Free MCAT Practice Test 004 – Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

When you reading this MCAT Practice Test, you might have done these MCAT practice tests. Like the previous article, this is also a ten MCAT practice questions about Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.

In the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills part of MCAT, from cultural research, population health, ethics, and philosophical perspective, you are required to analyze the various topics.

Want to get a good MCAT score, you need to demonstrate your ability to reason about this information.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills MCAT Practice questions

Q1: If the author had intended to provide an overview of all the applications of fluorescent proteins, would this passage achieve that goal?

A. Yes, the passage describes multiple applications.

B. Yes, the passage describes one application.

C. No, because the passage describes only one application in detail.

D. No, the passage describes no applications.

The correct answer is C:

No, because the passage describes only one application in detail.

Explanation:

The passage describes only one application and does not specifically mention any others.

Q2: What is implied by the fourth sentence of the passage?

A. Bio-imaging in living cells was not possible before the discovery of fluorescent proteins.

B. Fluorescent proteins kill living cells.

C. The discovery of fluorescent proteins was not important in the field of bio-imaging.

D. Bio-imaging in living cells has always been possible.

The correct answer is A:

Bio-imaging in living cells was not possible before the discovery of fluorescent proteins.

Explanation:

The sentence states that bio-imaging was revolutionized because fluorescent proteins could be put into living cells without deadly toxic effects. The word “revolutionized” is very powerful and the sentence implies that “deadly toxic effects” prevented bio-imaging in live cells before fluorescent proteins were discovered.

Q3: This two-paragraph passage is the introduction to the article cited below the passage. From just this introduction, it can be assumed that the author will most likely use the following technique to support the premise of the article:

A. The author will use specific information from Koops’ opinion piece to support the title statement.

B. The author will construct an argument against Koops’ opinion piece in the remainder of the article.

C. The author will use a list of cause-and-effect relationships to support the title statement.

D. The author will use data from a variety of studies to support the title statement.

The correct answer is A:

The author will use specific information from Koops’ opinion piece to support the title statement.

Explanation:

While the author may use other data and relationships in the remainder of the article, it can be assumed from the introduction that Koops’ piece will play a major role. The author would certainly not appear likely to dispute Koops’ findings.

Q4: The argument in the passage illustrates the following components:

A. faulty appeal to authority

B. faulty initial premise

C. faulty appeal to authority and faulty application of cause and effect

D. faulty application of cause and effect

The correct answer is C:

faulty appeal to authority and faulty application of cause and effect

Explanation:

The Centers for Disease Control would not be an authority on parenting time. The author cannot assume that little time means little time with children. Therefore, both of these premises are faulty. The initial premise is not obviously faulty, just the information given in the passage.

Q5: Which term might you suggest the author abbreviate in this passage?

A. living cells

B. microscope

C. sea creatures

D. fluorescent protein

The correct answer is D:

fluorescent protein

Explanation:

The term fluorescent protein(s) is used 7 times in the passage and abbreviating it would help to make the passage more readable and more easily understood