Microbiologist: A lethal strain of salmonella recently showed up in a European country, causing an outbreak of illness that killed two people and infected twenty-seven others. Investigators blame the severity of the outbreak on the overuse of antibiotics, since the salmonella bacteria tested were shown to be drug-resistant. But this is unlikely because patients in the country where the outbreak occurred cannot obtain antibiotics to treat illness without a prescription, and the country's doctors prescribe antibiotics less readily than do doctors in any other European country.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the microbiologist's reasoning?
A.Physicians in the country where the outbreak occurred have become hesitant to prescribe antibiotics since they are frequently in short supply.
B.People in the country where the outbreak occurred often consume foods produced from animals that eat antibiotics-laden livestock feed.
C.Use of antibiotics in two countries that neighbor the country where the outbreak occurred has risen over the past decade.
D.Drug-resistant strains of salmonella have not been found in countries in which antibiotics are not generally available.
E.Salmonella has been shown to spread easily along the distribution chains of certain vegetables, such as raw tomatoes.
OA: B
Source: OG 2017 Verbal Edition
I request you help me dive deeper into the flow of the argument and should we consider attacking evidence or assumption. Its a tough question according to me.
My understanding
Microbiologist: A lethal strain of salmonella recently showed up in a European country, causing an outbreak of illness that killed two people and infected twenty-seven others. [Hard Core Fact]
Investigators blame the severity of the outbreak on the overuse of antibiotics, since the salmonella bacteria tested were shown to be drug-resistant. [Explanation]
Honestly I do not fully understand the english here.
But this is unlikely because patients in the country where the outbreak occurred cannot obtain antibiotics to treat illness without a prescription, and the country's doctors prescribe antibiotics less readily than do doctors in any other European country.[Causal Assumption]
Only doctors prescription, which is rare to obtain, can help get antibiotic = Insufficient antibiotic to outbreak
I have eliminated A and C because they were complete OFS.
B. People in the country where the outbreak occurred often consume foods produced from animals that eat antibiotics-laden livestock feed.
D. Drug-resistant strains of salmonella have not been found in countries in which antibiotics are not generally available.
E. Salmonella has been shown to spread easily along the distribution chains of certain vegetables, such as raw tomatoes.
But I find B, D and E all are competitive.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the microbiologist's reasoning?
A.Physicians in the country where the outbreak occurred have become hesitant to prescribe antibiotics since they are frequently in short supply.
B.People in the country where the outbreak occurred often consume foods produced from animals that eat antibiotics-laden livestock feed.
C.Use of antibiotics in two countries that neighbor the country where the outbreak occurred has risen over the past decade.
D.Drug-resistant strains of salmonella have not been found in countries in which antibiotics are not generally available.
E.Salmonella has been shown to spread easily along the distribution chains of certain vegetables, such as raw tomatoes.
OA: B
Source: OG 2017 Verbal Edition
I request you help me dive deeper into the flow of the argument and should we consider attacking evidence or assumption. Its a tough question according to me.
My understanding
Microbiologist: A lethal strain of salmonella recently showed up in a European country, causing an outbreak of illness that killed two people and infected twenty-seven others. [Hard Core Fact]
Investigators blame the severity of the outbreak on the overuse of antibiotics, since the salmonella bacteria tested were shown to be drug-resistant. [Explanation]
Honestly I do not fully understand the english here.
But this is unlikely because patients in the country where the outbreak occurred cannot obtain antibiotics to treat illness without a prescription, and the country's doctors prescribe antibiotics less readily than do doctors in any other European country.[Causal Assumption]
Only doctors prescription, which is rare to obtain, can help get antibiotic = Insufficient antibiotic to outbreak
I have eliminated A and C because they were complete OFS.
B. People in the country where the outbreak occurred often consume foods produced from animals that eat antibiotics-laden livestock feed.
D. Drug-resistant strains of salmonella have not been found in countries in which antibiotics are not generally available.
E. Salmonella has been shown to spread easily along the distribution chains of certain vegetables, such as raw tomatoes.
But I find B, D and E all are competitive.
R I C H A,
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My GMAT Journey: 470 → 720 → 740
Target Score: 760+
[email protected]
1. Press thanks if you like my solution.
2. Contact me if you are not improving. (No Free Lunch!)
