Nutritionist: Contrary to popular belief, a high-calcium diet does not prevent osteoporosis (decrease in bone density). Rather, a low-protein diet with an abundance of fruits and vegetables and a minimum quantity of meat and dairy products is essential for the prevention of the condition. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or climbing stairs, is also essential, since bones thicken when they withstand regular resistance.
Summarize Argument
The nutritionist claims—with no support—that a high-calcium diet doesn’t prevent osteoporosis but a low-protein, low-meat, low-dairy, high-fruit-and-vegetable diet is essential for preventing it. She also claims that weight-bearing exercise is essential for the prevention of osteoporosis, and cites support: regular resistance causes bones to thicken.
Notable Assumptions
The nutritionist assumes weight-bearing exercise provides regular resistance not provided by non-weight-bearing exercise. Every incorrect answer will strengthen that assumption or offer support for her other claims—that a high-calcium diet doesn’t prevent osteoporosis, and that a low-protein, low-meat, low-dairy, high-fruit-and-vegetable diet is essential for preventing osteoporosis.
A
Astronauts who have lived in the weightless environment of space have exhibited decreases in bone density despite vigorous physical activity.
This supports the nutritionist’s assumption that weight-bearing exercise offers more regular resistance than non-weight-bearing exercise. It points out a group that exercised in a non-weight-bearing way and suffered high rates of osteoporosis.
B
Certain medical therapies that do not involve special diets can be effective means of preventing osteoporosis.
This implies a low-meat-and-dairy, high-fruit-and-vegetable diet isn’t actually necessary for preventing osteoporosis. It casts doubt on the nutritionist’s claim that such a diet is essential.
C
Populations in countries with the lowest per capita rates of protein consumption have some of the lowest incidences of osteoporosis.
This supports the nutritionist’s claim that low-protein diets are essential for preventing osteoporosis by pointing out a correlation between low protein intake and low rates of osteoporosis.
D
Arctic peoples, who consume large amounts of calcium, exhibit one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world.
This supports the nutritionist’s claim that high-calcium diets are not essential for preventing osteoporosis by pointing out a counterexample: one population with both high calcium consumption and high rates of osteoporosis.
E
The incidence of osteoporosis is unusually low among strict vegetarians with low-protein diets.
This supports the nutritionist’s claim that low-protein, low-meat diets are essential for preventing osteoporosis by pointing to an example: low-protein vegetarians, who suffer osteoporosis at low rates.
A
Some Common Eiders that lay their eggs in nests established by other Common Eiders have been observed, in subsequent years, building nests of their own in the nature preserve.
B
Established nests concealed in woody vegetation are difficult for Common Eiders to detect.
C
Defensive behavior by nest builders can sometimes deter intruding Common Eiders.
D
Virtually all of the island nature preserve consists of habitats that have been, at some point in the past, altered by humans.
E
Foxes and other natural predators of the Common Eider are not uncommon in the island nature preserve.
Miranda: The bank should have realized that with all the fast-food places on 10th Street, one lacking indoor seating was likely to fail. So it was irresponsible of them to lend the money for it.