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- Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:00 am
#74173
Complete Question Explanation
StrengthenX—CE. The correct answer choice is (B)
The conclusion of the argument reflects a causal relationship, one where the likelihood of the effect
occurring is increased (indicated by the phrase “increased incidence”):
MBTE = MBTE used
II = increased incidence of headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath
C E
MBTE 
II
The question stem is a StrengthenX, and therefore the four wrong answers will support the argument.
With a stimulus containing causal reasoning and a StrengthenX question, expect to see wrong
answers that come from the five different “Causality and Strengthen Questions” categories to help
the argument.
Answer choice (A): This answer shows that when the cause is not present, then the effect is not
present. Thus, the answer strengthens the argument and is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer. By indicating that the symptoms discussed in the
stimulus can be the effects of several potentially serious public health threats, the author offers up
possible alternate causes for the symptoms. These alternate causes would weaken the argument, and
therefore this is the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): This answer affirms that when the cause occurs, then the effect occurs. The
answer therefore strengthens the argument.
Answer choice (D): Like answer choice (C), this answer shows that when the cause is present, then
the effect is present, and makes the case stronger by comparing that scenario to regions where the
cause is absent, and the effect is not as pronounced as when the cause is present.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice strengthens the argument by showing that the data used to
make the argument are accurate.
StrengthenX—CE. The correct answer choice is (B)
The conclusion of the argument reflects a causal relationship, one where the likelihood of the effect
occurring is increased (indicated by the phrase “increased incidence”):
MBTE = MBTE used II = increased incidence of headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath C E MBTE IIThe question stem is a StrengthenX, and therefore the four wrong answers will support the argument.
With a stimulus containing causal reasoning and a StrengthenX question, expect to see wrong
answers that come from the five different “Causality and Strengthen Questions” categories to help
the argument.
Answer choice (A): This answer shows that when the cause is not present, then the effect is not
present. Thus, the answer strengthens the argument and is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer. By indicating that the symptoms discussed in the
stimulus can be the effects of several potentially serious public health threats, the author offers up
possible alternate causes for the symptoms. These alternate causes would weaken the argument, and
therefore this is the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): This answer affirms that when the cause occurs, then the effect occurs. The
answer therefore strengthens the argument.
Answer choice (D): Like answer choice (C), this answer shows that when the cause is present, then
the effect is present, and makes the case stronger by comparing that scenario to regions where the
cause is absent, and the effect is not as pronounced as when the cause is present.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice strengthens the argument by showing that the data used to
make the argument are accurate.