Critical Reasoning

The number of new cases of tuberculosis diagnosed in Country X increased dramatically this year. The country's news media have speculated that the sharp increase in new cases is the result of the tuberculosis outbreak that occurred in neighboring Country Y last year. Health officials in Country X have therefore proposed that all visitors from Country Y must submit to a medical examination before entering Country X.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the proposed medical examinations will not help curb the spread of tuberculosis in Country X?

a)Country Z, which also neighbors Country Y, has not experienced an increase in cases of tuberculosis.

b)Current medical technology is not capable of detecting all carriers of tuberculosis.

c)Country X does not have the resources to examine all visitors from Country Y.

d)Tuberculosis is not spread through human contact.

e)Citizens of Country Y will not travel to Country X if the proposal is implemented.

IMO B


I ma having my fingers crossed over D ...

I would choose D

A is very close, but the test makers wil argue that maybe citizens from Country Y don't visit Country Z

B the medical technology doesn't have to catch "all" carriers in order to curb it. If the technology caught 10 percent that would curb some of the spread

C- Whether Country X has the resources is irrelevant to the argument. The argument is about whether the measures would be effective

D- Correct

E- That would definitely curb it....lol

IMO D

a)Country Z, which also neighbors Country Y, has not experienced an increase in cases of tuberculosis.
Irrelevant.

b)Current medical technology is not capable of detecting all carriers of tuberculosis.
[Even though it doesnt catch all carriers, may be it will catch some and help curb the disease]

c)Country X does not have the resources to examine all visitors from Country Y.
[Even though it doesnt have the resources to examine all , may be it will catch some and help curb the disease]

d)Tuberculosis is not spread through human contact.
Looks good

e)Citizens of Country Y will not travel to Country X if the proposal is implemented.
[proposed medical exam will help]

D
Country blocks all VISITORS....but what if something else spreads disease?

i Chose D

is that correct?

B is the clear winner here.

This is a weaken question - you want to prove that a medical examination will not curb the spread of tuberculosis. B does exactly this by stating that the medical examination will not detect the carriers...

A number of people went with D - this is wrong because if you focus on the conclusion, it doesn't touch it since it fails to mention the **medical examination**

Hope that helps.

I think it's D.

D shows that a medical exam will not prevent the problem from occurring. Therefore, the proposed exams will be ineffective.