In 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high

Question

In 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure, 10 percent more than in 1970. This change can partially be attributed to a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels.

Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage above?

A. In 1990, more than 50 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure.
B. The number of women in the overall population increased from 1970 to 1980.
C. On the average, women worked more hours in 1980 than they did in 1970.
D. Before 1970, women who did not work outnumbered women who worked.
E. There may be a correlation between jobs associated with high stress levels and high blood pressure.

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Dereno · Answer

The number of women suffering from HIGH BP has increased from 1970 to 1980. It has been mentioned that the number of women working jobs at high stress levels has been one amongst the reasons. We need to infer the reason from High BP vs women working.

Now, let's look at the options:

A) In 1990, more than 50 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure.
   
The passage only provides data for 1970 and 1980. We have no information about 1990.

B) The number of women in the overall population increased from 1970 to 1980.

The passage discusses percentages, not the total number of women. We cannot infer this.
   
C) On the average, women worked more hours in 1980 than they did in 1970.

The passage mentions "high stress levels" in jobs, not the number of hours worked. We cannot infer this.
   
D) Before 1970, women who did not work outnumbered women who worked.

This is outside the scope of the information provided in the text.

E) There may be a correlation between jobs associated with high stress levels and high blood pressure.

The passage states that the increase in high blood pressure is "partially attributed to" high-stress jobs. This implies a possible correlation.

Hence  Option E

Abhiswarup · Answer

E should be answer

There is some relation between jobs associated with high stress levels and high blood pressure as in 1980 women working in jobs with high stress levels have increased.

In the passage no information has been given about population of women or no. of women working in 1970 or 1980 thus saying anything on that can't be inferred and therefore options A, B , C & D are eliminated.

rishabh1105 · Answer

In 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure, 10 percent more than in 1970. This change can partially be attributed to a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels.
Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage above?

Inference means it should be 100% truth
A. In 1990, more than 50 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure.
No way to infer this

B. The number of women in the overall population increased from 1970 to 1980.
Not necessarily.

C. On the average, women worked more hours in 1980 than they did in 1970.
More stress doesn't mean long hours

D. Before 1970, women who did not work outnumbered women who worked.
Not necessarily.

E. There may be a correlation between jobs associated with high stress levels and high blood pressure.
This would be true, if we are saying that number of high BP increased this number of women grow in high stress jobs, there may be some correlation between them. If the statement had said "must be" then it would be wrong (as there could be 1000s of reasons), but "may be" is right

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation:

The question stem asks which answer choice can be inferred from the argument. Since the correct answer choice must be supported by the argument, this is an inference question. Do not bother breaking the passage into its conclusion, premise, and assumption for inference questions. Instead, focus on what the passage states directly. The correct answer must be true based on the facts in the passage. The passage states that 10 percent more women suffered from high blood pressure in 1980 than in 1970, and this change can be partially attributed to a growing number of women in high stress jobs.

Recognize that this passage contains an interpretation of evidence pattern. It states that in 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure, 10 percent more than in 1970, and then asserts that this change can be partially attributed to a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels. The question asks what can be inferred, so look for an answer choice that must be supported based on the interpretation of the evidence. Evaluate the answer choices.

Choice A: No. The year 1990 is out of scope. The argument provides no information regarding the percentages of women suffering from high blood pressure outside of the years of 1970 and 1980.

Choice B: No. The number of women in the overall population is out of scope. The argument provides no information regarding the number of women in the population overall, only that there was a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels.

Choice C: No. The number of hours women worked is out of scope. The argument provides no information regarding the total number of hours women worked in 1970 or 1980, only that there was a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels.

Choice D: No. Before 1970 is out of scope. The argument provides no information beyond the years of 1970 and 1980.

Choice E: Correct. This choice is supported by the argument. That there may be a correlation between jobs associated with high stress levels and high blood pressure matches the statement in the passage that the fact that ten percent more women in the United States suffered from high blood pressure in 1980 than in 1970 can partially be attributed to a growing number of women working in jobs associated with high stress levels.

The correct answer is choice E.

In 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

In 1980, 20 percent of women in the United States suffered from high

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