I see why, as a process of elimination, C might be the correct answer in question 6. However, the response requires us to add additional assumptions for it to function as a paradox resolution. There's no causal relationship established between being lean due to smoking and a higher likelihood of dying earlier. If we need to introduce assumptions to answer C to resolve the paradox, we could do the same thing with response A— what if increased weight gain prevents the loss of bone and muscle density that is seen in our "control group"? Both situations require an assumption that would resolve the paradox.
Thanks to the added assumption on our part, this question stands out as an anomaly when compared to other questions.
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This is a tricky question, and we’ll circle back to it in the takeaway.
We’ve got two studies. In one, people who gained weight lived longer than those who didn’t. In all the others, gaining weight led to health problems and a lowered life expectancy.
These findings are in direct conflict with each other. And we’re meant to resolve the results, not pick one over the other.
As such, there must be something different between the studies that would explain the divergent results.
Maybe the focus on those over 35 in the first study, or on those who gained 1 pound/year vs. those who didn’t gain any weight?
It’s hard to know what that difference will be, but let’s find an answer highlighting a possible one.
Remember, all we are looking for is a possible explanation for the difference observed.
(C) is a stretch, but it’s the correct answer. If the long-term health study included smokers, and those smokers were the ones who maintained weight (since they tend to be leaner), then that would explain the shorter life expectancies. This answer allows us to tell a story where the results in the two studies make sense, so this is the correct answer.
As for our key takeaway here, don’t focus on this question. It’s an extreme outlier as far as how much you need to add to get the correct answer to work. If you got this wrong, brush it off and move on. If you got it right, pat yourself on the back but don’t take anything away from it.
