GATE CS 2014 Set 2 Q.7 (GA Q.7): Analytical and Logical Reasoning

The number of people diagnosed with dengue fever (contracted from the bite of a mosquito) in north India is twice the number diagnosed last year. Municipal authorities have concluded that measures to control the mosquito population have failed in this region.

Which one of the following statements, if true, does not contradict this conclusion?

A high proportion of the affected population has returned from neighbouring countries where dengue is prevalent

More cases of dengue are now reported because of an increase in the Municipal Office's administrative efficiency

Many more cases of dengue are being diagnosed this year since the introduction of a new and effective diagnostic test

The number of people with malarial fever (also contracted from mosquito bites) has increased this year

Official answer and solution

Official answer: D
From: Official GATE 2014 answer key

Solution

Evaluate which option strengthens or fails to contradict the municipal authorities' conclusion that mosquito control failed.

Conclusion of Municipal Authorities: Measures to control the mosquito population have failed in this region.
Evidence Given: Dengue cases doubled compared to last year.
Evaluate the options:
- Option A: Claims cases were contracted in neighboring countries, suggesting local mosquitoes may not be the cause. This weakens/contradicts the conclusion.
- Option B: Claims the doubling is merely an administrative reporting artifact, not an actual rise in mosquito activity. This weakens/contradicts the conclusion.
- Option C: Claims the doubling is due to new diagnostic tests detecting previously hidden cases. This also weakens/contradicts the conclusion.
- Option D: Malaria is also contracted exclusively through mosquito bites. An increase in malaria cases corroborates a widespread failure of mosquito control measures. Thus, statement D supports and does NOT contradict the conclusion.

Therefore, option D is correct.

Final answer

Common trap

Selecting options A, B, or C which provide alternate explanations that undermine the authorities' conclusion.

The answer is the one in the official GATE answer key. The solution is this site's own explanation.

Source

Paper: GATE 2014 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) Session 2
Question: 7 of 65, printed as GA Q.7
Section: General Aptitude

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