Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions as follows:
Passage
One of the most dangerous drugs for pregnant women to consume is alcohol. Because alcohol is delivered quickly into the blood and passes quickly into the tissues and membranes, the human fetus is particularly vulnerable to its effects. In fact, the negative effects on a fetus are so pronounced that babies born after exposure to alcohol are said to be suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome.
As a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol is passed into her bloodstream almost simultaneously. Moreover, because the bloodstream of the fetus is inextricably tied to that of the mother, the alcohol passes directly into the bloodstream of the fetus as well. And, what is more, the concentration of alcohol in the fetus is exactly the same as in the mother. For the mother, this concentration is not a problem because her liver can remove one ounce of alcohol from her system per hour. However, the fetus's liver is not completely developed. The rate at which it is able to eliminate the alcohol from the blood of the fetus is much slower. Eventually, the alcohol will be returned to the mother's system by passing across the placenta, but this process is slow. By the time this takes place, major neurological damage may have already occurred.
Research has shown that as little as one drink of alcohol can produce significant, irreversible damage to the fetus. Babies who are born after exposure to alcohol generally exhibit facial distortion, inability to concentrate and difficulty in remembering. Simply speaking, it is imperative that pregnant women avoid alcohol.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: What is the primary purpose of the second paragraph in the passage?
A
To recommend that pregnant women completely abstain from alcohol
B
To highlight the harmful effects of alcohol on infants
C
To describe how the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused
D
To state that a fetus’ liver cannot eliminate waste as quickly as the mothers’ liver can
E
To compare the functioning of a mother’ liver with that of a fetus’ liver
Correct Answer: C
The second paragraph is clearly describing the process by which Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused. (C) states this verbatim and should be the correct answer. (A) This is the purpose of the entire passage and not just of the second paragraph. (B) The passage is concerned with fetuses and not with infants. In any case, the harmful effects are mentioned in the third paragraph. (D) While this is mentioned in the second paragraph, the main purpose is more than just to state this fact. (E) Same as D.
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: According to the information in the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
A
There is no time lag in passing of alcohol from the mother to the fetus.
B
The fetus’ liver is unable to keep up with the workings of the mothers’ liver.
C
The alcohol is eventually passed back from the fetus to the mother.
D
Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause irreversible damages to the fetus.
E
Alcohol passes from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.
Correct Answer: E
(a) There is no time lag in passing of alcohol from the mother to the fetus. → True, the passage says alcohol passes into the fetus almost simultaneously.
(b) The fetus’ liver is unable to keep up with the workings of the mother’s liver. → True, the passage says the fetus’s liver is not fully developed and removes alcohol much more slowly.
(c) The alcohol is eventually passed back from the fetus to the mother. → True, the passage mentions that alcohol eventually returns to the mother’s system across the placenta.
(d) Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause irreversible damages to the fetus. → True, the passage says even one drink can cause significant, irreversible damage.
(e) Alcohol passes from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. → NOT mentioned directly in the passage! The passage talks about alcohol passing to the fetus because their bloodstreams are tied together, but it does not specifically say that alcohol passes through the placenta to reach the fetus. It only mentions alcohol passing back across the placenta to the mother.
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: From the information in the passage, in which of the following hypothetical situations could the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome be best avoided?
A
If the alcohol passed into the mother’s bloodstream slowly over a prolonged duration
B
If the alcohol had very low toxicity
C
If the mother’s liver were less efficient than it currently is at removing alcohol from the system
D
If the fetus’ liver were as efficient at removing alcohol as the mother’s liver is
E
If the fetus had a very strong immune system
Correct Answer: D
The passage clearly states that the problem of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome arises because the fetus’ liver is slower in removing alcohol than the mothers’ liver. If the fetus’ liver were as efficient as the mother’s liver, then this problem would probably never arise. Hence, (D) is the correct answer. (A) The problem is not how quickly the alcohol is absorbed into the mothers’ bloodstream but how slowly the fetus’ liver eliminates it. (B) Toxicity of alcohol is not mentioned in the passage. (C) If the mothers’ liver were less efficient then damage would probably be caused to the mother as well as to the fetus. (E) The passage does not suggest that immunity has anything to do with the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
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The document Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 32 is a part of the GMAT Course 100 RCs for GMAT.
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