Logical reasoning PrepTest 149 · Section 1 · Question 5

Incorrect. This answer presents a large group with the supposed effect but not the cause. If anything, this undercuts the argument.

Incorrect. That's a pretty low rate of herniated disks for people with the defect. If anything, this undercuts the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Study: Of 100 people with herniated disks, 5 had a gene defect. Of 100 people with no disk issues, 0 had a gene defect. Therefore, the genetic defect increases risk of herniated disks.

Answer Anticipation:
Another correlation/causation argument. To strengthen this, the correct answer will likely explain how the genetic defect leads to herniated disks, or bring up more examples of the defect being associated with disk problems, or bring up more examples of healthy people without the defect. That said, the last is less likely, as it seems the rate of people with herniated disks who have the defect is relatively low (only 5% of people with a herniated disk had the defect)

Answer Explanation:
That's a lot of people with both the supposed cause and effect, increasing the connection between the two. This strengthens the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Note that we said, "if anything, that weakens the argument," in a lot of these answer choices. If you end up thinking through the logic, they wouldn't have that effect. However, sometimes, the fastest way to eliminate an answer choice isn't to think through whether the answer is precise enough to impact the argument (which can be hard to do), but whether, if it does impact it, would it be a positive or a negative. This more directional approach can be good for getting through answer choices in Strengthen and Weaken questions quickly.

Incorrect. This answer presents many people with the supposed effect but not the cause. If anything, that hurts the argument.

Incorrect. Herniated disks without the gene? If anything, that undermines the argument.