Question: In a certain state, the rate at which inhabitants of City X contract a certain disease is significantly lower than the rate at which inhabitants of City Y contract the disease. So if a couple originally from City Y relocates to City X and raises a family there, their children will be significantly less likely to contract this disease than they would have been if the family had remained in City Y. Which of the following statements, if true, would most significantly strengthen the conclusion drawn in the passage?

1. The rate at which inhabitants of City X contract the disease will increase as the overall population of City X increases.
2. In contrast to City Y, City X is characterized by an abundance of environmental factors that tend to inhibit the occurrence of the disease.
3. 23% of those inhabitants of City Y who move to City X live beyond the average life span of native inhabitants of City X.
4. Over the last 2 decades, the incidence of the disease has decreased in City Y but has remained unchanged in City X.
5. Studies indicate that the incidence of the disease among inhabitants of City X who move to City Y is roughly equal to that of inhabitants of City X who remain in City X.

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: In a specific state, people living in City X are more likely to contract a particular disease than people living in City Y, and the difference is significant. Therefore, if a couple from City Y relocates to City X and raises a family there, the risk of the children developing this disease is significantly lower than it would have been had the family stayed in City Y.

The question asks for an answer that strengthens the conclusion in the passage. Analyzing each option separately will help in determining the right choice.

Option – B : Correct
According to this option, City X is distinguished by a wealth of environmental factors that tend to prevent the disease from occurring, in contrast to City Y. This provides more evidence that a variety of environmental factors lowers the risk of contracting diseases. And that is what is required. As a result, this option is the right choice.

Option – A : Incorrect
According to this option, as City X's population grows, so will the rate at which its residents catch the disease. This does not make the conclusion stronger. As a result, this option is ruled out.

Option – C : Incorrect
According to this option, 23% of City Y residents who relocate to City X live longer than the city's natives do on average. This is outside of the scope and has nothing to do with longevity. As a result, this option is ruled out.

Option – D : Incorrect
According to this option, the disease's incidence has decreased over the past 20 years in City Y while remaining unchanged in City X. This weakens the conclusion rather than strengthening it. As a result, this option is ruled out.

Option – E : Incorrect
According to this option, studies show that the disease incidence among City X residents who move to City Y is roughly equal to that of City X residents who stay in City X. This is out of scope. As a result, this option is ruled out. From the explanations given above, it is clear that the second option is the right answer.

“In a certain state, the rate at which inhabitants of City X contract” - is a GMAT question about critical thinking. A candidate may choose to either find evidence that would undermine the argument or present an argument that is illogical in order to respond to the question. The GMAT critical reasoning gauges a candidate's aptitude for logic and analysis. Candidates must identify the argument's advantages and disadvantages as well as its logical flaws for this topic. Out of the 36 GMAT verbal questions, 10–13 critical reasoning questions are found.

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