Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following would weaken the author's argument?

• A. a report revealing that the cited study was funded by a company that provides discounted tutoring through schools
• B. a study demonstrating differences in standardized test scores among students at schools in various neighborhoods
• C. a statement signed by local teachers affirming that they do not give preferential treatment in the classroom or during grading
• D. a study indicating that GPA has a weak correlation with success in college

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A weakens the author's argument by highlighting a potential conflict of interest. If the cited study was funded by a company offering discounted tutoring, it could introduce bias and question the credibility of the study's findings. This revelation could cast doubt on the objectivity and reliability of the research, ultimately undermining the argument based on the cited study. Choices B, C, and D do not directly impact the credibility or objectivity of the cited study, so they would not significantly weaken the author's argument.

2. What does the following sentence most nearly mean? 'The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial.'

• A. The volume of water is necessary for preparing the insect for transition rather than the volume of the air.
• B. The insect's body is shaped like a star in both water and air.
• C. The stage of preparation between molting occurs in water, while the final stage happens in the air.
• D. These insects first breathe in water through gills and then continue to use the same organs to breathe in the air.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sentence indicates that the insects undergo different stages of development, with the preparatory instars being aquatic and the adult instar being aerial. This highlights the adaptability of these insects to different environments. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on the volume of water and air rather than the stages of development in different environments. Choice B is unrelated to the content of the sentence and does not capture the meaning accurately. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically mentions breathing through gills, which is not explicitly stated in the sentence. Therefore, choice C is the best interpretation of the sentence.

3. Which of the following would be a useful source of information to determine the validity of the argument presented in the passage?

• A. A survey of high school students' preferences regarding foreign language requirements.
• B. A comparison of the correlation between a second language introduced at home and subsequent college acceptance rates.
• C. A survey asking parents to select the foreign language they would like their children to study in high school.
• D. A comparison of the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The passage emphasizes the importance of studying a foreign language in high school for future success, including college acceptance rates and job market demand. To evaluate the argument's validity, it is crucial to examine the direct impact of studying a foreign language on college acceptance rates. Choice D is the correct answer because it directly addresses this aspect by comparing the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates. This comparison would provide concrete evidence supporting or refuting the argument presented in the passage. Choices A, B, and C, though related to language education, do not directly assess the specific relationship between studying a foreign language in high school and college acceptance rates, making them less relevant for evaluating the argument's validity.

4. Which of the following would be a useful source of information to determine the validity of the argument presented in this passage?

• A. A survey of high school students' foreign language preferences
• B. A comparison of the correlation between learning a second language at home and subsequent job placement rates
• C. A survey that asks parents about the foreign language they want their children to study in high school
• D. A comparison of the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the correct answer as it can provide evidence to support the claim made in the passage that high school graduates who studied a foreign language are more likely to be accepted to college. This choice aligns with the argument presented in the passage, making it a useful source. Choices A and C focus on opinions rather than concrete evidence of the impact of studying a foreign language on future success. Choice B is not directly relevant as it talks about learning a second language at home, while the passage specifically discusses the importance of studying a foreign language in high school.

5. What does the following sentence most nearly mean? The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial.

• A. The volume of water is necessary to prepare the insect for transition rather than the volume of the air.
• B. The abdomen of the insect is shaped like a star in the water as well as in the air.
• C. The stage of preparation in between molting occurs in the water, while the final stage is in the air.
• D. These insects first breathe in the water through gills, but then use the same organs to breathe in the air.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sentence is describing the life cycle of certain insects where their preparatory instars occur in the water, while the adult instar lives in the air. This means that the stage of preparation between molting or shedding of the exoskeleton happens in the water, but the final stage as adults is in the air. Choice A is incorrect as it misinterprets the meaning of the aquatic and aerial environments for the insect's life stages. Choice B is incorrect as it introduces a concept of the insect's abdomen being shaped like a star, which is not mentioned or relevant to the sentence. Choice D is incorrect as it introduces information about the insects' breathing organs, which is not directly related to the sentence's meaning about their life stages.

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