In a visual perception experiment, a scientist asked individ

[BTGmoderatorAT]

In a visual perception experiment, a scientist asked individuals to view a series of patterns displayed on a screen. Each subject was shown seven patterns in quick succession. Subsequently, the scientist showed the same seven patterns in a variety of random orders and in combination with additional patterns. The subject was asked to note each time any of the seven patterns appeared, but the only time that the subject was able to recognize successfully all seven patterns was when they were shown in the exact order as they were shown originally.


If the information in the argument above is true, which one of the following represents the most reasonable inference that can be drawn from the information in the passage?

A. Visual recognition is not correlated to a single occurrence but rather to a connected series.
B. The subjects were unable to identify all seven individual patterns in the original order.
C. The subjects were aware that they were being tested on sequential perception.
D. Each subject could only recognize the original sequence that he had been shown.
E. The subjects were unable to identify any of the original patterns that they had been shown.

OA: D

I'm confused why A is not the correct answer? Can any experts help?

[EconomistGMATTutor]

This is an inference question -- the correct choice will be the only one that must be true based on the given evidence. The correct choice, D, states that each subject could only recognize the original sequence. This is just a restatement of the given information: "The only time that the subject was able to recognize successfully all seven patterns was when they were shown in the exact order as they were shown originally."

You asked about Choice A. This statement claims that visual recognition is not correlated to a single occurrence. This is a broad statement that is not supported by the evidence. Is it not possible that a subject could recognize a pattern after seeing it once? Does the pattern have to be part of a series? It's better to stick to the terms discussed in the argument, as Choice D does.

I'm available if you've got further questions.