PT12.S1.Q16 - Salmonella is a food-borne microorganism

wkim2015

Hi everyone,

This seems like it's a relatively easy question but I cannot understand why answer choice (b) is right over answer choice (a). Doesn't answer choice (b) strengthen the argument since Salmonella is has to be quickly identified and treated and new test detects Salmonella at levels that are low to pose a health risk to people?

Please share your wisdom!

Thank you!

Nabintou-1

I'm also confused by answer choice B. Specifically, it's wording "too low to post a health risk to people." How does that [not] do the opposite of what the question stem is asking (i.e., how does it not strengthen)?

pnwrunner

The stimulus tells us why Salmonella is bad and likely needs a replacement test: it's a potentially fatal illness and the current tests are slow and don't identify all of the strains...

Note: we're told the tests are slow, but sans comparison, so unless we're given a comparison this is probably just wasted information.

...the new tests takes care of all the strains.

Conclusion: Because the new tests identifies all of the strains, the new test should replace all of the other tests.

Stem: Weaken

Pre-phrase: The new test is exorbitantly expensive, the new test takes an extremely skilled person to use of which are in very limited supply, the new test is slower than the old test, unusual strains don't impact humans, etc

Answer Choice Analysis:
(A) So, this function of the new test doesn't provide us any strengths or weaknesses. Keep in mind, too, that we aren't given any information that the old tests do or don't do this either. Essentially, this becomes a moot point.

(B) A tricky, but correct answer choice. If the new test indicates that Salmonella is present in all quantities, the food identified would be determined a risks; however, that would be an inaccuracy because the quantity is too low to pose a risk. Therefore, the new test risks providing information that isn't accurate to addressing the supplied concerns.

(C) Standard wrong a/c: context about salmonella not applicable to the new test.

(D) Standard wrong a/c: context about new test. Needs an assumption that hasn't been supplied such as, recent advances are proven or accurate.

(E) Standard wrong a/c: context about Salmonella. It doesn't address anything about the tests discussed.

Admin Note: Deleted the stimulus because it is against our Forum Rules to post the LSAT questions or Answer Choices on the forum