
j The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the economist predicts will hold under the present circumstances. The second acknowledges a
k
l
m
n
situation in which that pattern would not hold.
j The first is a generalization that the economist accepts as true; the second is presented as a consequence that follows from the truth of that
k
l
m
n
generalization
j The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the economist predicts will not hold in the case at issue; the second offers a consideration in
k
l
m
n
support of that prediction
  j The first acknowledges a consideration that weighs against the main position that the economist defends; the second is that position
k
l
m
n  

i Skip this question

j
k
l
m
n

5. ‘The Hidden Eye’ magazine must have misquoted the remarks of the visiting diplomat from Pretzelstein about our country. Since the dignitary has
sued it for libel, the magazine must have had either planted a deliberate falsehood to embarrass Pretzelstein or misquoted the diplomat’s remarks,
and the good relations ‘The Hidden Eye’ enjoys with Government of Pretzelstein are well known.

Which one of the following arguments exhibits a pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the argument
above?
 

j According to the company policy of ‘The Hidden Eye’, employees who are either frequently absent without notice or who are habitually late
k
l
m
n
receive an official warning. Since Suneeta has never received such a warning, rumours that she is habitually late mus
j ) Any diplomat of Pretzelstein, who discusses a confidential state matter with a member of the press will be either fired or removed from his
k
l
m
n
assignment. But since no diplomat of Pretzelstein ever discusses any confidential state matter with a member of t
j Anyone promoted to senior copy editor at ‘The Hidden Eye’ must have either worked in the copy department for three years or have an
k
l
m
n
influential sponsor. Raman, therefore, has an influential sponsor, since he was promoted to senior copy editor after a year
j To earn a merit salary increase, an advertising executive of ‘The Hidden Eye’ must either bring in new clients or develop innovative
k
l
m
n
supplements. No innovative supplements were developed at ‘The Hidden Eye’ this year, so advertising executives of ‘The Hid
j Any diplomat of Pretzelstein who is either awarded the Order of the Pretzel or becomes a Minister of State has to be recommended by a
k
l
m
n
Member of the Cabinet. Since Von Sterling has been recommended by a Member of the Cabinet and has become a Minister of St
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

Directions for Questions from 6 to 10:

Fill up the blanks, numbered [1], [2],[3], [4], [5]. [6] in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each blank.

"Between the year 1946 and the year 1955, I did not file any income tax returns." With that [1] statement, Ramesh embarked on an account of his
encounter with the Income Tax Department. "I originally owed Rs 20,000 in unpaid taxes. With [2] and [3], the 20,000 became 60,000. The Income
Tax Department then went into action, and I learned first hand just how much power the Tax Department wields. Royalties and trust funds can be
[4]; automobiles may be [5], and auctioned off. Nothing belongs to the [6] until the case is settled."

6. Pick one of the following for blank [6]

j purchaser
k
l
m
n
j Victim
k
l
m
n
j investor
k
l
m
n
j offender
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

7. Pick one of the following for blank [5]

j smashed
k
l
m
n
j Seized
k
l
m
n
j dismantled
k
l
m
n
j frozen
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

8. Pick one of the following for blank [4]

j Closed
k
l
m
n
j detached
k
l
m
n
j attached
k
l
m
n
j impounded
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=105 Page 2 / 3
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n
 j impounded
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

9. Pick one of the following for blank [3]

j sanctions
k
l
m
n
j refunds
k
l
m
n
j fees
k
l
m
n
j fines
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

10. Pick one of the following for blank [2]

j interest
k
l
m
n
j taxes
k
l
m
n
j principal
k
l
m
n
j returns
k
l
m
n
j None of these
k
l
m
n
i Skip this question
j
k
l
m
n

Take this test online

© Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=105 Page 3 / 3