Employee productivity can, on average, be directly linked to the nutri

Question

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Employee productivity can, on average, be directly linked to the nutritional value of an employee’s diet and the degree to which that employee is adequately hydrated. In a recent study of underperforming employees, the least productive among them were those who had the least nutritional diets. In a subsequent component of that same study, the underperforming employees were placed on nutrient-rich diets, and productivity steadily increased over the six month span of the study. Consequently, to boost productivity, employers should seek to promote nutrient-rich diets across its workforce to the maximum extent feasible.
 
Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A. Several study participants were already documented as those who underperformed their peers in terms of workplace productivity.

B. The least productive employees from the same company in the study who were not placed on nutrient-rich diets did not demonstrate a steady improvement in productivity.

C. Sponsoring nutrient-rich meal programs at work can be less expensive than many other means to boost workforce productivity.

D. Some employees who demonstrated poor job performance had consumed nutrient-poor meals within the prior week.

E. Several study participants were already on record as consuming nutrient-poor diets before entering the study.

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12Sums · Answer

The correct choice should strengthens the conclusion by showing that the nutrient rich diet does help boost productivity. It can also strengthen by showing that people who don't take nutrient rich food have less productivity. Only one choice is a valid strengthener here.

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

Conclusion: To boost productivity, employers should seek to promote nutrient-rich diets across its workforce to the maximum extent feasible.
 
A. Several study participants were already documented as those who under performed their peers in terms of workplace productivity.
(underperfomance wrt peers cannot be of any help)
B. The least productive employees from the same company in the study who were not placed on nutrient-rich diets did not demonstrate a steady improvement in productivity.( This strengthens the argument. The argument says that diet(X) causes (Y)prodcutivity. This supports the argument by saying that AS X did not happen Y did not happen.)
C. Sponsoring nutrient-rich meal programs at work can be less expensive than many other means to boost workforce productivity.(Expensiveness is out of scope)
D. Some employees who demonstrated poor job performance had consumed nutrient-poor meals within the prior week. (This defines only some people and one week performance cannot support a study of six months.)
E. Several study participants were already on record as consuming nutrient-poor diets before entering the study.(Does not help in any way.)

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

The whole lot divided in samples 
1. who were already nutrient rich 2. who were nutrient poor and then started taking nutrients, 3rd one who were nutrient poor and stayed same would complete the puzzle.

applebus · Answer

I wonder why choice B is correct.
A = high nutrient 
B = good performance

A causes B --> from argument
No A causes no B ---> sounds illogical for me
It should be " no B causes no A"

In choice D, it should be correct if author did not say about prior week.

Someone please helps me clarify this problem

Suzie · Answer

In order to strengthen, we must look for the option that reinforces the idea that to boost productivity, employers should seek to promote nutrient-rich diets across its workforce to the maximum extent feasible.
B. The least productive employees from the same company in the study who were not placed on nutrient-rich diets did not demonstrate a steady improvement in productivity.  This gives us additional support to believe that those who improved after eating nutrition rich diets had no other contributing factor to show improvement.  
D. Some employees who demonstrated poor job performance had consumed nutrient-poor meals within the prior week.   Not really! We are not talking about time frame of a week here. For the study, 'underperformers' were selected and their performance in increase could be seen over 6-month span. One week of low performance does not necessarily account for being an underperformer.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Employee productivity can, on average, be directly linked to the nutritional value of an employee’s diet and the degree to which that employee is adequately hydrated. In a recent study of underperforming employees, the least productive among them were those who had the least nutritional diets. In a subsequent component of that same study, the underperforming employees were placed on nutrient-rich diets, and productivity steadily increased over the six month span of the study. Consequently, to boost productivity, employers should seek to promote nutrient-rich diets across its workforce to the maximum extent feasible.
 
Type - strengthen
Boil it down - nutrient rich diets caused productivity of underperforming employees to increase. Thus , employers should seek to promote nutrient-rich diets across its workforce to the maximum extent feasible.
Pre-think - In absence of nutrient rich diets , the productivity of other underperformers should not increase 
 
A. Several study participants were already documented as those who underperformed their peers in terms of workplace productivity.- irrelevant

B. The least productive employees from the same company in the study who were not placed on nutrient-rich diets did not demonstrate a steady improvement in productivity.- Correct

C. Sponsoring nutrient-rich meal programs at work can be less expensive than many other means to boost workforce productivity. - irrelevant

D. Some employees who demonstrated poor job performance had consumed nutrient-poor meals within the prior week. - irrelevant

E. Several study participants were already on record as consuming nutrient-poor diets before entering the study. - irrelevant - what food the participants had before the study is not relevant

Answer B

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Employee productivity can, on average, be directly linked to the nutri

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