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Sodium-Potassium

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Sodium-Potassium

by apoorva.rattan » Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:50 am
Consuming high levels of potassium can reduce some of sodium's harmful effects. Because many foods are naturally high in potassium, there is no reason to take potassium supplements.

The answer to which of the following is mot useful in evaluating the argument above ?

(A) Are potassium supplements readily available ?
(B) Do most people experience sodium's harmful effects ?
(C) Are there any disadvantages to consuming high levels of potassium ?
(D) Do many foods contain high levels of both potassium and sodium ?
(E) Are there disadvantages to consuming high levels of sodium ?

OA : D

My Answer: C

I am not certain why the OA is better over My Answer.

Any help in trying to understand the options and correct answers will be helpful.
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by mohit_1607 » Thu Jul 04, 2013 10:19 am
apoorva.rattan wrote:Consuming high levels of potassium can reduce some of sodium's harmful effects. Because many foods are naturally high in potassium, there is no reason to take potassium supplements.

The answer to which of the following is mot useful in evaluating the argument above ?

(A) Are potassium supplements readily available ?
(B) Do most people experience sodium's harmful effects ?
(C) Are there any disadvantages to consuming high levels of potassium ?
(D) Do many foods contain high levels of both potassium and sodium ?
(E) Are there disadvantages to consuming high levels of sodium ?

OA : D

My Answer: C

I am not certain why the OA is better over My Answer.

Any help in trying to understand the options and correct answers will be helpful.
I too selected Option D

Reason: The author's argument in saying no to potassium supplements is based on the assumption that there are plenty of potassium rich food available in the market which can easily counter the effects of sodium.
Now, as per the OA if those foods contain an equivalent quantity of sodium then the countering effect of potassium will be nullified and therefore, potassium supplements will be needed to reduce the remaining sodium's effects.

I could not find a reason as to how Option C would be useful in evaluating the argument.
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by [email protected] » Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:46 pm
Hi mohit_1607,

For this CR question, you have to keep the FOCUS of the prompt in mind. The Focus is that consuming potassium reduces the harmful effects of sodium that is consumed. Make sure that the answer that you pick matches the Focus.

Answer C talks about DISADVANTAGES, which doesn't match the Focus.
Answer D talks about consuming potassium and sodium. That's an EXACT MATCH of the Focus. Thus, it's the correct answer.

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