Technology Analyst: The programmers at the website Cyberepicuria have recently made a breakthrough, solving a hard programming problem. They finally have perfected a special program in which users can enter any foods or any flavors they like, and the website will suggest different foods and food combinations with somewhat different flavors that the users will also like. The website will charge users a modest fee for access. Users of the beta version ecstatically have reported that, because of the program's suggestions, they have discovered whole new categories of food that they absolutely love. No other website offers anything like this. Because Cyberepicuria is the only website offering this service, anyone who invests in Cyberepicuria right now is likely to double or triple their money in a very short time. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the analyst's argument above?

Over the past ten years, the population of Dismaston has grown five times as large as it was. During this time, the average income in the city has risen substantially, and a tremendous amount of capital has flowed into city. An independent audit found that, somewhat surprisingly, the number of violent felonies reported per year is now lower than it was ten years ago. Each of the following statements below, if true, would explain the somewhat surprising finding EXCEPT:

Economist: In today's post-industrial economy, higher education is essential for achieving prosperity. Without a college degree or higher, citizens do not have access to the highest quartile of salaries, and only individuals earning salaries in this highest quartile have enough disposable income to buy real estate and invest in long term assets. The argument assumes that

A certain auto repair shop services a particular make of car in the downtown region of a particular city. Three years ago, 4% of all repairs at this shop were not successful --- the mechanics were not able to restore the car to a drivable state. This year, only 2% of all repairs were not successful. Clearly, the mechanics training course, given over a year ago, has considerably increased the skill of mechanics at this particular shop, so that fewer cars are beyond their ability to repair. All of the following statements, if true, weaken the argument, EXCEPT:

The number of sports cars per square mile is 40% greater in downtown Terrera than in downtown Goldsville. If the entire metropolitan area of each city is compared-which includes downtown as well as suburbs and exurbs-then the number of sports cars per square mile is 20% greater in Goldsville.Based on the information above, which of the following can be inferred?

Hillsburgh and Nansensville are two major metropolitan areas only 50 miles apart. Until recently, the only road connecting the two cities was a traffic-clogged, six-lane Interstate Highway. Six years in the making, the Metro Expressway, a four-lane road connecting the two cities, was hoped to relieve this congestion. After the first month, however, the traffic along the Interstate Highway has not improved. Which of the following, if true, could account for the continued traffic congestion along the Interstate Highway?

Hospital Administrator: The majority of HealthWize Hospital's income currently comes from three main insurance companies. In order to diversify its sources of income, the hospital will develop its outpatient services to provide clients with the opportunity to visit a nutritionist, a gym, and/or a masseuse on the hospital premises. Critics have protested that, at other hospitals, such plans have not worked because the funds raised through insurance payments far outweigh the money that will be brought in through these additional services. Nevertheless, this initiative will not result in a reduction of the hospital's income. Major service providers, including BeWell Nutrition and Fitness, have committed to moving their main branches to HealthWize Hospital, which will definitely prove to be an attraction for people from neighboring areas, making this a more popular venture than other hospitals'.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

Several years ago, the number of wood bison became so low that conservationists began breeding the wood bison in an enclosed refuge. In this time, the number of wood bison has tripled and, according to conservationists, this number is enough for a species to remain viable in the wild. Yet since the wood bison's habitat is still mperiled,conservationists plan to move the wood bison 2,000 miles away, where the American buffalo, a distinct species, flourishes. The conservationists predict that such a plan will allow for the long-term viability of the wood bison as a species.Which of the following, if true, calls into question the conservationist's prediction?

In the twentieth century, the visual arts have embarked on major experimentation, from cubism to expressionism. While tastes always vary, there are certainly some people who find beautiful objects of each of the art movements of the first half of the twentieth century. In the latter half of the twentieth century, though, most works are so abstract or shocking that neither the critic nor the general public uses the word "beautiful" to describe them: indeed, sometimes late twentieth-century artists have, as one of their expressed goals, the creation of a work that no one could find beautiful. Whatever these artists are creating may be intellectually engaging at some level, but it is no longer art. Which of the following is an assumption that supports drawing the conclusion above from the reasons given for that conclusion?

Radon-210 is more radioactive than Technetium-99. Since Promethium-61 is more radioactive than Protactinium-234, it follows that Radon-210 is more radioactive than Protactinium-234. Any of the following, if introduced into the argument as an additional premise, makes the argument above logically correct EXCEPT:

The element ytterbium increases its electrical resistance when subject to high mechanical stresses. This property has made it an indispensable component in a medical tool designed to measure the stress on bones, which can guide physicians in setting broken bones. Unfortunately, ytterbium is rare, found in only a few meager sources around the world. A steep market demand will cause the price to skyrocket, and this technology so helpful to physicians will become unaffordable.Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

The arctic fox was once the most common fox on the Northern Island. Recently, the number of red fox on the island surpassed, for the first time, that of the arctic fox. Nonetheless, both foxes eat the same prey and share the same environment. Which of the following, if true, could best account for the decrease in arctic fox relative to the red fox?

In economics, a "Veblen good" is an item which people buy in greater quantity when the price goes up. According to the Law of Supply and Demand, when the price of an ordinary item goes up, demand drops, i.e. people buy fewer of them. A Veblen good is a luxury item to which status is attached, such as a designer outfit or luxury car. As the price of such an item increases, its prestige increases, which makes the item that much more desirable.Therefore, as the price increases, the demand also increases, and more of these items are sold.In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

Aid workers have worried that residents of the Eastern Gobi Refugee Camp might be at risk for beriberi, a severe deficiency of Thiamine, a B vitamin. Thiamine is found in high concentrations in cereal grains, and many of the residents have grain free diets because of allergies. Doctors and nutritionists assigned to investigate the situation have disagreed, noting that the residents grow sustenance amounts of potatoes, kale, and cauliflower on the surrounding farm lands, and these foods provide substantial sources of Thiamine as well. Because the residents of this refugee camp do not have any allergies to any of these latter foods, and crops have been good because of favorable weather conditions, their risk of beriberi is much lower than originally thought.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

Locust swarms have ravaged much of Suwathia, resulting in the loss of vital agriculture. A multinational company has recently proposed using metarhizium, a fungus that invades the exoskeleton of the locust, causing a swift death. The government of Suwathia argues that the one means of application of metarhizia-from an airplane-will require a great amount of the fungus, which is difficult to acquire. Given that the locusts propagate rapidly, the government maintains that only a complete annihilation of a locust swarm will have the desired effect.Which of the following, if true, best argues in favor of the multinational company's plan to drop metarhizium over locust swarms?