IMO E and C

Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate from this disease has doubled during the past decade from its previous rate. Two possible explanations for this increase have been offered. First, the recording of deaths due to asthma has become more widespread and accurate in the past decade than it had been previously. Second, there has been an increase in urban pollution. However, since the rate of deaths due to asthma has increased dramatically even in cities with long-standing, comprehensive medical records and with little or no urban pollution, one must instead conclude that the cause of increased deaths is the use of bronchial inhalers by asthma sufferers to relieve their symptoms.
Each of the following, if true, provides support to the argument EXCEPT:
(A) Urban populations have doubled in the past decade.
More the population, more the no. asthama patients followed by more no. of deaths. SUPPORTS.
(B) Records of asthma deaths are as accurate for the past twenty years as for the past ten years.
The records are accurate indicates no discrepancy in figures reported. So basically the given data is correct. SUPPORTS.
(C) Evidence suggests that bronchial inhalers make the lungs more sensitive to irritation by airborne pollen.
The irritation as a result of sensitives could lead to trouble and to death. SUPPORTS.
(D) By temporarily relieving the symptoms of asthma, inhalers encourage sufferers to avoid more beneficial measures.
By providing quick temporary relief patients does not want to look for more benefitial ways of prevention. As a consequence, the inhaler usage becomes more popular. - SUPPORTS.
(E) Ten years ago bronchial inhalers were not available as an asthma treatment.
Since the death number compared is of two decades, this option differentiates the environment of the asthama patients belonging to those decades. THUS, Weakens.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
(A) Urban pollution has not doubled in the past decade.
Refers to only a specific set of people.
(B) Doctors and patients generally ignore the role of allergies in asthma.
Allergies - Out of context.
(C) Bronchial inhalers are unsafe, even when used according to the recommended instructions.
(D) The use of bronchial inhalers aggravates other diseases that frequently occur among asthma sufferers and that often lead to fatal outcomes even when the asthma itself does not.
(E) Increased urban pollution, improved recording of asthma deaths, and the use of bronchial inhalers are the only possible explanations of the increased death rate due to asthma.
Only usage of extreme words

For second one, I was really confused between C and D. But when I used negation test to evaluate the best between the two, I fould C to more appropriate. Thus C.

E and C

Prany, regarding assumption question

Please find "death rate from this disease" in the first line. The death due to other diseases is not mentioned while using inhaler.

Option D is not possible

Nice subject Double trouble , it is true . EXCEPT + assumption question together , what else do u want in life .

IMO A and E .

1] A coz if the population has increased then the increase in more number of patients will not be attibuted to the reasons stated in argument and hence it will be against the argument .

2] E coz it states the alternate explanation for the argument is not possible . It closes the loop holes in the argument .