Recent studies have demonstrated that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease. Other studies...

Victoria on May 20, 2021

Hi @yckim2180,

Happy to help!

The stimulus concludes that, despite the fact that drinking caffeine is not thought to be a cause of heart disease, drinking caffeine is positively correlated with heart disease.

Why? Because smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop heart disease and because smokers are more likely than others to drink caffeinated beverages.

What is the flaw here? The stimulus fails to establish a correlation between caffeinated beverages and heart disease. We know that smokers are more likely to develop heart disease and they are more likely to drink caffeine. However, this does not necessarily mean that the caffeine causes the heart disease.

It is entirely possible that the effects of smoking are counteracted by caffeine consumption, meaning that smokers who drink caffeine are less likely to develop heart disease than smokers who do not drink caffeine. This possibility is outlined by answer choice (A), making it our correct answer.

Answer choice (B) is incorrect for two reasons. First, the stimulus is focused on smoking and caffeine consumption; therefore, this answer choice is out of scope. Second, it does not matter that another factor may be more important. This does not mean that smoking and caffeine consumption do not contribute to heart disease.

Answer choice (C) is incorrect because this is directly supported by the argument; therefore, it cannot be something that the argument failed to consider.

Answer choice (D) is incorrect because this is encompassed within the positive correlation outlined in the stimulus. Therefore, it cannot be something that the stimulus failed to consider.

Finally, answer choice (E) is incorrect because this supports the argument. If there is a common cause between the development of heart disease and drinking caffeine, then we would expect those who drink caffeine to develop heart disease, as articulated by the passage.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.