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- Tue May 31, 2016 7:09 pm
#25876
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=7945)
The correct answer choice is (B)
This Passage Commonality question asks us to identify evidence mentioned in both passages in
support of the prevailing view that carbohydrate consumption causes dental caries. Items appearing
in only one of the passages are common traps in such questions; the correct answer must describe
evidence mentioned in both passages.
Once again, a thorough understanding of passage organization allows for quick access to the
information necessary to attack Concept Reference questions. Recall that the second paragraph
in each passage focuses on the research findings that establish a link between carbohydrate
consumption and caries. Since research findings are often used as evidence to support various
viewpoints, we can use this location element to prove the correct answer to this question.
Answer choice (A): The effect of consuming highly processed foods on caries formation is only
discussed in the context of early nonagricultural populations in western North America (lines 25-29).
Consumption of highly processed foods is never addressed in Passage B.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Although some nonagricultural populations,
such as the Hopi, do exhibit high caries rates, both passages mention the relatively low incidence of
caries among nonagricultural people as evidence suggesting that carbohydrate consumption results in
caries formation (lines 13-22 in Passage A; lines 41-42 in Passage B).
Answer choice (C): The effect of fiber and grit on caries formation was only discussed in Passage
B, not Passage A (lines 47-50). Items appearing in only one of the passages are common traps in
Passage Commonality questions.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice mixes elements from both passages, but appears in neither
passage. Although both the Hopi and the Ban Chiang populations consumed wild plants, there is no
evidence that such consumption affected their tooth wear. Furthermore, recall that Passage A never
mentioned the role of tooth wear on caries formation (only Passage B did), making answer choice
(D) relatively easy to eliminate.
Answer choice (E): The effect of agricultural intensification on overall human health was only
mentioned in Passage B, not Passage A (line 40).
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=7945)
The correct answer choice is (B)
This Passage Commonality question asks us to identify evidence mentioned in both passages in
support of the prevailing view that carbohydrate consumption causes dental caries. Items appearing
in only one of the passages are common traps in such questions; the correct answer must describe
evidence mentioned in both passages.
Once again, a thorough understanding of passage organization allows for quick access to the
information necessary to attack Concept Reference questions. Recall that the second paragraph
in each passage focuses on the research findings that establish a link between carbohydrate
consumption and caries. Since research findings are often used as evidence to support various
viewpoints, we can use this location element to prove the correct answer to this question.
Answer choice (A): The effect of consuming highly processed foods on caries formation is only
discussed in the context of early nonagricultural populations in western North America (lines 25-29).
Consumption of highly processed foods is never addressed in Passage B.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Although some nonagricultural populations,
such as the Hopi, do exhibit high caries rates, both passages mention the relatively low incidence of
caries among nonagricultural people as evidence suggesting that carbohydrate consumption results in
caries formation (lines 13-22 in Passage A; lines 41-42 in Passage B).
Answer choice (C): The effect of fiber and grit on caries formation was only discussed in Passage
B, not Passage A (lines 47-50). Items appearing in only one of the passages are common traps in
Passage Commonality questions.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice mixes elements from both passages, but appears in neither
passage. Although both the Hopi and the Ban Chiang populations consumed wild plants, there is no
evidence that such consumption affected their tooth wear. Furthermore, recall that Passage A never
mentioned the role of tooth wear on caries formation (only Passage B did), making answer choice
(D) relatively easy to eliminate.
Answer choice (E): The effect of agricultural intensification on overall human health was only
mentioned in Passage B, not Passage A (line 40).
