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CR Assumption: vitamins and minerals

Expert replies
by sanjoy18 » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:30 am
The higher the level of certain vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream, the better a person's
lungs function, as measured by the amount of air the person can expel in one second. The
lung function of smokers is significantly worse, on average, than that of nonsmokers.
Clearly, therefore, one way for smokers to improve their lung function is for them to increase
their intake of foods that are rich in these helpful vitamins and minerals.
Which of the following is an assumption on which this argument depends?
A. Smokers are less likely than nonsmokers to have diets that are rich in vitamins and minerals
B. The lung function of smokers whose diet are rich in those vitamins and minerals is generally
better than that of nonsmokers with comparable diets
C. People whose diets are deficient in those vitamins and minerals do not typically have other
health problems in addition to diminished lung function
D. Stopping smoking will not typically improve lung function more than any diet changes can
E. Smoking does not introduce into the body chemicals that prevent the helpful vitamins and
minerals from entering the bloodstream

expert answer with details explanation Plz
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by [email protected] » Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:42 pm
Hi sanjoy18,

This CR prompt is based on a real simple version of "causality."

In real basic terms, causality is "X causes Y"

That Facts:
-Taking certain vitamins and minerals will make a person's lung function better.
-Smokers have worse lung function than non-smokers (on average).

Conclusion:
-One way for smokers to improve their lung function is to take those specific vitamins and minerals.

Assumptions:
-Taking those vitamins and minerals can improve any person's lung function.
-The only difference between a smoker and a non-smoker is the smoking.

The logic will hold true as long as the vitamins and minerals can do what they're supposed to do, so we should look for an answer that confirms THAT idea. Only Answer E addresses the smokers and the idea that the vitamins/minerals will do what they're supposed to do.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by vinay1983 » Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:52 pm
Smokers----lower lung functional capacity

Higher the vitamins and minerals---better the lung functions

Conclusion---Use supplements or diets that provide vitamins and minerals

Assumption:

Smoking does not hinder flow of vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream.If this is true then, only by reducing smoking one can increase the flow of vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream. But, this breaks down the conclusion, which we have to accept as true/correct.

Hence option E gives us the correct assumption though indirectly.
You can, for example never foretell what any one man will do, but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to!
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by Java_85 » Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:58 pm
Just E statement is the one that the whole passage depends on.
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