PrepTest 147

Incorrect. (Line 17; Lines 20-21; Lines 29-32) The Author casts judgment on theoretical equipoise in this paragraph. While that view does contrast with clinical equipoise, the purpose isn't to describe the view—it's to criticize it.

Incorrect. (Lines 23-23) The Author does bring up some factors leading to a physician's preference for one treatment in a study over another, but the point isn't to explore those. Rather, it's to show the implications of them for theoretical equipoise—that it's nearly impossible in practice.

Incorrect. (Lines 1-2) This answer is tempting because it suggests that there's something wrong with theoretical equipoise. However, the Author presents a different version of equipoise—she doesn't undermine the idea completely. The moral principle underlying theoretical equipoise is that physicians should prescribe the best available treatment. The Author doesn't question that—she just provides an alternative interpretation of that reflecting good-faith disagreements between physicians. This answer has a correct element in that it reflects the Author uses Paragraph 2 to criticize theoretical equipoise, but it's ultimately wrong because it focuses on the wrong part of theoretical equipoise that's being criticized.

Correct. Question Type:
Argument Structure

Strategy Overview:
Review our role note for Paragraph 2

Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
If we're not writing out a note with a few words on the role of a paragraph, we should be at least thinking about it after reading it, putting into the context of the passage as a whole.

For Paragraph 2, we said that a problem with a solution to the problem of clinical ethics is noted. Paragraph 2 discusses "theoretical equipoise," saying that it's "too strict" (Line 17) and "hardly attainable in practice" (Lines 20-21). It's so restrictive, in fact, that if adhered to, few trials would start and fewer would finish (Lines 29-30).

Let's find an answer highlighting the impossible nature of adhering to theoretical equipoise as the ethical standard for clinical trials.

Answer Explanation:
(Lines 17; LInes 20-21; Lines 29-32) The Author states that adhering to theoretical equipoise might be "hardly attainable in practice" because it's "too strict." Since researchers generally have a preference for one treatment in the study over another, it would lead to very few studies running to completion. Those are all difficulties in adhering to this standard, making this the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Harder Argument Structure questions will have multiple answers that are directionally correct but get something else wrong—a detail or scope. For example, here, answers (A) and (C) were directionally right. (A) said that Paragraph 2 introduced a theory that was contrasted with clinical equipoise, but that was an aspect of the paragraph. It went on to criticize that theory. (C) said that the Author used the paragraph to criticize the theory, which it did—but it got what about the theory was criticized wrong.

Incorrect. (Lines 33-35) The Author advocates for a new type of equipoise, so it wouldn't make sense for her to dedicate a paragraph to questioning the general idea of equipoise. Rather, she criticizes the idea of theoretical equipoise.