Q: Mathematics allows us to expand our consciousness. Mathematics tells us about economic
trends, patterns of disease, and the growth of populations. Math is good at exposing the truth,
but it can also perpetuate misunderstandings and untruths. Figures have the power to mislead
people.
This paragraph best supports the statement that
A. words are more truthful than figures
B. the study of mathematics is more important than other disciplines
C. the power of numbers is that they cannot lie.
D. figures are sometimes used to deceive people
Solution: This answer is clearly stated in the last sentence of the paragraph. Choice a can be ruled out
because there is no support to show that studying math is dangerous. Words are not
mentioned in the passage, which rules out choice b. Choice d is a contradiction to the
information in the passage. There is no support for choice c.
Q: In the 1966 Supreme Court decision Miranda v. Arizona, the court held that before the police
can obtain statements from a person subjected to an interrogation, the person must be given
a Miranda warning. This warning means that a person must be told that he or she has the
right to remain silent during the police interrogation. Violation of this right means that any
statement that the person makes is not admissible in a court hearing.
This paragraph best supports the statement that
A. police who do not warn persons of their Miranda rights are guilty of a crime
B. a Miranda warning must be given before a police interrogation can begin.
C. the police may no longer interrogate persons suspected of a crime unless a lawyer is
present
D. the 1966 Supreme Court decision in Miranda should be reversed
Solution: This answer is clearly supported in the second sentence. Nothing in the paragraph suggests
that it is a crime not to give a Miranda warning, so choice a is incorrect. Choice c is also wrong
because police may interrogate as long as a warning is given. There is no support given for
either choice d or e.
Q: There are no effective boundaries when it comes to pollutants. Studies have shown that toxic
insecticides that have been banned in many countries are riding the wind from countries where
they remain legal. Compounds such as DDT and toxaphene have been found in remote places
like the Yukon and other Arctic regions.
This paragraph best supports the statement that
A. toxic insecticides such as DDT have not been banned throughout the world.
B. more pollutants find their way into polar climates than they do into warmer areas
C. studies have proven that many countries have ignored their own antipollution laws
D. DDT and toxaphene are the two most toxic insecticides in the world.
Solution: The support for this choice is in the second sentence, which states that in some countries,
toxic insecticides are still legal. Choice b is incorrect because even though polar regions are
mentioned in the paragraph, there is no support for the idea that warmer regions are not just
as affected. There is no support for choice c. Choice d can be ruled out because there is
nothing to indicate that DDT and toxaphene are the most toxic. Choice e is illogical.