Flagpole Army Base in Oregon and Klondike Army Base in Alaska are similar bases with similar duty loads. Despite the similarities, Klondike always has had more men than Flagpole has. Clearly, each soldier at Klondike must have to perform a smaller share of the duties, and therefore soldiers at Klondike must have more free time than do soldiers at Flagpole.In evaluating the argument, it would be most useful to know which of the following?

The Green Peas Grocery Store in the remote wealthy enclave of Luxville charges more than the Green Peas Grocery Store in Oak City charges for the same items. Clearly, on any given item, the Green Peas grocery franchise is taking advantage of its location in Luxville to reap higher profits on that item.In evaluating the argument, it would be most useful to compare

Two investigative journalists have raised the question whether the new blood pressure drug, Transerythropaxil, has sensitized patients to develop fish allergies. The study was published last month in a major newspaper, and has been picked up by media throughout the country. Lab data has long shown that Transerythropaxil reacts strongly with Eicosapentaenoic acid, found in abundance in fish oil, and this reaction can produce biological irritants. Despite strenuous objections from Transerythropaxil's manufacturer, scientists working in federal labs have just published papers that provide conclusive evidence to the journalists' claim. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

The National Farm Administration (NFA) has been concerned over the last decade with the struggles of barley growers. Plan: In an effort to support these barley growers, two years ago, the NFA began a program of sending them, each autumn, a free special mix of fertilizer and enzymes designed to multiply barley yield, to be applied the following spring during first growth. This mix had been stunningly successful in multiplying the yield of barley in laboratory conditions. Results: Most barley growers reported little change in their economic status over this two year period. Further information: All barley growers received the shipments, and all used them. Weather conditions have been fair to optimal for barley growth over the past two years. In light of the further information, which of the following, if true, does most to explain the result that followed the implementation of the plan?

In a certain factory, the union membership was higher in 2010 than in 2008. For the period from 2007 to 2011, the percentage of factory workers that were members of the union remained constant. The statements above, if true, most strongly support which conclusion?

The average size of marine life that washes up on the shore of the Japanese island Ryukyu is smaller than the average size that washes up on the Western coast of Australia. Giant squid have recently been found washed up on the shores of Ryukyu as well as the Western coast of Australia. It can be concluded that the average size of the giant squids on the shore Ryukyu must be less than that of giant squids washed up on the shores of Western Australia. The argument above can be attacked on the grounds that it does which of the following?

Scientist: There is a finite amount of helium, which is a key component of MRI magnets, in the world. Because the supply is not renewable, it is frivolous to waste this precious resource on such products as party balloons. Instead, we should use other gases, such as hydrogen, to fill balloons, and the price of helium should be raised significantly to make it prohibitive for such trivial purposes.Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the suggestion that the price of helium should be raised?

According to the Federal Veterans Administration (VA), a certain county has a relatively high proportion of veterans among its residents, and over the past decade, these veterans have reported a number of health concerns that have not been adequately addressed. The VA does not have its own hospital in this county. Plan: For the past 5 years, the VA has earmarked several million dollars to pay all 18 hospitals in this county to fund short-term and long-term care for veterans. Result: Over the past 5 years, VA surveys have indicated no significant decrease in the number of veterans who say they have health concerns that have not been adequately addressed. Further information: VA surveys indicate that all veterans are aware of the VA funds that would cover their expenses at county hospitals. Veterans in this county span a variety of ages and a variety of health conditions. In light of the further information, which of the following, if true, does most to explain the result that followed the implementation of the plan?

The number of Tundra swan in an arctic refuge has been steadily dwindling. It has been determined that the majority of the birds have died from lead poisoning, which is contained in the buckshot that hunters use to kill the swan. Local authorities have responded by banning hunting, and the number of hunters cited has since dropped dramatically, yet the number of birds that continue to die each month from lead poisoning has not changed.Which of the following, if true, best resolves the discrepancy above?

A successful clothing department store, in a central downtown location of a certain city, is of a limited size and has grown so much over the past year that it needs to expand. There are a few other slightly larger available retail lots in the downtown regions for sale, but the prices per square foot are quite high. The management finds that cost per square foot of lots in a suburb a few miles from downtown is almost half of that in the downtown region, so they plan to relocate there to save costs. Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines this plan?

Egidio's Gym has been in operation for seven years, and offers regular weekly weight training and aerobic classes, as well as occasional programs in dance and martial arts. The gym has seen a surge of new members in the past twelve months, despite keeping the same membership fee over the past three years. Of the 450 current members, more than 250 have joined in the past year. Clearly, the membership of Egidio's Gym has risen a significant amount because of its superior facilities. Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

The waters off the coast of Iceland are filled with pods of killer whales, which migrate there during the summer. Wildlife parks that rely on the killer whales for entertainment hunt the killer whale almost exclusively in the water of Iceland, because strict sanctions forbid them from doing so off the coast of North America, an area also abundant in killer whales. Since Iceland recently gave into pressure from international groups opposed to the hunting of killer whales, it too will forbid the hunting of killer whales off its coast. Therefore, all wildlife parks will be forced to end their shows featuring killer whales once their current killer whales are unable to perform. All of the following cast doubt on the conclusion of the argument EXCEPT?

A large apartment building in a city was assessed by a city environmental bureau for the comparatively high consumption of electricity in the building, and the landlord was threatened with a possible fine if the consumption did not drop significantly in a specified period. While all built-in appliances and lighting in common areas are energy efficient, the landlord found, upon doing an inspection, many residents were using older portable heaters that are not very energy efficient. The landlord decided to send each resident a detailed letter about the electric energy consumption of these older portable heaters, recommending newer more energy efficient models that could be purchased at local stores. He hopes the letter will motivate enough residents to buy more energy efficient heaters. Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the prediction that the landlord's letter will have its intended effect?

Pediatrician: Child psychologists recommend that mothers of one-year-olds not only name objects in the immediate environment, but that they include the color of the object, when applicable. For instance, if a mother hands her child a red ball, she should say, "This is a red ball." Nonetheless, even if mothers began to name the color, instead of simply saying, "This is a ball," no real benefit will be conferred to the child, because studies have shown that children under 18-months old do not grasp the notion of color.The pediatrician's argument is most vulnerable to which of the following?

The Z-300 is a particularly fast new sports car, popular among young drivers. It is an expensive model, and relatively few are on the roads. Two months ago, seven different young people in Catoville were arrested for operating the Z-300 at excessive speeds on local roads while having a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit. Since then, a police watch group has reported that Catoville traffic cops frequently have been pulling over drivers of the Z-300 and testing them for alcohol: the total number of Z-300 drivers stopped and tested is five times greater than the total number of drivers of all other makes or models stopped and tested. Which of following conclusions can most properly be drawn from the information above?