broall wrote:
A society’s infant mortality rate is an accepted indicator of that society’s general health status. Even though in some localities in the United States the rate is higher than in many developing countries, in the United States overall the rate has been steadily declining. This decline does not necessarily indicate, however, that babies in the United States are now, on the average, healthier at birth than they were in the past.
Which one of the following reasons, if true, most strongly supports the claim made above about the implications of the decline?
(A) The figure for infant mortality is compiled as an overall rate and thus masks deficiencies in particular localities.
(B) Low birth weight is a contributing factor in more than half of the infant deaths in the United States.
(C) The United States has been developing and has achieved extremely sophisticated technology for saving premature and low-birth-weight babies, most of whom require extended hospital stays.
(D) In eleven states of the United States, the infant mortality rate declined last year.
(E) Babies who do not receive adequate attention from a caregiver fail to thrive and so they gain weight slowly.
Source: LSAT
Short Story : 1. S infant mortality rate is an accepted indicator of that S’s general health status
2. In some localities in the United States the rate is higher than in many developing countries
3. Overall the rate has been steadily declining in US.
4. Decline does not necessarily indicate, however, that babies in the United States are now, on the average, healthier at birth than they were in the past.
So, the conclusion is that the decline in infant mortality rate
may or may not indicate that the child at birth is healthier than they were in the past.
Now we have to find the argument which strengthens the conclusion.
(A) The figure for infant mortality is compiled as an overall rate and thus masks deficiencies in particular localities.The figure may be higher for certain region and lower for other regions, and hence overall rate masking deficiencies in particular localities weakens the conclusion.
(B) Low birth weight is a contributing factor in more than half of the infant deaths in the United States.Though this may be right but it doesn't strengthen or weaken the conclusion.
(C) The United States has been developing and has achieved extremely sophisticated technology for saving premature and low-birth-weight babies, most of whom require extended hospital stays.Now this one is the right answer which says that US has developed extremely sophisticated technology for saving premature and low birth weight babies. So, even though the babies might now be born healthier, the technology is able to save the life, hence reducing the infant mortality rate.
(D) In eleven states of the United States, the infant mortality rate declined last year.No idea about other states. Also this doesn't relate to the conclusion.
(E) Babies who do not receive adequate attention from a caregiver fail to thrive and so they gain weight slowly.No relation with the conclusion.
So, according to me C is correct. Waiting for official answer.