GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 3): When the heart is under duress, it

Fact 1 : When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream.

Fact 2 : In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack.

Conclusion : Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.



Before we look into the options or question stem:

just because in marathoners and cyclists, elevated troponin levels are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack .... the argument assumes that it is true for all athletes/general population and concludes too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.


The flaw here is that whatever is true for a small sample is true for general population as a whole.

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

We need an answer that highlights/deals with this flaw.

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes. (Contender)

(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal. (doesn't matter about the time body takes to restore back to normal)

(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful. (Who cares about other harmful substances the body makes. It may be alcohol or cyanide ... but we will focus on troponin)

(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride. (may be the damages are permanent or temporary. It is not affecting my conclusion)

(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body. (We are just bothered about cycling/running. Other forms of physical work may or may not produce elevated levels of troponin in the body as running/cycling does. It doesn't matter !!)

IMO Option A

When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream. In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes.
(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal.
(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful.
(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride.
(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body.

The correct answer is D. Because it would be useful to know whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride as in the question stem, it says it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream. In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

Conlsusion - "Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health" - See how the conclusion jumps from "elite marathoners and cyclists" to "non-elite runners and cyclists". Do Non Elite runners also run as fast as elite runners , do "non-elite runners and cyclists" have the same level of troponin as elite marathoners and cyclists

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes.
So this options fills the gap and hence answers our question

(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal.
Out of scope , no where related to conclusion

(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful.
Not worried about any other substance


(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride.
Out of scope

(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body.
Not concerned about swimming

Conclusion: too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

In an evaluate type question, one must find an answer that is on both extremes of the question and target them back at the conclusion to see it if both takes away from it or supports it depending on which extreme you deal with.

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes. - CORRECT
If Yes, then definitely too much running or cycling will have detrimental effect on health
If No, then non-elite runners and cyclists would not have much effect on their health

(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal. - Incorrect
Irrelevant to evaluate the argument - does not affect the conclusion

(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful. - Incorrect
For both Yes or No answers- the effect does not change: both remain harmful

(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride. - Incorrect(Irrelevant)
the damage could be physical - nothing specific to the troponin levels in the bloodstream is discussed here

(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body. - Incorrect(Irrelevant)
Exercises in general are mentioned in the conclusion, so whether this is yes or no does not affect the conclusion

Answer: B

When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream. In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes. --> Incorrect. Non-elite runners and cyclists are out of scope.
(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal. --> Correct. If troponin levels return to normal in very short amount of time post running or cycling then it may not have detrimental effect on health. If troponin levels don't return to normal soon and remains high then it may lead to what is observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack.
(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful. --> Incorrect. Body producing other substances is out of scope.
(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride. --> Incorrect. Body may or may not sustain irreparable damage. But this does not help us to evaluate with respect to troponin levels.
(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body. --> Incorrect. Swimming is out of scope.

The answer should be D.

The conclusion of the argument is despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

We need to choose an answer choice that directly addresses the conclusion- too much physical activity, specifically running or cycling, has a negative effect on health.

A is incorrect because we don't need to compare non-elite runners/cyclists with elite runners/cyclists.
B is incorrect because restoration of elevated troponin levels is nothing to do with conclusion as stated above.
C is incorrect because the passage is concerned only about troponin. Any other substance is irrelevant.
D is correct because if the body sustains irreparable damage, then the conclusion will hold. On the contrary, if the body sustains reparable damage, then the conclusion will not hold. Hence, this choice is relevant for the conclusion.
E is incorrect because it states another form of exercise i.e. swimming, which is different from running or cycling as targeted by the conclusion.

Answer D

Conclusion: it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health

Premise: In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack

Gap: Do troponins actually harm the body or not? What differentiated them from those in heart attack patients?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes. Elite vs non-elite comparison is irrelevant to the conclusion. Out of focus
(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal. Duration of the troponin levels will not help understand if the troponin actually harms the body in case of exercising
(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful. Other substances are out of scope here. We are not comparing what causes harm to the body during exercise
(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride. CORRECT
(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body. Swimming is irrelevant to the conclusion here. Out of scope

When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream. In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes. Incorrect

already know that troponin levels increase after a race or cycling

(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal. Incorrect

irrelevant

(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful. Correct

it is helpful, if other harmful substances doesnt produce after a race, it support argument otherwise not

(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride. Incorrect

but too much running or cycling still has harmful effect on body

(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body. Incorrect

irrelevant

Ans:D
(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes.this doesn't help to evaluate
(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal...time is not required here..out of scope
(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful...we are not concerned about any other harmful substances
(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride....correct
(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body.out of scope..nothing is mentioned about swimming

Evaluate the argument basically asks us to find an answer to which if you answer yes, it should strengthen the conclusion and if you answer no, then it should weaken the conclusion.
Let us examine the argument:
When heart is under stress, chemical is released. This same chemical is released in bodies of elite runners and cyclists after a race and the same is released into bodies of patients who suffered from a heart attack
So argument concludes that large amount of running or cycling even for a day leads to bad effect on health
We need to find an answer which helps us examine the same

Let us examine the answer choices now:

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes.

Conclusion states that too much running/cycling for a day leads to bad health, does not mention anything about elite vs normal in the conclusion. ELIMINATE

(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal.

YES! If body takes little time to get back after exercise, it does not have a detrimental effect on health but if it takes a long time, it does have a detrimental effect on health. ANSWER

(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful.

Other substances are out of scope of the argument. ELIMINATE

(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride.

We are dealing with effects of troponin and its effect on health. ELIMINATE

(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body.

Irrelevant as question is concerned with cycling/running, not swimming. ELIMINATE

Answer - B

Official Explanation is pinned as BEST Reply HERE.

Imo D

We need to evaluate whether the same amount of damages are caused by high troponins while doing exercise. Option D is correct.

Dear RonTargetTestPrep

I would be grateful if you could evaluate my line of reasoning. I have problem with the OA.

The conclusion that needs to be evaluated is that too much of A has a detrimental effect on health.

Even if we answer No to the question in choice D, we will find out that too much of A has NO irreparable damage. However, “irreparable” effect and “detrimental” effect can be different things. Certain detrimental effects on health are reparable. Hence, a body may suffer detrimental yet still reparable effect – in which case, the conclusion may still hold. So, to me AO seems to have no relevance to the conclusion.

I thought that at least remotely relevant choice here is B.

Many thanks in advance.

This problem doesn't work like official GMAT problems.

The 'correct' answer here (choice D) works by just affirming (a stronger form of) the conclusion.
That's problematic for two different reasons: /1/ As mentioned above, the official test doesn't work that way, and, moreover, /2/ just affirming the conclusion DOESN'T actually say anything about the reasoning used to argue for it.

Presumably, D is marked 'correct' because it's the only answer option that's relevant to anything in the passage. (Your statement here, about the significance of a negative answer to D, is accurate. If that answer is affirmative, though, then that means irreparable damage is done. "Irreparable damage" is a stronger statement than just "detrimental effect"; a 'yes' to the stronger statement would imply a 'yes' to the weaker one.)

What matters here, ultimately, is that you understand how the official problems of this type will work. Namely, they'll help to substantiate connections in the line of reasoning that's used to argue for the conclusion. An official correct answer will NEVER 'strengthen' an argument by just declaring that the conclusion is true, nor will any correct answer ever 'weaken' an argument by just saying the conclusion is false.

Hello, Jon and Ron. Jon, you may know from some of my former competition questions that I do not write them with GMAC™ standards in mind. Rather, I like to enjoy the process of writing a question, and I take a somewhat liberal stance on the task while still driving toward a single best answer. If you look at my other questions from this competition and from past competitions, you will note that some seem rather GMAT™-like, while others do not. I thought it might be a good idea to ask me about the question before calling upon someone else, but that is okay. If you did not enjoy the question, I will take the blame.

Ron, we agree: "D is marked 'correct' because it's the only answer option that's relevant to anything in the passage." It may not be a perfect answer to a perfect question, but it is functional. I appreciate your pointing out how this question may differ from official questions. (Note that I am not defending any sloppiness or errors in logic.) I think my own stance on what to study for GMAT™ preparation is pretty clear, at least on the Verbal end. Competition questions are like carnival games, at least how I approach them (both as a contributor and a participant.) If your new job entails improving the Verbal arm of Target Test Prep, I wish you good luck in that endeavor.

Jon, good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

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