PrepTest 149

Incorrect. Ignoring anecdotal evidence in favor of scientific evidence isn't a flaw. Additionally, the stimulus doesn't offer anecdotal evidence to ignore.

Incorrect. Other surveys are mentioned, and these confirm the initial findings. While it doesn't state that these surveys are by separate journals, it also doesn't state that they aren't, so this answer doesn't reflect information from the stimulus. Additionally, it's not a flaw to rely on just one journal, as long as the study done in that journal is sufficiently rigorous.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
A survey found aerobic exercise and a lower risk of lung cancer are correlated. Therefore, aerobic exercise has a benefit to people's health.

Answer Anticipation:
The argument starts with a survey, so there's a potential sampling flaw, though the information in the stimulus doesn't hint at one. However, there's definitely a correlation/causation flaw here, as the argument jumps from exercise and lowered risk of lung cancer co-occurring to the exercise lowering cancer risk. Finally, there is a jump between lowered risk of lung cancer to overall health, but notice how the conclusion is phrased. It doesn't state that aerobic exercise leads to good health, or even better health, but instead states that it has a significant benefit. That makes it less likely the correct answer will bring up a shift between decreased risk of lung cancer and health, since a decreased risk is a significant health benefit.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the jump between the correlation between exercise and cancer risk, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Most arguments that discuss the risk of a certain disease are committing a correlation/causation flaw, so it's a great place to start your analysis.

Incorrect. This answer could be tempting if you noticed the jump between a decreased risk of lung cancer and health in the conclusion. However, as noted in the anticipation section, the stimulus is careful to note that a significant health benefit was seen, not that exercise led to better overall health.

Incorrect. If anything, the conclusion is phrased in a way to suggest that any amount of exercise would have some effect on lung cancer risk, so this answer presents a part of the argument, not something it's ignoring.