Our collective obsession with celebrities and entertainment news is ruining this country. As a nation, we face daunting political, economic, social and environmental problems that threaten our existence. Instead of dealing with these problems, we instead focus on the minute details of even the most minor celebrities. How can we prepare for the challenges of the future when we’re so obsessed with trivia of the present?

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

Landline telephone sales are declining and will no longer exist in a few decades. This is because almost everyone has cellular service or is able to rely on computer systems for their personal needs. Even in workplaces, landlines are becoming obsolete.

The argument depends on which of the following?

The business model of internet cafes is no longer capable of success in the United States. This is because the availability of internet has skyrocketed over the past several years. Free wifi is offered in most major coffee shops and stores. Additionally, Americans have mobile devices with plans that provide them with internet access. For those without devices, public libraries also provide computers offering internet access, free of charge.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

The per capita violent crime rate in Jackson City is over higher than it was just six years ago. And yet only ten miles away, the city of Trentdale, the rate has risen only . Though the two towns are similar in a great many ways, clearly residents of Jackson City are far more likely to become victims of violent crime than their close neighbors in Trentdale.

Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the conclusion above?

Cities should stop subsidizing the construction of sports stadiums. These subsidies, in the form of tax breaks or municipal funding, take money directly from city residents. Sports teams are owned by wealthy people who don’t need help. On the other hand, every dollar spent subsidizing a stadium is one less dollar available for schools or city services.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

Even though she is allergic to chocolate, Sandra found a box of chocolates in her mailbox, apparently a gift from an anonymous party. If the gift had been sent by someone who knew her well, they would have known that Sandra is allergic to chocolate and would not be happy to receive it. Someone who only knew Sandra in passing would surely have included some note indicating who the gift was from, but there was no such note. So it must be that the unknown person intended to give Sandra some other candy, or an identifying note was lost in the mail, or the chocolates were accidentally put in her mailbox.

The reasoning above is questionable because it fails to exclude the possibility that ___________.

Scientists are close to developing a satellite detection system that will accurately predict the path of hurricanes and other catastrophic weather events. It will soon be possible for meteorologists to provide warnings to communities that will be affected by such disasters as early as one week in advance. The costs of developing and maintaining such a system are immense, but the potential cost-savings in terms of both human life and property make this a very viable project.

The author assumes what about current detection systems for catastrophic weather events?

Despite its appearance as an exhibition sport at the 2012 Games, the so-called “sport” of parkour should not be added to the permanent roster of Olympic events. Though parkour’s varied physical challenges—or, to use its practitioners favored term, its ‘moves’— certainly require a great deal of physical skill and even, at times, grace, thus far even its most ardent supporters have been unable to suggest a plausible system of scoring under which participants might be ranked.

Which of the following is an assumption that supports drawing the conclusion above from the reasons given for that conclusion?

The way we treat the most vulnerable members of our society reflects on our own level of moral development. The poor, the homeless, orphans, the mentally ill, prisoners and those afflicted with disease usually lack the political power to advocate on their own behalf. When we address their concerns and make them our own, that is when we show true nobility of spirit.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

Unions still have a vital role to play in society despite their declining membership. Issues like the minimum wage, health care, pension insolvency and outsourcing still affect millions of workers. While “union bosses” make easy targets for some politicians, it doesn’t change the fact that unions are the only institution run by and for workers. For this reason, if for no other, they will survive.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?