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RealWorldGraduation_Question_89_Cabinet_Confirmation   <– PDF

The governor of a certain state desired to appoint a certain man to a position in his Cabinet. It is very important that this person be confirmed by the state senate, because giving this particular person the appointment will serve to unite their political party.  The prospective appointee has worked as a lobbyist and used his connections within the state government to influence policy.  He also operates a political action committee (PAC), taking in donations from contributors and distributing them to other activist groups so they will have funds to pursue their agendas.  He is rumored to have many connections to foreign interests, to some domestic corporations and activist groups that routinely seek special favors from the state government.  Some in the media and many citizens have claimed that the candidate cannot be impartial in carrying out his duties if appointed.  In order to avoid the negative publicity, the governor and candidate hold a joint news conference wherein the candidate promises full disclosure of his financial and political ties.  What is likely to happen next?

a) The candidate will set up a public-access website and list all the contacts, working relationships, and financial transactions of his PAC over the past twenty years.

b) The candidate will provide a list of all the contacts, working relationships, and financial transactions of his PAC over the past twenty years to the media that has been most vocal in demanding it, which they may review and publish as desired.

c) The candidate will hold a series of “town meetings” with all the relevant data on contacts, working relationships, and financial transactions of his PAC for the past twenty years, and answer any questions the public may have.

d) The candidate will send full documentation to all interested parties, which will contain all the relevant data on contacts, working relationships, and financial transactions of the PAC over the past twenty years.

e) The candidate will do at least two of the options cited in a) through d) in the interest of honest government.

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

RealWorldGraduation_Question_87_Football and Statistics   <– PDF

On a football team, a “cornerback” is a defensive player whose main job is “pass defense”. His job is to “cover” the other teams’ pass receivers.  His duties include preventing the receiver from catching a pass from the quarterback, intercepting the pass if he can, and tackling the receiver if he does catch a pass from the quarterback.  He also has other defensive duties related to defending against running plays and blocking.

What would be the best way to determine, based on statistics collected over player’s careers, of which cornerbacks were the most highly skilled at pass defense?

a) Total number of interceptions of passes

b) Total number of tackles made against receivers who caught passes

c) Sum of total number of interceptions and number of passes broken up

d) Sum of total number of interceptions and fumbles forced (i.e., total “turnovers”)

e) Some weighted combination of all of the above

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

RealWorldGraduation_Question_86_Identity_Theft   <– PDF

An insurance company offers insurance against identity theft. It covers you for all losses you incur due to the fraudulent use of your identity, should it be stolen.  On average, identity theft cases result in losses of about $3500.  The insurance company offers various types of coverage at various costs described below.  What is the best value for the money, considering the risk?

a) For $10 per month, there is a $750 deductible, after which the insurance company will cover all losses up to $5,000, and will cover 50% of losses above $5,000 up to $10,000. The insured is responsible for half the losses between $5,000 and $10,000, and all the losses above $10,000

b) For $15 per month, there is a $1,000 deductible, after which the insurance company will cover all losses up to $50,000. The insured is responsible for losses above $50,000.

c) For $25 per month, there is a $3,000 deductible, after which the insurance company will cover all losses up to $100,000. The insured is responsible for losses above $100,000.

d) For $35 per month, there is no deductible, and the insurance company will cover all losses up to $75,000, and 80% of all losses thereafter up to $250,000. The insured is responsible for losses above $250,000.

e) For $50 per month, there is no deductible, and the insurance company will cover all losses up to $1,000,000

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)