Most scientists who study the physiological effects of alcoholic

Most scientists who study the physiological effects
of alcoholic beverages have assumed that wine, like
beer or distilled spirits, is a drink whose only active
ingredient is alcohol. Because of this assumption, these
(5) scientists have rarely investigated the effects of wine as
distinct from other forms of alcoholic beverages.
Nevertheless, unlike other alcoholic beverages, wine
has for centuries been thought to have healthful effects
that these scientists—who not only make no distinction
(10) among wine, beer, and distilled spirits but also study
only the excessive or abusive intake of these
beverages—have obscured.

Recently, a small group of researchers has
questioned this assumption and investigated the effects of
(15) moderate wine consumption. While alcohol has
been shown conclusively to have negative physiological
effects—for example, alcohol strongly affects the
body’s processing of lipids (fats and other substances
including cholesterol), causing dangerous increases in
(20) the levels of these substances in the blood, increases
that are a large contributing factor in the development
of premature heart disease—the researchers found that
absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream occurs much
more slowly when subjects drink wine than when they
(25) drink distilled spirits. More remarkably, it was
discovered that deaths due to premature heart disease
in the populations of several European countries
decreased dramatically as the incidence of moderate
wine consumption increased. One preliminary study
(30) linked this effect to red wine, but subsequent research
has shown identical results whether the wine was white
or red. What could explain such apparently healthful
effects?

For one thing, the studies show increased activity
(35) of a natural clot-breaking compound used by doctors
to restore blood flow through blocked vessels in victims
of heart disease. In addition, the studies of wine
drinkers indicate increased levels of certain compounds
that may help to prevent damage from high lipid levels.
(40) And although the link between lipid processing and
premature heart disease is one of the most important
discoveries in modern medicine, in the past 20 years
researchers have found several additional important
contributing factors. We now know that endothelial
(45) cell reactivity (which affects the thickness of the
innermost walls of blood vessels) and platelet
adhesiveness (which influences the degree to which
platelets cause blood to clot) are each linked to the
development of premature heart disease. Studies show
(50) that wine appears to have ameliorating effects on
both of these factors: it decreases the thickness of the
innermost walls of blood vessels, and it reduces platelet
adhesiveness. One study demonstrated a decrease in
platelet adhesiveness among individuals who drank
(55) large amounts of grape juice. This finding may be the
first step in confirming speculation that the potentially
healthful effects of moderate wine intake may derive
from the concentration of certain natural compounds
found in grapes and not present in other alcoholic
(60) beverages.

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the author’s main point in the passage?

(A) Because of their assumption that alcohol is the only active ingredient in wine, beer, and distilled spirits, scientists have previously studied these beverages in ways that obscure their healthful effects.
(B) A new study of moderate wine consumption calls into question the belief that premature heart disease is caused solely by the presence of high lipid levels in the bloodstream.
(C) Researchers have found that alcohol from moderate wine consumption is absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than is alcohol from other alcoholic beverages.
(D) Although it has long been held that moderate wine consumption has healthful effects, scientific studies have yet to prove such effects definitively.
(E) Wine, unlike other alcoholic beverages, appears to have a number of significant healthful effects that may be tied to certain natural compounds found in grapes.


2. In the first paragraph, the author most likely refers to the centuries-old belief that wine has healthful effects in order to

(A) demonstrate that discoveries in the realm of science often bear out popular beliefs
(B) provide evidence for the theory that moderate wine consumption ameliorates factors that contribute to premature heart disease
(C) argue that traditional beliefs are no less important than scientific evidence when investigating health matters
(D) suggest that a prevailing scientific assumption might be mistaken
(E) refute the argument that science should take cues from popular beliefs


3. According to the passage, each of the following might help to prevent premature heart disease EXCEPT:

(A) an increase in the degree to which platelets cause blood to clot
(B) an increase in the body’s ability to remove lipids from the bloodstream
(C) an increase in the amount of time it takes alcohol to be absorbed into the bloodstream
(D) increased activity of a natural compound that reduces blood clotting
(E) increased levels of compounds that prevent damage from high lipid levels


4. Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the passage’s position concerning the apparently healthful effects of moderate wine consumption?

(A) Subjects who consumed large amount of grape juice exhibited decreased thickness of the innermost walls of their blood vessels.
(B) Subjects who were habitual drinkers of wine and subjects who were habitual drinkers of beer exhibited similar lipid levels in their bloodstreams.
(C) Subjects who drank grape juice exhibited greater platelet adhesiveness than did subjects who drank no grape juice.
(D) Subjects who drank excessive amounts of wine suffered from premature heart disease at roughly the same rate as moderate wine drinkers.
(E) Subjects who possess a natural clot-breaking compound were discovered to have a certain gene that is absent from subjects who do not possess the compound.


5. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most likely agree with which one of the following statements?

(A) Scientists should not attempt to study the possible healthful effects of moderate consumption of beer and distilled spirits.
(B) The conclusion that alcohol affects lipid processing should be questioned in light of studies of moderate wine consumption.
(C) Moderate consumption of wine made from plums or apples rather than grapes would be unlikely to reduce the risk of premature heart disease.
(D) Red wine consumption has a greater effect on reducing death rates from premature heart disease than does white wine consumption.
(E) Beer and distilled spirits contain active ingredients other than alcohol whose effects tend to be beneficial.


6. Based on the passage, the author’s attitude toward the scientists discussed in the first paragraph can most accurately be described as

(A) highly enthusiastic
(B) tacitly approving
(C) grudgingly accepting
(D) overtly critical
(E) clearly outraged


7. In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with doing which one of the following?

(A) advocating a particular method of treatment
(B) criticizing popular opinion
(C) correcting a scientific misconception
(D) questioning the relevance of newly discovered evidence
(E) countering a revolutionary hypothesis


8. The author suggests each of the following in the passage EXCEPT:

(A) Greater platelet adhesiveness increases the risk of premature heart disease.
(B) The body’s ability to process lipids is compromised by the presence of alcohol in the bloodstream.
(C) Doctors have access to a natural compound that breaks down blood clots.
(D) High lipid levels are dangerous because they lead to increased endothelial cell reactivity and platelet adhesiveness.
(E) Moderate wine consumption appears to decrease the thickness of the interior walls of blood vessels.