Clinical checkups after the first and second trimesters of pregnancy were introduced to Country X four years ago. Medical experts claim that the following reduction of 35% in cases of premature labor, one of the main causes of still birth in Country X, is directly connected to the aforementioned clinical checkups.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the medical experts' claim?
(A)The clinical checkups were intended for the early identification of women who are at risk of post-natal depression, and not for premature labor prevention.
(B)Four years ago, a dozen hospitals in Country X were given new equipment to facilitate the extraction of new-born babies, thus lowering significantly the number of still births.
(C)The cessation of hostilities in Country X coincided with the introduction of clinics offering checkups to pregnant women, and women in war zones are more prone to go into early labor.
(D)Eight years ago, the UN launched a campaign in Country X promoting the use of medicine to reduce the cases of infections of the urinary tract, following which the percentage of woman going into premature labor was reduced by 30%.
(E)Women throughout the world, including those in Country X, go into premature labor, inevitably resulting in a certain percentage of still births.
OA: C
Official Explanation: This answer choice provides an alternate explanation for the reduction phenomenon, thereby weakening the conclusion. According to this answer choice, the reduction of cases of premature labor may be explained by the cessation of hostilities rather than the checkups offered by clinics. This answer choice therefore shows that the checkups were not entirely responsible for the reduction.[/spoiler]
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the medical experts' claim?
(A)The clinical checkups were intended for the early identification of women who are at risk of post-natal depression, and not for premature labor prevention.
(B)Four years ago, a dozen hospitals in Country X were given new equipment to facilitate the extraction of new-born babies, thus lowering significantly the number of still births.
(C)The cessation of hostilities in Country X coincided with the introduction of clinics offering checkups to pregnant women, and women in war zones are more prone to go into early labor.
(D)Eight years ago, the UN launched a campaign in Country X promoting the use of medicine to reduce the cases of infections of the urinary tract, following which the percentage of woman going into premature labor was reduced by 30%.
(E)Women throughout the world, including those in Country X, go into premature labor, inevitably resulting in a certain percentage of still births.
OA: C
Official Explanation: This answer choice provides an alternate explanation for the reduction phenomenon, thereby weakening the conclusion. According to this answer choice, the reduction of cases of premature labor may be explained by the cessation of hostilities rather than the checkups offered by clinics. This answer choice therefore shows that the checkups were not entirely responsible for the reduction.[/spoiler]
Last edited by smodak on Sun Jun 19, 2011 5:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
