Extract:
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain that can interfere with the way the brain processes information and functions. A concussion often results in severe headaches, diminished alertness, and even unconsciousness.
While more than one million people in the United States suffer concussions every year, many believe that, like people, no two concussions are identical. Recently two professional baseball players suffered concussions. The first player was injured early in the season and tried twice to return to regular play, but was not medically cleared to play until the following year. Even after eight months, this player reported a recurring condition of “fogginess” that seemed to linger. The second player had brief symptoms of sleepiness and involuntary movement, or “shakiness.” A few days later, and after several tests, the second player reported that the effects of the concussion had subsided, and he was cleared to play.
No matter the duration of a person’s recovery, refraining from trying to do too much, too soon is vital. A specialist at Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy believes that someone who suffers a second concussion while still recovering from the first risks an even longer recovery.
Full recovery from concussions is possible. Problems are seldom permanent, and for most people who have had a concussion, the long-term prognosis is typically excellent. The first baseball player recently returned to his team. And though he was told by his physician that he has no greater risk than anyone else of suffering another concussion, other physicians believe that suffering one sports-related concussion increases the likelihood of suffering another.
Choose the best summary of the passage.
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A
No two concussions are alike. Some people may recover easily from concussion, while others may take weeks or months. In any case, receiving a second concussion too soon may mean a lengthy recovery.
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B
When baseball players receive concussions, some take a long time to recover. Some may try to return to play too soon and receive a second concussion that ends their careers.
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C
Although most athletes shrug off concussions, they would be wise to take them seriously. Multiple concussions can cause serious harm to the brain, which is rattled around in the skull with each injury.
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D
Recovery from concussion is possible, but it is not always a good idea to return to play too soon. Some head injuries are called concussions but do not really qualify as such.
The best summary captures the passage's emphasis on individual variation in concussion recovery, the danger of second impacts during healing, and the generally positive long-term prognosis.
A) No two concussions are alike. Some people may recover easily from concussion, while others may take weeks or months. In any case, receiving a second concussion too soon may mean a lengthy recovery
This accurately synthesizes three key passage elements: the opening assertion that "no two concussions are identical," the contrasting recovery timelines of the two baseball players (days versus eight+ months), and the specialist's warning about second-impact syndrome prolonging recovery.
B) When baseball players receive concussions, some take a long time to recover. Some may try to return to play too soon and receive a second concussion that ends their careers
This introduces unsupported claims: the passage never states players attempted premature return or that careers ended. Both players eventually returned to play, contradicting the "ends their careers" assertion.
C) Although most athletes shrug off concussions, they would be wise to take them seriously
This mischaracterizes athlete attitudes, the passage presents medical supervision with players not medically cleared until fully recovered, suggesting serious treatment rather than dismissal. No evidence supports the "shrug off" characterization.
D) Recovery from concussion is possible, but it is not always a good idea to return to play too soon. Some head injuries are called concussions but do not really qualify as such
This introduces the unsupported claim that some diagnosed concussions are misdiagnosed. The passage treats all discussed injuries as legitimate concussions without questioning diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusion
Effective summaries must remain faithful to textual evidence without adding unsupported details, exaggerating consequences, or misrepresenting attitudes. Option A achieves comprehensive accuracy by capturing individual variation, recovery timelines, and second-impact risks without fabrication.