PrepTest 146, Section 3, Question 7
The Kuna, a people native to several Panamanian(60 more words not shown)
Of the following, which one(8 more words not shown)
- AFoods high in(9 more words not shown)
- BKuna who live(15 more words not shown)
- CThe Kuna have(7 more words not shown)
- DKuna who live(17 more words not shown)
- EDrinking several cups(11 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Something about island life may matter here. Diet is one possibility; activity is another. Maybe the island Kuna swim more, for example. At first we might also wonder about genetics, but the contrast with Kuna who moved to the mainland makes the change in environment especially interesting.
The passage singles out cocoa. Island residents typically drink several cups daily, mainland residents don't share that habit, and the island cocoa is high in flavonoids. That gives us a possible connection with the island group's low incidence of high blood pressure. It doesn't establish that cocoa is the cause. The groups could differ in other ways, including the activity I first wondered about.
What we’re looking for
But this question asks what is most strongly supported, not what has been proved beyond every alternative. I'd look for a cautious connection between the cocoa habit and blood pressure. The evidence gives us some reason to investigate that possibility, even though it doesn't settle it.
Working the answers
- A
Not drinking this cocoa doesn't mean foods rich in flavonoids are unavailable. Such foods could be readily available on the mainland without these people choosing to consume them. The passage describes a habit, not the full food supply.
- B
We aren't told why the island residents drink cocoa. They might enjoy the taste, follow a cultural habit, or drink what is commonly served. A belief about health benefits is one possible motive, but it isn't established by the information given.
- C
A genetic tendency isn't established. The differing outcomes among island and mainland Kuna give us a reason to consider environmental influences. That doesn't prove genetics plays no role; an environmental change could affect people who also have a genetic tendency. We simply haven't been given evidence identifying such a predisposition.
- D
The comparison is between island Kuna and mainland Kuna, not between mainland Kuna and other mainland residents. Those other residents might have a higher, lower, or similar incidence of high blood pressure. D introduces a comparison we cannot make from the passage.
- ECorrect
The group that typically drinks this cocoa has a low incidence of high blood pressure, while the group without that habit does not. That pattern offers some support for the suggestion that drinking flavonoid-rich cocoa tends to prevent high blood pressure.
It isn't proof. Another feature of island life could explain the difference, and the passage doesn't isolate the effect of cocoa in an experiment. But E draws a connection supported by the pattern we do have. The other choices ask us to add facts about availability, motives, genetics, or a new comparison group that the passage doesn't supply.
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