- Sat Apr 09, 2016 10:12 am
#22903
Complete Question Explanation
Justify the Conclusion. The correct answer choice is (B)
Because the nonprescription herbal remedy was as effective in treating painful joints as the prescription drug, the manufacturer concluded that chemical agents are unnecessary for the successful treatment of painful joints. As with the majority of arguments whose conclusions we are asked to justify, there is a significant logical gap between the premises and the conclusion. In this instance, the idea of a "chemical agent" was first introduced in the conclusion, making the entire argument quite weak. To expedite the sorting of answer choices into contenders and losers, remember that the correct answer to a Justify the Conclusion question must address the rogue elements in the conclusion, if they exist. In short, the correct answer in this question must address the element of "chemical agent" and guarantee that the herbal remedy contains no such agents.
Answer choice (A): The increased likelihood of people switching from the prescription to the nonprescription medication does not prove that chemical agents are unnecessary for the treatment of painful joints. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Let's apply the Justify formula: the correct answer, when added to the premises, must prove the conclusion. Indeed, if the remedy contains no chemical agents and was found to be just as effective in treating painful joints as the prescription medication, then chemical agents are unnecessary for the treatment of painful joints.
Answer choice (C): It is irrelevant whether the people in the test of the prescription drug ever used the herbal remedy. This neither strengthens nor weakens the manufacturer's conclusion.
Answer choice (D): It is neither necessary not sufficient for the conclusion that the researchers who analyzed the results of the testing of the herbal remedy be the same as those who analyzed the results of the clinical testing of the prescription drug.
Answer choice (E): If the prescription drug fails to eliminate the cause of the condition, this might provide some support to the idea that the herbal remedy is a better bet. However, we have no information regarding whether the herbal remedy is any more effective in eliminating the cause of painful joints than the prescription medication. Furthermore, the manufacturer does not go so far as to suggest that the remedy is a more effective treatment of painful joints: she merely points out that such treatment requires no chemical agents to be effective. This answer choice is incorrect.
Justify the Conclusion. The correct answer choice is (B)
Because the nonprescription herbal remedy was as effective in treating painful joints as the prescription drug, the manufacturer concluded that chemical agents are unnecessary for the successful treatment of painful joints. As with the majority of arguments whose conclusions we are asked to justify, there is a significant logical gap between the premises and the conclusion. In this instance, the idea of a "chemical agent" was first introduced in the conclusion, making the entire argument quite weak. To expedite the sorting of answer choices into contenders and losers, remember that the correct answer to a Justify the Conclusion question must address the rogue elements in the conclusion, if they exist. In short, the correct answer in this question must address the element of "chemical agent" and guarantee that the herbal remedy contains no such agents.
Answer choice (A): The increased likelihood of people switching from the prescription to the nonprescription medication does not prove that chemical agents are unnecessary for the treatment of painful joints. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Let's apply the Justify formula: the correct answer, when added to the premises, must prove the conclusion. Indeed, if the remedy contains no chemical agents and was found to be just as effective in treating painful joints as the prescription medication, then chemical agents are unnecessary for the treatment of painful joints.
Answer choice (C): It is irrelevant whether the people in the test of the prescription drug ever used the herbal remedy. This neither strengthens nor weakens the manufacturer's conclusion.
Answer choice (D): It is neither necessary not sufficient for the conclusion that the researchers who analyzed the results of the testing of the herbal remedy be the same as those who analyzed the results of the clinical testing of the prescription drug.
Answer choice (E): If the prescription drug fails to eliminate the cause of the condition, this might provide some support to the idea that the herbal remedy is a better bet. However, we have no information regarding whether the herbal remedy is any more effective in eliminating the cause of painful joints than the prescription medication. Furthermore, the manufacturer does not go so far as to suggest that the remedy is a more effective treatment of painful joints: she merely points out that such treatment requires no chemical agents to be effective. This answer choice is incorrect.