Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the
death rate from this disease has doubled during the past
decade from its previous rate. Two possible explanations
for this increase have been offered. First, the recording of
deaths due to asthma has become more widespread and
accurate in the past decade than it had been previously.
Second, there has been an increase in urban pollution.
However, since the rate of deaths due to asthma has
increased dramatically even in cities with long-standing,
comprehensive medical records and with little or no urban
pollution, one must instead conclude that the cause of
increased deaths is the use of bronchial inhalers by asthma
sufferers to relieve their symptoms.
Each of the following, if true, provides support to the
argument EXCEPT:
(A) Urban populations have doubled in the past
decade.
This choice does not support the argument.(B) Records of asthma deaths are as accurate for
the past twenty years as for the past ten years.
If the records are accurate that means the argument is correct as the data supports the argument.(C) Evidence suggests that bronchial inhalers make
the lungs more sensitive to irritation by
airborne pollen.
supports the conclusion of the argument that inhalers are responsible(D) By temporarily relieving the symptoms of
asthma, inhalers encourage sufferers to avoid
more beneficial measures.
Again supporting the inhaler theory.(E) Ten years ago bronchial inhalers were not
available as an asthma treatment.
The argument explains that the number of cases have increased in the last 10 years, so supports