Q24 - Scientists, puzzled about the development

[skapur777]

I got this one correct and found it rather easy. However, why specifically is E wrong? I know it is, I just know it. But...for some reason I just can't explicate it in words. Let me try:

I don't see how they needed to assume this to conclusively prove that they needed to bring up the genetic makeup of penicillin-resistant bacterium. They could have brought this up regardless of if they stated this or not, right?

[theaether]

I agree, the language in E is super strong and scary. Conclusively prove? Must involve? And the unstated assumption certainly doesn't force us to consider the genetic makeup of the bacteria solution as the only alternative.

In fact, the argument says that scientists "believe they have found an explanation." The original wording wasn't even so strong as to have said something like "scientists have found the definitive and only answer to why this contradiction exists."

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

I agree, the language in E is super strong and scary. Conclusively prove? Must involve? And the unstated assumption certainly doesn't force us to consider the genetic makeup of the bacteria solution as the only alternative.

In fact, the argument says that scientists "believe they have found an explanation."

Great explanation of where answer choice (E) takes a wrong turn! For those who may have been looking at some of the other answer choices let's just run through this one.

The claim is a phenomenon and is closely related to the claim that some people who do not take penicillin develop penicillin-resistent bacteria. Remember the conclusion seeks to explain this phenomenon, so the correct answer should suggest that it is something that needs to be explained. Answer choice (C) accomplishes this.

(A) has the wrong role. It is not proven by the findings but rather it is what motivated the research.
(B) is nonsense and would not rule out such possibility.
(D) has the wrong role. It is neither falsified nor a conclusion supported by another claim in the argument.
(E) is wrong for the reasons above - mainly that it's way to strong since the argument never "conclusively prove[s]" anything.

Hope that helps!

[KakaJaja]

Hey, I chose C, but I actually don't understand why the ppl who have taken P and those who have not taken P TOGETHER generates the problem that prompted the research?

I think only those who haven't taken P are relevant in the research? Can anyone explain? Thanks!

[gplaya123]

Could someone go in depth with this question though???
I was really confused... even though others thought this was an easy question.

Also, wasn't this an unusual question?

[soyeonjeon]

Why would A be incorrect?
Except that "conclusively" sounds too strong, it seems to be correct.

Thanks.

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Hey, I chose C, but I actually don't understand why the ppl who have taken P and those who have not taken P TOGETHER generates the problem that prompted the research?

I think only those who haven't taken P are relevant in the research? Can anyone explain? Thanks!

Both groups are needed to generate the discrepancy that the conclusion of the argument seeks to explain. Without considering both groups, there's nothing that really needs to be explained.

Could someone go in depth with this question though???
I was really confused... even though others thought this was an easy question.

Also, wasn't this an unusual question?

The question is slightly unusual, though the question type is very common. The only strange element is that we're asked to describe the role of the unstated assumption as opposed to an explicit claim. For an explanation, see the discussion in my previous post.

Why would A be incorrect?
Except that "conclusively" sounds too strong, it seems to be correct.

Thanks.

The issue is that it is not proven from the findings but what led to the scientists seeking an explanation. What were they seeking an explanation of? The discrepancy between those who developed penicillin resistent bacteria - some did and some did not actually take penicillin. So while the word conclusively is strong, answer choice (A) also has the entire role of the claim flipped around.

Hope that helps!

[liu.cm.1]

Hi, can someone help me identify exactly where /how the author mentions this unstated assumption In the stimulus?

This really confused me.

Thanks!

[Cavetisy]

Where? The assumption referred to in the question stem is as the question stem says, "unstated." So, it isn't physically in the stimulus. However, we can imagine it to be (just like assumptions in other questions) between the premises (in this case the phenomenon), and the conclusion (in this case the explanation). I would imagine it as the first sentence or right after the first sentence (this is where the explanation begins).

How? The author assumes this "unstated" assumption by portraying the phenomenon that despite not taking penciling, patients developed penicillin-resitant bacteria. This subtlety implies that "some patines who take penicillin must develop bacteria with an immunity to penicillin" (our unstated assumption).

Hope this helps.