Food allergies account for more than thirty thousand emergency

Question

Food allergies account for more than thirty thousand emergency department visits each year. Often, victims of these episodes are completely unaware of their allergies until they experience a major reaction. Studies show that 90 percent of food allergy reactions are caused by only eight distinct foods. For this reason, individuals should sample a minuscule portion of each of these foods to determine whether a particular food allergy is present.

Which of the following must be studied in order to evaluate the recommendation made in the argument?

(A) The percentage of allergy victims who were not aware of the allergy before a major episode

(B) The percentage of the population that is at risk for allergic reactions

(C) Whether some of the eight foods are common ingredients used in cooking

(D) Whether an allergy to one type of food makes someone more likely to be allergic to other types of food

(E) Whether ingesting a very small amount of an allergen is sufficient to provoke an allergic reaction in a susceptible individual

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lily123400 · Answer

I got answer choice E.
The argument states that since 90% of food allergies are caused by 8 foods and that most people are not aware of their food allergies. To find out if they are, they should sample the 8 foods. So we see here the clear goal to sample the 8 foods is to see if people are allergic.

(A) The percentage of allergy victims who were not aware of the allergy before a major episode 
Not relevant to the results of the experiment / not a bias

(B) The percentage of the population that is at risk for allergic reactions 
Also not relevant to how the study will perform

(C) Whether some of the eight foods are common ingredients used in cooking 
Not relevant to how the study will perform

(D) Whether an allergy to one type of food makes someone more likely to be allergic to other types of food 
This introduces a new idea and not the one tested

(E) Whether ingesting a very small amount of an allergen is sufficient to provoke an allergic reaction in a susceptible individual 
The answer because maybe a small amount would not be enough to trigger allergies

quiaitaque · Answer

Hi Bunuel,

In this sort of a question how do you determine evaluvates the argument succinctly?

Is my thought process correct?

If ingesting a small amount og allergen casues these alergies then individuals shoudl sample a small portion if not then not required.

egmat · Answer

quiaitaque

Your thought process is  correct ! You've identified the critical issue. Let me help you formalize this approach:

The Two-Way Test for Evaluation Questions

When a question asks what "must be studied to evaluate," you're looking for an answer choice that works like a  yes/no switch :
 
 If answered YES → the argument becomes stronger/works 
 If answered NO → the argument becomes weaker/fails

Applying This to Your Question:

The argument recommends:  "Sample minuscule portions of foods to determine allergies"

Choice (E) asks:  "Whether ingesting a very small amount can provoke an allergic reaction"

The Two-Way Test: 
 
  If YES  (small amounts  can  cause reactions) → The recommendation is  dangerous  - people could have serious reactions while testing 
  If NO  (small amounts  cannot  cause reactions) → The test  won't work  - if small amounts don't cause reactions, how would you know you're allergic?

Either way, this information is  critical  to evaluating whether the recommendation makes sense!

Quick Method for "Evaluate" Questions: 
 
 Identify the plan/recommendation/conclusion 
 For each answer choice, ask: "Does knowing YES or NO to this change whether the plan works?" 
 The correct answer will make the argument either definitely good OR definitely bad depending on the answer

Why Other Choices Don't Evaluate: 
 
 (A) - Already stated victims are unaware; exact percentage doesn't change the recommendation 
 (B) - Population risk doesn't tell us if sampling works 
 (C) - Common ingredients don't evaluate the sampling method 
 (D) - Multiple allergies don't tell us if sampling is safe/effective

Your Insight Was Perfect! 
You correctly identified that the effectiveness and safety of "sampling small amounts" is the  core assumption  that needs evaluation. Trust these instincts - just formalize them with the two-way test to confirm your answer quickly and confidently!

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

(A) The percentage of allergy victims who were not aware of the allergy before a major episode

This answer makes an Irrelevant Distinction. Knowing the exact percentage doesn't actually tell us anything

(B) The percentage of the population that is at risk for allergic reactions

This answer is Out O f Scope because it talks about all allergies in general, not just food allergies.

(C) Whether some of the eight foods are common ingredients used in cooking

This doesn't fit into one o f the standard trap categories. The argument does not hinge on how commonly used the foods must be in order to warrant testing. Further, the argument does not limit itself to foods that must be cooked.

(D) Whether an allergy to one type of food makes someone more likely to be allergic to other types of food

This answer makes an Irrelevant Distinction; the argument doesn't address whether someone is allergic to multiple types of food.

(E) Whether ingesting a very small amount of an allergen is sufficient to provoke an allergic reaction in a susceptible individual

This is the correct answer.

Food allergies account for more than thirty thousand emergency

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Food allergies account for more than thirty thousand emergency

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

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My Rewards