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 field at an older age than is usual. Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been
working in their field for at least fifteen years, the studies' finding 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 playwhich of the following roles?

(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.

(B) The first is an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument; the second is
that position.

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

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

This is a OG question. Pls give your explanations for the Ans.
_________________

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed--Michael Jordan
Kudos drives a person to better himself every single time. So Pls give it generously
Wont give up till i hit a 700+

The wordiness really throws me off. Is there a way to combat this?

Here is how I did this problem (50 seconds on the timer).


I stopped reading (A) since the first portion is not a claim.


I stopped reading (B) since the first portion is not an objection.


I kept reading further.

I stopped reading (C) since I felt that the first portion supported what the argument wanted to say.


I noticed that (D) looks very similar to (C), so I just skipped it. It only took me a second or two.

Here I prepared to read (E) completely and to make sure that it is 100% correct. I also mentally prepared to go back and reconsider the previous choices, just in case I had made a mistake.


It took a few seconds to let it sink in and then concluded that it was the right choice. Of course, on real test I would have spent another 30 seconds or another minute to double-check myself.
_________________

Sergey Orshanskiy, Ph.D.