Although computers can enhance people’s ability to communicate, computer games are a cause of underdeveloped communication skills in children. After-school hours spent playing computer games are hours not spent talking with people. Therefore, children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?
(A) Passive activities such as watching television and listening to music do not hinder the development of communication skills in children.
(B) Most children have other opportunities, in addition to after-school hours, in which they can choose whether to play computer games or to interact with other people.
(C) Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
(D) Formal instruction contributes little or nothing to children’s acquisition of communication skills.
(E) The mental skills developed through playing computer games do not contribute significantly to children’s intellectual development.
Obviously, answer is C, but doesn't A look like defensive assumption ? If it does, what is its priority in comparison with direct assumption ?
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
Although computers can enhance people’s ability to communica
This topic has expert replies
-
mbadrew
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:16 am
- Location: San Francisco
- Thanked: 14 times
C is the correct answer. However, A cannot be the answer for several reasons.
1. A takes the assumption out of context. Remember we are talking about video games and its effect on childrens interpersonal skills. A also uses strong language such as "do not hinder". Remember, an assuption is a premise that "may" be a possibility. Avoid choices that assume out of context and those that use strong language.
I hope this helps.
Andrew
1. A takes the assumption out of context. Remember we are talking about video games and its effect on childrens interpersonal skills. A also uses strong language such as "do not hinder". Remember, an assuption is a premise that "may" be a possibility. Avoid choices that assume out of context and those that use strong language.
I hope this helps.
Andrew
-
S0laris
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:02 am
- Location: Azerbaijan/Baku
- Thanked: 2 times
no doubt you're right, but I also remember that causal(defensive) assumption might be out there. In this case computer games are cause of underdeveloped, and in such cases it's enough to to eliminate other possible causes, which may cause same effect, for conclusion survives, isn't it ?mbadrew wrote:C is the correct answer. However, A cannot be the answer for several reasons.
1. A takes the assumption out of context. Remember we are talking about video games and its effect on childrens interpersonal skills. A also uses strong language such as "do not hinder". Remember, an assuption is a premise that "may" be a possibility. Avoid choices that assume out of context and those that use strong language.
I hope this helps.
Andrew
So, my question is, if I'm not mistaken in reasoning, what is the priority to select answer ? defensive or direct assumption plays first ?
we are the champions !
-
cramya
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 2467
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pm
- Thanked: 331 times
- Followed by:11 members
A) Passive activities such as watching television and listening to music do not hinder the development of communication skills in children.
We are no way concerned about these since the argument compares playing computer games in all the spare time and its effect on communications skills Is this needed for the conclusion that children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
NO. Also look for the key word "experience" in the conclsuion we will come back to this later
ELIMINATE
(B) Most children have other opportunities, in addition to after-school hours, in which they can choose whether to play computer games or to interact with other people.
This would strengthen the argument that most children choose to play computer games when given an option but in no way is required for the conclusion to stand.
ELIMINATE
(C) Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
? KEEP
(D) Formal instruction contributes little or nothing to children’s acquisition of communication skills.
Ok. This is not an needed assumption for the conclusion to stand sicne formal instrcution is somethign thats common to alltypes of children(those who play computer games or those who talk to people after school)
ELIMINATE
(E) The mental skills developed through playing computer games do not contribute significantly to children’s intellectual development.
We are talking about communication skills and not intellectual development which could comprise of many other things
ELIMINATE
C
Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
If u negate this then the conclsuion falls apart since these children will not longer get more "experience" in communication. The conclusion falls apart.
The reason why I came back to C was we must alwasy scan through all the choices even if we think something is right just so we dont miss out on the "BEST ANSWER" in choose the best answer
Hope this helps!
Regards,
CR
We are no way concerned about these since the argument compares playing computer games in all the spare time and its effect on communications skills Is this needed for the conclusion that children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
NO. Also look for the key word "experience" in the conclsuion we will come back to this later
ELIMINATE
(B) Most children have other opportunities, in addition to after-school hours, in which they can choose whether to play computer games or to interact with other people.
This would strengthen the argument that most children choose to play computer games when given an option but in no way is required for the conclusion to stand.
ELIMINATE
(C) Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
? KEEP
(D) Formal instruction contributes little or nothing to children’s acquisition of communication skills.
Ok. This is not an needed assumption for the conclusion to stand sicne formal instrcution is somethign thats common to alltypes of children(those who play computer games or those who talk to people after school)
ELIMINATE
(E) The mental skills developed through playing computer games do not contribute significantly to children’s intellectual development.
We are talking about communication skills and not intellectual development which could comprise of many other things
ELIMINATE
C
Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
If u negate this then the conclsuion falls apart since these children will not longer get more "experience" in communication. The conclusion falls apart.
The reason why I came back to C was we must alwasy scan through all the choices even if we think something is right just so we dont miss out on the "BEST ANSWER" in choose the best answer
Hope this helps!
Regards,
CR
-
mharv
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:14 pm
- Location: Bangalore
- Thanked: 2 times
- GMAT Score:390
PoE works so does just CPA. Identify conclusion & premise and you can work the argument.
Conclusion : Children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
Premise : After-school hours spent playing computer games are hours not spent talking with people.
A is out of scope and is presumption, as it is not given in the argument that they watch TV or listen to music
B is irrelevant
C strengthens the premise, if they are not playing computer games must be talking with people
D is out of scope and irrelevant as the argument is about the after-hours computer games played
E is irrelevant
Conclusion : Children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
Premise : After-school hours spent playing computer games are hours not spent talking with people.
A is out of scope and is presumption, as it is not given in the argument that they watch TV or listen to music
B is irrelevant
C strengthens the premise, if they are not playing computer games must be talking with people
D is out of scope and irrelevant as the argument is about the after-hours computer games played
E is irrelevant
Regards,
Arvind
Arvind
-
RadiumBall
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:49 am
- Thanked: 5 times
Another typical case when GMAT plays the trick...just because GMAT says OA is C it is C and not A...I wish I had a Crystal ball...
Now just because children do not spend their afterschool hours with computers does not mean they could be talking to people, they could very well be sleeping...
Now just because children do not spend their afterschool hours with computers does not mean they could be talking to people, they could very well be sleeping...
-
arora007
- Community Manager
- Posts: 1048
- Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:26 am
- Location: India
- Thanked: 51 times
- Followed by:27 members
- GMAT Score:670
nothing is there in the argument about the passive activities mentioned in choice A.S0laris wrote:Although computers can enhance people�s ability to communicate, computer games are a cause of underdeveloped communication skills in children. After-school hours spent playing computer games are hours not spent talking with people. Therefore, children who spend all their spare time playing these games have less experience in interpersonal communication than other children have.
The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?
(A) Passive activities such as watching television and listening to music do not hinder the development of communication skills in children.
(B) Most children have other opportunities, in addition to after-school hours, in which they can choose whether to play computer games or to interact with other people.
(C) Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
(D) Formal instruction contributes little or nothing to children�s acquisition of communication skills.
(E) The mental skills developed through playing computer games do not contribute significantly to children�s intellectual development.
Obviously, answer is C, but doesn't A look like defensive assumption ? If it does, what is its priority in comparison with direct assumption ?
https://www.skiponemeal.org/
https://twitter.com/skiponemeal
Few things are impossible to diligence & skill.Great works are performed not by strength,but by perseverance
pm me if you find junk/spam/abusive language, Lets keep our community clean!!
https://twitter.com/skiponemeal
Few things are impossible to diligence & skill.Great works are performed not by strength,but by perseverance
pm me if you find junk/spam/abusive language, Lets keep our community clean!!
-
sachindia
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:39 am
- Location: Bengaluru, India
- Thanked: 6 times
- Followed by:3 members
- GMAT Score:640
Could somebody explain me how to negate C?C
Children who do not spend all of their after-school hours playing computer games spend at least some of that time talking with other people.
If u negate this then the conclsuion falls apart since these children will not longer get more "experience" in communication. The conclusion falls apart.
Regards,
Sach
Sach
