The figure below shows the association between life expectancy and infant mortality for several different countries.Also shown is the equation and correlation from a regression analysis.What is the correct conclusion to draw from the figure?
A)Countries that have low life expectancies and high infant mortality rates seem to have less regard for the sanctity of human life.
B)While there appears to be a very strong association,there is probably not a cause-and-effect relationship between infant mortality and life expectancy.Access to basic health care is probably a lurking variable that drives both life expectancy and infant mortality.
C)Those countries with low life expectancies clearly have no regard for children or expectant mothers.
D)The association must be coincidental.I would expect the association to have a positive slope,not the negative one illustrated above.
E)High infant mortality is causing reduced life expectancy,probably because of the increased emotional stress exerted on parents who have lost a child at birth.

Question

The figure below shows the association between life expectancy and infant mortality for several different countries.Also shown is the equation and correlation from a regression analysis.What is the correct conclusion to draw from the figure? 
A)Countries that have low life expectancies and high infant mortality rates seem to have less regard for the sanctity of human life. 
B)While there appears to be a very strong association,there is probably not a cause-and-effect relationship between infant mortality and life expectancy.Access to basic health care is probably a lurking variable that drives both life expectancy and infant mortality. 
C)Those countries with low life expectancies clearly have no regard for children or expectant mothers. 
D)The association must be coincidental.I would expect the association to have a positive slope,not the negative one illustrated above. 
E)High infant mortality is causing reduced life expectancy,probably because of the increased emotional stress exerted on parents who have lost a child at birth.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strong association between life expectancy and infant mortality suggests that there is a relationship between the two variables, but it is unlikely that one directly causes the other. It is more likely that a common underlying factor, such as access to basic healthcare, is driving both. Thus, option B is the best conclusion to draw from the figure. Option A and C are unfounded and speculative, and there is no evidence to support option D or E.

The Figure Below Shows the Association Between Life Expectancy and Infant