KaranB1
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by prolonged fatigue, muscular pain, and neurological problems. It is not known whether these symptoms are all caused by a single virus or whether each symptom is the result of a separate viral infection. A newly synthesized drug has been tested on those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Although the specific antiviral effects of this drug are unknown, it has lessened the severity of all of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Thus there is evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome is, in fact, caused by one virus.
The argument assumes which one of following?
(A) All those who suffer from prolonged fatigue also suffer from neurological problems.
(B) It is more likely that the new drug counteracts one virus than that it counteracts several viruses.
(C) The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are dissimilar to those of any other syndrome.
(D) Most syndromes that are characterized by related symptoms are each caused by a single viral infection.
(E) An antiviral medication that eliminates the most severe symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome thereby cures chronic fatigue syndrome.
Premises:Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by prolonged fatigue, muscular pain, and neurological problems.
It is not known whether these symptoms are all caused by a single virus or separate viruses.
A newly synthesized drug has been tested on those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.
The specific antiviral effects of this drug are unknown, but it has lessened the severity of all of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Conclusion: There is evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome is, in fact, caused by one virus.
What is the gap in the reasoning here. We know that the drug has worked on all the symptoms. So we are concluding that all symptoms were caused by one virus. Why? Because we are assuming that the drug likely works on only one virus. A drug could work on many different viruses. So to conlcude that all symptoms were caused by a single virus, we are assuming that this drug works on only one virus.
(A) All those who suffer from prolonged fatigue also suffer from neurological problems.We don't have to assume that everyone who suffers from prolonged fatigue also suffers from neurological problems. The two occur together in Chronic fatigue syndrome and that is what we are discussing here. Who else has prolonged fatigue and whether they also have neurological problems is out of scope for us.
(B) It is more likely that the new drug counteracts one virus than that it counteracts several viruses.Exactly. This is our assumption. We are assuming that the new drug likely works on one virus, not on several. If we negate it and say that the new drug likely counteracts several viruses then the symptoms could be caused by several different viruses.
(C) The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are dissimilar to those of any other syndrome.Irrelevant. We are discussing only chronic fatigue syndrome. Whether another syndrome has similar symptoms doesn't matter to us. Our whole point is whether chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by one virus or several together.
(D) Most syndromes that are characterized by related symptoms are each caused by a single viral infection.Irrelevant. How it happens with most syndromes doesn't tell us how it happens with chronic fatigue syndrome. Even if it were to lend some support to our conlcusion, we are looking for an assumption in the question. Do we need this to be true for our conclusion to be true? No. It doesn't matter how most syndromes are caused.
(E) An antiviral medication that eliminates the most severe symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome thereby cures chronic fatigue syndrome.Irrelevant. Whether the medication cures chronic fatigue syndrome or not is out of scope.
Answer (B)Discussion on Assumption Questions:
https://youtu.be/O0ROJfljRLUA pair of difficult assumption questions:
https://youtu.be/ZQnhC4d5ODU
13 Apr 2019, 22:06
45%
(medium)
32%
(02:26)
wrong 
