msand wrote:
One of the limiting factors in human physical performance is the amount of oxygen that is absorbed by the muscles from the bloodstream. Accordingly, entrepreneurs have begun selling at gymnasiums and health clubs bottles of drinking water, labeled “SuperOXY,” that has extra oxygen dissolved in the water. Such water would be useless in improving physical performance, however, since
the only way to get oxygen into the bloodstream so that it can be absorbed bye the muscles is through the lungs.
Which of the following, if true, would serve the same function in the argument as the statement in boldface?
A. the water lost in exercising can be replaced with ordinary tap water
B. the amount of oxygen in the blood of people who are exercising is already more than the muscle can absorb
C. world-class athletes turn in record performance without such water
D. frequent physical exercise increases the body’s ability to take in and use oxygen
E. lack of oxygen is not the only factor limiting human physical performance
OA :
Definitely an interesting boldface question.
I read the question stem first. I understand that I need to find the function of the statement in bold. Then I need to find an option that will play the same function, if it is incorporated in the argument.
Conclusion: 'SuperOXY' water would be useless in improving physical performance.
The bold portion "the only way to get oxygen into the bloodstream so that it can be absorbed bye the muscles is through the lungs" is a premise supporting the conclusion.
So I have to find the option that, if incorporated in the argument, will also function as a premise i.e. it will also support the conclusion. So in short,
I am trying to find the option that strengthens the conclusion.
Option (A) is incorrect because it says that water lost can be replaced by tap water. It doesn't say how or why SuperOXY is useless in improving physical performance.
Option (B) says that amount of oxygen is already more than what the muscles can absorb. This means drinking SuperOXY will not improve physical performance because muscles anyway cannot absorb the extra oxygen. This option strengthens the conclusion. Hence this is the answer.
Option (C) says that people turn in great performance without this water. But it doesn't say that this water cannot further improve their performance.
Option (D) says that frequent physical exercise increases the body’s ability to take in and use oxygen. It doesn't say anything about how this water does not improve performance.
Option (E) says there are other factors affecting human physical performance but doesn't say that SuperOXY doesn't affect human physical performance.
Answer (B)
ie. we are
that is alternate to the bold face clause.
So, option B: the amount of oxygen in the blood of people who are exercising is already more than the muscle can absorb
will show that even though the water may provide more oxygen, but as the bloodstream already contains more oxygen than what the muscles can absorb, so adding more oxygen won't help in improving the performance.