Studies show that repeated exposure to an allergen can trigger an

Question

Studies show that repeated exposure to an allergen can trigger an allergic person’s defense mechanisms to the extent that eventually, even minimal exposure to the allergen can provoke a stronger than normal, even life-threatening reaction.

Which of the following is the best analogy for the process by which minimal contact with an allergen can cause a major reaction?

A. People with unhealthy diets are more susceptible to diabetes and high blood pressure.

B. Because minor earthquakes can weaken the existing infrastructure in an area, a series of minor earthquakes can sometimes lead to more damage than a single major earthquake.

C. Peanut allergy sufferers should avoid all potential contact with peanuts.

D. A student who fails a test can still earn a good grade if she works hard for the rest of the semester.

E. Drivers who speed regularly are more likely to be caught than those who speed only occasionally.

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namanmanwani · Answer

B. Because minor earthquakes can weaken the existing infrastructure in an area, a series of minor earthquakes can sometimes lead to more damage than a single major earthquake.
This directly parallels the idea that repeated small exposures (minor earthquakes) weaken the system (infrastructure) and set the stage for catastrophic consequences (severe reaction) from a seemingly minor event.
 Best analogy.

TDTGiang · Answer

IMO, B

Logic: repeated exposure to an allergen => trigger defense mechanisms & push it to the level that minimal exposure to the allergen provokes an overreact

B. Because minor earthquakes can weaken the existing infrastructure in an area, a series of minor earthquakes can sometimes lead to more damage than a single major earthquake.
This directly parallels the idea that repeated small exposures (minor earthquakes) weaken the system (infrastructure) and set the stage for catastrophic consequences (severe reaction) from a seemingly minor event.
Best analogy.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

A person's immune system becomes hypersensitive to an allergen via repeated exposure. We need to find an example of a series of minor events (repeated exposure to an allergen) can ultimately provoke an extreme response (a life-threatening reaction after even minimal exposure to the allergen).

(A) In this situation, a behavior (diet) over time leads one to become more and more susceptible to other chronic conditions (diabetes and high blood pressure). In the real world, those chronic conditions might in turn lead to an extreme response such as a heart attack, but this statement does not exactly illustrate how a series of minor events can ultimately provoke an extreme response to those same minor events.

(B) CORRECT.  A series of minor earthquakes (minor events) weaken the existing infrastructure. The weakened infrastructure then allows a minor earthquake to do greater damage (an extreme response) than would a single major earthquake.

(C) This statement simply makes a judgment (those with peanut allergies should avoid peanuts); it does not illustrate how a series of minor events can provoke an extreme response.

(D) A person can recover from a problem (failing a test). This does not illustrate how a series of minor events can provoke an extreme response.

(E) A person engaging in an activity regularly (speeding) is more likely to be noticed for that activity than is a person who engages in it only occasionally. This does not illustrate how a series of minor events can provoke an extreme response.

Studies show that repeated exposure to an allergen can trigger an

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Studies show that repeated exposure to an allergen can trigger an

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

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My Rewards