Competition Mode Question
Interviewer: An alarming statistic reported in the Hobern Medical Journal is that 90 percent of the people in this country now report that they know someone who has heart disease.
Dr. Summer: But an expected level of heart disease is 5 percent, or in other words, 1 out of every 20 people. So at any given time if a person knows approximately 50 people, 1 or more will very likely suffer from heart disease.
Dr. Summer’s argument is structured to lead to which of the following conclusion?
A. The fact that 90 percent of the people know someone who suffers from heart disease is not an indication that heart disease is abnormally high.
B. The current level of heart disease is not moderate.
C. If at least 5 percent of the population suffered from heart disease, the result of questioning a representative group of people cannot be the percentage the interviewer cites.
D. It is unlikely that the people whose statements the interviewer cites are giving accurate reports.
E. If a person with heart disease is given as a certain percent, the actual percentage of those with heart disease is even higher.