In the United States, people who contract pneumonia are ill for six weeks on average. However, those who live in Nevada are ill from pneumonia for an average four weeks, while those from New York are ill for an average seven weeks. If a newlywed couple from New York were to have a family in Nevada, their children would be ill from pneumonia for less time than if they lived in New York.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn in the argument presented above?
Based on pre-thinking, the answer would suggest that there are no other factors, other than the city dynamics, which should result in the change in nature of the disease period for the residents.
A In the past five years, the incidence of pneumonia has been dropping at a faster rate for New Yorkers than Nevadans.
The argument does not care about the incidences of pneumonia, but on the time period of illness. Incorrect.B There have been studies that show Nevadans who move to New York and contract pneumonia will be ill for approximately the same amount of time as if they had stayed in Nevada.
This would actually weaken the argument as it would mean that there is no effect of city location on illness period for people who move. But, this is not the reasoning why I would reject this. The reason is that it shows pattern of people moving from Nevada to New York, but our family in question is moving the other way. There could be many reasons why Nevada people might avoid a longer illness duration.
C As the population of Nevada increases, it is anticipated that people there will be ill with pneumonia for a longer period of time.
How much longer? In any case, this is working against strengthening our argument.D Favorable climate conditions, which mean less incidences of pneumonia, are found in states like Nevada, but not in states such as New York.
Hm.. this actually gives me a characteristic of the place which is leading to shorter illness period. This looks like a good choice. Let's hold it.E Twenty percent of all New Yorkers who move to Nevada and have contracted pneumonia fell ill for less than four weeks.
What?! This means that 80% either fell ill for equal to or more than 4 weeks? This is again working against our argument. Incorrect.Therefore, in my opinion, answer should be
D.