RC - Purpose

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1665
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pm
Thanked: 165 times
Followed by:70 members

RC - Purpose

by karthikpandian19 » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:18 pm
Products containing antimicrobials are often touted as cleansers and can be found in the antibacterial soaps and solutions used in schools and places of business; they are also crucial ingredients in the antibiotic medications relentlessly prescribed by medical professionals. Concerned scientists, however, have begun to lobby for improved regulations governing the use of these antimicrobials in medicines and cleaning products, arguing that inappropriate reliance on these compounds has contributed to the emergence of strains of drug- and chemical-resistant bacteria. Still, many school and hospital administrators continue to stress the importance of protecting students and patients from bacterial infection. They refer to studies that suggest that antibacterial cleaning and hygiene products are, in fact, not influential in the development of resistant bacteria and are essential for protection against illness-causing microorganisms.

Much of the debate over antimicrobial use has centered on Triclosan, the primary active ingredient in many antibacterial products. Triclosan's ability to control bacterial contamination by targeting the fatty acid synthesis of bacterial cells has made it an attractive addition to cleaning products. The effectiveness of Triclosan as an antibiotic is not a point of dispute; the real controversy involves the potential negative consequences of excessive use of such products. A chief concern for scientists is that over-use of Triclosan will aid in the development of highly resistant strains of bacteria, as has already been observed in the case of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Supporters of extensive antimicrobial use, meanwhile, deny the existence of evidence that links Triclosan to the development of such "supergerms."

Convincing arguments against Triclosan proliferate: the compound has begun to appear in community water supplies, human breast milk, oceans and decade-old sewage. Scientists worry about the long-term ramifications of Triclosan ingestion, particularly because treatment plants have not yet been able to guard against Triclosan contamination in water sources. The most significant support for this cautionary stance comes from a study conducted at the University of Public Health, where it was found that plain soaps--those that lack antimicrobial agents--remove the threat of bacteria just as effectively as the consumer-grade antibacterial varieties. Furthermore, these studies report that using plain soaps allows non-illness-causing bacteria on skin and other surfaces to successfully compete and protect against those bacteria that do cause illness.


Which of the following most accurately states the primary purpose of the third paragraph?


(A) It compares two different approaches to the study of Triclosan.

(B) It cites examples of how Triclosan may have a damaging environmental and physiological impact.

(C) It argues for a particular hypothesis regarding the effectiveness of Triclosan in eliminating bacteria.

(D) It summarizes the findings of several studies regarding the impact of antimicrobial agents on fighting illness.

(E) It defends a new theory regarding the use of antimicrobials in schools and places of business.
Regards,
Karthik
The source of the questions that i post from JUNE 2013 is from KNEWTON

---If you find my post useful, click "Thank" :) :)---
---Never stop until cracking GMAT---
Source: — Reading Comprehension |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 342
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:50 am
Thanked: 214 times
Followed by:19 members
GMAT Score:740

by Birottam Dutta » Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:20 pm
Which of the following most accurately states the primary purpose of the third paragraph?


(A) It compares two different approaches to the study of Triclosan. ---No incorrect, Triclosan is just an example in the larger debate of se of anti-microbials.

(B) It cites examples of how Triclosan may have a damaging environmental and physiological impact.---Again incorrect

(C) It argues for a particular hypothesis regarding the effectiveness of Triclosan in eliminating bacteria. --No hypothesis here, plain facts.

(D) It summarizes the findings of several studies regarding the impact of antimicrobial agents on fighting illness. --- Correct, this is exactly what happens in the passage.

(E) It defends a new theory regarding the use of antimicrobials in schools and places of business.---To specific talking about schools and businesses, so incorrect.

Hence, D!

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1665
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pm
Thanked: 165 times
Followed by:70 members

by karthikpandian19 » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:37 am
OA is B
Regards,
Karthik
The source of the questions that i post from JUNE 2013 is from KNEWTON

---If you find my post useful, click "Thank" :) :)---
---Never stop until cracking GMAT---

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1665
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pm
Thanked: 165 times
Followed by:70 members

by karthikpandian19 » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:42 am
The correct answer to a primary purpose question will indicate the author's reason for writing. The first verb in each answer choice should give some indication whether that answer choice fits the tone of the passage (or paragraph) in general.

This passage describes a debate over the use of products that contain antimicrobials. The author briefly explains reasons in favor of their use but spends the majority of the passage discussing Triclosan, the main ingredient in most of these products, and the dangers associated with its use. The third paragraph describes specific examples of concerns regarding the use of Triclosan: the compound has begun to appear in community water supplies, human breast milk, oceans and decade-old sewage.

Choice B is correct. Although previous portions of the passage mention a concern with Triclosan as an agent causing drug- or chemical-resistant bacteria, the final paragraph of the passage cites specific "examples of how Triclosan may have a damaging environmental and physiological impact."

Choice A is vague and irrelevant. Different approaches to the use of Triclosan are addressed in this passage, but different approaches to the study of Triclosan are not. Furthermore, the last paragraph does not compare two different approaches.

Choice C could be tempting since the author does seem to be siding with one of the passage arguments. However, he is not arguing about the effectiveness of Triclosan (which is never in question), but against its use, due to potential dangerous side effects.

Choice D is distorts the information provided at the end of the third paragraph. The passage states that using plain soaps allows non-illness-causing bacteria on skin and other surfaces to successfully compete and protect against those bacteria that do cause illness. This does not refer to the impact of "antimicrobial agents on fighting illness," but rather the ability of non-antimicrobial substances to do the job.

Choice E is wrong for similar reasons as choice C. Though the author does appear to be defending one particular viewpoint, this answer choice identifies the wrong one; he is arguing against the use of antimicrobials in schools and places of business.
Regards,
Karthik
The source of the questions that i post from JUNE 2013 is from KNEWTON

---If you find my post useful, click "Thank" :) :)---
---Never stop until cracking GMAT---