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wasario
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could you please explain why should it be E?
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This tendency is rather unfortunate...
I think this part of the sentence leads us to the main point, the author thinks they should take a 2nd opinion
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I think the passage should be clearer on what the 'Tendency' referes to, that is the decider between D and E.

This tendency of hesitation to seek second opinion... This clearly points to D.
This tendency to seek a second opinion... is summarised in E.
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My take on this...

Many patients are hesitant to seek second opinions when making decisions about their health, even when considering major medical procedures. This hesitation is sometimes based on a lack of familiarity with a relatively new physician, but even where a strong relationship has been developed between doctor and patient, the person being treated often perceives the interest in a second opinion as an affront to the doctor who has provided the first opinion. This would have made D is the answer, summarizing that people shy away from second opinions and why

This tendency is rather unfortunate, given the potential benefits, either of further confirmation that a particular path represents the proper course, or of contrary perspectives which can be considered for more fully informed decisions.This indicates the benefits and suggests, people should not hesitate to seek second opinion making it the main point of the passage
wasario
Many patients are hesitant to seek second opinions when making decisions about their health, even when considering major medical procedures. This hesitation is sometimes based on a lack of familiarity with a relatively new physician, but even where a strong relationship has been developed between doctor and patient, the person being treated often perceives the interest in a second opinion as an affront to the doctor who has provided the first opinion. This tendency is rather unfortunate, given the potential benefits, either of further confirmation that a particular path represents the proper course, or of contrary perspectives which can be considered for more fully informed decisions.

Which of the following best represents the main point of the passage above?

(A) Patients should seek second opinions only in cases of questionable intent on the part of the physician.
(B) Some doctors consider the request for a second opinion offensive.
(C) Doctors who tell patients not to seek second opinions are attempting to avoid competition with other physicians.
(D) Many patients are hesitant to seek second opinions when making decisions about their health.
(E) When considering major medical procedures, patients should not hesitate to seek a second opinion
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Kaifbinarshad
i didn't chose E coz it is a part of the problems regarding which patients don't seek second opinion instead option D more clearly covers all the medical procedures [as it has mentioned "decisions about their health"] which includes all the decisions medical procedures either major or minor.

In fact D just re-stated one of the premises of the argument, E stated the whole point of the argument, about what it was trying to say, the conclusion
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Many patients are hesitant to seek second opinions when making decisions about their health, even when considering major medical procedures. This hesitation is sometimes based on a lack of familiarity with a relatively new physician, but even where a strong relationship has been developed between doctor and patient, the person being treated often perceives the interest in a second opinion as an affront to the doctor who has provided the first opinion. This tendency is rather unfortunate, given the potential benefits, either of further confirmation that a particular path represents the proper course, or of contrary perspectives which can be considered for more fully informed decisions.

Which of the following best represents the main point of the passage above?


The passage says many patients hesitate to seek second opinions, often because they worry it may offend their doctor. But the author clearly views that hesitation as unfortunate because second opinions can either confirm the first recommendation or provide a useful alternative view. [b]The main point is that patients should not hesitate to seek a second opinion, especially in important medical decisions.

(A) Patients should seek second opinions only in cases of questionable intent on the part of the physician.

This is too narrow and is not stated in the passage. The passage gives broader reasons for seeking second opinions.

(B) Some doctors consider the request for a second opinion offensive.

This is not the main point. The passage says patients often perceive it that way, not that doctors actually do.

(C) Doctors who tell patients not to seek second opinions are attempting to avoid competition with other physicians.

This is not discussed at all.

(D) Many patients are hesitant to seek second opinions when making decisions about their health.

This is stated, but it is not the main point. It is the problem the author introduces before giving the real point, which is that such hesitation is unfortunate.

(E) When considering major medical procedures, patients should not hesitate to seek a second opinion

This best captures the main point. The passage presents hesitation as unfortunate and explains why second opinions can be beneficial.

Answer: (E)
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If we take main point as strictly conclusion and not premises whatsoever. Then E makes sense than D. Classic mistake I made. D is the main point of the premise, but for the overall argument, that's the conclusion, E.
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