PrepTest 124

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Must be True

Stimulus Summary:
Country — Slower and more natural
Opposing point — Living in the country is healthier/more relaxed than city living
Rebuttal — Country and city people get just as sick with just as serious illnesses, and they have the same stress levels

Answer Anticipation:
While a Must be True question, this stimulus does feature an opposing point—one that argues that the country is better to live in than the city in a couple key aspects. These points of comparison are on health and stress levels.

After bringing up this opposing viewpoint, the stimulus pivots to a comparison of the city and country in these respects. While the opposing point highlights supposed" differences between the two locales, the rebuttal focuses on how they're actually similar on the compared fronts—people get just as sick just as often and face just as much stress.

While the stimulus doesn't feature a main point/conclusion, that comparison is enough to justify one—that the "supposed" health benefits of living in the country aren't real, and that country and city living are just as healthy and relaxing as each other. Let's find that answer.

Answer Explanation:
Right off the bat, we get an answer that matches our anticipation. If people in the country and city get just as ill just as often as each other, then living in one area isn't healthier than the other. And if they're experiencing equal levels of stress, then there isn't more relaxation that comes from living in one area. This answer is supported by the stimulus and is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
Two takeaways here! First, when a stimulus has a lot of comparisons, track those comparisons. Second, when a Must be True question features an opposing viewpoint, be sure to note which statements are established as true, and which are called into question. Here, the second clause (what is "supposed[ly]" true) is called into question, while the rest of the stimulus isn't, so that statement can't be relied on for a correct answer. (An exception—if the answer is about what people believe.)

Incorrect. The stimulus compares living in the two areas on the metrics of health and stress, not on speed and rhythm of life. In fact, the opening line is presented as a true premise that leads to a false conclusion, so, if anything, this answer is contradicted by the stimulus.

Incorrect. First, the stimulus never discusses recovery from illness, just the frequency and seriousness of illness. Second, the stimulus notes that those who live in the country do have such a rhythm of life, but they aren't healthier, so there's evidence against this answer.

Incorrect. While such a life may not make one healthier, there's no indication that it's unhealthy.

Incorrect. Since people with different rhythms of life (city— and country—dwellers) have equal" stress levels, there's evidence against this answer.