PrepTest 101 · Section 3 · Question 13

The Loudest Bus in Town

Ms. Rivera is worried about Bus 7. 'The fifth graders on that bus shout the whole ride,' she tells Grandpa at pickup. 'So riding Bus 7 is turning our second graders into shouters.' Lulu, who rides Bus 7, consults her clipboard. 'Hmm. The big kids do shout. But the little kids might just cover their ears and read.' Kevin, also a rider, adds, 'I only talk about dinosaurs, and I talk at a normal volume. Mostly.' Priya sips her juice box. 'Ms. Rivera's worry needs one hidden piece. Hearing the big kids shout has to make the little kids more likely to shout. If hearing it changes nothing, the bus can be loud without making anyone else loud.' Ms. Rivera writes that down. Then she asks Lulu to keep notes for a week.

Ms. Rivera claims that because the fifth graders on Bus 7 shout during most rides, riding Bus 7 is making the younger riders louder.

Ms. Rivera's claim depends on assuming which one of the following?

The Skate Park Complaint

A neighborhood group sued to close a skate park. 'The teenagers there do dangerous tricks,' their lawyer argued, 'so the park is making our younger children reckless.' Mr. Whitfield, for the park, approached the group's expert. 'Doctor, do you have any evidence that a child who watches a risky trick becomes more likely to try one?' The expert shuffled papers. 'Well, no. We simply counted the risky tricks.' Mr. Whitfield turned to the jury. 'Counting tricks proves the teenagers are daring. It proves nothing about the children unless watching makes copying more likely. That link is the whole case, and nobody has shown it.' The judge underlined something on her notepad.