Question

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?

• A. Some symptoms normally associated with Sodium consumption may resemble symptoms caused by prescription drugs or even drowsiness.
• B. Increases in BSC are based on the amount of Sodium consumed rather than the number of foods (some foods contain more Sodium than others).
• C. Heavy Sodium consumption has numerous long term effects such as stomach ulcers, cirrhosis of the liver, and birth defects.
• D. The metabolic rate of Sodium varies according to a person’s weight, diet, health, and genetic predispositions.
• E. Some people, due to an acute sensitivity to Sodium, cannot even reach a BSC of 0.18 before becoming violently ill.

Hint:

When evaluating an argument, look for options that introduce exceptions or counterexamples that challenge the general claim.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Analyze the conclusion of the passage.
The passage concludes that after 12 hours, a person with a BSC of 0.18 would be symptom-free, and symptoms after this time cannot be caused by Sodium. The question asks which statement weakens this conclusion.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Some symptoms normally associated with Sodium consumption may resemble symptoms caused by prescription drugs or even drowsiness: This doesn't directly challenge the conclusion but provides a possible alternate cause for the symptoms.
- (B) Increases in BSC are based on the amount of Sodium consumed rather than the number of foods (some foods contain more Sodium than others): This is a general statement about Sodium but does not affect the conclusion regarding symptom onset and duration.
- (C) Heavy Sodium consumption has numerous long-term effects such as stomach ulcers, cirrhosis of the liver, and birth defects: While true, this does not address the immediate, short-term symptoms the passage discusses.
- (D) The metabolic rate of Sodium varies according to a person’s weight, diet, health, and genetic predispositions: This is true, but it does not directly undermine the conclusion about the specific BSC level and symptom-free period.
- (E) Some people, due to an acute sensitivity to Sodium, cannot even reach a BSC of 0.18 before becoming violently ill: Correct. This directly weakens the conclusion by suggesting that some individuals may experience severe symptoms before reaching the stated BSC level of 0.18.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (E) because it presents a case where individuals may become ill even before reaching the BSC of 0.18, challenging the passage’s assumption that a BSC of 0.18 guarantees symptom-free status after 12 hours.