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It is probably not true that colic in infants is caused by the inability of those infants to tolerate certain antibodies found in cow’s milk, since it is often the case that symptoms of colic are shown by infants that are fed breast milk exclusively.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) A study involving 500 sets of twins has found that if one infant has colic, its twin will probably also have colic.

(B) Symptoms of colic generally disappear as infants grow older, whether the infants have been fed breast milk exclusively or have been fed infant formula containing cow’s milk.

(C) In a study of 5,000 infants who were fed only infant formula containing cow’s milk, over 4,000 of the infants never displayed any symptoms of colic.

(D) When mothers of infants that are fed only breast milk eliminate cow’s milk and all products made from cow’s milk from their own diets, any colic symptoms that their infants have manifested quickly disappear.

(E) Infants that are fed breast milk develop mature digestive systems at an earlier age than do those that are fed infant formulas, and infants with mature digestive systems are better able to tolerate certain proteins and antibodies found in cow’s milk.



The problem can be solved by POE
A,B and E are clearly out of scope,

option C presents servey data that says majority of the infants nevr displayed any symptoms.

left with option D which is most weakener among the other choices.

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PREMISE:IT IS NOT RUE THAT COLIC IS CAUSED BY CM AS INFANTS THAT ARE FED BM EXCLUSIVELY SOWN COLIC.

WEAKEN TYPE:
we have to point out that colic is caused by of cow milk only not by breast milk.
Options D clearly tells if all product related to cow milk removed and only breast milk is given there wont be colic.

so cow milk and cow products are cause of COLIC.

HENCE D.
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Passage Anlysis:


It is probably not true that colic in infants is caused by the inability of those infants to tolerate certain antibodies found in cow’s milk,
Saying the inability to tolerate certain antibodies in cows milk is the reason for colic condition in certain infants is most likely untrue.
since it is often the case that symptoms of colic are shown by infants that are fed breast milk exclusively.
The reason for saying so is that this condition happens for infants who are fed with only breast milk as well, which means cow milk is not involved at all.


Question Stem :
Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
Direct question stem that asks for a weakener.

Prethinking


The conclusion of the passage is that antibodies in cow's milk most likely has nothing to do with colic in infants.
We know that this condition is present in certain children who are not given cow's milk as well. So to weaken one's belief in the conclusion, we need to show that there is some other way through which antibodies in cow's milk reach those infants.
Weakener: A statement that conveys that antibodies in cow's milk indirectly reaches the exclusively breast fed infants with colic as well.

Option Analysis


(A) A study involving 500 sets of twins has found that if one infant has colic, its twin will probably also have colic.
INCORRECT- Has nothing to say about cow's milk or it's effect, nor anything about the cause of colic.

(B) Symptoms of colic generally disappear as infants grow older, whether the infants have been fed breast milk exclusively or have been fed infant formula containing cow’s milk.
INCORRECT- Does not talk about the cause of colic.

(C) In a study of 5,000 infants who were fed only infant formula containing cow’s milk, over 4,000 of the infants never displayed any symptoms of colic.
INCORRECT- Only infants who cannot tolerate antibodies in cow's milk are our concern. Also the option does not address the exclusively breast fed ones. Wrong segment is talked about.

(D) When mothers of infants that are fed only breast milk eliminate cow’s milk and all products made from cow’s milk from their own diets, any colic symptoms that their infants have manifested quickly disappear.
CORRECT- This option conveys that components in cow's milk reach the exclusively breast fed infants through their mother and that when these mothers avoid intake of cow milk in all forms, the infants are relieved of colic symptoms. This goes with our prethinking and is hence the correct answer.

(E) Infants that are fed breast milk develop mature digestive systems at an earlier age than do those that are fed infant formulas, and infants with mature digestive systems are better able to tolerate certain proteins and antibodies found in cow’s milk.
INCORRECT- This cannot explain colic in exclusively breast fed infants. Hence it is an incorrect answer.
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