It is widely assumed that people need to engage in intellectual activities such as
solving crossword puzzles or mathematics problems in order to maintain mental
sharpness as they age. In fact, however, simply talking to other people—that is,
participating in social interaction, which engages many mental and perceptual
skills—suffices. Evidence to this effect comes from a study showing that the more
social contact people report, the better their mental skills.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the force of the evidence
cited?
(A) As people grow older, they are often advised to keep exercising their
physical and mental capacities in order to maintain or improve them.
(B) Many medical conditions and treatments that adversely affect a person’s
mental sharpness also tend to increase that person’s social isolation.
(C) Many people are proficient both in social interactions and in solving
mathematical problems.
(D) The study did not itself collect data but analyzed data bearing on the
issue from prior studies.
(E) The tasks evaluating mental sharpness for which data were compiled by the study were more akin to mathematics problems than to conversation.
Experts, Please help me to understand this question.
solving crossword puzzles or mathematics problems in order to maintain mental
sharpness as they age. In fact, however, simply talking to other people—that is,
participating in social interaction, which engages many mental and perceptual
skills—suffices. Evidence to this effect comes from a study showing that the more
social contact people report, the better their mental skills.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the force of the evidence
cited?
(A) As people grow older, they are often advised to keep exercising their
physical and mental capacities in order to maintain or improve them.
(B) Many medical conditions and treatments that adversely affect a person’s
mental sharpness also tend to increase that person’s social isolation.
(C) Many people are proficient both in social interactions and in solving
mathematical problems.
(D) The study did not itself collect data but analyzed data bearing on the
issue from prior studies.
(E) The tasks evaluating mental sharpness for which data were compiled by the study were more akin to mathematics problems than to conversation.
Experts, Please help me to understand this question.
