Boldface play which of the below roles

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Boldface play which of the below roles

by PankajRai » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:33 am
PLease help me find out a approach such kind of question?

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 of
scientists who produce highly creative work
beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately
large number entered their fi eld at an older age
than is usual
. Since by the age of forty the large
majority of scientists have been working in their fi eld
for at least fi fteen years, the studies' fi nding strongly
suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty
rarely produce highly creative work is not that they
have aged but rather that scientists over forty have
generally spent too long in their field
.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface
play which of the following roles?
(A) The fi rst is a claim, the accuracy of which is at
issue in the argument; the second is a
conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.
(B) The fi rst is an objection that has been raised
against a position defended in the argument;
the second is that position.
(C) The fi rst is evidence that has been used to
support an explanation that the argument
challenges; the second is that explanation.
(D) The fi rst is evidence that has been used to
support an explanation that the argument
challenges; the second is a competing
explanation that the argument favors.
(E) The fi rst provides evidence to support an
explanation that the argument favors; the
second is that explanation.
Last edited by PankajRai on Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

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by Sanjay2706 » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:48 am
I am sorry but I do not see any boldface.
could you post the question again please?

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by sanabk » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:14 pm

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by snigdhakul » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:27 pm
IMO C

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by sunnyjohn » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:22 pm
IMO E

The main point of argument is : Reason of loss of creativity after age of 40.

Normal View : Aging cause loss of creativity.
Premise: no premise given as this is a common view accepted.

Author View : Too much time in same field cause loss of creativity.
Premise : A finding of a study.


(A) The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at
issue in the argument; the second is a
conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.
Accuracy of finding of study is not at issue in Argument.

(B) The fi rst is an objection that has been raised
against a position defended in the argument;
the second is that position.
First part is indeed in favor of position defended by Argument.

(C) The first is evidence that has been used to
support an explanation that the argument
challenges; the second is that explanation.
Lets say first is evidence that support an explanation X. Second is that explanation 'X'.
But is Argument challenging this explanation?


(D) The first is evidence that has been used to
support an explanation that the argument
challenges; the second is a competing
explanation that the argument favors.

Again same, first is an evidence in support of explanation which Argument favors.

(E) The first provides evidence to support an
explanation that the argument favors; the
second is that explanation.

Clear an answer to me

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by vikram4689 » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:15 am
I made the same mistake of choosing C but by contemplating i realized. IMO E.
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by Ozlemg » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:08 am
+1 E
The more you suffer before the test, the less you will do so in the test! :)

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by tpr-becky » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:06 am
The correct answer here is E.

The key word in this is HOWEVER - this tells us that the author is refuting the claim from the sentences before this word. Thus the fact after the word however is a fact that refutes the previous claim and supports the author's conclusion.

the words "the real reason" are also key words to tell you that the author is going to give his conclusion about the cause responsible for the effects discussed in the passage.
Thus the author's conclusion will follow "the real reason" and his facts will follow the "however". Note that a conclusion can also follow "however" if the statement that follows is a statement of opinion rather than fact
Becky
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The Princeton Review
Irvine, CA