Logical reasoning PrepTest 148 · Section 1 · Question 1

Incorrect. This answer, if anything, makes the paradox worse by highlighting that allergens in bedding should have a larger effect, and thus reducing them should reduce symptoms.

Incorrect. This would be true of both groups before and after the study, so there still should have been some change in the reporting of the symptoms for the group if their allergy symptoms decreased. If a person exaggerates their symptoms, then they could still note a change while playing up how severe the lesser symptoms are.

Incorrect. While the medical community might not understand it, they are still allergens and thus are a cause of allergies, and reducing that allergen would be expected to alleviate symptoms.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
Study:
Group 1 Ð Slept on bedding what was mite-proof which reduced allergens by 69%
Group 2 (Control) Ð Slept on bedding that wasn't mite-proof which didn't reduce allergens
Unexpected outcome Ð Both groups reported no reduction in allergy symptoms

Answer Anticipation:
The stimulus here highlights a study that was done to see what effect mite-proof bedding would have on the symptoms of dust mite allergy sufferers. It even included a control group, which studies on the LSAT tend to forget!

Despite this, an unexpected result was found in the study—despite a 69% reduction in allergens, the group that slept on the mite-proof bedding didn't see a reduction in symptoms. (That's true of the control group, as well, but that was expected—a control group shouldn't see a change.)

So to resolve this paradox, we need to find an answer that explains why the group didn't see a reduction in symptoms despite having a reduction in allergens. There are a variety of ways to do that (allergies persist for several days; allergens have to be completely removed to stop symptoms; bedding is not a major source of dust mite allergens), so let's stay flexible as we analyze the answers.

Answer Explanation:
This answer resolves the paradox by setting a minimum amount of allergen reduction is needed to relieve symptoms—and the mite-proof bedding didn't reach that level.

Key Takeaway:
Paradox questions will frequently introduce information that isn't paradoxical—here, the lack of change in symptoms of the control group. Be sure to focus on the actual paradox in order to work as efficiently towards the correct answer as possible.

Incorrect. If anything, this would prime both groups to look for a reduction in their symptoms, and yet neither group reported such a change. This answer might introduce a new paradox.