Quote:
Diabetics often suffer dangerously low blood sugar levels, which they can correct safely if they notice the symptoms quickly. It has been suggested that
diabetics should be advised to drink moderate amounts of coffee, since doing so improves their ability to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar quickly. That would be bad advice, however, since drinking even small amounts of coffee can increase the body's need for sugar in unpredictable ways.
In the argument being made, the part that is in boldface plays which of the following roles?
A. Presenting the conclusion toward which the argument as a whole is directed
B. Providing support for the conclusion of the argument
C. Offering a reason to take a course of action recommended in the argument
D. Stating the position to be refuted by the argument
E. Providing an instance of a general principle articulated in the argument
Hello, people. Let's get into this. Roughly speaking, the passage starts by explaining an issue. It then talks about a suggestion (by others) that may help. It ends, however, by saying this isn't a great suggestion.
(A) Not what we're looking for. The portion in bold is not, in a sense, the main/final conclusion of the argument.
(B) Nope, the portion in bold isn't something that supports conclusion of the argument (THAT WOULD BE BAD ADVICE).
(C) Nope. One, because the portion in bold isn't a "reason" - it's a suggested course of action. The part that follows the comma mentions the reason behind doing so. Two, because the portion in bold isn't an action the argument recommends - the argument goes against it.
(D) Yep, this is nice. The position in bold (diabetics should be advised to drink moderate amounts of coffee) is what the last line goes against (i.e. by saying THAT WOULD BE BAD ADVICE and providing a reason why).
(E) Nope. Perhaps if the portion in bold described how a diabetic person with dangerously low blood sugar levels was able to correct safely by noticing symptoms quickly it may have had some potential.