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Bunuel
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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly 07 Sep 2023, 01:30
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E
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45% (medium)

Question Stats:

65% (01:46) correct 35% (01:53) wrong based on 320 sessions

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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly related to bone growth and maintenance. However, dairy products, common containers of this chemical element, cannot be consumed by vegans or people with allergies and unfavorable reactions to milk. Because of the importance of this mineral to the body, people who cannot simply consume dairy products should search for alternative sources of it.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author's conclusion?


A. Levels of calcium that exceed the necessary amount can be harmful to the kidney.

B. Calcium fulfills certain functions that can be performed by other minerals that are received from sources that are not dairy products.

C. Calcium is the most commonly found mineral in the human body.

D. Many people do not consume the amount of calcium they should due to a lack of understanding of its importance.

E. Substantial portions of calcium exist in non-dairy foods such as spinach and blackstrap molasses.



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E
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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly 07 Sep 2023, 03:15
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E

because consuming calcium is important and if alternative source, non-diary, are available then people can use it for getting required calcium. E list the alternative sources and the conclusion is about the alternative sources .Hence E
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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly 07 Sep 2023, 16:57
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The conclusion: "people who cannot simply consume dairy products should search for alternative sources of it."

Pre-thinking: how can I strengthen this conclusion? By providing/pointing out some alternatives of calcium outside dairy products.

A) out of scope (can argue that even weaken the conclusion)
B) out of scope (can argue that even weaken the conclusion)
C) irrelevant
D) says the reason why some people don't consume enough Calcium, but does nothing about the conclusion
E) this option proves that exist alternatives and give examples (spinach and blackstrap molasses)
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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly 10 Sep 2023, 13:23
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IMO answer is E

B. Calcium fulfills certain functions that can be performed by other minerals that are received from sources that are not dairy products.
Option B is a weakener. As the function can be performed by some other mineral(other than calcium)

E. Substantial portions of calcium exist in non-dairy foods such as spinach and blackstrap molasses.
Option E is supporting the argument. Calcium can be consumed by alternative sources such as spinach and blackstrap molasses.

When in doubt, revisit the conclusion/reasoning as per the question stem.
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It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly 01 Oct 2023, 04:15
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Bunuel
It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly related to bone growth and maintenance. However, dairy products, common containers of this chemical element, cannot be consumed by vegans or people with allergies and unfavorable reactions to milk. Because of the importance of this mineral to the body, people who cannot simply consume dairy products should search for alternative sources of it.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author's conclusion?


A. Levels of calcium that exceed the necessary amount can be harmful to the kidney.

B. Calcium fulfills certain functions that can be performed by other minerals that are received from sources that are not dairy products.

C. Calcium is the most commonly found mineral in the human body.

D. Many people do not consume the amount of calcium they should due to a lack of understanding of its importance.

E. Substantial portions of calcium exist in non-dairy foods such as spinach and blackstrap molasses.



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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



It is widely accepted by nutritionists that calcium is strongly related to bone growth and maintenance. However, dairy products, common containers of this chemical element, cannot be consumed by vegans or people with allergies and unfavorable reactions to milk. Because of the importance of this mineral to the body, people that cannot simply consume dairy products should search for alternative sources of it.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author's conclusion?


A. Levels of calcium that exceed the necessary amount can be harmful to the kidney.

Incorrect.

To solve this Conclusion Strengthening question, first break down the argument. The first two sentences are premises which provide factual data; the last sentence includes a recommendation (should) so it's the conclusion:

    Premise A: calcium is good for the bones
    +
    Premise B: calcium is found in dairy products but not everyone can eat dairy products
    =
    Conclusion: people that can't eat dairy products should get calcium some other way

    Possible assumption: calcium can be found in foods/sources that are not dairy products

    Strengthening Data: ?


You are required to find data that supports the statement that alternative sources of calcium should be found. The correct answer could be one that confirms the argument's assumption.

The argument deals with a possible lack of calcium, not an over-abundance of it. Because the information in this answer choice is not related to the argument, it neither strengthens or weakens it.


B. Calcium fulfills certain functions that can be performed by other minerals that are received from sources that are not dairy products.

Incorrect.

This answer choice weakens the conclusion by asserting that calcium is not as irreplaceable as its made out to be in the argument. However, you should be looking for an answer choice that supports the conclusion.


C. Calcium is the most commonly found mineral in the human body.

Incorrect.

The fact that calcium is commonly found in the body does not strengthen or weaken the argument. Focus on the conclusion. You should be looking for a statement that supports it.


D. Many people do not consume the amount of calcium they should due to a lack of understanding of its importance.

Incorrect.

The argument deals with certain specific reasons for a lack of calcium intake. It does not refer to a lack of understanding. Therefore, this answer choice does not strengthen or weaken the argument.


E. Substantial portions of calcium exist in non-dairy foods such as spinach and blackstrap molasses.

The argument urges people who cannot eat dairy products to find calcium in other places. This answer choice supports the argument by giving examples of non-dairy foods that can provide such people with calcium.
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