Scientists have determined that an effective way to lower

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Scientists have determined that an effective way to lower [#permalink]

19 Apr 2011, 19:36

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Scientists have determined that an effective way to lower cholesterol is to eat three servings of whole grains every day. Studies have shown that the cholesterol levels of people who did so were significantly lower after six months than were those of people who did not, even though the cholesterol levels of the two groups had been the same before the studies began. Clearly, eating whole grains can have an appreciable effect on cholesterol levels.

The answer to which of the following questions, if true, would be most useful in evaluating the claim about whole grains above?

a) Is it realistic to expect people to eat three servings of whole grains per day?

b) Were the two groups of people in the study involved in the same exercise program?

c) Can the same drop in cholesterol be achieved through medication?

d) Did the study continue to track the subjects beyond six months?

e) Are most consumers aware of the different between whole grains and processed grains?

any thoughts why?

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Re: MGMAT CAT CR [#permalink]

19 Apr 2011, 20:13

Conclusion:
eating whole grains can have an appreciable effect on cholesterol levels
Premises:
Scientists: Eating 3 servings of whole grain a day causes decrease in colesterol levels
Study: two grups with same initial colesterol levels. People who ate whole grains had less colesterol after 6 months than people who didin't
Assumption:
All other factors remained the same between the two groups during the study or no other factor caused the result

A) Out of scope
B) This choice questions the assumption by considering an alternative factor that could have affected the results of the study and invalidate the conclusion CORRECT
C)Does nothing to adress differences between the first and second group.
D)Out of scope
E)Out of scope

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Re: MGMAT CAT CR [#permalink]

21 May 2011, 15:32

Good explanation of the correct answer above--I wanted to point out one more thing about this question type. This "which of the following...would be most useful in evaluating the claim"-question is, as victorxman analyzed, an assumption question in disguise. Recognizing categories of assumptions can be one huge tool in your kit that helps you quickly eliminate answers that are out of scope, as well as zero in on the correct one.

The red flag in this situation is that the scientists NOTICED something happened at the same time, and then they drew a conclusion about CAUSALITY. It's our classic high school dilemma-- "correlation does not prove causation!" As soon as we recognize there is a causal assumption being, made, we can quickly eliminate anything not related to the causal relationship as specifically stated in the conclusion, and label it with that handy phrase, "out of scope." This assumption type will appear again and again on the gmat.
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Re: MGMAT CAT CR [#permalink]

24 May 2011, 23:00

B is a clear winner closely followed by D.
D however goes overboard by testing people after the period too.
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Re: MGMAT CAT CR [#permalink] 24 May 2011, 23:00

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Scientists have determined that an effective way to lower

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