ParadoxDiff: Easy

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: Hardly anyone in Country X gets this specific sickness, but if you are one of the few who do, you are way more likely to die than patients elsewhere.

Reasoning: Country X has the lowest rate of disease P, yet those who do catch it in Country X have the highest mortality rate compared to other countries.

Analysis: This is a classic statistical paradox involving rates versus totals. We need a reason why Country X has few cases but high mortality per case. It could be that only the most severe cases are ever reported in Country X, making the death rate look artificially high. Look for an answer that explains why the reported cases in Country X are skewed toward the most lethal outcomes.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

Unlock Full Passage

5.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy described above?

Correct Answer
C
If Country X seldom diagnoses disease P except in the most severe cases, the reported incidence will be artificially low (many mild cases are missed), and the death rate among the reported cases will be high (because those reported cases are disproportionately severe). This neatly reconciles the two facts.
Upgrade Your Prep

Ready to go beyond free explanations?

LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.

Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal
Explore Perfection Plus for full LSAT prep