Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 32 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

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.

(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.

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.