Critical Reasoning

Sammy: For my arthritis, I am going to try my aunt's diet: large amounts of wheat germ and garlic. She was able to move more easily right after she started that diet.

Pat: When my brother began that diet, his arthritis got worse. But he has been doing much better since he stopped eating vegetables in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes and peppers.

Which of the following, if true, would provide a basis for explaining the fact that Sammy's aunt and Pat's brother had contrasting experiences with the same diet?


A. A change in diet, regardless of the nature of the change, frequently brings temporary relief from arthritis symptoms.

B. The compounds in garlic that can lessen the symptoms of arthritis are also present in tomatoes and peppers.

C. Arthritis is a chronic condition whose symptoms improve and worsen from time to time without regard to diet.

D. In general, men are more likely to have their arthritis symptoms alleviated by avoiding vegetables in the nightshade family than are women.

E. People who are closely related are more likely to experience the same result from adopting a particular diet than are people who are unrelated.

OA C

Source: Official Guide