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- Wed Jan 11, 2017 6:20 pm
#32024
Complete Question Explanation
Resolve the Paradox. The correct answer choice is (D)
Your first task on any Resolve the Paradox question is to identify the two facts that appear to be in tension with one another in the stimulus. In this stimulus, we observe that there was a study about the effectiveness of mite-proof bedding on both reducing the presence of allergens and reducing dust-mite allergy symptoms. The two incongruous facts are that:
Answer choice (A): This answer choice may partially address the presence of allergy symptoms in the first place, but it does not address the reduction in allergen levels from the mite-proof bedding. It is at best a one-sided response, at worst irrelevant.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice invites test-takers to introduce their own assumptions to create an explanation that is not present. Students may be tempted to reason that "if the people with the mite-proof bedding actually did experience a reduction in symptoms but lied about it," then this exaggeration might provide an explanation for the lack of a decrease in reported symptoms. However, as it stands, the answer choice is insufficient to provide a resolution.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is irrelevant. It basically throws the whole study—bedding, allergens, and all—out the window in favor of a "Who the heck knows?" response. Perhaps the thinking is that if we just give up on the whole thing, we won't have a paradox anymore!
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. This answer choice bridges the gap between the paradoxical facts by explaining that even though a 69% reduction in allergens may have occurred, such a reduction would be insufficient to cause a reduction in allergy symptoms, since such a reduction would require a 90 to 95% reduction.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice attempts perhaps to weaken the integrity of the study by stating that participants' know that one group would be sleeping on mite-proof bedding. This would be pretty weak tea for even a weaken question and is completely irrelevant here.
Resolve the Paradox. The correct answer choice is (D)
Your first task on any Resolve the Paradox question is to identify the two facts that appear to be in tension with one another in the stimulus. In this stimulus, we observe that there was a study about the effectiveness of mite-proof bedding on both reducing the presence of allergens and reducing dust-mite allergy symptoms. The two incongruous facts are that:
- The group with the bedding had a 69% reduction in allergen levels versus no reduction in control group.
BUT - Neither group experienced any reduction in allergy symptoms.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice may partially address the presence of allergy symptoms in the first place, but it does not address the reduction in allergen levels from the mite-proof bedding. It is at best a one-sided response, at worst irrelevant.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice invites test-takers to introduce their own assumptions to create an explanation that is not present. Students may be tempted to reason that "if the people with the mite-proof bedding actually did experience a reduction in symptoms but lied about it," then this exaggeration might provide an explanation for the lack of a decrease in reported symptoms. However, as it stands, the answer choice is insufficient to provide a resolution.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is irrelevant. It basically throws the whole study—bedding, allergens, and all—out the window in favor of a "Who the heck knows?" response. Perhaps the thinking is that if we just give up on the whole thing, we won't have a paradox anymore!
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. This answer choice bridges the gap between the paradoxical facts by explaining that even though a 69% reduction in allergens may have occurred, such a reduction would be insufficient to cause a reduction in allergy symptoms, since such a reduction would require a 90 to 95% reduction.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice attempts perhaps to weaken the integrity of the study by stating that participants' know that one group would be sleeping on mite-proof bedding. This would be pretty weak tea for even a weaken question and is completely irrelevant here.