Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the

Question

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the population of the nation is, on average, plumper than was the population 30 years ago. By 2008, the average adult is 11 pounds heavier than was the average adult in 1978.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

(A) Today's average adult is not substantially overweight.
(B) Today's average adult is trying to lose weight.
(C) Today's average adult eats healthier food than did the average adult of the past.
(D) Today's average adult is not older than was the average adult of the past.
(E) Today's average adult is not significantly taller than was the average adult of the past.

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Anshuman83 · Answer

I am stuck between B and C

Would choose C because it seems to add the missing context for why despite media's fitness pursuit the weight of the population has gone up.

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lavanya.18 · Answer

I think it's E, because your height also plays important role in our weight. So, if there is change in height, meaning more bone weight and muscles, the average weight would too change , and increase.

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aryamanpanda · Answer

This is how I broke the question down.

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by media - author doesn't entirely agree that the avg population is actually pursuing the ideal of fitness all that extensively.

The average population is plumper than the average population 30 years ago - the mention of Average makes me consider scenarios where the denominator might have decreased to increase the avg. Im not certain

In 2008 the avg adult is 11 pounds heavier - a fact used to substantiate a claim made above

Question - what is the assumption made about the avg adult ( not population )

A - the author states that the avg adult is 11 pounds heavier. We have no clarity on whether the increase puts them in the "substantially" overweight category. Drop this

B - the first line of the prompt shows that the author doesn't entirely believe the media on the avg adult trying to lose weight. Drop this as well

C - no evidence to support this claim. One could gain weight for multiple reasons. A cleaner diet isn't the only factor. Drop this

D - if we were to assume that the age remains the same, then comparing efforts make a little sense. We also have the possibility that if the ages were different, the older populace would weigh more on account of not being able to effectively excersize as when younger. But if we assume that the age is lower then we can't conclude this. While tempting, i would drop as discrepancies exist

Leaves us with E - the avg populace is taller. This also isn't great for me, because if we are correlating height with increased weight, then there are obvious cases where taller adults would still weigh less. But this option has the least holes poked ,hence would go with this.

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Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the population of the nation is, on average, plumper than was the population 30 years ago. By 2008, the average adult is 11 pounds heavier than was the average adult in 1978.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

(A) Today's average adult is not substantially overweight.

Incorrect.

To solve this Assumption question, first break down the argument. The second sentence includes hard statistical data so it must be the premise. As for the first sentence, we can only see that it is a conclusion because it relies on the second. Tricky one!

Now ask yourself: the author believes the average adult today is plumper (rounder or fatter) than was the average adult 30 years ago, based on their weight. But what is the missing link? What unfounded connection (assumption) does the author make?

The fact that today's average adult is not substantially overweight is irrelevant to the comparison between the average adult weight today and 30 years ago. Therefore, this is not a necessary assumption to reach the conclusion that today's average adult is plumper.

Did you know the meaning of the word  plumper  when you answered the question?

Plumpness  is not just about weighing more. It is about the ratio of weight to height. To conclude that today's average adult is plumper, the author had to take into consideration both weight and height (a 6 foot tall man weighing 200 pounds in not plumper than a 5 foot tall man weighing 189 pounds - he's just bigger!).

(B) Today's average adult is trying to lose weight.

Incorrect.

This answer choice presents a new premise about today's average adult. It is irrelevant whether this new data supports the conclusion; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premise.

(C) Today's average adult eats healthier food than did the average adult of the past.

Incorrect.

If the author assumed today's average adult eats healthier food, why would the author draw the conclusion that today's average adult is plumper? This answer choice contradicts the conclusion.

(D) Today's average adult is not older than was the average adult of the past.

Incorrect.

This answer choice presents a new premise about today's average adult. It is irrelevant whether this new data supports the conclusion; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premise.

(E) Today's average adult is not significantly taller than was the average adult of the past.

Plumpness is not just about weighing more. It is about the ratio of weight to height. To conclude that today's average adult is plumper, the author had to take into consideration both weight and height (a 6 foot tall man weighing 200 pounds is not plumper than a 5 foot tall man weighing 189 pounds - he's just bigger!). This answer choice presents a necessary assumption linking the premise to the conclusion, because without assuming that the heights are similar, the conclusion that today's average adult is plumper than his counterpart 30 years ago is weakened.

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