For about thirty years, government intelligence departments have spent resources equally between domestic and foreign activities. For about the same amount of time, intelligence departments have conducted covert operations in addition to intelligence gathering. This conduct has raised public concern that intelligence departments wield too much authority. In the end, though, domestic spending and covert operations may be simply a consequence of ineptness.

The author of the argument is most likely to agree with which of the following?

Director of the transportation department: We could save money over the next few years by closing lanes on highways and deferring repairs. The cost savings would be well worth the moderate increase in traffic jams. The roads will eventually need to be repaired, but the department could stay within budget over the next several years, which should be a top priority. If we continue to overspend, we may face a financial disaster.

Deputy Director: Closing road lanes would lead not only to a considerable increase in traffic jams but would also lead to increased accidents and death. That said, we’ve explored other options and closing the lanes seems to be our only viable plan to save money, and there is no question that we must accomplish that.

The Director and Deputy Director most likely disagree about whether?

Director: The most influential movie in history is likely Orson Welles’ classic Citizen Kane.  No other single film has helped so many filmmakers in their craft.  Indeed, a recent study showed that nearly 85% of modern films implemented at least one filmmaking technique pioneered by Citizen Kane.  The film was especially noteworthy in its cinematography, its use of multiple narrators in storytelling, and in its use of music to set a scene.

In evaluating the director’s argument it would be most helpful to know whether

Reporter: News agencies are trying to determine how to adapt to the modern technology age.  Should they continue to promote old media outlets, incorporate news programs into social media, or develop an altogether new approach to breaking news stories?

News anchor: The discussion is not entirely open for debate.  While there are some decisions still to be made, it is difficult to see any plausible new approach outside of social media.

The reporter and news anchor most likely disagree about whether?

Jane: Nowadays 3D effects are seen as a distracting gimmick that most people no longer appreciate.  The recent trend toward producing more 3D movies is not a good financial strategy for movie studios.  In fact, I and my friends refuse to attend movies in 3D, and I know many others that feel the same way.

Bill: But you fail to take into account the fact that 3D ticket prices are higher than 2D ticket prices.  The difference in price offsets the lower attendance at 3D movies.  I, for one, appreciate having the choice between 2D and 3D films.

The dialogue provides the most support for the claim that Jane and Bill disagree about whether

Employee 1: I am considering resigning and obtaining other available work.  I do not have any disputes with my employers and enjoy my coworkers, but the benefits are less than they were, the hours are longer, and the work has become tedious.  Many of my friends are satisfied with their jobs and employment openings are advertised everywhere.

Employee 2: I have also considered resigning. I stay because I am risk averse. Sure, this job has downsides, but our benefits here are above average and I might resign only to ask for my job again because other jobs are unavailable.

The employees are most likely to disagree about whether:

Cynthia: People who graduate from college have higher salaries and report higher levels of happiness than those who do not graduate from college.

Don: I disagree. People who do not attend college have more earning years, are burdened by less debt, and are more likely to start families than college graduates.

Cynthia and Don disagree about which of the following?

Sam: No person should ever be made to alter their religious beliefs by government decree, which the new law threatens with its vague language.

John: The new law does not allow anyone to violate another person's religion, which is precisely why the language in the law had to be vague.

The point at issue in this argument is best stated as __________.

Sandy: Many video games are detrimental to the mental development of children. They encourage violent behavior and provide very few benefits for children’s creative faculties.

Robert: My objection to preventing children from playing video games is that they encourage foresight, logical deductions and are fun for the children.

Sandy and Robert’s statements provide the strongest support for holding that they disagree with each other over whether

Live theater has been in competition with more modern media options for years. Today, there are a vast number of entertainment options and there is easy access to high quality entertainment technology, such as sophisticated home theater systems. Fewer people watch live theater than in the past. As a result, live theater has lost the competition with modern media.  

Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion to be logically drawn?