Nutritional biologists have long argued that sugar should be classifie

Answers are in bold.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) argue that excessive consumption of sodium is more harmful than is excessive consumption of sugar.
(B) explain why low-carb diets may induce an undesirable dietary habit.
(C) call attention to the undesirable effects of sodium intake.
(D) reject the view that sugar should be classified as a toxin.
(E) compare and contrast the effects of two harmful nutritional substances.

Explanation of question 1
A - Equally harmful, if consumed in excessive quantities
B - Too narrow
C - Sodium is no undesirable. it is needed for the body. The moment it goes abouve the required amount, it becomes harmful.
D - First paragraph states this. Second paragraph gives an example of excessive salt as a toxin. Third paragraph says that foods low in sugar but high in some other content is equally harmful. Hence a balance diet ir required for healthy living. I think this compasses the main purpose of the passage.
E - If this choice is suggesting that the 2 harmful nutritional substances are salth and sugar then it is completely wrong. They are only harmful if taken in excessive quantities.
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2. The author mentions the fact that diets low in carbohydrates are often tasteless (Highlighted) primarily in order to
(A) distinguish low-carbohydrate diets from low-fat diets
(B) indicate a way in which low-carbohydrate diets promote unhealthy eating habits
(C) explain why low-carbohydrate diets often fail to achieve their primary objectives
(D) illustrate a potential downside unique to low-carbohydrate diets
(E) suggest why an alternative dietary regimen is superior to low-carbohydrate diets

Explanation of question 2
Not a fan of this question because it assumes sugar = carbohydrate. As far as I know carbs are broken down into sugar. So a low carb food is not equivalent to a low sugar food. However, let us proceed with answering the question
A - No
B - It doesn't promote unhealthy eating habits.
C - Close choice, but since the primary objective of fad diets are to reduce weight and not worry too much about overall nutrition, they do achieve it.
D - Yes the downside is malnutrition.
E - No it does not suggest an alternative as superior. Both are equally harmful.
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3. Based on the passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements about sodium intake?
(A) It is a necessary component of any diet.
(B) It interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
(C) It is just as toxic as sugar.
(D) It represents a significant health risk.
(E) In large amounts, it invariably exacerbates hypertension.

Explanation of question 3
A - Not any diet (not fad diets for e.g.). Necessary component of a BALANCED diet. Since this word is missing, this is not our answer.
B - Not mentioned in the passage.
C - Only if taken in excessive amounts.
D - Only if taken in excessive amounts.
E - Stated here - "It is likely that excessive sodium intake plays a role in the etiology of hypertension, additionally elevating the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and renal disease."
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4. The author would be most likely to regard low-carbohydrate diets as
(A) somewhat beneficial, because added sugar has no nutritional value.
(B) clearly healthful, because they limit the consumption of a potentially toxic substance.
(C) overly restrictive of an important macronutrient.
(D) inconsistent with the tenets of a well-balanced diet.
(E) harmful, because they require an increased consumption of sodium.

Explanation of question 4
A - Not true.
B - Not true again.
C - True. Stated here - "A well-balanced diet does not focus on any single nutritional additive in isolation. Instead, it uses natural foods to satisfy the body’s need for macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fat)"
D - No.
E - Close choice, but not the answer. This is because not all low-carb diets have increased salt hence increased sodium. Some low carb diets might have some OTHER components in high number, salt is just one example.
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5. Which one of the following best describes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?
(A) It outlines the structure of the author’s central argument.
(B) It provides the rationale for correcting a misconception described in the first paragraph.
(C) It explains why an outlook suggested in the first paragraph is potentially harmful.
(D) It presents research that undermines the argument presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It supports a course of action recommended in the first paragraph.

Explanation of question 5
A - It does not outline author's central argument.
B - Misconception - sugar is toxin, and the 2nd para provides the rationale that its not. If sugar was a toxin, then salt would also be a toxin. So everything taken in excessive quantities is toxin? Therefore this is our answer.
C - Outlook suggested in the 1st para is not harmful. The outlook is not harmful, the nutrient in question is harful.
D - It supports not undermines the argument.
E - No it does not support a course of action.
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6. Which one of the following statements would most appropriately continue the discussion at the end of the passage?
(A) Clearly, food cannot be judged one component at a time.
(B) Thus, no single dietary regimen is likely to be completely harmless.
(C) Nor surprisingly, our evolving views on nutrition are reflected in the dietary choices we make.
(D) Therefore, manufacturers must strive for greater consistency in their dietary recommendations.
(E) Otherwise, if one waits long enough, almost any food will be reported as healthful.

Explanation of question 6
A - This is a good continuation, specially when the author was already leaning towards it here - "A well-balanced diet does not focus on any single nutritional additive in isolation."
B - Idea is sugar is not toxin. Author only uses diets to make his point.
C - Evolving views of nutrition is not discussed.
D - Not really, the idea of the passage is not that.
E - Distorted meaning, this is not what the author intends.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) argue that excessive consumption of sodium is more harmful than is excessive consumption of sugar.
(B) explain why low-carb diets may induce an undesirable dietary habit.
(C) call attention to the undesirable effects of sodium intake.
(D) reject the view that sugar should be classified as a toxin.

(E) compare and contrast the effects of two harmful nutritional substances.


Correct Answer - D
Explanation - as mentioned at the end of the passage: " A well-balanced diet does not focus on any single nutritional additive in isolation. Instead, it uses natural foods to satisfy the body’s need for macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fat) while also taking into account the role of vitamins, minerals and fiber."
Implying that sugar should not be rejected as toxin, because any substance taken in excessive quantities can behave as a toxin for the body.
Options A,B,C, E - incorrect as even though its an argument in the passage, its not the primary purpose of the passage.



2. The author mentions the fact that diets low in carbohydrates are often tasteless (Highlighted) primarily in order to

(A) distinguish low-carbohydrate diets from low-fat diets
(B) indicate a way in which low-carbohydrate diets promote unhealthy eating habits
(C) explain why low-carbohydrate diets often fail to achieve their primary objectives
(D) illustrate a potential downside unique to low-carbohydrate diets
(E) suggest why an alternative dietary regimen is superior to low-carbohydrate diets


Correct Answer - C
Explanation - author mentions that diets low in carbohydrates are often tasteless, so excess salt is added to increase the taste, which in turn increases the palatability, which in turn, though reduces the intake of sugar, increases intake of Sodium, which is also harmful when taken in excessive quantities.
Option A - incorrect, as not the purpose why the highlighted line is discussed.
Option B - incorrect, as low-carbohydrate diets dont intentionally promote unhealthy eating habits, its the tastelessness that causes them to be high in sodium and thus harmful and unhealthy.
Option D - incorrect, its not a downside unique to low-carbohydrate diets.
Option E - incorrect, out of scope w.r.t whats asked.



3. Based on the passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements about sodium intake?

(A) It is a necessary component of any diet.
(B) It interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
(C) It is just as toxic as sugar.
(D) It represents a significant health risk.
(E) In large amounts, it invariably exacerbates hypertension


Correct Answer - E
Explanation - as mentioned in the passage: "It is likely that excessive sodium intake plays a role in the etiology of hypertension, additionally elevating the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and renal disease."
Option A - incorrect, as the sentence is incomplete, as its a necessary component of any balanced diet.
Option B - incorrect, not discussed in the passage.
Options C, D - incorrect, only when taken in excessive amounts.




4. The author would be most likely to regard low-carbohydrate diets as

(A) somewhat beneficial, because added sugar has no nutritional value.
(B) clearly healthful, because they limit the consumption of a potentially toxic substance.
(C) overly restrictive of an important macronutrient.
(D) inconsistent with the tenets of a well-balanced diet.
(E) harmful, because they require an increased consumption of sodium.


Correct Answer - E
Explanation - as mentioned in the passage : "Unfortunately, by limiting the intake of sugar, many of today’s “fad diets” inadvertently increase the consumption of sodium. This is because diets low in sugar are often tasteless, and salt increases their palatability.", implying that lack of sugar, causes the increase of the sodium in the diets, which again makes the diet unhealthy, as consumption of excessive sodium also has health risks.
Option A - incorrect, completely inconsistent with what's mentioned in the passage.
Option B - incorrect, opposite is mentioned.
Option C - incorrect, its not overly restrictive, its unhealthy since it causes the diet to have excess of sodium.
Option D - incorrect, E is a better choice.




5. Which one of the following best describes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?

(A) It outlines the structure of the author’s central argument.
(B) It provides the rationale for correcting a misconception described in the first paragraph.
(C) It explains why an outlook suggested in the first paragraph is potentially harmful.
(D) It presents research that undermines the argument presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It supports a course of action recommended in the first paragraph.


Correct Answer - B
Explanation - as mentioned in the passage: "Almost any otherwise benign nutritional substance can be toxic if ingested in quantities sufficiently large to cause harm." and "Just like sugar, excessive consumption of sodium represents a significant health risk, especially for those suffering from hypertension".
In the first para, author presents the argument that to classify sugar as a “toxin” would be a misnomer, and any nutrients taken in excess are toxic for the body and in the 2nd para author tries to make the same point w.r.t excessive consumption of Sodium.
Option A - incorrect, not the structure of author’s central argument.
Option C - incorrect, opposite of what's mentioned is discussed.
Option D - incorrect, its actually meant to support the author’s view mentioned in the first para.
Option E - incorrect, that happens in the last para.




6. Which one of the following statements would most appropriately continue the discussion at the end of the passage?

(A) Clearly, food cannot be judged one component at a time.
(B) Thus, no single dietary regimen is likely to be completely harmless.
(C) Nor surprisingly, our evolving views on nutrition are reflected in the dietary choices we make.
(D) Therefore, manufacturers must strive for greater consistency in their dietary recommendations.
(E) Otherwise, if one waits long enough, almost any food will be reported as healthful.



Correct Answer - D
Explanation - as in the last para, author talks about how manufacturers sell harmful food in the name of low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet, and what a well-balanced diet should be. Option D seems the most appropriate statement to continue the discussion at the end of the passage.
Option A - incorrect, even though its true, its least likely to continue the discussion at the end of the passage.
Option B - incorrect, we cannot say that for sure, since if any diet taken in proportionate amounts will be harmless only.
Option C - incorrect, not a statement which could continue at the end of the passage.
Option E - incorrect, completely unrelated to the conclusion of the passage.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) argue that excessive consumption of sodium is more harmful than is excessive consumption of sugar.
(B) explain why low-carb diets may induce an undesirable dietary habit.
(C) call attention to the undesirable effects of sodium intake.
(D) reject the view that sugar should be classified as a toxin.
(E) compare and contrast the effects of two harmful nutritional substances. ( correct)


2. The author mentions the fact that diets low in carbohydrates are often tasteless (Highlighted) primarily in order to

(A) distinguish low-carbohydrate diets from low-fat diets
(B) indicate a way in which low-carbohydrate diets promote unhealthy eating habits
(C) explain why low-carbohydrate diets often fail to achieve their primary objectives ( Correct)
(D) illustrate a potential downside unique to low-carbohydrate diets
(E) suggest why an alternative dietary regimen is superior to low-carbohydrate diets




3. Based on the passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements about sodium intake?

(A) It is a necessary component of any diet.
(B) It interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
(C) It is just as toxic as sugar.
(D) It represents a significant health risk.
(E) In large amounts, it invariably exacerbates hypertension. ( Correct)


4. The author would be most likely to regard low-carbohydrate diets as

(A) somewhat beneficial, because added sugar has no nutritional value.
(B) clearly healthful, because they limit the consumption of a potentially toxic substance.( correct)
(C) overly restrictive of an important macronutrient.
(D) inconsistent with the tenets of a well-balanced diet.
(E) harmful, because they require an increased consumption of sodium.


5. Which one of the following best describes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?

(A) It outlines the structure of the author’s central argument.
(B) It provides the rationale for correcting a misconception described in the first paragraph.
(C) It explains why an outlook suggested in the first paragraph is potentially harmful.( Correct)
(D) It presents research that undermines the argument presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It supports a course of action recommended in the first paragraph.

6. Which one of the following statements would most appropriately continue the discussion at the end of the passage?

(A) Clearly, food cannot be judged one component at a time.(correct)
(B) Thus, no single dietary regimen is likely to be completely harmless.
(C) Nor surprisingly, our evolving views on nutrition are reflected in the dietary choices we make.
(D) Therefore, manufacturers must strive for greater consistency in their dietary recommendations.
(E) Otherwise, if one waits long enough, almost any food will be reported as healthful.

My Answers -

1. D
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. E
6. C

OAs of this RC are posted now

1. B
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. C
6. A

Disappointing result this time, only adstudy has got 4/6. I will post OEs of this RC for sure.

Hi sajjad, could you share the official explanations for all the questions asked in the passage.

Hope it helps

It seems like even the Official answers are not well explained.
For Question 1- Low carb diets may induce the bad habits is only mentioned in the third paragraph and in rest of the paragraph we have discussed the harmufly effects of sugar and sodium when taken in excess. Thus, none of the options are best suited for the primary point.
For Question 3 - OA is A which states that It is a necessary component of any diet. it is no where mentioned that it should be present in every diet. It is mentioned that "Everyone needs some sodium in his or her diet to replace routine losses" but this does not mean it should be present be any diet.

These are few examples, I feel rest other OA are ambiguous

So should I use the answer keys in the original post as a guidance …?