Mosquito Nets

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Mosquito Nets

by zaarathelab » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:20 am
A mosquito bite can transmit to a person the parasite that causes malaria, and the use of
mosquito nets over children's beds can significantly reduce the incidence of malarial
infection for children in areas where malaria is common. Yet public health officials are
reluctant to recommend the use of mosquito nets over children's beds in such areas.

Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest grounds for the
public health officials' reluctance?

A. Early exposure to malaria increases the body's resistance to it and results in a lesser likelihood of severe life-threatening episodes of malaria.
B. Mosquito bites can transmit to people diseases other than malaria.
C. Mosquito nets provide protection from some insect pests other than mosquitoes.
D. Although there are vaccines available for many childhood diseases, no vaccine has been developed that is effective against malaria.
E. The pesticides that are most effective against mosquitoes in regions where malaria is common have significant detrimental effects on human health.
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by GMATGuruNY » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:32 am
zaarathelab wrote:A mosquito bite can transmit to a person the parasite that causes malaria, and the use of
mosquito nets over children's beds can significantly reduce the incidence of malarial
infection for children in areas where malaria is common. Yet public health officials are
reluctant to recommend the use of mosquito nets over children's beds in such areas.

Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest grounds for the
public health officials' reluctance?

A. Early exposure to malaria increases the body's resistance to it and results in a lesser likelihood of severe life-threatening episodes of malaria.
B. Mosquito bites can transmit to people diseases other than malaria.
C. Mosquito nets provide protection from some insect pests other than mosquitoes.
D. Although there are vaccines available for many childhood diseases, no vaccine has been developed that is effective against malaria.
E. The pesticides that are most effective against mosquitoes in regions where malaria is common have significant detrimental effects on human health.
Premise: Mosquito nets can reduce the incidence of malaria in children.
Conclusion: Public health officials are reluctant to recommend the use of the nets over children's beds.

The correct answer will support the conclusion that the nets should not be used to protect CHILDREN.
Answer choice A explains why using the nets to protect CHILDREN is a bad idea: EARLY exposure to malaria increases the body's resistance to it and results in a lesser likelihood of severe life-threatening episodes of malaria.

In other words -- because a child exposed to malaria will develop a resistance to it -- EARLY exposure is good, strengthening the conclusion that the nets should not be used to protect CHILDREN.

The correct answer is A.
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by tuanquang269 » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:44 am
zaarathelab wrote:A mosquito bite can transmit to a person the parasite that causes malaria, and the use of
mosquito nets over children's beds can significantly reduce the incidence of malarial
infection for children in areas where malaria is common. Yet public health officials are
reluctant to recommend the use of mosquito nets over children's beds in such areas.

Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest grounds for the
public health officials' reluctance?

A. Early exposure to malaria increases the body's resistance to it and results in a lesser likelihood of severe life-threatening episodes of malaria. => this choice explains the children will increase the body's resistance to malaria. So, use mosquito nets will decrease this ability to resist against malaria
B. Mosquito bites can transmit to people diseases other than malaria. => irrelevant
C. Mosquito nets provide protection from some insect pests other than mosquitoes. => irrelevant
D. Although there are vaccines available for many childhood diseases, no vaccine has been developed that is effective against malaria. => this choice weaken the argument
E. The pesticides that are most effective against mosquitoes in regions where malaria is common have significant detrimental effects on human health. => this choice weaken the argument. Stated that the parents should use the net rather than other methods

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by VivianKerr » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:16 am
WHY would officials not recommend nets if the nets reduce malaria infection??

"strongest grounds" means something that will be reasonable and show there is something negative about using the nets.

A - early exposure malaria is good
B - mosquitoes cause other diseases
C - Nets protect from other bugs
D - No malaria vaccine
E - Anti-mosquito pesticides are bad for people

B, C, and D would be reasons why the nets SHOULD be used, but we're looking for a reasonable explanation as to why the officials are NOT recommending the nets.

If early exposure is a GOOD thing, as in choice A, then it makes sense why the officials are not recommending the nets.
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by zaarathelab » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:04 am
Thanks Mitch and Vivian.

Posted this problem because this is the first time I've come across a problem that has a correct answer that doesn't make sense 'in the real world'.
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