new drug for ulcer

[durgesh79]

A new drug has been formulated which is intended to inhibit ulcer formation by absorbing excess stomach acid. However, some researchers predict that the resulting reduced levels of stomach acid will interfere with the stomach’s ability to break down food, and the body will compensate by producing more stomach acid.

Which of the following, if true, would most strongly support the author’s argument?


The new drug will reduce stomach acid below levels necessary to break food down.

Some drugs have been effective in treating ulcers by controlling stomach acid levels.

Increased stomach acid production can be attributed to a number of factors.

A reduction in stomach acid levels is not the most effective way to treat ulcers.

The long-term effects of agents that absorb stomach acid have not been fully established.


Please explain your answer

[loki.gmat]

B - actually weakens the argument.
C - doesnot make a difference.
D - even if it (reduction in stomach acid levels) is not the most effective, it can still be the 2nd best option n effective.
E - agents - out of scope.

hence IMO A.


Thanks!

[durgesh79]

yes .. OA is A.....

[chidcguy]

IMO A as well.

C D E either weaken or out of scope.

The author is saying that drug can inhibit ulcer formation by absorbing excess stomach acid. Researcher is saying some thing else that body will compensate for the loss of excessive absorption

A bridges the gap by saying that the new drug will push the SA levels down beyond the level needed to break the food down

[peter.p.81]

I agree with you guys. I also think that the right answer is A.