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Poisoning from ingesting poisonous plants or mushrooms is a common issue, with particular significance in certain regions. For instance, tropical areas often serve as hotspots due to the prevalence of native poisonous plant species, sometimes used intentionally. In temperate regions, such as Europe and parts of North America, mushroom poisoning frequently results from accidental misidentification during foraging or wild cultivation. Certain types of plant or mushroom poisoning have relatively high fatality rates, particularly in cases of delayed treatment. However, these fatality rates vary by region; in some Western countries, the fatality rate for mushroom poisoning is relatively low.

Based on this information, select for Poisoning by mushrooms the statement that describes the situation in which an individual is most at risk of poisoning by mushrooms, and select for Poisoning by plants the statement that describes the situation in which an individual is most at risk of poisoning by plants. Make only two selections, one for each column.

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Official Solution:



Poisoning by mushrooms

• A person in a rural area of Europe collecting mushrooms from the wilderness and using them to prepare a salad for his family.

Foraging wild mushrooms poses a high risk of poisoning due to potential misidentification, a common cause of mushroom poisoning in temperate regions.

Poisoning by plants

• A person in an equatorial forest consuming tree bark he personally identified as possibly having hallucinogenic properties during a self-guided tour.

There is a high risk of poisoning because self-identifying and consuming tree bark, especially in an equatorial forest with potentially unfamiliar plant species, is inherently dangerous.

Analysis of other options

• A person in Eastern Asia eating soup that contains rare and exotic vegetables prepared by an experienced chef.

There is a low risk of poisoning because an experienced chef is unlikely to use toxic ingredients, even in a soup containing rare or exotic vegetables.

• A person in Sicily, who is allergic to mushrooms, requesting mushrooms to be removed from a pizza before eating.

There is no risk of poisoning because mushrooms are avoided entirely, making this irrelevant for both mushroom and plant poisoning.

• A person in North America observing the ritual burning of fungi, including a type of mushroom known to be highly toxic.

There is a low risk of poisoning because observing from a distance minimizes exposure to any potentially harmful fumes, making this largely irrelevant for both mushroom and plant poisoning.


Correct answer:

Poisoning by mushrooms "A person in a rural area of Europe collecting mushrooms from the wilderness and using them to prepare a salad for his family."

Poisoning by Plants "A person in an equatorial forest consuming tree bark he personally identified as possibly having hallucinogenic properties during a self-guided tour."

I selected " A person in Eastern Asia eating soup that contains rare and exotic vegetables prepared by an experienced chef." for poisoning by plants as the passage mentioned poisonous plants can be used intentionally, so it could be possible the experienced chef used the plant intentionally but the consumer got poisoned. Where did I go wrong
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Poisoning from ingesting poisonous plants or mushrooms is a common issue, with particular significance in certain regions. For instance, tropical areas often serve as hotspots due to the prevalence of native poisonous plant species, sometimes used intentionally. In temperate regions, such as Europe and parts of North America, mushroom poisoning frequently results from accidental misidentification during foraging or wild cultivation. Certain types of plant or mushroom poisoning have relatively high fatality rates, particularly in cases of delayed treatment. However, these fatality rates vary by region; in some Western countries, the fatality rate for mushroom poisoning is relatively low.

Based on this information, select for Poisoning by mushrooms the statement that describes the situation in which an individual is most at risk of poisoning by mushrooms, and select for Poisoning by plants the statement that describes the situation in which an individual is most at risk of poisoning by plants. Make only two selections, one for each column.

Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-844iuox0.png

Official Solution:



Poisoning by mushrooms

• A person in a rural area of Europe collecting mushrooms from the wilderness and using them to prepare a salad for his family.

Foraging wild mushrooms poses a high risk of poisoning due to potential misidentification, a common cause of mushroom poisoning in temperate regions.

Poisoning by plants

• A person in an equatorial forest consuming tree bark he personally identified as possibly having hallucinogenic properties during a self-guided tour.

There is a high risk of poisoning because self-identifying and consuming tree bark, especially in an equatorial forest with potentially unfamiliar plant species, is inherently dangerous.

Analysis of other options

• A person in Eastern Asia eating soup that contains rare and exotic vegetables prepared by an experienced chef.

There is a low risk of poisoning because an experienced chef is unlikely to use toxic ingredients, even in a soup containing rare or exotic vegetables.

• A person in Sicily, who is allergic to mushrooms, requesting mushrooms to be removed from a pizza before eating.

There is no risk of poisoning because mushrooms are avoided entirely, making this irrelevant for both mushroom and plant poisoning.

• A person in North America observing the ritual burning of fungi, including a type of mushroom known to be highly toxic.

There is a low risk of poisoning because observing from a distance minimizes exposure to any potentially harmful fumes, making this largely irrelevant for both mushroom and plant poisoning.


Correct answer:

Poisoning by mushrooms "A person in a rural area of Europe collecting mushrooms from the wilderness and using them to prepare a salad for his family."

Poisoning by Plants "A person in an equatorial forest consuming tree bark he personally identified as possibly having hallucinogenic properties during a self-guided tour."

I selected " A person in Eastern Asia eating soup that contains rare and exotic vegetables prepared by an experienced chef." for poisoning by plants as the passage mentioned poisonous plants can be used intentionally, so it could be possible the experienced chef used the plant intentionally but the consumer got poisoned. Where did I go wrong

The passage does mention that poisonous plants can be used intentionally, but it ties that mainly to tropical regions where native poisonous plants are more common. In the case of the Eastern Asia option, the key detail is that the soup is prepared by an experienced chef—someone expected to know which ingredients are safe. That significantly lowers the risk of accidental or intentional poisoning, especially in a controlled setting like a professional kitchen.

In contrast, the correct plant-poisoning choice involves self-identification in an equatorial forest, where unfamiliar species and lack of expertise create a much higher risk—more directly matching the passage’s examples of high-risk scenarios.
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