Of 2,500 people who survived a first heart attack, those who did not smoke had their first heart attack at a median a...
Julie-VJuly 16, 2019
Answer E
I think the explanations have helped a significant amount! I'm still a little unclear, however, about how we can use the information to lead to answer E. Since the info. in the stimulus talks about survivals of first heart attacks from the sample, but the conclusion talks about the two groups having their first heart attack, is that where the inconsistency lies? And is that how answer E weakens it? Any clarifications would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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For these types of questions, it is important to pay close attention to the conclusion. The conclusion says that "nonsmokers tend to have a first heart attack eleven years later than do people who smoke two packs a cigarettes a day." What it should be saying based on the sample data is that "nonsmokers who survived a first heart attack tend to have a first heart attack eleven years later than do people who survived their first heart attack smoke two packs a cigarettes a day." The correct answer choice E points out precisely this flaw - the sample data only allows us to make an inference regarding a population of smokers/ nonsmokers WHO SURVIVED THEIR FIRST HEART ATTACK, we cannot properly infer anything about the overall population of smokers & nonsmokers.
Let me know if this helps.
Julie-VJuly 17, 2019
This does clear it up more, thank you! I will make sure to apply this logic for future weakening questions like these to avoid the same mistake =)
