Critical Reasoning

In an experiment involving taste, researchers had participants try two versions of a cola, one regular and another, called "cola extra," to which a secret ingredient had been added. The researchers found that, when the tasters did not know that the secret ingredient was white vinegar, they preferred "cola extra" by a margin of almost two to one. However, when tasters were told the identity of the secret ingredient before drinking, they preferred the cola without vinegar 98% of the time.

Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for an explanation of this outcome?

(A) Most consumers are excited by the possibility of tasting a "secret ingredient" and will always prefer that choice.
(B) For most consumers, expectation strongly influences the ability to accurately distinguish flavors.
(C) Most cola drinkers prefer beverages without vinegar, even when they do not know vinegar is present.
(D) Researchers skewed results by telling participants in the second group what the secret ingredient was.
(E) The first group of taste testers was disproportionately composed of people who enjoy the taste of vinegar.

OA later some discussion. Please explain your answer choice. Thanks

IMO D

This is my thought.
when secret ingredient is not known the cola extra was taken by a margin two to one
when secret ingredient is known then only cola was taken 98% of time.

D) implies the results obtained by using second group was highly skewed, which agrees with the given.

user123321

In an experiment involving taste, researchers had participants try two versions of a cola, one regular and another, called "cola extra," to which a secret ingredient had been added. The researchers found that, when the tasters did not know that the secret ingredient was white vinegar, they preferred "cola extra" by a margin of almost two to one. However, when tasters were told the identity of the secret ingredient before drinking, they preferred the cola without vinegar 98% of the time.

(A) Most consumers are excited by the possibility of tasting a "secret ingredient" and will always prefer that choice.
---> If most consumers choose it, the ratio would be more than 2:1
(B) For most consumers, expectation strongly influences the ability to accurately distinguish flavors.
--- how can be so sure..?
(C) Most cola drinkers prefer beverages without vinegar, even when they do not know vinegar is present.
--- This is the possible answer
(D) Researchers skewed results by telling participants in the second group what the secret ingredient was.
--- The experiment involved disclosing the ingredient; why does it skew? because people are biased on the ingredient -- vinegar -- so they actually don't prefer vinegar ==> points to answer (C);
(E) The first group of taste testers was disproportionately composed of people who enjoy the taste of vinegar.
-- why first group?

IMO (C) -- is my pick;

IMO (A). Sounds like an "explain the paradox" kind of a question.

In an experiment involving taste, researchers had participants try two versions of a cola, one regular and another, called "cola extra," to which a secret ingredient had been added. The researchers found that, when the tasters did not know that the secret ingredient was white vinegar, they preferred "cola extra" by a margin of almost two to one. However, when tasters were told the identity of the secret ingredient before drinking, they preferred the cola without vinegar 98% of the time.

Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for an explanation of this outcome?

(A) Most consumers are excited by the possibility of tasting a "secret ingredient" and will always prefer that choice. --> This is what explains the paradox. When people do not know, they get excited and prefer that choice.

(B) For most consumers, expectation strongly influences the ability to accurately distinguish flavors. --> If that were so, the results of both experiments would have been the same.

(C) Most cola drinkers prefer beverages without vinegar, even when they do not know vinegar is present. --> This is totally against what the argument states.

(D) Researchers skewed results by telling participants in the second group what the secret ingredient was. --> Ok. This is a fact but does not explain the paradox.

(E) The first group of taste testers was disproportionately composed of people who enjoy the taste of vinegar. --> This is a contender. But it sheds no light on the composition of the second group and consequently on the paradox. Eliminate.

All of you chose incorrect choice. The OA is B

Bummer. Can you provide the reasoning.

Thanks.

GmatVerbal wrote:Bummer. Can you provide the reasoning.

Thanks.

When the researcher said to the subjects of experiment that in cola have "vinegar". The subjects will presume that the cola is contain "vinegar" although it really is not. This expectation affects their ability to taste. They don't like vinegar in their thought although when "vinegar" was kept secret, they almost agree that this taste is good.

can you provide the reasoning why others are wrong. that will be helpful.

And I have one question. From the stem, in the first experiment, the subjects don't know what is the secret ingredient...then how can they presume vinegar in it?

user123321

user123321 wrote:can you provide the reasoning why others are wrong. that will be helpful.

And I have one question. From the stem, in the first experiment, the subjects don't know what is the secret ingredient...then how can they presume vinegar in it?

user123321

No, in the first experiment, the subjects do not know secret ingredient is vinegar => do not have any expectation => not affect subjects' ability to discriminate taste. I will post my reasoning in other choices latter.

Can someone provide a clearer reasoning as to how to choose the correct answer?

Thanks.