Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Strengthening Questions

Dental surgery encompasses many complex procedures that require years of training and experience to perform correctly. Surgeons working for government-subsidized health services are usually inexperienced and have been known to commit errors that experienced surgeons would not. Since such errors can result in unpleasant damage to nerves in the mouth and jaw area, people that need dental surgery should consult private surgeons even if it necessitates paying a higher price.

Which of the following, if true, supports the argument's conclusion?

Incorrect.

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This answer choice does not weaken or strengthen the conclusion. Because the conclusion states a preference of private surgeons over government surgeons, describing the academic route taken by dentistry students does not affect the conclusion in any way. Your goal is to find a statement that strengthens the conclusion.

Incorrect.

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Since it deals only with the effects of a shift between government and private surgeons, this answer choice does not weaken or strengthen the conclusion that private surgeons are professionally preferable to government surgeons.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice does not weaken or strengthen the conclusion. Because the conclusion states a preference of private surgeons over government ones, providing information that relates to both kinds of surgeons (dental health sector) does not affect the conclusion in any way. Your goal is to find a statement that strengthens the conclusion.

Incorrect.

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By diminishing the threat that the argument associates with government health services, this answer choice weakens the conclusion which supports the use of private surgeons. Remember, you are looking for a statement that strengthens the conclusion.

Excellent!

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This answer choice tells us that the damage caused by dental surgery errors is usually irreversible. Therefore, it strengthens the conclusion that people should avoid this damage by using the services of private surgeons rather than government surgeons.

To become certified dental surgeons, students must first be accepted into specialist programs which require extremely high grades and references given by supervising surgeons.

Almost 80% of the procedures performed by dental surgeons do not require incisions deep enough to pose a threat to nerves in the gums.

A decrease in the number of consultations with government surgeons will lead to an increase in the price of government-subsidized dental health services.

Structural damage to nerve fibers, resulting in discontinuous neural communication, is usually irreversible.

Technological advancements in the dental health sector simplify procedures and allow surgeons to avoid making mistakes.