16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardApplying a caution to a claim

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 When a treatment is given to the sickest patients, statistician Omar Haddad warns, comparing their outcomes with those of other patients will make the treatment look worse than it is. Text 2 A hospital reports that patients given its new drug for pneumonia had a higher death rate than patients not given it, and concludes that the drug is harmful.

Based on the texts, how would Haddad most likely respond to the hospital's conclusion?

  1. A. By asking whether the drug was given mainly to the sickest patients, which would raise their death rate regardless of the drug.Correct
  2. B. By agreeing that the drug is harmful.
  3. C. By arguing that all patients should receive the drug.
  4. D. By denying that the death rates differed.

Answer: A. By asking whether the drug was given mainly to the sickest patients, which would raise their death rate regardless of the drug.

Haddad's warning: treating the sickest makes a treatment look worse.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. By agreeing that the drug is harmful.
His caution argues against that conclusion as it stands.
C. By arguing that all patients should receive the drug.
Not proposed.
D. By denying that the death rates differed.
The rates are not disputed.

More Craft and Structure questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.