Critical Reasoning

Infer Questions

I. Conclusion
II. Visualization
III. Framework Prethinking
1) Before/After
2) Linked Chains
3) Expectation vs Actuality
4) Negation
5) Sample Generalization
6) Weakens
A. Defends #1, #2
B. Weakens #1, #2, #3, #4
7) Evaluate Techniques used:
8) Inference
Infer = Visualization +
9) Bold-faced / Structure
Inference Framework
10) Circular Reasoning
CR Strengthen Frameworks
Infer (Table of Contents)

Framework #8 Inference
1. Japas and Haruhana
2. Fertility Drugs
3. Sourcing Refined Petroleum
4. Military Deterrence
5. Food Package Shipments
6. Triberian Iron Ore Productivity
Japas and Haruhana
Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

In the city of New Constantine, Japas and Haruhana are restaurant chains that compete for business. In an
effort to lure travelers and residents to come out for dining, the owners of Japas released promotional
materials saying that more customers go eat at Japas than at competitor Haruhana. A pamphlet from the
largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine claims that more people eat at that restaurant than at the
Japas across the street. If both of these sources are accurate, however, the "Restaurant Guide" for the region
must be in error in stating that ___________.

(A) the average meal is larger at the largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine than at the Japas
across the street.

(B) there is only one Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine that is larger than the Japas across the street.

(C) more people eat at Haruhana than eat at the Japas across the street.

(D) the Japas across the street is the largest Japas restaurant in New Constantine.

(E) the Japas across the street is the only Japas restaurant in New Constantine.
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

In the city of New Constantine, Japas and Haruhana are restaurant chains that compete for business. In an
effort to lure travelers and residents to come out for dining, the owners of Japas released promotional
materials saying that more customers go eat at Japas than at competitor Haruhana. A pamphlet from the
largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine claims that more people eat at that restaurant than at the
Japas across the street. If both of these sources are accurate, however, the "Restaurant Guide" for the region
must be in error in stating that ___________.

[ Inferred Statement ] that

would conflict with info below
Prethinking
? Recognize inference

Japas Haruhana
Using information provided, find a statement that
would conflict with information in the support leg!
+ More customers at + Largest Haruhana says more
Japas customers here than at Japas
across the street
Which statement would violate the
claims that each is bigger than the
Claim: Each is bigger than the other! other?
Note there may be multiple restaurants for each chain
Step 2: (A) (B) (C)
In the city of New Constantine, Japas and Haruhana are restaurant chains that compete for business. In an
effort to lure travelers and residents to come out for dining, the owners of Japas released promotional
materials saying that more customers go eat at Japas than at competitor Haruhana. A pamphlet from the
largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine claims that more people eat at that restaurant than at the
Japas across the street. If both of these sources are accurate, however, the "Restaurant Guide" for the region
must be in error in stating that ___________.
Does this show 1) something that violates the claims that each is bigger than the other

(A) the average meal is larger at the largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine than at the Japas
across the street.
Not relevant Average meal size is not relevant also does not directly violate the claims

(B) there is only one Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine that is larger than the Japas across the street.
Possible implies that only 1 Haruhana is larger than Japas. Perhaps the other
Makes claims Haruhanas are smaller than Japas. This satisfies the claims that each can be bigger
possible no good than the other, so cannot be the answer.

(C) more people eat at Haruhana than eat at the Japas across the street.
Possible we already know the largest Haruhana is bigger. If we compare an entire
chain with one specific restaurant, its likely to be true. Its still possible that the Japas
No clear conflict
across the street is bigger than other Haruhanas, so we do not have clear violation
here.
Step 2: (D) (E)
In the city of New Constantine, Japas and Haruhana are restaurant chains that compete for business. In an
effort to lure travelers and residents to come out for dining, the owners of Japas released promotional
materials saying that more customers go eat at Japas than at competitor Haruhana. A pamphlet from the
largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine claims that more people eat at that restaurant than at the
Japas across the street. If both of these sources are accurate, however, the "Restaurant Guide" for the region
must be in error in stating that ___________.
Does this show 1) something that violates the claims that each is bigger than the other

(D) the Japas across the street is the largest Japas restaurant in New Constantine.
OK, but that would not violate the claim that each is bigger than the other. If thats the largest
No clear conflict
and we know that Haruhana is larger than the largest Japas, thats only for 1 restaurant and
thats possible for Haruhana to be larger. As an overall chain, Japas can have more restaurant
and thus have more customers than Haruhana so that statement is still okay as well.

(E) the Japas across the street is the only Japas restaurant in New Constantine.
This would violate Error largest Haruhana is bigger than Japas across the street. If that Japas is the only
the claims* one in town, then Haruhana is bigger than Japas but it would not be possible for a Japas to be
bigger than a Haruhana since theres only 1 Japas! In order for both claims to be
accurate, there must be multiple Japas.
Step 3: Conclusion (E)
Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

In the city of New Constantine, Japas and Haruhana are restaurant chains that compete for business. In an
effort to lure travelers and residents to come out for dining, the owners of Japas released promotional
materials saying that more customers go eat at Japas than at competitor Haruhana. A pamphlet from the
largest Haruhana restaurant in New Constantine claims that more people eat at that restaurant than at the
Japas across the street. If both of these sources are accurate, however, the "Restaurant Guide" for the region
must be in error in stating that ___________.

(E) the Japas across the street is the only

Japas restaurant in New Constantine

Japas Haruhana (E) creates a conflict

-- that Japas cannot be the ONLY Japas; otherwise
+ More customers at + Largest Haruhana says more
overall Japas being bigger than Haruhana would
Japas customers here than at Japas
not be true
across the street

Claim: Each is bigger than the other!

Note there may be multiple restaurants for each chain
 Fertility Drugs
Which of the following could resolve the problem?
Couple patients who come to a fertility clinic generally get a prescription for clomiphene, a fertility drug, each
time they take a pregnancy test that shows up negative. However, females who test less than 12 days from
the date of conception have generally not built up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their
bodies, a sign of pregnancy, to be detected reliably. Many first time patients are impatient and make their
decisions to get another costly prescription after negative results from a pregnancy test less than 8 days after
conception.

Which of the following, if performed by the fertility clinic, could logically be expected to resolve the potentially
costly problem of first time patients paying for an unnecessary second prescription of clomiphene?

(A) Releasing a general announcement that females less than 12 days from conception cannot be effectively
tested for pregnancy

(B) Requiring all females less than 12 days from conception to have a doctors prescription before taking a
pregnancy test

(C) Researching possible ways to test females less than 8 days from conception for pregnancy

(D) Ensuring that couples do not make their purchase decision before 12 days has passed since conception

(E) Stopping all females who have been taking fertility drugs for more than 12 months and having them learn
more about another pregnancy option called in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
Couple patients who come to a fertility clinic generally get a prescription for clomiphene, a fertility drug, each time they
take a pregnancy test that shows up negative. However, females who test less than 12 days from the date of conception
have generally not built up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their bodies, a sign of pregnancy, to be
detected reliably. Many first time patients are impatient and make their decisions to get another costly prescription after
negative results from a pregnancy test less than 8 days after conception.

Which of the following, if performed by the fertility clinic, could logically be expected to resolve the potentially costly
problem of first time patients paying for an unnecessary second prescription of clomiphene?

Problem: Patients paying for unnecessary

second prescription
Prethinking
Recognize inference

Find how we can avoid the excessive cost.

Pregnancy Buy drug
test
negative

Test less than 8 Buy drug (-) Costly/excessive How to solve?

days after
conception
Step 2: (A) (B) (C)
Couple patients who come to a fertility clinic generally get a prescription for clomiphene, a fertility drug, each time they
take a pregnancy test that shows up negative. However, females who test less than 12 days from the date of conception
have generally not built up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their bodies, a sign of pregnancy, to be
detected reliably. Many first time patients are impatient and make their decisions to get another costly prescription after
negative results from a pregnancy test less than 8 days after conception.

Which of the following, if performed by the fertility clinic, could logically be expected to resolve the potentially costly
problem of first time patients paying for an unnecessary second prescription of clomiphene?
Does this show 1) how we can avoid paying for the unnecessary second prescription?
(A) Releasing a general announcement that females less than 12 days from conception cannot be effectively tested for
Not necessarily pregnancy
avoided No. Mentions making an announcement but doing so will not avoid excessive purchases
necessarily.

(B) Requiring all females less than 12 days from conception to have a doctors prescription before taking a pregnancy
Not necessarily
test
avoided No. Mentions a barrier to taking pregnancy test early but we care about avoiding payment for
the second prescription for that drug not requirements related to the pregnancy test

(C) Researching possible ways to test females less than 8 days from conception for pregnancy
Not necessarily No. Mentions research to determine pregnancy status earlier but does not mean a new
avoided solution exists that would avoid excessive purchases by giving accurate results early on
Step 2: (D) (E)

Couple patients who come to a fertility clinic generally get a prescription for clomiphene, a fertility drug, each time they
take a pregnancy test that shows up negative. However, females who test less than 12 days from the date of conception
have generally not built up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their bodies, a sign of pregnancy, to be
detected reliably. Many first time patients are impatient and make their decisions to get another costly prescription after
negative results from a pregnancy test less than 8 days after conception.

Which of the following, if performed by the fertility clinic, could logically be expected to resolve the potentially costly
problem of first time patients paying for an unnecessary second prescription of clomiphene?
Does this show 1) how we can avoid paying for the unnecessary second prescription?

(D) Ensuring that couples do not make their purchase decision before 12 days has passed since conception
Yes. Mentions purchases are NOT made before 12 days. Thus test should be more accurate
Excessive cost
and payment for excessive prescription is avoided.
avoided

(E) Stopping all females who have been taking fertility drugs for more than 12 months and having them learn more
about another pregnancy option called in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Eliminates cost but not No. Not related to avoiding payment for the prescription.
the excessive portion Mentions another option. Fertility drug is only excessive if the test shows negative at 8 days
but then is actually positive after 12 days, yet a purchase was made. But (E) eliminates the cost
of fertility drug rather than eliminating the portion that is excessive.
Step 3: Conclusion (D)
Couple patients who come to a fertility clinic generally get a prescription for clomiphene, a fertility drug, each
time they take a pregnancy test that shows up negative. However, females who test less than 12 days from
the date of conception have generally not built up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their
bodies, a sign of pregnancy, to be detected reliably. Many first time patients are impatient and make their
decisions to get another costly prescription after negative results from a pregnancy test less than 8 days after
conception.

Which of the following, if performed by the fertility clinic, could logically be expected to resolve the potentially
costly problem of first time patients paying for an unnecessary second prescription of clomiphene?

Problem: Patients paying for unnecessary second prescription

This would resolve the problem

Pregnancy Buy drug

test
negative
(D) Ensuring that couples do
not make their purchase
Test less than 8 Buy drug
decision before 12 days has
Costly/excessive
days after passed since conception
conception
How to solve?
(D) 12 days before
purchasing next set
Sourcing Refined Petroleum
Which of the following are supported by statements?
The cost to refine petroleum in Country X is 10% less than the cost of refining petroleum in Country Y. Even
after transport fees for the petroleum and tariff charges are added, it is still cheaper for an oil company to
import refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y than to refine the petroleum in Country Y.

The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

(A) Labor costs in Country X are ten percent below those in Country Y.

(B) Refining petroleum in Country X and then importing to Country Y will eliminate ten percent of the refinery
jobs in Country Y.

(C) The tariff on petroleum imported from Country X to Country Y is less than ten percent of the cost of
refining petroleum in Country Y.

(D) The fee for importing refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y is more than ten percent of the cost
of refining petroleum in Country X.

(E) It takes ten percent less time to refine petroleum in Country X than it does in Country Y.
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
The cost to refine petroleum in Country X is 10% less than the cost of refining petroleum in Country Y. Even
after transport fees for the petroleum and tariff charges are added, it is still cheaper for an oil company to
import refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y than to refine the petroleum in Country Y.

The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

[ Assertion ]

? Prethinking
Recognize inference
Country X Country Y
10% Find a statement that is supported by info. Use
10% less refining base
cost
< number values to visualize (let country Y cost be
100).
Still cheaper to
import from X into Y,
even after fees

90 100

90 + fees < 100

Step 2: (A) (B) (C)

The cost to refine petroleum in Country X is 10% less than the cost of refining petroleum in Country Y. Even
after transport fees for the petroleum and tariff charges are added, it is still cheaper for an oil company to
import refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y than to refine the petroleum in Country Y.

The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

(A) Labor costs in Country X are ten percent below those in Country Y.
Not relevant No. We only know cost of refinement, not labor costs.

(B) Refining petroleum in Country X and then importing to Country Y will eliminate ten percent of the refinery
jobs in Country Y.
Not relevant No. We cannot say anything about jobs only costs of refining and transporting

(C) The tariff on petroleum imported from Country X to Country Y is less than ten percent of the cost
of refining petroleum in Country Y.
Supported Yes. 90 + fees < 100 using our number examples. So the fees must be less than 10.
Step 2: (D) (E)
The cost to refine petroleum in Country X is 10% less than the cost of refining petroleum in Country Y. Even
after transport fees for the petroleum and tariff charges are added, it is still cheaper for an oil company to
import refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y than to refine the petroleum in Country Y.

The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

(D) The fee for importing refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y is more than ten percent of the cost
of refining petroleum in Country X.
No. Importing refined petroleum is the fees. But 90 + fees < 100; fees<10, they cant be
Opposite more than 10.

(E) It takes ten percent less time to refine petroleum in Country X than it does in Country Y.
Not relevant
No. We do not have info about time
Step 3: Conclusion (C)
The cost to refine petroleum in Country X is 10% less than the cost of refining petroleum in Country Y. Even
after transport fees for the petroleum and tariff charges are added, it is still cheaper for an oil company to
import refined petroleum from Country X to Country Y than to refine the petroleum in Country Y.

The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?

(C) The tariff on petroleum imported from Country X

to Country Y is less than ten percent of the cost of
refining petroleum in Country Y.

Country X Country Y
10% less refining base
cost

Still cheaper to
import from X into Y,
even after fees

90 100 Fees < 10. Since we started with 100, fees

90 + fees < 100 must be less than 10%
 Military Deterrence
Which of the following can be properly inferred?
The theory of military deterrence was based on a simple psychological truth, that fear of retaliation makes a
would-be aggressor nation hesitate before attacking and is often sufficient to deter it altogether from attacking.
Clearly, then to maintain military deterrence, a nation would have to be believed to have retaliatory power so
great that a potential aggressor nation would have reason to think that it could not defend itself against such
retaliation.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following can be properly inferred?

(A) A would-be aggressor nation can be deterred from attacking only if it has certain knowledge that it would
be destroyed in retaliation by the country it attacks.

(B) A nation will not attack another nation if it believes that its own retaliatory power surpasses that of the
other nation.

(C) One nations failing to attack another establishes that the nation that fails to attack believes that it could
not withstand a retaliatory attack from the other nation.

(D) It is in the interests of a nation that seeks deterrence and has unsurpassed military power to let potential
aggressors against it become aware of its power of retaliatory attack.

(E) Maintaining maximum deterrence from aggression by other nations requires that a nation maintain a
retaliatory force greater than that of any other nation.
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
The theory of military deterrence was based on a simple psychological truth, that fear of retaliation makes a
would-be aggressor nation hesitate before attacking and is often sufficient to deter it altogether from attacking.
Clearly, then to maintain military deterrence, a nation would have to be believed to have retaliatory power so
great that a potential aggressor nation would have reason to think that it could not defend itself against such
retaliation.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following can be properly inferred?

[ Inference ]

? Prethinking
Recognize inference

Find a statement that is supported by info.

Fear of retaliation Prevents an
attack from
happening
Must be believed to
have high retaliatory
power
Step 2: (A) (B) (C)
The theory of military deterrence was based on a simple psychological truth, that fear of retaliation makes a
would-be aggressor nation hesitate before attacking and is often sufficient to deter it altogether from attacking.
Clearly, then to maintain military deterrence, a nation would have to be believed to have retaliatory power so
great that a potential aggressor nation would have reason to think that it could not defend itself against such
retaliation.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following can be properly inferred?

(A) A would-be aggressor nation can be deterred from attacking only if it has certain knowledge that it would
be destroyed in retaliation by the country it attacks.
Too extreme No. Inferences usually arent extreme/definitive answers so certainly destroyed would
be a red flag word. Mentions aggressor is deterred ONLY if it knows it will be completely
destroyed in an retaliatory attack. The passage only says that the aggressor would have
to feel it could not defend itself not necessarily that it would be completely destroyed.
(B) A nation will not attack another nation if it believes that its own retaliatory power surpasses that of the
other nation.
Not supported
No. Information in passage only suggests a link between decision to attack and possible
retaliation NOT aggressors retaliation ability with targets retaliation ability.
(C) One nations failing to attack another establishes that the nation that fails to attack believes that it could
not withstand a retaliatory attack from the other nation.
No. This statement is definitive whereas the passage states that fear of retaliation OFTEN is
Too extreme
sufficient to deter not ALL the time. So it is not definitively the case that if a nation does not
attack that it believes it cant withstand retaliation. There can be other outcomes.
Step 2: (D) (E)
The theory of military deterrence was based on a simple psychological truth, that fear of retaliation makes a
would-be aggressor nation hesitate before attacking and is often sufficient to deter it altogether from attacking.
Clearly, then to maintain military deterrence, a nation would have to be believed to have retaliatory power so
great that a potential aggressor nation would have reason to think that it could not defend itself against such
retaliation.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following can be properly inferred?

(D) It is in the interests of a nation that seeks deterrence and has unsurpassed military power to let
potential aggressors against it become aware of its power of retaliatory attack.
Supported Yes. Mentions that nations should communicate to others and let others know of their
potential retaliatory power. This is an example of information mentioned in passage.

(E) Maintaining maximum deterrence from aggression by other nations requires that a nation maintain a
retaliatory force greater than that of any other nation.
Not supported No. Mentions that a nation must have retaliatory force greater than others. This does
not matter as an aggressors decision to attack is not based on one nations retaliatory
power and anothers retaliatory power. Its based on one nations retaliatory power and
another nations defense ability not the same comparison.
Step 3: Conclusion (D)
The theory of military deterrence was based on a simple psychological truth, that fear of retaliation makes a
would-be aggressor nation hesitate before attacking and is often sufficient to deter it altogether from attacking.
Clearly, then to maintain military deterrence, a nation would have to be believed to have retaliatory power so
great that a potential aggressor nation would have reason to think that it could not defend itself against such
retaliation.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following can be properly inferred?
(D) It is in the interests of a nation that seeks deterrence and has unsurpassed
military power to let potential aggressors against it become aware of its power of
retaliatory attack.
?

Fear of retaliation Prevents an

attack from This is an inferred statement that is supported by
happening information to prevent aggressors, aggressors must
know/be aware of anothers retaliatory ability.
Must believed to
have high retaliatory
power
Food Package Shipments
If true, which of the following must also be true?
National Defense Coordinator:

Each week, the Department of Defense sends food packages to its Navy Seals training in a covert operation.
The ten specially ordered shipments sent out last week were sent out on Monday. Last week, all of the
shipments that were sent out on Friday consisted entirely of granola bars and water. On Saturday and
Sunday, no shipments were sent. Six shipments were sent to Navy Seals training in Covert Location #1, only
three of which consisted of granola bars and water.

If the shipping clerk's statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

(A) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 last week was specially ordered.

(B) At least one of last week's specially ordered shipments did not consist of granola bars and water.

(C) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 was not sent out on Monday of last week.

(D) At least one of the shipments that were sent out on Friday of last week was sent to Covert Location #1

(E) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 last week was sent out before Friday.
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
National Defense Coordinator:

Each week, the Department of Defense sends food packages to its Navy Seals training in a covert operation.
The ten specially ordered shipments sent out last week were sent out on Monday. Last week, all of the
shipments that were sent out on Friday consisted entirely of granola bars and water. On Saturday and
Sunday, no shipments were sent. Six shipments were sent to Navy Seals training in Covert Location #1, only
three of which consisted of granola bars and water.

If the shipping clerk's statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

[ Inference ] Prethinking
Recognize inference
?
Find a statement that is supported by
info.
Rules One Specific Example
Monday: 10 special
orders Location #1:
6 shipments
Friday: All granola bars --- 3 are granola/water
and water Looks like half of the 6 came from Friday
Saturday/Sunday: None
Step 2: (A) (B) (C)
National Defense Coordinator:

Each week, the Department of Defense sends food packages to its Navy Seals training in a covert operation.
The ten specially ordered shipments sent out last week were sent out on Monday. Last week, all of the
shipments that were sent out on Friday consisted entirely of granola bars and water. On Saturday and
Sunday, no shipments were sent. Six shipments were sent to Navy Seals training in Covert Location #1, only
three of which consisted of granola bars and water.

If the shipping clerk's statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

(A) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 last week was specially ordered.
We dont know this No. Mentions at least 1 special order from Monday. But possible the shipments could
have come Tuesday or other days of the week.

(B) At least one of last week's specially ordered shipments did not consist of granola bars and water.
No. We have no idea what was in the specially ordered shipments. Its possible that
We dont know this
they did consist of granola bars since passage does not say granola was ONLY shipped
on Friday.

(C) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 was not sent out on Monday of last week.
No. Its possible that all the shipments were sent out on Monday the special
We dont know this shipments could have had 3 granola packages AND could have 3 of the other ones.
Step 2: (D) (E)
National Defense Coordinator:

Each week, the Department of Defense sends food packages to its Navy Seals training in a covert operation.
The ten specially ordered shipments sent out last week were sent out on Monday. Last week, all of the
shipments that were sent out on Friday consisted entirely of granola bars and water. On Saturday and
Sunday, no shipments were sent. Six shipments were sent to Navy Seals training in Covert Location #1, only
three of which consisted of granola bars and water.

If the shipping clerk's statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

(D) At least one of the shipments that were sent out on Friday of last week was sent to Covert Location #1
We dont know this No. Mentions at least one of the granola packages was sent to Location #1. While
possible, its also possible that none of the granola packages sent out Friday went to
Location #1. The granola packages could have come from Mon-Thurs nothing in the
passage says granola could NOT have come from the other days.

(E) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1 last week was sent out before Friday.
Supported Yes. Since Sat/Sunday had no shipments, then Friday would have been latest
shipment day. But Friday is only granola/water and we know Location #1 had other
Note: The more shipments too. So we must have gotten these other goods from at least one of the
general, the better
other days.
Step 3: Conclusion (E)
National Defense Coordinator:

Each week, the Department of Defense sends food packages to its Navy Seals training in a covert operation.
The ten specially ordered shipments sent out last week were sent out on Monday. Last week, all of the
shipments that were sent out on Friday consisted entirely of granola bars and water. On Saturday and
Sunday, no shipments were sent. Six shipments were sent to Navy Seals training in Covert Location #1, only
three of which consisted of granola bars and water.

If the shipping clerk's statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

(E) At least one of the shipments sent to Covert Location #1

last week was sent out before Friday.
?
Friday is latest day possible but Location
#1 had goods other than the ones
Rules One Specific Example shipped out on the latest day.

Monday: 10 special
orders Location #1:
6 shipments
Friday: All granola bars --- 3 are granola/water
and water

Saturday/Sunday: None
Triberian Iron Ore Productivity
Which of the following can be concluded from the statement?
Iron ore mines in Triberia have demonstrated that upgraded technology can result in large increases in
productivity level. In a country where no new iron ore mines have been opened, Triberia's iron ore output per
miner has doubled during the last 5 years.

Which of the following can be properly concluded from the statement about iron ore output per miner in the
passage?

(A) If any new iron ore mines had opened in Triberia in the past five years, then the increase in output per
miner would have been even greater than it actually was.

(B) In Triberia the cost of producing a given quantity of iron ore has declined over the past five years.

(C) Any individual Triberian iron ore mine that achieved an increase in overall output in the past five years has
also experienced an increase in output per miner.

(D) If any individual Triberian iron ore mine has not increased its output per miner in the past five years, then
that mine's overall output has declined or remained constant.

(E) If the number of miners working in Triberia iron ore mines has remained constant in the past five years,
Triberia's total iron ore production has doubled in that period of time.
Step 1: Visualize and recognize as inference
Iron ore mines in Triberia have demonstrated that upgraded technology can result in large increases in
productivity level. In a country where no new iron ore mines have been opened, Triberia's iron ore output per
miner has doubled during the last 5 years.

Which of the following can be properly concluded from the statement about iron ore output per miner in the
passage?

[ Inference ]
Prethinking
?
Recognize inference

Find a statement that is supported by

Upgraded Large increases in
technology for iron info.
productivity
ore mines
If output per miner doubled, what
about total output?
No new mines Output per miner doubled
opened, only existing in 5 years
mines
Step 2: (A) (B) (C)
Iron ore mines in Triberia have demonstrated that upgraded technology can result in large increases in
productivity level. In a country where no new iron ore mines have been opened, Triberia's iron ore output per
miner has doubled during the last 5 years.

Which of the following can be properly concluded from the statement about iron ore output per miner in the
passage?

(A) If any new iron ore mines had opened in Triberia in the past five years, then the increase in output per
miner would have been even greater than it actually was.
Not supported No. This is a hypothetical situation that changes information in passage which stated
that no new iron ore mines opened. Not a statement that is supported.

(B) In Triberia the cost of producing a given quantity of iron ore has declined over the past five years.
Not relevant No. This question is not about cost, we have no information in the passage to support
this statement.

(C) Any individual Triberian iron ore mine that achieved an increase in overall output in the past five years has
also experienced an increase in output per miner.
No. Its possible that a mine that achieved increase got it from an increase in # of
Exception found
miners, not necessarily from an increase in output PER miner.
Step 2: (D) (E)
Iron ore mines in Triberia have demonstrated that upgraded technology can result in large increases in
productivity level. In a country where no new iron ore mines have been opened, Triberia's iron ore output per
miner has doubled during the last 5 years.

Which of the following can be properly concluded from the statement about iron ore output per miner in the
passage?

(D) If any individual Triberian iron ore mine has not increased its output per miner in the past five years, then
that mine's overall output has declined or remained constant.
Exception found No. Its possible that output per miner for an individual mine declined, but the total # of
miners for that mine increased. And because of MORE miners, the output for the mine
actually increased, despite less output PER miner.

(E) If the number of miners working in Triberia iron ore mines has remained constant in the past five
years, Triberia's total iron ore production has doubled in that period of time.
Supported Yes. If output per miner doubled and other factors stayed the same, then the total
output must also have doubled.
Output = # mines * ( # miners / mine) * (output / miner)
(change in output ) = (constant) * (constant) * (doubled)

The remaining variable is change in output it must have doubled.

Conclusion (E)
Iron ore mines in Triberia have demonstrated that upgraded technology can result in large increases in
productivity level. In a country where no new iron ore mines have been opened, Triberia's iron ore output per
miner has doubled during the last 5 years.

Which of the following can be properly concluded from the statement about iron ore output per miner in the
passage?

[ Inference ] (E) If the number of miners working in Triberia

iron ore mines has remained constant in the
? past five years, Triberia's total iron ore
production has doubled in that period of time.

Upgraded Large increases in

technology for iron productivity
ore mines

No new mines Output per miner doubled

opened, only existing in 5 years
mines