Eating beets significantly lowers the risk of cancer, according to an

A) Another study found that people who consumed one tablespoon of flax seed oil per day were more than four times less likely to be diagnosed with cancer as those who did not. The argument is only concerned with beets, not flax seed oil. This is out of scope.

B) Participants in the study reported consuming no vegetables other than beets. This strengthens the argument by reducing alternative causes between what participants were eating and how likely they were to be diagnosed with cancer.

C) The study was only conducted in one city. This does not explain the discrepancy between those who ate beets and those who did not.

D) In another experiment, cancer patients who ate one or more beets per day were no more likely to recover than those who ate no beets. The argument is concerned with those being diagnosed with cancer, not those recovering from cancer. This is out of scope.

E) The participants in the study who ate beets were more likely to exercise regularly than those who did not eat beets. This is the correct answer. It offers an alternative cause for why the beet-eating participants might have lowered their chances of getting cancer.

Eating beets significantly lowers the risk of cancer, according to an article in a nutritional magazine. The article refers to a study that found that people who consumed one or more beets per day were half as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as people who did not.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument in the magazine article?

A) Another study found that people who consumed one tablespoon of flax seed oil per day were more than four times less likely to be diagnosed with cancer as those who did not.
out of scope
B) Participants in the study reported consuming no vegetables other than beets.
this choice strengthens the argument rather than weakening it.
C) The study was only conducted in one city.
The choice makes a point that the data collected was no the correct sample set for the study but Option E is better answer.
D) In another experiment, cancer patients who ate one or more beets per day were no more likely to recover than those who ate no beets.
Recovery of the patients is out of scope.
E) The participants in the study who ate beets were more likely to exercise regularly than those who did not eat beets.
Correct choice ,since the choice provides another reason/alternate reason for the result of the study.

E and C both are typical valid weakeners - it is not expected that both would appear in the real test.

C: statistical bias: The sample used for the survey may not be representative.
E: already discussed in the thread.

Eating beets significantly lowers the risk of cancer, according to an article in a nutritional magazine. The article refers to a study that found that people who consumed one or more beets per day were half as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as people who did not.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument in the magazine article?
The question stem says that eating beets significantly lowers the risk of answer. This has been derived from a study which found that people who consumed one or more beets per day were half as likely to be diagnosed with the cancer w.r.t people who don't consume one or more beets per day. Now we have to find the statement which weakens the argument.

A) Another study found that people who consumed one tablespoon of flax seed oil per day were more than four times less likely to be diagnosed with cancer as those who did not.
This option talks about flax seeds which is out of scope.

B) Participants in the study reported consuming no vegetables other than beets.
Hmm.. This actually supports the argument that beets consumption reduces cancer as the participants reported consuming no other vegetables than beets.

C) The study was only conducted in one city.
Hmm.. This might weaken the argument as the studies might have been considered in the city where cancer patients are less and city might be very good, clean and away from pollution etc.

D) In another experiment, cancer patients who ate one or more beets per day were no more likely to recover than those who ate no beets.
The question stem is talking about the precautionary measure to reduce cancer. And this statement is giving data of cure of cancer. So, it is out of scope.

E) The participants in the study who ate beets were more likely to exercise regularly than those who did not eat beets.
Hmm.. Here is the point which introduces a new cause which might have affected the result. People do exercise regularly and hence chances of cancer might be less. So, this clearly weakness the argument.


Answer E

Many will be confused between D & E i will like to clarify.

D) In another experiment, cancer patients who ate one or more beets per day were no more likely to recover than those who ate no beets.
E) The participants in the study who ate beets were more likely to exercise regularly than those who did not eat beets.

D talks about recovery and we are concerned with diagnosis in future