TSA 2012 S1

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

The passage talks about how when travelling to another country it is good to learn a small amount of the language, not just for general function such as asking for directions, but to learn about the culture, and also be less embarrassing than pointing and arm-waving. Looking at the answer options, A, B and C are points raised in the text, in addition to this, C is untrue and doesn’t follow the conclusion of the passage. Option E, isn’t discussed at all, leaving option D, which is a valid conclusion for the argument of the text.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

Image it is just 1 vehicle travelling the 8km. The speed of the vehicle would be the sum of the Stewart and Micheal’s speeds: 20+12=32km/h. To calculate the time, divide the distance by the speed: 8/32=1/4=0.25 hours. In minutes, this would be 0.25×60=15 minutes.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

The argument is that the government’s guidelines of eating 5 fruit/veg a day will have a negative impact on farmers and the landscape, by reducing demand for meat and dairy. For this argument to be valid, it must follow that the reduction in demand has been directly caused by increased fruit and veg consumption (due to the government’s advice). E highlights the flaw that decreased consumption of dairy products does not necessarily follow from increased fruit and veg consumption. Answers A, B and C may actually strengthen the argument. Whereas D is irrelevant as the argument does not suggest that this is will be the case.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

The passage discusses body piercings, including facts on the percentage of UK adults with piercings and those who experience complications requiring hospital admission. The passage talks about common types of piercings, as well as where you can get piercings done. It also speaks about serious infections you can contract in other countries from piercings such as Hep B and C, and HIV. Looking at the answer options, A and B are not spoken about in the text. Option C, is irrelevant as the survey was of 10,000 adults, which can be deemed as a sizeable study. Option E isn’t mentioned in the text, leaving option D, which can be concluded accurately based on the facts mentioned in the text. Try the therefore test, at the end of the passage add therefore D, and you can see this is the only viable conclusion.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

The argument is that employers should be prompted to offer more flexibility in working hours and possibly fewer working hours to prevent these aspects from discouraging females from seeking promotion to senior positions. It also refers to the lower percentage of women in senior positions than men. In order for the suggested changes in working hours to result in an increase in females in senior positions, there must be no other reasons why females would be less likely to be promoted than men. Therefore the assumption in this argument must be that women are no less suitable than men for working in senior positions, which is highlighted by answer D.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

Spendings without the daughter: food bill=0.7×120=84, household goods=0.2×120=24, store-cupboard=0.1×120=12. Spendings with daughter: food bill=84×1.2=100.80, household goods=24×1.05=25.20, store-cupboard=12. Total spendings when daughter is home: 100.80+25.20+12=138. To make these calculations simpler, you may wish to multiple by fractions instead (eg. 84×6/5=100.80) or find the percentage added and add this to the original (20% of 84 is 10%x2=8.4×2=16.80, then 16.80+84=100.80).

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

For this question you only need to focus on the exams on Wednesday as there are no roles dictating whether or not invigilators can or cannot work a certain number of days consecutively. Therefore, the data for the other exams is just extra information. First, we can go through the 4 exams taking place that day and ensure that there is one invigilator present that teaches that subject. Only Marjorie teaches maths, and only Susan teaches Latin hence they must both be present during the morning session (meaning that they can therefore no longer invigilate during the afternoon session). The question does note that there must be at least one male and one female invigilator during each session, but since any of the 3 male teachers can fill that role we can move onto the afternoon session. Both Jenny and Marjorie teach English, but since Marjorie has already invigilated for the day, Jenny must be present during the evening session. Similarly, both Susan and Keith teach Spanish, but since Susan already invigilates during the morning session on Wednesday, Keith must be present during the afternoon session. Hence both Keith and Jenny invigilate on Wednesday afternoon and the answer is C.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

A could be the view of the third cylinder in the picture from the side if the cylinder was cutr longitudinally. B could be the view from any of the three cylinder from above if the cylinder was cut transversly. D could be the view of any of the cylinders from above when cut longitudinally. E could be the side view of one of the cylinders when cut diagonally. Therefore C is the answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The argument is that the growth of hunting clubs should be opposed because the rare and endangered species of bears that these clubs target are at risk of becoming extinct. Answer C may weaken the argument by suggesting that these hunting clubs have not affected the number of bears, so opposing these clubs would not help prevent extinction of bear species because the hunting clubs are not decreasing the bear populations in the first place.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

The argument is that on planes that lack onboard power points, laptops should not be allowed on long haul flights. The support for this argument is given in the first and final sentences in the passage, stating that laptops are of limited use because they cannot be used for the duration of long haul flights without needing to be recharged. But for this argument to be valid, it must follow that laptops are only useful if they can be used for the entire duration of long flights, which is not the case; they could be used for part of the flight and this could still be helpful for the user. This is highlighted by answer E. A suggests that some people may be required to use their laptops, which is not a flaw. B is not a flaw because the argument is not wanting laptops to banned on long haul flights due to their risk of being damaged. C is not a flaw because is this argument focuses on long haul flights specifically. D may be true but does not mean that laptops shouldn’t be banned on planes lacking power points.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

This passage talks about children watching junk TV, and speaks to the argument that we should not allow children to watch junk TV. It speaks about how many parents are concerned about violence, crime and early sexual awareness, yet says they are unconcerned about what they are watching on TV. Speaking quite abruptly about how parents should be using common sense and a remote control. Looking at the answer options, B, although true based on the passage isn’t the main conclusion. This is the same for answer C. Looking at answers D and E, these are not true based on the text, and therefore not viable answers. This leaves us with answer option A as the only viable conclusion. If you practice with the therefore test you will see it is the correct conclusion.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

Draw a venn diagram consisting of two overlapping circles, one labelled M (maths) and the other labelled E (economics). 45 people did neither M or E so write 45 outside the circles. There were 230 people altogether, so the total number of people inside the circles (which either have M or E or both) would be: 230-45=185. To calculate the number of people in the overlapping segment (who have both M and E), we need to find the difference between the total number of people inside the circles (185) and the number of people who have M + E: (127+89)-185=216-185=31 people.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

We need to find the component that will limit the number of board games we can make. We can do this by dividing the number of that particular item in the warehouse by the number required in one board game. Playing boards=98/1=98, question cards=5000/50=100, playing pieces=we don’t really need to calculate because by inspection we can estimate that the answer will be more than 98, money tokens=we don’t need to calculate because there are the same number in the warehouse as there are question cards but the number needed for one board game is lower so the answer will be higher than for question cards, bonus tokens=1000/12=83(rounded down to the nearest whole number), dice=again we don’t need to calculate because will obviously be larger than 83. The bonus tokens limit the number of board games that can be dispatched, which is 83. But the answer asks how many cartons can be dispatched, which each contain 8 board games. So the final calculation would be 83/8=10(rounded down to the nearest whole number).

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

Rotating B 180 degrees would mean the hexagon is in the bottom right corner, the rectangle is in the leftmost square of the 2nd row and the remaining shapes could be covered by circles to give the layout of the board above.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The passage discusses corporate responsibility for serious accidents such as train and plane crashes where companies can be found guilty of corporate killing. It speaks about how company financial punishments does little to impact individuals within the company with little sense of personal responsibility for safety. The argument speaks about how allowing jail sentences for directors of these companies would provide incentives to provide the best safety. Looking at the answer options, A is incorrect, as does not follow what the argument is calling for. B is not covered within the text and is very opinion based. Option D, although following the theme of the argument, is very opinion based and is also incorrect as it is for safety, not achieving justice. Option E, is also incorrect, as this not addressed in the text, and therefore unable to be implied. Therefore, this leaves option C as the correct answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

The first sentence in the passage states that America is heaving with free debate and support is given for this in the following sentence, giving the ferocity of the public and media against George W Bush as the example. However, for this example to support the argument, it must somehow show that free debate is taking/took place in America. Therefore the argument relies on the assumption that the turn of the people against George W Bush highlights that free debate is taking place, which is given by answer B.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The argument is that higher cancer rates in Europe (compared to in non-European developing countries) must be due to cancer-causing foods. The support given for this is that there is evidence for the higher cancer rates in Europe not being due to greater genetic susceptibility and that there are major differences in the diet between European and developing countries. A does not strengthen the argument because even if diet is not a major cause of cancer in developing countries, that does not exclude the idea that diet could be in European countries. B is irrelevant as the argument refers to the difference in cancer rates between European and non-European countries, not between different areas in Europe. D is also irrelevant because the argument focuses on diet causing cancer, not any other diseases. E may be thought to weaken the argument by suggesting that the lower rates of cancer in non-European countries may be due to an age difference (higher proportion of younger people in non-European countries due to the younger people who migrate their from European countries), however this has to be quite deeply inferred so it unlikely to weaken the argument the most. Answer C, on the other hand, clearly weakens the argument by introducing differences in stress levels as an alternative to diet for the difference in cancer rates.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

The quickest approach to answering this question is to simply run through the different answer options and see if they meet the requirements. As we start off with A we can see that it meets the distance limits of both Gordon and Helen. However, it is not instantly clear at first glance whether or not this lies within the distance range indicated from Ingrid’s location. As 22,07 is the point diagonally across from Ingrid it will be more than 1000m away from Ingrid but it is less clear whether it is further than 1100m away. Hence, we can go through the remaining options to check whether all the rest can be excluded. B and C can be excluded as they are clearly more than 1800m away from Ingrid. D is further than 2000m away from Gordon, while E lies 1000m away from Ingrid even through the signal strength suggests that the falcon is at least more than 1100m away. So, A must be correct. An alternative approach may be to annotate the image with circles indicating the different signal ranges provided but this will only take you longer to answer the question.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

To calculate the percentage of men who consumed more than 6g/day subtract 11% (the percentage of men who consumed less than 6g/day) from 100%: 100-11=89% of men. Although the column for men only gives a maximum percentage of 96, the remaning 4% would have been those who consumed more than 18g/day so we still need to include them. Using the same method for women: 100-30=70%. So far, we have calculated percentages assuming that all the men are 100% and all the women are 100%. Because the question states there are equal numbers of men and women, we can assume that there are 50% men and 50%, so similarly we can half the % of both men and women that consumed more than 6g/day: (89+70)/2=159/2=79.5. Rounded to the nearest 1% this would be 80%.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

The argument is that we should let other insects control pests rather than using pesticides. The support given for the argument is that many insects survive by feeding on pests, so it is unnecessary to spend money on pesticides when these insects can control pests anyway. But this assumes that the insects would be just as good as the pesticides (or even better), which may not be the case, highlighted by answer A. B and C are not flaws because they just suggest other points that could have been used to strengthen the argument. D may be thought of as a flaw, but there may equally be problems presented by the use of pesticides. E is not a flaw because the argument is not that pests are a problem (this is assumed) but rather that a different method of pest control should be used.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

We can find the answer by thinking of each number given as either a loss(-) or a gain(+) in reference to Alan. He bought the jug for £80, which is a loss. He sold it for £100 (gain). He bought it again for £110 (loss). He sold the jug again for £120 (gain). Altogether: -80+100-110+120=£30.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

To find the time of take-off for their first flight, we need to look for the earliest time in the depart column of the Rome-London section of the table (since the flight crew starts its day in Rome). This is 09:05. They arrive in London before the 10:30 take-off back to Rome, where they arrive at 13:45. They then must take the 15:05 flight to London (as they missed the 12:05 flight but want the next earliest flight), where they arrive at 15:55. This means they make it in time to catch the 16:30 flight back to Rome, where they arrive at 19:45, having now made 2 round trips. The total time this took was: 19:45-09:05=10hrs and 40min.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

A is the answer as when the paper in A is folded along the dotted line, the hole in the shape will remain the same (no parts of the paper on one side of the fold will overlap parts of the hole on the other side of the fold).

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

This article addresses Scottish independence, speaking about what is meant to happen between the Scottish and UK Government, yet this is not happening. The argument calls for a referendum on the issue and speaks as to why it calls for such drastic action. Looking at the answer options, A isn’t addressed in the argument, C also hasn’t been stated as being adequate finance, so we are unable to conclude this. Answer D is not addressed, and E is assumed from the text, but is not a valid conclusion, as it has not addressed this point directly. Therefore we can conclude that B is the correct answer, as it follows on as a valid conclusion from the points raised in the argument.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

This passage talks about how everyone is exposed to background levels of asbestos in the environment, without risk, and speaks about how exposure to asbestos in buildings where it is in good condition does not cause significantly higher exposure to that of background exposure. Looking at the answer options, A is untrue based on the passage, B is an assumption that we could make, but is quite a big jump from the information offered in the passage. Option C has not been fully explored in the text, and E, while it has been alluded to, is not a conclusion that can be drawn. This leaves D, which is a valid conclusion based on the information provided in the text.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The argument is that the number of road accidents can only be significantly reduced by reducing the number of people who break traffic laws. For this argument to be valid, we must assume that breaking traffic laws causes road accidents directly, which is stated in answer C. A is not an assumption because it does not state in the passage that the number of road accidents are increasing. B is not an assumption as the passage actually states that many offenders ‘think nothing’ of breaking the law, so it does not need to be assumed.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

For the first application, 1/16th of the 12 litre dilution will be Greatgrass, which would be a volume of 12/16=3/4=0.75 litres=750ml. For the second application, 1/25th of the dilution will be Greatgrass, which is 12/25, which can be more easily calculated by converting the 12 litres into ml: 12000/25=2400/5=480ml. Total Greatgrass used: 750+480=1230ml.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

Total number of pupils=90+25+25+60=200. Those who had their GCSE results correctly predicted by their mocks would either have ‘grades A-C’ (value in the top left corner of the table) for both or ‘other grades’ for both (value in the bottom right corner of the table). Adding these values and dividing by the total number of pupils: (90+60)/200=150/200=75%.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

The shape given in A can fit into the leftmost part of the trapezium, keeping A in the same orientation in which it is shown. If we then rotate shape A 180 degrees, it can fit against the vertical side of the first of shape A that we fitted into the trapezium. Keeping shape A in the orientation in which it is given, we could then fit it so its longest (diagonal) side fits against the longest side of the second shape A we used. Finally, flipping a fourth of shape A in the vertical plane would allow it to fit into the rightmost part of the trapezium.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

The argument is that the results from ‘randomised intervention trials’ on the effects on diet on health could be misleading because subjects stick to their diet plan less as the study continues. Answer A strengthens the argument because it gives an example of when subjects do not follow their diet plan due to an external influence. B is irrelevant. C does not strengthen the argument as it draws in another point that the argument as not considered, rather than strengthening the existing argument. D is does not strengthen the argument because it does not argue that diet could contribute to colon cancer, only that it could be used as an example trial. E is irrelevant as the effects of exercise and smoking are not related to the argument.

Explanation

The correct answer is A.

The argument is that due to the effect of police powers on non-drug dealers present in night clubs, we should accept that drugs are being sold in nightclubs (stated in the final sentence). For this argument to be valid, it must follow that the only way to stop police using their power in the ways described is to excuse drug dealing in night clubs. Answer A highlights that there may be alternative methods of preventing this excessive use of police power, which is the flaw. B is not a flaw because the other actions of the police described in the passage (eg. leading people outside and searching them) may have abused people’s civil rights. C is not a flaw because the one example of a nightclub is used to support the argument, rather than confirm that nightclubs sell drugs (this seems to be assumed). D is not a flaw because it uses the selling of crack on the streets as a comparison point rather than stating it’s likelihood of occurring. E may be true, but it does not excuse the breech of civil rights of at least some of the people.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

This passage discusses the trade of human organs, morally and speaks about individual autonomy over their own body and organs. Looking at the answer options, A is not something discussed in the text, B is a point made in the text, but not an overall conclusion. C and E, although true based on the text, are not the main conclusions. Leaving answer option D, which follows the overall theme of the text, and therefore is the best expression of the main conclusion.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

We need to multiply Anton’s new salary by 1.1 (or add on 10% of the value) each year for 8 years following his initial salary (in year 1), after rounding up to the next multiple of 500. To calculate the salary in the second year: 29000×1.1=31900, which is 32000 rounded up to the next 500. For the third year: 32000×1.1=35200, which is 35500 to the next 500. We do the same for the following years up to the 8th year: 4th=35500×1.1=39050~39500, 5th=43450~43500, 6th=47850~48000, 7th=52800~53000, 8th=58300~58500, 9th (we need to do 9th because there are 8 increases, so 9 different salaries in total) =64350~64500.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The best way to approach this question is to work through the answer options in the order in which the corresponding races occur. The earliest race within the answer options is Billard. Looking at the total scores after Billard we can see that even the lowest scoring David can easily still win the Championship if he were to win all subsequent races. We can therefore move on to the next race, Menz. After Menz, both the lowest scoring Michael and David could potentially win the championship if they were to win all subsequent races (which would give them an additional 30 points giving them a total of 54). The next race is Fondra and here we can see that only 2 races remain, so the maximum points any player can now earn is 20 points. Even if David, the lowest scoring player at this point, was to earn 20 points, bringing him up to 45 points, this is already lower than the amount of points Damon already has. Therefore, this is earliest race after which it was clear that one of the players, David, could no longer win the Championship and the correct answer is C.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

If we rotate the room on the left in the diagram so that the 2.2m sides are oriented vertically and the 1.8m sides are horizontally, we can limit the width of the carpet we need to purchase, as the 2.2m sides would be included as part of the 4.2m side, whereas the 1.8m side would need to be added to the 2.6m side of the room on the right. This would give us dimensions of 4.2m by (2.6+1.8=)4.4m, which is answer C.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

A. is incorrect because we cannot assume from the passage that the removal of these two heavy metals would determine that the sludge is safe as it is not clear enough to be stated from the passage. Also, the passage does not claim if it is potentially possible to make the sewage sludge safe or if it is just easier to discard in the North sea which is why both D. and E. cannot be reliably confirmed. B. also cannot be correct as it is conflicting to the passage which describes that Zinc kills plants at lower concentration levels that aren’t concentrated enough to harm animals. And thus, C) is the only answer that can be correct.

Explanation

The correct answer is B.

The argument is that capital punishment should be brought back as the punishment for murder because it would ensure real justice is done and it would save money by reducing spending on long prison sentences. The support given for this argument includes that mistakes (causing innocent people to be hanged) have reduced due to scientific advances. For the argument to be valid, it must be that real justice can still be achieved through capital punishment, despite these occasional mistakes. This assumption is highlighted in answer B. Answer A is not an assumption because the passage states that forensics have reduced the chances of calling innocent people guilty but does no way suggest that no mistakes are made. C cannot be an assumption because the final sentence in the passage states that restoring capital punishment would ‘incidentally’ save money and suggests that ensuring justice is done, rather than the saving of money, being the most important factor. D is not an assumption as the use of capital punishment of a deterrent is not alluded to in the slightest; the reasons given are restoration of justice and saving money. The public opinion is not mentioned, so E is irrelevant.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The argument is that the rate of asthma attacks should be reduced by planting trees in inner city areas, because asthmas rates are lower in parts of cities with more trees. A and B give reasons against planting trees, but do not affect the support given for the argument so are unlikely to most weaken it. D may be true, but the passage refers to asthma rates, not absolute number of cases. E does not weaken the argument because there could be other factors affecting asthmas rates; the passage only states that more trees may lead to lower rates, not that less trees alone caused rates to increase. C most weakens the argument by giving an alternative explanation to the number of trees for the lower asthmas rates in the areas described.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

We’ve been told that the clock is able to show the correct time every hour on the hour, hence the minute hand must return back to 12 within an hour. The minute hand travels down to 6 3x faster than it travels up to 12. In other words, this means that the minute hand travels down to 6 in 1/3 the time that it travels up to 12. If we were to look at this in terms of a ratio this would mean 1/3:1 which can be simplified to 1:3. Splitting an hour into this ratio gives us 15:45 minutes. This means that it takes the minute hand 15 mins to travel down to 6 but 45 mins to travel back up to 12 subsequently. As the speed within each half turn is constant, this means that at quarter to the hour the minute hand is halfway through the last 45 mins of the hour. 45/2=22.5 so 22.5 mins remain until the next hour and the correct answer is D.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

We need to find the shortest length of time between moonrise and sunset for each town, as this is the period in which both the moon and sun are in the sky together. For each town, these are: Avonmouth=2hr 44min, Dun Laoghaire=2hrs 37min, Greenock=2 hrs 29min, Hull=2hrs 37min, Leith=2hrs 28min, Liverpool=2hrs 38min, London=2hrs 44min. So Leith has the shortest time.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

All the shapes have the same L shaped ‘backbone’ and it is therefore easier to compare similarities and differences by focusing upon the 2 cube protrusions from this ‘backbone’. In doing so we can see that shapes B and E are the same and the protrusions here extend out in opposite directions while A and D are also the same. The only shape that is different to all the others is therefore C. It can be tempting to interpret the question to mean that 4 of the shapes are the exact same with one odd one out, which can become confusing when trying to answer the question. Since the question is only asking for one shape that is ‘different from all the others’, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the other four shapes are identical – just that there is at least one other shape that is identical to it.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

The article speaks around how you can only have a certain number of friends, based on how we build and maintain meaningful relationships. It speak about time needed to maintain, emotional connections, and how if we have too many friends this will decline with them. The argument finishs by talking about how the intervnet is not substitute for fact to face engagement and activities in maintaining and building meaningful relations. Looking at the answer options, A is a partial conclusion, but does not reflect the overall message of the text. B, C and D are points raised, not conclusions, but all support the overall conclusion of the text, which is answer E. Linking back to talking about Facebook, which was the opening and concluding aspects to this paragraph, with the points in the middle supporting this conclusion.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The museum is the only thing that attracted tourists>the museum is now closing>therefore few tourists are likely to visit. C parallels this: dairy products are the only things that give me headaches>I am giving up dairy products>therefore I am unlikely to get headaches.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

Explanation

The correct answer is D.

Explanation

The correct answer is C.

As £10 – 40p = £9.60, this means that it costs £9.60 more to buy the low power lightbulb and we therefore need to calculate how long it will take before we are able to recover this extra £9.60.

We are told that a 100W lightbulb uses 7.5p of electricity in 10 hours. This means that within 20 hours (the amount of time that the lightbulb is used for per week) this will cost 15p of electricity. By contrast the 20W lightbulb is said to use the 7.5p of electricity for 50 hours which means that it uses 7.5/5 =1.5p per 10 hours so 3p for every 20 hours. Hence per week, the 100W lightbulb would have used 15p while the 20 W uses 3p and we therefore save 12p each week. To work out how many weeks it will take before we save enough to recover the extra purchase cost, we can do 960p/12p=80 weeks and the correct answer is C.

Explanation

The correct answer is E.

We need to see which of these shapes can be made by visually attempting to fit 4 tables into it, or by drawing lines on the shapes to show separation of the tables. For shape A, the 1st table in the orientation shown in the diagram can fit into the top left corner of the shape, and rotating the 2nd table by 90 degrees clockwise, would allow it to fit on the bottom left corner; the same can be achieved with two consecutive rotates of 90 which would allow the table to fit into the bottom right and then the top right corner. Shape B can be made by fitting one table into each of the top corners, and then making the remaining rectangles by taking the table in the orientation given, rotating another table by 180 degrees and fitting these together. Shape