Critical Reasoning

chaitanya.mehrotra wrote:A recent research study of undergraduate students analyzed the effects of music on human emotions. Each of the 200 participants attended at least 1 two-hour concert of classical music per week over the course of 12 weeks of their spring semester. At the end of the experiment, all of the students filled out a questionnaire assessing their emotional state. Based on the results of the questionnaires, all of the 10 students who attended the greatest number of concerts reported lower stress levels and higher satisfaction with their lives. Also, most of the 20 students who attended the fewest number of concerts reported below-average levels of emotional comfort.

Which of the following must be true based on the evidence presented above?

a) Most of the 200 participants improved their emotional state and lowered their stress levels. Initial emotional state and stress level not discussed. So, We Cannt Infer

b) During each week of the experiment, the participants spent at least 2 hours less on their academic work as a result of concert attendance. academic work not discussed

c) Listening to classical music for at least 2 hours per week improves the emotional well-being of the majority of young adults.Very Specific conclusion. We are interested in Human emotions

d) More than 6 participants attended at least 14 concerts during the course of the experiment. Correct

e) At least some of the students participated in the study in order to gain free access to classical concerts. purpose not discussed

OA after some discussion

chaitanya.mehrotra wrote:A recent research study of undergraduate students analyzed the effects of music on human emotions. Each of the 200 participants attended at least 1 two-hour concert of classical music per week over the course of 12 weeks of their spring semester. At the end of the experiment, all of the students filled out a questionnaire assessing their emotional state. Based on the results of the questionnaires, all of the 10 students who attended the greatest number of concerts reported lower stress levels and higher satisfaction with their lives. Also, most of the 20 students who attended the fewest number of concerts reported below-average levels of emotional comfort.

Which of the following must be true based on the evidence presented above?

a) Most of the 200 participants improved their emotional state and lowered their stress levels.
This statement says that more than 90% of students (referring to word MOST) have improved their emotional state which cannot be properly concluded from the premise.

b) During each week of the experiment, the participants spent at least 2 hours less on their academic work as a result of concert attendance.
Time management of students is not discussed in passage.

c) Listening to classical music for at least 2 hours per week improves the emotional well-being of the majority of young adults.
This statement tries to conclude something if students visit atleast 2 hours per week but the argument states results based on if a student visits atleast 1 hour per week. Thus Eliminate.

d) More than 6 participants attended at least 14 concerts during the course of the experiment.

e) At least some of the students participated in the study in order to gain free access to classical concerts.
Charges or student's interest with respect to classical music concerts is not discussed in the argument. This eliminate.

OA after some discussion

chaitanya.mehrotra wrote:A recent research study of undergraduate students analyzed the effects of music on human emotions. Each of the 200 participants attended at least 1 two-hour concert of classical music per week over the course of 12 weeks of their spring semester. At the end of the experiment, all of the students filled out a questionnaire assessing their emotional state. Based on the results of the questionnaires, all of the 10 students who attended the greatest number of concerts reported lower stress levels and higher satisfaction with their lives. Also, most of the 20 students who attended the fewest number of concerts reported below-average levels of emotional comfort.

Which of the following must be true based on the evidence presented above?

a) Most of the 200 participants improved their emotional state and lowered their stress levels.

b) During each week of the experiment, the participants spent at least 2 hours less on their academic work as a result of concert attendance.

c) Listening to classical music for at least 2 hours per week improves the emotional well-being of the majority of young adults.

d) More than 6 participants attended at least 14 concerts during the course of the experiment.

e) At least some of the students participated in the study in order to gain free access to classical concerts.

OA after some discussion

nileshdalvi wrote:@kanwar86: What if they attender concert after their colleges?..

nileshdalvi wrote:I think even if you consider academic work as a broad thing spanning class assignments, tutions etc., there can still be other time in the day which students can spend on concert (2 hrs less sleep for example). It is impractical for academia to span for a day. So it cannot be convincingly said that those 2 hours come from academic work and not from sleep, play, free time etc.