Doctor: Research shows that adolescents who play video games on a regular basis are three times as likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome as are adolescents who do not play video games. Federal legislation that prohibits the sale of video games to minors would help curb this painful wrist condition among adolescents.

The doctor’s conclusion depends on which of the following assumptions?
A. The majority of federal legislators would vote for a bill that prohibits the sale of video games to minors.
B. Not all adolescents who play video games on a regular basis suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
C.Playing video games is the only way an adolescent can develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
D.Most parents would refuse to purchase video games for their adolescent children.
E. The regular playing of video games by adolescents does not produce such beneficial effects as better hand-eye coordination and improved reaction time.

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Cheers,
SD

Hey All,

I'm happy to help out on one of our questions!

The important thing with this question, as with the majority of CR questions, is to focus on the EXACT wording of the conclusion. In this case, we can paraphrase to say "Federal legislation that you can't sell games to minors will HELP PREVENT kids from getting carpal tunnel."

Now, let's go through the ACs.

A. The majority of federal legislators would vote for a bill that prohibits the sale of video games to minors.
-- The question isn't whether or not the legislation will pass, but what would happen if it did.

B. Not all adolescents who play video games on a regular basis suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
--This isn't the point either. We want to totally keep kids from getting carpal tunnel, so that only applies to the ones that do get it.

C.Playing video games is the only way an adolescent can develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
--This isn't the issue either. We never said we would stop all cases of carpal tunnel, but only that we would "curb" it.

D.Most parents would refuse to purchase video games for their adolescent children.
--Aha. Now we have a problem. If parents just go out and buy the games for their kids (because only minors were prevented from purchasing it in the legislation), then nothing is going to change.

E. The regular playing of video games by adolescents does not produce such beneficial effects as better hand-eye coordination and improved reaction time.
--The question isn't about whether video games are bad or good. The question is whether or not we can keep them from causing carpal tunnel.


The correct answer here is D.

Hope that helps!

Tommy Wallach
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Tommy Wallach | Manhattan GMAT Instructor | San Francisco

Manhattan GMAT Discount | Manhattan GMAT Reviews

D

The doctor’s conclusion depends on which of the following assumptions?
Conclusion - Federal legislation that prohibits......condition among adolescents
Supporting premises - Research shows...who do not play video games
A --> Conclusion does not focuses on Federal legislation
B --> Alreay stated in the argument (three times as likely to develop)
C --> Not stated in the argument
D --> Work as the missing link ( This is correct)
E. --> Out of scope