Necessary AssumptionDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Scientists created a test that detects autism in toddlers. Because the test works at such a young age, these children can now start getting help much earlier than they used to.
Conclusion: Children with autism can now receive the benefits of early treatment much sooner than was previously possible.
Reasoning: A new diagnostic test can accurately identify autism in children as young as 18 months, which is earlier than previous tests allowed.
Analysis: Identify the gap between diagnosis and treatment. The argument assumes that once a child is diagnosed at 18 months, effective treatments are actually available and can be administered at that age. If treatments only work for older children, the early diagnosis wouldn't actually lead to earlier 'benefits.' Look for an answer that confirms the existence or effectiveness of treatments for children as young as the test can identify them.
Conclusion: Children with autism can now receive the benefits of early treatment much sooner than was previously possible.
Reasoning: A new diagnostic test can accurately identify autism in children as young as 18 months, which is earlier than previous tests allowed.
Analysis: Identify the gap between diagnosis and treatment. The argument assumes that once a child is diagnosed at 18 months, effective treatments are actually available and can be administered at that age. If treatments only work for older children, the early diagnosis wouldn't actually lead to earlier 'benefits.' Look for an answer that confirms the existence or effectiveness of treatments for children as young as the test can identify them.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage17.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the reporter's argument depends?
Correct Answer
B
The argument needs it to be acceptable to base treatment decisions on a test that sometimes yields false positives. Negation test: If a test that occasionally gives a false positive cannot reasonably guide treatment decisions, then doctors wouldn’t start treatment earlier on the basis of this test, and autistic children would not “now benefit much earlier.” That collapses the argument, so this assumption is necessary.
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