Critical Reasoning

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

OA:D

Source :GMATPrep EP2

Please explain POE

NandishSS wrote: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

OA:D

Source :GMATPrep EP2

Please explain POE

The ultimate conclusion here: It's bad advice to tell diabetics to drink more coffee. So the part in bold is the bad advice that will eventually be refuted. Clearly A, B, and C are out. And we're talking about advice that will be refuted, not a general principle. That kills E. So D looks good.