LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q13: Recent research indicates that increased consumption

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. The passage states that recent research has found that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables by middle-aged people reduces their susceptibility to stroke in later years. The researchers speculate that this might be because fruits and vegetables are rich in folic acid. Low levels of folic acid are associated with high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that contributes to blocked arteries. In simpler terms, eating more fruits and vegetables might reduce the risk of stroke because they contain folic acid, which is connected to lower levels of homocysteine, and thus, fewer blocked arteries.

The question type is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question, which asks us to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.

Now, let's examine each answer choice:

a) An increased risk of stroke is correlated with low levels of homocysteine.

This answer choice contradicts the information in the passage. The passage states that low levels of folic acid are associated with high levels of homocysteine, which contributes to blocked arteries. Therefore, an increased risk of stroke would be correlated with high levels of homocysteine, not low levels.

b) A decreased risk of stroke is correlated with increased levels of folic acid.

This answer choice is consistent with the information in the passage. The passage states that eating more fruits and vegetables (which are rich in folic acid) reduces the risk of stroke. This suggests that higher levels of folic acid are associated with a decreased risk of stroke.

c) An increased propensity for blocked arteries is correlated with decreased levels of homocysteine.

This answer choice contradicts the information in the passage. The passage states that low levels of folic acid are associated with high levels of homocysteine, which contributes to blocked arteries. Therefore, an increased propensity for blocked arteries would be correlated with increased levels of homocysteine, not decreased levels.

d) A decreased propensity for blocked arteries is correlated with low levels of folic acid.

This answer choice contradicts the information in the passage. The passage states that low levels of folic acid are associated with high levels of homocysteine, which contributes to blocked arteries. Therefore, a decreased propensity for blocked arteries would be correlated with high levels of folic acid, not low levels.

e) Stroke is prevented by ingestion of folic acid in quantities sufficient to prevent a decline in the levels of homocysteine.

This answer choice is too extreme. The passage states that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (which are rich in folic acid) reduces the risk of stroke, but it does not claim that stroke can be completely prevented by ingesting folic acid.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is B: A decreased risk of stroke is correlated with increased levels of folic acid. This answer choice is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.