Logical Reasoning

PT4 · S1 · Q19 The efficiency of microwave ovens

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The efficiency of microwave ovens in destroying the harmful bacteria frequently found in common foods is diminished by the presence of salt in the food being cooked.

Facts

Microwaves don't destroy bacteria as efficiently when food is salted.

The interior of unsalted foods reaches temperatures high enough to kill bacterial that causes food poisoning.

The interior of salted food does not.

Scientists thing the salt effectively blocks the microwaves from heating the interior

Evaluate

We're comparing salted and unsalted foods, the different extent to which microwaves destroy the bacteria in them, and what scientists think might cause that difference (the causal difference maker!) Predict an answer that deals with the causal difference maker: salt blocks the heat of microwaves in the interior. But it's a Most Supported question in the gauntlet, so read each answer with an open mind. These aren't super predictable.

19.

Which one of the following conclusions is most supported by the information above?

  1. The kinds of bacteria that

    Unsupported Comparison

    We're never told where these bad bugs are more likely to be found.

    3% picked this

  2. The incidence of serious food

    Too Strong (serious / significantly)

    We're given info about food poisoning, but not specifically about serious cases. We also don't now how many food poisoning cases arise from salted food reheated in a microwave, so while we can reasonably infer there could be some reduction in the number of instances, we don't know that it would be significant.

    0% picked this

  3. The addition of salt to

    Weaker Match

    This sounds pretty good: if salt makes microwaves less likely to kill food poisoning bacteria, it seems reasonable to say adding salt to microwave foods would increase the danger. The problem here is the timeline. The addition of salt to food that has been cooked or reheated seems to imply that we're adding the salt after the cooking or reheating has taken place. That wouldn't increase the danger. It's only increasing the danger if we add it before we microwave it.

    19% picked this

  4. Correct

    The danger of food poisoning

    Why this is right

    A classic Causal Fact Flip! When one thing causes another, an answer that says "less of the cause would lead to less of that effect" is pretty well supported. If salt in the microwave causes danger, not salting your microwave food can possibly lessen the danger. Note the loveably-weak language of possibility (can), too.

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

    76% picked this

  5. Salt is the primary cause

    Too Strong (primary cause)

    We're told it's a possible cause, but not that it's the primary cause.

    2% picked this

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