Border Patrol Practice Exam

If a car runs, what can be concluded about the car's gas status?

1. It is invalid to say the car has gas

2. The conclusion is valid

3. The car might have gas but not necessarily

4. The car uses gas at all times

The correct answer is: The conclusion is valid

The conclusion that if a car runs, it must have gas is valid based on the fundamental operation of internal combustion engines, which require fuel to generate power. When a car is running, it demonstrates that the engine is functioning, which is reliant on fuel, typically gasoline or diesel. While it's technically possible for a car to run on alternative energy sources (such as electricity in the case of electric vehicles), this question is likely contextualized within the typical scenario involving gas-powered cars. Other options suggest uncertainty or incorrect assumptions about the operation of vehicles. For instance, claiming that it is invalid to assert the car has gas does not hold up, as running cars clearly indicate some fuel presence. Additionally, stating that the car might have gas but not necessarily downplays the direct correlation between running and fuel presence, leading to ambiguity. Lastly, indicating that the car uses gas at all times introduces the idea that a car could not run without gas, which is inaccurate, especially for vehicles designed to operate on alternative energy sources. Thus, the correct conclusion logically follows the relationship between a car running and its fuel status.