A person’s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the mo

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Competition Mode Question

A person’s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the most important factors determining the level of cholesterol in the person’s blood (serum cholesterol). Serum cholesterol levels rise proportionally to increased cholesterol and fat consumption until that consumption reaches a threshold, but once consumption of these substances exceeds that threshold, serum cholesterol levels rise only gradually, even with dramatic increases in consumption. The threshold is one fourth the consumption level of cholesterol and fat in today’s average North American diet.

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

(A) The threshold can be lowered by lowering the dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat.

(B) People who consume an average North American diet cannot increase their consumption of cholesterol and fat without dramatically increasing their serum cholesterol levels.

(C) People who consume half as much cholesterol and fat as in the average North American diet will not necessarily have half the average serum cholesterol level.

(D) Serum cholesterol levels cannot be affected by nondietary modifications in behavior, such as exercising more or smoking less.

(E) People who consume less cholesterol and fat than the threshold cannot reduce their serum cholesterol levels.

Krishh9119 · Answer

It's a tough one. I applied the elimination approach.

(A) The threshold can be lowered by lowering the dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat. 
 Nothing is known about lowering threshold

(B) People who consume an average North American diet cannot increase their consumption of cholesterol and fat without dramatically increasing their serum cholesterol levels.
 We only know 'cholesterol and fat' effect 'serum cholesterol levels ' and not vice versa.

(C) People who consume half as much cholesterol and fat as in the average North American diet will not necessarily have half the average serum cholesterol level.

(D) Serum cholesterol levels cannot be affected by nondietary modifications in behavior by nondietary modifications in behavior, such as  exercising more or smoking less. 
Out of Scope.

(E) People who consume less cholesterol and fat than the threshold cannot reduce their serum cholesterol levels.
Out of Scope.

I think the answer is C.

ArunSharma12 · Answer

(A) The threshold can be lowered by lowering the dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat.
 Threshold can not be lowered only the level of cholesterol in the blood can be lowered or raised

(B) People who consume an average North American diet cannot increase their consumption of cholesterol and fat without dramatically increasing their serum cholesterol levels.
 These people already meet the minimum consumption to meet the threshold, so even if they dramatically increase their consumption their serum cholesterol levels will only increase gradually

(C) People who consume half as much cholesterol and fat as in the average North American diet will not necessarily have half the average serum cholesterol level.
 eating half as much as average NA diet means they have met the threshold

(D) Serum cholesterol levels cannot be affected by nondietary modifications in behavior by nondietary modifications in behavior, such as exercising more or smoking less.
 Passage states consumption is one the methods so there may be other ways to regulate level of cholesterol

(E) People who consume less cholesterol and fat than the threshold cannot reduce their serum cholesterol levels.
 cholesterol levels can be reduced by consuming less than threshold. 
Ans: C

unraveled · Answer

A person’s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the most important factors determining the level of cholesterol in the person’s blood (serum cholesterol). Serum cholesterol levels rise proportionally to increased cholesterol and fat consumption until that consumption reaches a threshold, but once consumption of these substances exceeds that threshold, serum cholesterol levels rise only gradually, even with dramatic increases in consumption. The threshold is one fourth the consumption level of cholesterol and fat in today’s average North American diet.

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

(A) The  threshold can be lowered  by lowering the dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat. - WRONG. Reverse proportionality can't be true.

(B)  People who consume an average North American diet  cannot increase their consumption of cholesterol and fat without dramatically increasing their serum cholesterol levels. - WRONG. What and where these people come from? Who are they? Since nothing is mentioned about people other than NA people then this can't be true either.

(C) People who consume half as much cholesterol and fat as in the average North American diet will  not necessarily have half  the average serum cholesterol level. - CORRECT. Not necessarily is the keyword. It may or may not be true.

(D) Serum cholesterol levels  cannot be affected by nondietary modifications in behavior , such as exercising more or smoking less. - WRONG. Nothing such sort of is indicated. So, can't be said with confirmation.

(E) People who  consume less cholesterol and fat than the threshold  cannot reduce their serum cholesterol levels. - WRONG. Levels of cholesterol and fat increase proportionally so how does one know that he/she is consuming less than threshold level. How threshold is decided? Hence can't be true.

Answer C.

A person’s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the mo

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A person’s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the mo

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