PrepTest 141, Section 4, 6. Clinician: Patients with immune system disorders…

How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will ask a question whose answer could be support for the conclusion.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

these patients should take this new drug in addition to the drug that helps to preserve existing bone

Clinician: [BACKGROUND]. [BACKGROUND]. Since [SUPPORT], [CONCLUSION].

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) How large is the class of drugs…

What the hell does that have to do with it? The conclusion makes a recommendation about a few specific drugs, and the whole “class” is only mentioned in the background. This info wouldn’t support the conclusion.

(B) Why…?

This is an immediate red flag, since the conclusion isn’t relying on explaining anything. We want to know what will happen if patients take these drugs, not “why” anything.

(C) Is the new drug more expensive…

In the real world, this would be very relevant. But there’s no money mentioned anywhere in the passage. We’re only talking about treating patients without giving them osteoperosis.

(D) How long has the drug that helps to preserve existing bone been in use?

Again, in a big picture sense this question is super relevant to whether folks should be taking this drug. But that’s not the point. The conclusion says they’re already using that drug. We’re only trying to support taking “this new drug in addition”.

(E) …retain its efficacy when used in combination with the other drugs?

Do you see how you don’t even have to think about it very hard, since this is the only answer that maps to the wording of the conclusion. This is asking about what happens if you “take this new drug in addition to the drug that helps to preserve existing bone.” Love it.

(E) is the correct answer.