Critical Reasoning

An experiment was done in which human subjects recognize a pattern within a matrix of abstract designs and then select another design that completes that pattern. The results of the experiment were surprising. The lowest expenditure of energy in neurons in the brain was found in those subjects who performed most successfully in the experiments.

Which of the following hypotheses best accounts for the findings of the experiment?

(A) The neurons of the brain react less when a subject is trying to recognize patterns than when the subject is doing other kinds of reasoning.

(8) Those who performed best in the experiment experienced more satisfaction when working with abstract patterns than did those who performed less well.

(e) People who are better at abstract pattern recognition have more energy-efficient neural connections.

(D) The energy expenditure of the subjects' brains increases when a design that completes the initially recognized pattern is determined.

(E) The task of completing a given design is more capably performed by athletes, whose energy expenditure is lower when they are at rest.

OA C source og 12

The question stem in effect asks you to identify the conclusion of the passage.
This question stem belongs to family I, so we need to use SCOPE based approach.

A) The neurons of the brain react less when a subject is trying to recognize patterns than when the subject is doing other kinds of reasoning. [ this is a general effect. then according to this energy expended by neurons in all subjects must be low, why especially in those who performed most successfully?? Eliminated!]

(B) Those who performed best in the experiment experienced more satisfaction when working with abstract patterns than did those who performed less well. [comparison error. the stimulus never compared 2 groups based on satisfaction. Eliminated!]

(C) People who are better at abstract pattern recognition have more energy-efficient neural connections. [Bingo! it correctly fits the stimulus and explains why subjects those who performed most successfully have the lowest energy expenditure. My answer!]

(D) The energy expenditure of the subjects' brains increases when a design that completes the initially recognized pattern is determined. [stimulus is talking about lowest energy expenditure. Eliminated!]

(E) The task of completing a given design is more capably performed by athletes, whose energy expenditure is lower when they are at rest. [again, comparison error! athletes and the rest are not compared in the stimulus. Eliminated!]

Hope this helps!