MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 30: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 30

3. The author would most likely agree with which one of the following statements?

  • A. A megaton describes an unimpressive amount of explosive power.
  • B. It is unlikely that more than a million American children are kidnapped each year.
  • C. Driving an automobile is less dangerous than swimming.
  • D. Numbers such as a billion or a trillion are often amusing.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B This is an Inference question.

A: No. The author uses the phrase "proper sobriety" to describe the appropriate reaction to a warhead carrying a megaton of explosive power, indicating his belief that this is a serious amount of power.

B: Yes. The author's use of the phrase "proper skepticism" provides strong support for this answer choice by indicating his opinion that such figures are likely exaggerated.

C: No. While in paragraph 3 the author cites statistics on the likelihood of drowning and dying in a car crash, he does not explicitly relate these to swimming or being the driver of a car.

D: No. The passage states in paragraph 6 that slipping between millions and billions or between billions and trillions should be funny but isn't, not that the numbers themselves are funny.

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