Logical reasoning PrepTest 116 · Section 3 · Question 8

Incorrect. The argument takes the danger posed by high blood pressure seriously, but it brings up research showing that a certain action doesn't cause it in most people. Therefore, exactly how harmful high blood pressure is doesn't affect the argument.

Incorrect. The argument takes this into account when it limits its recommendation against excessive sodium intake to those with high blood pressure.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Studies — The vast majority of people with normal blood pressure just pee out extra sodium, so it doesn't raise high blood pressure.
Conclusion — Only those with high blood pressure who can't pee out extra sodium should limit their sodium intake.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion here is pretty strong—it essentially says that there's no reason for those who don't fall into a very specific category to limit their sodium intake. This is based on this group not having their blood pressure raised by eating excess sodium.

However, that premise eliminates just one reason that one might want to avoid excess sodium! There's no discussion of other potential ill effects of that consumption. Any answer that brings up such a negative consequence, therefore, will serve to weaken this argument.

Answer Explanation:
Not only does this answer bring up a negative of eating excess sodium, it ties it back into high blood pressure. While eating excess sodium may not significantly raise blood pressure in those who don't already have it, it does cause them to slowly develop a condition (inability to process excess sodium) that could result in that problem. If this is true, then there is a reason to limit sodium intake even if you don't have high blood pressure and can process excess sodium, weakening the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Always consider other reasons for any recommended action. Here, the conclusion recommends that only a certain group facing a certain problem takes the action of limiting their sodium intake. That's based on the analysis of a single issue that sodium consumption can have. Without considering other potential issues, the argument fails to justify that recommendation.

Incorrect. The argument is over excess sodium consumption beyond that required by the body, so everyone having a baseline need for some sodium is already considered by the argument.

Incorrect. This answer may be extreme, but it aligns with the argument, or at least it doesn't contradict any of the information in it, so it doesn't weaken it.