The Efficiency of Microwave Ovens in Destroying the Harmful Bacteria GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: The efficiency of microwave ovens in destroying the harmful bacteria frequently found in common foods is diminished by the presence of salt in the food being cooked. When heated in a microwave oven, the interior of unsalted food reaches temperatures high enough to kill bacteria that cause food poisoning, but the interior of salted food does not. Scientists theorize that salt effectively blocks the microwaves from heating the interior.

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

(A) The kinds of bacteria that cause food poisoning are more likely to be found on the exterior of food than in the interior of food.
(B) The incidence of serious food poisoning would be significantly reduced if microwave ovens were not used by consumers to cook or reheat food.
(C) The addition of salt to food that has been cooked or reheated in a microwave oven can increase the danger of food poisoning.
(D) The danger of food poisoning can be lessened if salt is not used to prepare foods that are to be cooked in a microwave oven.
(E) Salt is the primary cause of food poisoning resulting from food that is heated in microwave ovens.

Answer: D
Explanation: According to the argument, salting food reduces the microwave's capacity to eliminate dangerous microorganisms. The science underlying it is then explained. The article continues by stating that experts believe salt has the potential to prevent microwaves from heating food inside. According to the question, the microwave's effectiveness declines as the amount of salt on the food it is heating rises.
We must come to a decision.
Microwaves that heat the inside of food and kill bacteria that cause food poisoning are blocked by salt. Therefore, microwaves will heat the inside of food and destroy germs if less salt or no salt is used during cooking. By doing this, the risk of food poisoning can be decreased. Choice D is along the lines of the main point of the author.

Option D
The danger of food poisoning can be lessened if salt is not used to prepare foods that are to be cooked in a microwave oven.- Correct. The passage makes this suggestion. We can reduce the risk if we don't add salt. The argument as a whole is stating this. Thus, Correct

Let’s see the other choices available.

Option A
The kinds of bacteria that cause food poisoning are more likely to be found on the exterior of food than in the interior of food.- Incorrect. If they are discovered on the exterior, the argument that doing so reduces the microwave's capacity to destroy hazardous germs is undermined. Therefore, incorrect.

Option B
The incidence of serious food poisoning would be significantly reduced if microwave ovens were not used by consumers to cook or reheat food.- Incorrect. Since the argument is about microwaves, the conclusion cannot be that you shouldn't use a microwave oven. They advise against using microwaves while we are discussing their uses. No connection.

Option C
The addition of salt to food that has been cooked or reheated in a microwave oven can increase the danger of food poisoning.- Incorrect.Although it's a trap, this is the wrong response. It states that once the dish has been cooked, salt will be added. But in an ideal world, salt would be added before cooking. Food poisoning risks are not increased by salt. The passage is based on a discussion about salt on heated food.

Option E
Salt is the primary cause of food poisoning resulting from food that is heated in microwave ovens.- Incorrect. Irrelevant. No matter how important it is, our point has nothing to do with it. The fundamental cause or secondary cause are not the topic of the argument.

“The efficiency of microwave ovens in destroying the harmful bacteria”- is a GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT critical comes with five options and candidates need to choose the one which is correct. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. Candidates get 65 minutes to answer 36 MCQ questions in the critical reasoning section of the GMAT.

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