Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common psycholo

1. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
The first paragraph introduces OCD and the observed symptoms. Further it mentions that the causes of this disorder have perplexed doctors for generations however, a recent work suggests that OCD is linked to strep throat.
The second paragraph presents the recent work of Dr Susan Swedo and explains how a form of OCD that has been observed in children is linked to strep throat.
The third paragraph presents evidences in support of Dr Swedo’s theory and against the theory.
Therefore, Option E is correct.
A. A medical disorder is described, and then two competing theories about the cause of the disorder are compared.
Option A is incorrect because only one theory is presented and evidences in support of and against the theory are discussed.

B. A controversial theory is presented, and then supporting evidence is presented to prove that the theory is correct.
Option B is incorrect because the theory proposed by Dr Susan Swedo has not been proved to be correct rather doubts has been raised against the theory.

C. A mysterious situation is described, a plausible theory is put forth to explain the situation, and the theory is then rejected as incomplete.
Option C is incorrect because the proposed theory has not been rejected though the evidence presented in support of the theory has been doubted.

D. A psychological disorder is introduced, and then further information about the disorder is presented.
Option D is incorrect because this option is incomplete as it fails to capture the entire information presented in the passage.

2. If Swedo’s theory is correct, it can be inferred that which of the following would have the greatest chance of protecting a person from developing OCD?

If Dr Swedo’s theory is correct and we are to protect a person from developing OCD then the best possible course of action is to stop the bacteria infection in the first place. Because the individual’s immune system responds overenthusiastically to BHS bacteria and further mistakenly attacks the basal ganglia leading to OCD.
A. Regular use of a medicine that prevents infection by streptococcal bacteria.
This implies that the individuals will have no infection of BHS bacteria causing strep throat and thus there is no chance of individual’s immune system mistakenly attacking the basal ganglia leading to compulsive behavior. Seems ok.

B. An injection that coats the basal ganglia with a barrier that makes it immune to infection by streptococcal bacteria.
Incorrect. Streptococcal bacteria causes infection of throat and not the basal ganglia. It is the attack of individual’s immune system on the basal ganglia that leads to compulsive behavior or OCD.

C. A throat lozenge that effectively alleviates the symptoms of strep throat.
Incorrect. Even if the throat lozenge is successful in easing the symptoms of strep throat it is still possible that an individual’s overzealous autoimmune responds to BHS bacteria and further mistakenly attacks the basal ganglia leading to OCD.

D. Regular sessions of cognitive therapy that help a patient understand the underlying factors behind their anxieties.
Option D is incorrect because we are to protect a person from developing OCD and not manage it effectively through regular sessions of cognitive therapy.

E. Latex gloves that prevent a person’s hands from picking up germs, thereby eliminating the need for constant hand washing.
Option E is incorrect because it is addressing one of the symptom displayed by a patient suffering from OCD. However, the question is to find the best course of action to protect a person from developing OCD.

3. According to the information presented in the passage, all of the following could be examples of symptoms of OCD, EXCEPT.
The first paragraph mentions that the most common manifestation of the OCD is an obsessive concern about germs that can only be assuaged by constant handwashing. Also, other sufferers become convinced that unless they follow certain rituals — e.g. turning a light on and off exactly six times when entering a room, not stepping on cracks, avoiding objects of certain colors —harm will befall them or their loved ones. From this information we find that only Option D - “An inability to relate to other people as human beings.” is left out. So, Option D is the answer.

4. Which of the following statements would provide the most fitting conclusion to the third paragraph?
In the third paragraph the author states that in support of her theory, Swedo points to studies that have shown a high degree of correlation between attacks of strep throat and the sudden onset of OCD symptoms in children. She also points to medical trials in which children suffering from OCD showed rapid improvement after being put on a course of antibiotics designed to kill streptococcal bacteria.
However, not all of the medical community is convinced. Many doctors say that the incidence of strep throat in children is so high that it would show a high degree of correlation with almost any other ailment in children. They further point to the high number of children with symptoms of OCD who cannot be shown to have suffered from recent infections of streptococcal bacteria.

A. In summary, the case for the connection between OCD and strep throat infections is unproven and, ultimately, not useful for the treatment of this mysterious disorder.
Option A is incorrect because this option is completely negating the usefulness of Swedo’s theory for the treatment of OCD, however, as per information present in the third paragraph, many doctors have raised observations against the evidence in support of Swedo’s theory, they have not refuted the theory completely.

B. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that autoimmune responses to bacterial infections could be tied to other neurological disorders such as Huntington’s disease.
Option B is incorrect because no such information is present in the third paragraph or the passage that autoimmune responses to bacterial infections could be tied to other neurological disorders such as Huntington’s disease.

C. Perhaps the most accurate statement that can be made at this time is that the streptococcal connection to OCD is an intriguing theory that might lead to effective therapies for some OCD sufferers.
Option C is correct because though many doctors have raised observations against the evidence in support of Swedo’s theory, they have not refuted the theory completely. So it may still be concluded that the streptococcal connection to OCD is an intriguing theory which might lead to effective therapies for some OCD sufferers.

D. These critics, however, cannot deny that Dr. Swedo’s theory allows doctors finally to provide a cure for this prevalent and disabling disorder.
Option D is incorrect because Dr Swedo’s theory does not provides a complete cure for OCD. It is only relevant for some forms of OCD in children.

E. In conclusion, we will probably never know whether streptococcal infections are the cause of OCD or just an unrelated ailment that sometimes coincides with the onset of compulsive behavior.
Option E is incorrect because with further study it is possible to ascertain the above.

1. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

A. A medical disorder is described, and then two competing theories about the cause of the disorder are compared. ~ Incorrect, two competing theories are not mentioned, scientist raise questions to the one theory presented by Dr. Susan Swedo.

B. A controversial theory is presented, and then supporting evidence is presented to prove that the theory is correct. ~ Incorrect, author does not mention that the theory is correct, in fact author highlight that scientist raise objection to the theory.

C. A mysterious situation is described, a plausible theory is put forth to explain the situation, and the theory is then rejected as incomplete. ~ Incorrect, theory is not rejected as incomplete, scientist raise questions about the finding of the theory.

D. A psychological disorder is introduced, and then further information about the disorder is presented. ~ Incorrect, along with further information, a theory is presented which later challenged by scientist.

E. An issue is introduced, a theory about this issue is presented, and then evidence for and against the theory is discussed. ~ Correct, issue about OCD is mentioned, a theory of Dr. Susan Swedo. is presented and evidence for and against by Dr.SS and scientists are presented.


2. If Swedo’s theory is correct, it can be inferred that which of the following would have the greatest chance of protecting a person from developing OCD?

A. Regular use of a medicine that prevents infection by streptococcal bacteria. ~ Incorrect, it is not the infection by streptococcal bacteria , It is due to the attack of immune system to basal gangila, which is responsible for OCD.

B. An injection that coats the basal ganglia with a barrier that makes it immune to infection by streptococcal bacteria. ~ Correct, refer to the line "after fighting off an infection of streptococcal bacteria an individual’s immune system may mistakenly attack the basal ganglia, a cluster of neurons in the brain that play an important role in coordinating thought and emotion." It is the immune system that attack the basal gangila, which is responsible for OCD.

C. A throat lozenge that effectively alleviates the symptoms of strep throat. ~ Incorrect, if this will be true than person has more chance of getting infected. "High degree of correlation between attacks of strep throat and the sudden onset of OCD symptoms in children."

D. Regular sessions of cognitive therapy that help a patient understand the underlying factors behind their anxieties. Incorrect, not mentioned as the reason.

E. Latex gloves that prevent a person’s hands from picking up germs, thereby eliminating the need for constant hand washing. ~ Incorrect, not mentioned as the reason.

3. According to the information presented in the passage, all of the following could be examples of symptoms of OCD, EXCEPT.

A. Avoiding stepping on cracks. ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "not stepping on cracks".

B. Repeatedly turning on and off a light whenever entering a room. Incorrect, refer to the line "turning a light on and off exactly six times when entering a room".

C. Constant hand washing. ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "about germs that can only be assuaged by constant handwashing."

D. An inability to relate to other people as human beings. ~ Correct, not mentioned as an example in the passage.

E. Recurring irrational fears about harm befalling loved ones. ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "avoiding objects of certain colors —harm will befall them or their loved ones."

4. Which of the following statements would provide the most fitting conclusion to the third paragraph?

A. In summary, the case for the connection between OCD and strep throat infections is unproven and, ultimately, not useful for the treatment of this mysterious disorder. ~ Incorrect, it is not mention that it is not useful for treatment, in fact as per Dr. SS "She also points to medical trials in which children suffering from OCD showed rapid improvement after being put on a course of antibiotics designed to kill streptococcal bacteria."

B. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that autoimmune responses to bacterial infections could be tied to other neurological disorders such as Huntington’s disease. ~ Incorrect, Huntington's disease is not mentioned in the passage.

C. Perhaps the most accurate statement that can be made at this time is that the streptococcal connection to OCD is an intriguing theory that might lead to effective therapies for some OCD sufferers. ~ Correct, for people suffering from OCD and having the streptococcal connection, DR. S.S is able to observed rapid improvement after being put on a course of antibiotics designed to kill streptococcal bacteria.

D. These critics, however, cannot deny that Dr. Swedo’s theory allows doctors finally to provide a cure for this prevalent and disabling disorder. ~ Incorrect, DR. Swedo is able to find the alternate cause and not necessarily the cure of the disease.

E. In conclusion, we will probably never know whether streptococcal infections are the cause of OCD or just an unrelated ailment that sometimes coincides with the onset of compulsive behavior. ~ Incorrect, we don't know what is the finding in the future, this statement shows extremity which can't be concluded from the paragraph.

Hello Everyone!

OAs are revealed.

EADC

Competition mode is off now.

Quite tough competition on this one

Here is how I will mark on this one.

sivakumarm786 = 90
samagra21 = 75
pintukr = 70
Catman = 70

Good Luck with Day 8 questions.

OEs will be posted shortly.