LSAT Explanation PT 29, S1, Q6: These days, drug companies and health

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following can be properly concluded from the passage? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and its main points. The passage states that cholesterol levels in our blood are a major focus for drug companies and health professionals. It explains that higher cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attacks, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in North America. The passage also mentions three factors that can influence blood cholesterol levels: smoking, drinking, and exercise.

To simplify this, imagine cholesterol levels as a measuring cup filled with water. The more water (cholesterol) in the cup, the higher the risk of spilling (having a heart attack). Smoking, drinking, and exercise are like adding or removing water from the cup, affecting the risk of spilling.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the passage, let's look at the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that can be properly concluded from the information given in the passage.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) If a person has low blood cholesterol, then that person's risk of fatal heart disease is low.

While the passage states that higher cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attacks, it doesn't guarantee that low cholesterol levels ensure a low risk of heart disease. There might be other factors affecting heart disease risk that the passage didn't mention. So, this answer choice is not correct.

b) Smoking in moderation can entail as great a risk of fatal heart disease as does heavy smoking.

The passage doesn't compare the risks of smoking in moderation versus heavy smoking. It only states that smoking can influence cholesterol levels. Therefore, we can't conclude this from the given information, making this answer choice incorrect.

c) A high-cholesterol diet is the principal cause of death in North America.

The passage doesn't mention diet as a factor affecting cholesterol levels or heart disease. It only states that heart disease is the leading cause of death in North America. So, this answer choice is not supported by the passage and is incorrect.

d) The only way that smoking increases one's risk of fatal heart disease is by influencing the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

The passage says that smoking can influence cholesterol levels, but it doesn't claim that this is the only way smoking affects the risk of heart disease. There could be other ways smoking increases the risk that the passage didn't mention. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

e) The risk of fatal heart disease can be altered by certain changes in lifestyle.

This answer choice correctly summarizes the information in the passage. It mentions that smoking, drinking, and exercise (which are lifestyle factors) can influence cholesterol levels in the blood, and we know that cholesterol levels are related to the risk of heart attacks. So, this answer choice is supported by the passage and is the correct answer.