Critical Reasoning

Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty. It is commonly
thought that this happens because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative
capacity. However, studies show that a disproportionately large number of the
scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty entered their
field at an older age than is usual. Since by the age of forty the large majority of
scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years, the studies' finding
strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly
creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that they generally have
spent too long in a given field.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. The first is the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is an
objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument.
B. the first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the
argument opposes; the second is a finding that has been used in support of that
position.
C. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding
that has been used in support of that explanation.
D. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding on
which that challenge is based.
E. The first is an explanation that the argument defends; the second is a finding that
has been used to challenge that explanation.

Conclusion : the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that they generally have spent too long in a given field.

bf1 because aging by itself brings about loss of creative capacity

bf2 large number of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty entered their field at an older age than is usual.


A. The first is the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument.
Incorrect : The second is NOT an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument.

B. the first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a finding that has been used in support of that position.
Incorrect : The second BF is not used in support of the first bf.

C. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding that has been used in support of that explanation.
Incorrect : BF 2 does not support boldface 1

D. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding on which that challenge is based.
Correct : Arrived at this answer choice by POE.

E. The first is an explanation that the argument defends; the second is a finding that has been used to challenge that explanation.
Incorrect : BF 1 does not defend the argument.

My answer is D
reason: 1st statement is "aging by itself brings about a loss of creative
capacity"
this is refuted in the passage's last line

the studies' finding
strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly
creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that they generally have
spent too long in a given field.

statement 2

disproportionately large number of the
scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty entered their
field at an older age than is usual.

is the basis of challenging 1st statement.[/quote]

From the first bold, I was able to narrow the choices down to either A or D since the argument challenges the first bold. In the end I chose D.

Phenomenon - Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty.

Reason 1 - aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity.

And the argument definitely opposes this reason.('However','strong support' cite that the argument opposes this stand)

Reason 2 - they generally have spent too long in a given field

This reason is supported by "a disproportionately large number of the scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty entered their field at an older age than is usual"

First - Some thing which the argument opposes
Second - finding or proof of something that the argument supports.

So D