Logical Reasoning

PT116 · S3 · Q8 Studies suggest that, for the

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Studies suggest that, for the vast majority of people who have normal blood pressure, any amount of sodium greater than that required by the body is simply excreted and does not significantly raise blood pressure.

Conclusion (So)

Only people with high blood pressure or those who can't process extra sodium need to restrict their sodium intake.

Evidence

For people with normal blood pressure, extra sodium doesn't significantly raise blood pressure because it is excreted by the body.

Evaluate

We can apply our usual Weaken template to this.

GIVEN THAT people with normal BP excrete extra sodium before it raises their BP,

HOW CAN WE ARGUE THAT these people should still restrict their sodium intake?

Maybe there's some other potential negative effect of sodium consumption that doesn't relate to blood pressure.

Goal

Identify an answer that introduces a reason why people with normal blood pressure might also need to be cautious about sodium intake.

8.

Which one of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument?

  1. High blood pressure is more

    No Impact

    This doesn't give us a way to argue that people with NORMAL blood pressure should reduce sodium intake, since it's about high blood pressure.

    0% picked this

  2. High blood pressure is sometimes

    No Impact

    This choice also focuses on people who have high blood pressure, which doesn't give us a way to argue that people with NORMAL blood pressure need to watch their sodium intake.

    8% picked this

  3. Correct

    Excess sodium intake over time

    Why this is right

    This introduces the idea that excess sodium can eventually impair the body's ability to process it, suggesting that even those with normal blood pressure might face future health issues if they don't restrict sodium, thereby challenging the conclusion that they don't need to be cautious.

    Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    80% picked this

  4. Every human being has a

    Strengthens

    This asserts that humans need some sodium, which the argument already accepts. It does not challenge the claim about excess intake and its need for restriction.

    5% picked this

  5. Any sodium not used by

    No Impact

    This statement describes conditions under which sodium would raise blood pressure, but since the premise states that excess sodium is usually excreted, it doesn't practically impact the argument for people with normal blood pressure.

    7% picked this

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