MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 86: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT critical analysis and reasoning skills practice tests

Test Information

Question: 86

7. The intended audience of this passage is most likely:

  • A. cancer hospitals or research center administrators.
  • B. the American public at large.
  • C. Hispanic women with breast or cervical cancer.
  • D. the Southwest Oncology Group.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A This is an Inference question.

A: Yes. The author's intent is to encourage enactment of changes that will positively benefit Hispanics. Note wording such as "In developing these interventions, we should increase our awareness of the needs of all different Hispanic groups" (paragraph 4) or "we must get to know and understand the population(s) with whom we plan to work" (paragraph 5), which suggests that the passage is intended for people working within the field of health care. Administrators at cancer institutes or researchers have the ability to utilize his suggestions and advice, such as by carrying out useful research, or coordinating community based initiatives to reach more Hispanics.

B: No. The tone and content of the passage indicate that it is not intended for the general reader, but rather for people with a specific interest, and role to play, in this particular issue.

C: No. The primary purpose of this passage (as noted in the solution for question 1) is not to educate Hispanic women, but to create changes in our understanding how cancer affects Hispanics and in how Hispanic people are educated, tested, and treated. While one could imagine that Hispanic women with breast or cervical cancer might be interested in this information, this group is too narrowly defined to be the "intended audience." The passage is geared towards people who would be able to carry out research, education, and treatment, rather than towards potential subjects of research, education, or treatment.

D: No. The Southwest Oncology Group already participates in the practices advocated by the author (paragraph 5). There would be little or no benefit seen by presenting the group with the information of the passage.

Previous       Next