Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage/argument and answer the question that follows it.

According to the World Health Organisation, for India as a whole, the average Health Status Index is 550 (a composite index calculated by it), but children born in Punjab will have an average index of 900, and those born in Goa, 850. If a child is born in Punjab, therefore, it would have much better health than if it were born in Goa.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion drawn in the passage?

  1. Health experts do not believe that moving to Punjab will substantially improve the average Goan’s health status.

  2. The Goan government has alleged that the health statistics given for the state are flawed.

  3. The better health ascribed to Punjab’s current population is mostly due to genetic reasons.

  4. Forty percent of all Goans are having a health index of more than 1000 points.

  5. Most Punjabis have a diet better than most others across the rest of the country.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In the context of facts and figures, opinions hardly matter. Therefore, option (1), which talks of the health experts’ opinion, is ruled out. Pay careful attention to the word flawed in option (2), which could go either way to the advantage or disadvantage of the true position in respect of Goa. Besides, it is an allegation, not a proven fact. Option (4) is again wrong as we are talking of the viability of moving to Punjab to improve one’s health. The fact of 40% Goans having a health index of 1000+ points, does not negate the conclusion given to us, which basically focuses on Punjab. So it is irrelevant. (5), in fact, tends to give us one of the logical reasons for the Punjabis’ better health, while on the other hand, we would like to prove that moving to Punjab will do no good to one’s health. The job is done very well by option (3), which reveals that genes are responsible for better health in Punjab. Consequently, if someone lacks those genes, going there would be hardly useful at all.

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