Most of the world’s population lives in urban areas now, and the proportion of people living in rural areas will drop over the next ten years. Research has shown that people living in urban areas are more likely to develop schizophrenia than people in rural areas.
If the pattern outlined in the last sentence holds in reality, which of the following can be properly concluded from the information provided?
A. A majority of the world’s population is at a greater risk of developing schizophrenia now than it was ten years ago.
B. Ten years from now, more people will suffer from schizophrenia than do now.
C. People living in rural areas will be generally healthier than people living in urban areas.
D. People are now less likely to develop schizophrenia than people will be in ten years.
E. The proportion of the world’s population residing in urban areas will stabilize in ten years.
Explanation:We have three premises on the basis of which we have to draw a conclusion:
1. Most of the world’s population lives in urban areas now.
2. Research has shown that people living in urban areas are more likely to develop schizophrenia than people in rural areas.
3. The proportion of people living in rural areas will drop over the next ten years.
(A) There is no comparison of past and present in the given scenario. Hence rejected.
(B) Close. But 10 years from now the proportion of people living in rural areas will drop. It doesn't imply that this proportion will be compensated by migration to urban areas. There might be a scenario in which the total fertility rate of rural areas drops. Hence, the population of urban areas can remain similar as compared to today's thus resulting in similar number of schizophrenic cases. Moreover, the premise talks about likelihood of developing schizophrenia and not suffering from it. Hence, rejected.
(C) General statement. Out of context. Rejected.
(D) Interesting. The premise talks about likelihood of developing schizophrenia as found in this option. Because of the diminishing proportion of rural area population pockets there will be less population in rural areas and possibility (may or may not) of more population in urban areas. In the event of possibility in favour of migration to urban areas, there will be more cases as compared to now. Hence, CORRECT.
(E) Out of context. Rejected.
ANSWER D