abhi758 wrote:
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 play which 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.
SolutionUnderstand the passageScientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty.The author presents a generic observation.
She says that generally scientists put forth their most creative work, before they cross the age of forty
It is commonly thought that this happens because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity.Here the author provides the reason behind the generic observation.
Aging leads to a reduction in the creative capacity and that is why a scientist does his most creative work before forty
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. But, there are studies that tell a different tale. It has been observed that the scientists who produce their most creative work after forty, a considerably large number of them started their career as a scientist at an older age than the usual age at which scientists start their careers.
Here the author provides a second observation to show a disagreement with the first generic observation.
So, this part of the argument is going in the opposite direction of the generic observation
Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years,The large majority of scientists will have been working in their fields for at least fifteen years by the time they reach forty; and because of this
(Here the author begins to explain the logic behind the second observation. From here onwards, the argument goes in the same direction as the second observation)
the studies’ finding strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work isThe results of the studies indicate that the actual reason why scientists older than forty hardly ever produce highly creative work
(continuing with the logic/explanation behind the second observation)
not that they have aged but rather that scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their field.is not because they have grown old but because they have spent too much time in their field.
Pre-thinking1st Bold FaceRole = Observation/evidence
Relationship = Used to support the explanation behind that observation .
2nd Bold FaceRole = explanation behind the observation why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work.
Relationship =goes in the same direction as the observation in the 1st boldface.
OverallBoth go hand in hand in the same direction.
The first is a surface observation and the second explains that observation.
Answer Choice AnalysisAThe first is a claim,No. It is not a claim being made by the author. It is an observation.
the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument;No. It is not refuted in the passage.
the second is a conclusion drawnNo. It is part of an explanation
on the basis of that claim.No. No claim is the basis of this explanation.
Thus, this is not the correct choice
BThe first is an objection that has been raisedNo. It is not an objection
against a position defended in the argument;No. It is not against the argument
the second is that positionNo. It is not any position or claim. It is merely an explanation of an earlier observation
Thus, this is not the correct choice
CThe first is evidence that has been used toYes. It is an observation that has been used
support an explanation that the argument challenges;No. It has been used to support an explanation that goes in the same direction as the evidence
the second is that explanation.
Yes. This is the explanation that is supported by the evidence in the first boldface.
Thus, this is not the correct choice.
DThe first is evidence that has been usedYes. It is an observation that has been used
to support an explanation that the argument challenges;No. It has been used to support an explanation that goes in the same direction as the evidence
the second is a competing explanation that the argument favors.Yes, we can say that the second statement is a competing explanation that is favored by the argument.
Thus, this is not the correct choice.
EThe first provides evidenceYes. It is an observation that has been used
to support an explanation that the argument favors;
Yes. This observation supports and goes in the same direction as the argument. It is used to explain what the argument is trying to state.
the second is that explanationYes. This is the explanation of the observation that the argument uses in the first boldface
Thus, this is the correct choice.