Powerscore CR doubt...

Expert replies

iongmat: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 193; Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 5:14 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 6 times

by iongmat » Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:21 pm

I am currently reading "Powerscore CR Bible". In an example, it says:

People who read a lot are more intelligent than other people. Thus reading must cause a person to be intelligent.

Now "Powerscore CR Bible" goes further and claims that each of the following is an assumption in this argument:

a) Sleeping more than 8 hours does not cause a person to be intelligent.
b) Regular exercise does not cause a person to be intelligent.
c) Genetics do not cause a person to be intelligent.

Each of these does weaken the argument, but I am not understanding how these are "assumptions" in the argument.

If the argument had been that that reading is the "only way" for a person to be intelligent, then I could have understood that each of the above would have been an assumption

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:21 pm

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:44 am

iongmat wrote:I am currently reading "Powerscore CR Bible". In an example, it says:

People who read a lot are more intelligent than other people. Thus reading must cause a person to be intelligent.

Now "Powerscore CR Bible" goes further and claims that each of the following is an assumption in this argument:

a) Sleeping more than 8 hours does not cause a person to be intelligent.
b) Regular exercise does not cause a person to be intelligent.
c) Genetics do not cause a person to be intelligent.

Each of these does weaken the argument, but I am not understanding how these are "assumptions" in the argument.

If the argument had been that that reading is the "only way" for a person to be intelligent, then I could have understood that each of the above would have been an assumption

Powerscore is trying to illustrate the following:
When a CR concludes that A causes B, one assumption is that there is no ALTERNATE CAUSE.
But the alternate causes offered in the Powerscore example need to be linked to the people discussed in the passage.

Better versions:
People who read a lot do not tend to get at least 10 hours of sleep every day, an amount of sleep known to raise intelligence levels.
People who read a lot do not tend to get regular exercise, which is known to raise intelligence levels.
People who read a lot do not tend to have the "smart gene", which has recently been linked to above-average intelligence levels.
These are all variations of the following line of reasoning:
The argument assumes that people who read a lot do not possess ANOTHER ATTRIBUTE that could account for their above-average intelligence.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Like this post

iongmat: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 193; Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 5:14 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 6 times

by iongmat » Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:07 am

Thanks Mitch. What you say makes perfect sense.

Thanks again for clarifying.

Like this post

David@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2193; Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members; Location: Vermont and Boston, MA; Thanked: 1186 times; GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:35 pm

Great explanation from Mitch!

Hey I wanted jump in here because one of the things quoted in the Power score is

b) Regular exercise does not cause a person to be intelligent.

Now I know that this is just an answer choice to a CR question, but it turns out that exercise is not only what causes a person to be intelligent, but according to evolutionary anthropologists is quite possibly the reason for human intelligence in general. It is endurance exercise (meaning 30 minutes or more with you pulse up in the "exercise range" - say a light jog or brisk walk)that gave us the big brains, and endurance exercise that builds new brains cells and helps us to control our emotions and anxiety.

For more about exercise and the brain please read https://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2013/12 ... mat-score/

and part 2 https://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2013/12 ... t-anxiety/

This article goes into even more depth for those who need all the knowledge! https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/05/ ... e-the-gmat

Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review