Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public

Question

Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public health greatly underestimate the influence of the values held by individuals. This influence is indicated by the fact that the astonishing decline in mortality from infectious disease during the past century was primarily due to an improvement in living conditions. To a substantial degree, these improvements depended on the emphasis by an increasing share of the population on cleanliness, prudence, and moderation.

The main point of the passage is made primarily by

(A) analyzing existing data on medical practices and health outcomes

(B) presenting a set of related cause-and-effect assertions

(C) applying several general principles to a specific case

(D) presenting a general observation and supporting it with several specific examples

(E) refuting in detail a commonly accepted argument

2794Aditya · Answer

Argument presents that the influence of values is underestimated while evaluating the contributing factors to improvements in public health. It presents a case where mortality decreased due cleanliness, which is an outcome of emphasis (influence).

Clearly, Choice A is not the main point of the argument.
Choice B is wrong. Though cause-effect relationship is presented, it is done as a part of the example, not the main point of the argument. Also, not a set, only one is presented.
Choice C is also wrong. There is no application of a principle discussed.
Choice E. The author doesn't refute anything. He only presents that influence of values is underrated.

Choice D is the right answer. Presents a general observation and support it with an example.

samaira · Answer

Confused between B and D.

Is D rejected due to 'Several specific exapmles..??'

2794Aditya · Answer

I don't think that is the reason because option B also mentions set of cause and effect assertions, but only one cause and effect relationship is provided in the passage.

I thought the same way too.

Posted from my mobile device

rohit8865 · Answer

yes... we cannot find different examples in argument. hence D is obviously out

dhruvasv5 · Answer

The effect is firstly mentioned, followed by the cause for it. The cause is then analyzed for it being caused. Hence, set of cause and effect assertions. I had boiled down to B/D too.

bv8562 · Answer

The question does not ask us to find the MAIN POINT of the argument, rather it asks us to find out how the main point of the passage is MADE or SUPPORTED.

Main point of the passage is :
Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public health greatly underestimate the influence of the values held by individuals.

Support for the main point is :
1) This influence is indicated by the fact that the astonishing decline in mortality from infectious disease during the past century was primarily due to an improvement in living conditions.

2)To a substantial degree, these improvements depended on the emphasis by an increasing share of the population on cleanliness, prudence, and moderation.

Option B is the correct answer because

emphasis by an increasing share of the population on cleanliness, prudence, and moderation -> improvement in living conditions -> decline in mortality from infectious disease during the past century -> influence of the values held by individuals

asad9242 · Answer

Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public health greatly underestimate the influence of the values held by individuals. This influence is indicated by the fact that the astonishing decline in mortality from infectious disease during the past century was primarily due to an improvement in living conditions. To a substantial degree, these improvements depended on the emphasis by an increasing share of the population on cleanliness, prudence, and moderation.

The main point of the passage is made primarily by

(A) analyzing existing data on medical practices and health outcomes

(B) presenting a set of related cause-and-effect assertions

(C) applying several general principles to a specific case

(D) presenting a general observation and supporting it with several specific examples

(E) refuting in detail a commonly accepted argument

There is a connection of things mentioned in the passage. Improvement in public health can depends on individual's values --> Improvement in living conditions imprvoed mortality rate--> this improvement was because of cleanliness. So there is lots of causes and its effect. So B is the only right option.

Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public

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Most discussions of the factors contributing to improvements in public

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