LSAT 2 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q22

LR Question 22 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate…

QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen – Exception

CONCLUSION: The cause of increased asthma deaths in the current decade is the use of bronchial inhalers to relieve asthma symptoms.

REASONING: Two possible alternative explanations were given: better record keeping (which identified more cases) and an increase in pollution. Yet asthma deaths increased even in cities that had long standing, excellent medical records and little pollution.

ANALYSIS: This is a half-decent argument, but it is not rock solid. For one, we don’t know why bronchial inhalers ought to kill those with asthma.

Secondly, it’s possible there was another cause. Or multiple other causes. The argument only eliminated two alternate causes.

___________

1. CORRECT. The doubling of population shouldn’t have any effect on the asthma rate. Rate is the amount of cases per unit of population.
2. If medical records were accurate in the previous decade as well, then we can eliminate record keeping as a possible cause.
3. By providing a reason inhalers could be harmful, this strengthens the argument.
4. Same as C.
5. This shows they are a new factor, and hence they are more likely to be a cause of the new asthma deaths.

Recap: The question begins with “Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn more about LSAT Strengthen questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.