12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: Anthropologist: Finding

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption (not relevant)
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits ( Same as A)
(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time - (Correct- If yes it can strenghten the conclusion, if not this option can undermine the conclusion)
(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all (doesn’t help us since the argument considers only the issue of heritable trait)
(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep (This might seem as the answer, but I think it is not. This option deviates to real life examples)

Answer is A
Anthropologist: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have. Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not. So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

Which of the following would be most useful in evaluating the anthropologist’s explanation for why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing?
The author's reason for this is that early humans who had running water near them had far more offspring so that offspring found the sound of running water relaxing

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption If this is true, then the assumption that early human had more offspring because they settled near running water has no ground. Correct
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits Irrelevant
(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time Not relevant. vague
(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all We do not concern about the people who settled near no water.
(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep We concern about this as a heritable trait, not the functions.

A) Contender. Keep.

B) Not really relevant.

C) We could have a large percent of early humans who settled near still water, and they would still die off, or we could have a small number of early humans who did so. Does not influence the argument in any way. Eliminate.

D) Contender. Keep.

E) This would explain why humans find it relaxing, but does not help in evaluating the argument.

D vs A.
A) Only gives information about some of the early humans. Even if some had methods to purify their water, it does not tell us about the majority of the groups near still water.

D is a lot stronger. If it is true that humans who settled near still water sources had a lot more offspring than humans who did not, it questions the argument: Is liking the sound of running water really inherited from having ancestors that lived near running water, if a majority of the ancestors were from still water places? Likewise, if it turns out that the still water groups had much less offspring than the running water groups, then it strengthens one of the arguments: Early humans who settled near running water had more offspring and reproduced more due to the cleaner running water.

D.

A is the answer.

Anthropologist: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have. Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not. So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

Which of the following would be most useful in evaluating the anthropologist’s explanation for why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing?

Interpret the stem:
We need to note the explanation in the passage and then determine, based on information in one of the answers, if that explanation helps us get to a valid conclusion.

Conclusion:
So, early humans who settled near running water, ... must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than (other) early humans.

Premises:
--Running water relaxing and inherited
--Running water SAFER
running water ----> safer water
--Safer water allows the advantage to have more offspring reproduce
Safer water ----> More offspring reproduce.

Prediction: outlined under interpreting the stem above.

Let's consider the options:

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption
I like it. If running water is not necessary for safety, then the other areas can also have their offspring grow to maturity and reproduce! This gets us to the conclusion without the explanation of doing better if they inherit a trait that makes them more likely to settle near running water. We CAN now evaluate the argument. This information renders the conclusion above invalid.
A completes the goal of the stem.

Let's consider the others:
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits
'other important benefits' are out of the scope of the argument. We need to evaluate the safety of running water...
Safer water ----> More offspring reproduce.

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time
This does not complete the comparison as to whether living near running water allows more offspring to reproduce than settling near stagnant water. This doesn't answer the question.

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
Like C, this does not complete the comparison given. (This changes the comparison so it is irrelevant.)

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep
This does not even address the comparison of the safety of the different water types. Irrelevant.

A addresses the comparison and renders the point made in the passage mute. One cannot get to the conclusion given IF other areas can also have safe water. BAM!

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption - Correct. Whole premise is "Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not". This statement will make or break the explanation.

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits - "feeling relaxed" is irrelevant.

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time - percent will tell you where population was more dense but not how
they fared in future.

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all - incomplete as survival of offspring also matters here.

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep - then it is not a heritable trait.

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all

D looks fine to me

We need to evaluate the anthropologist’s explanation.


Anthropologist’s explanation: Running water relaxing because of better offspring health & reproduction.

Pre-thinking : to evaluate this we need to know whether this is the only reason for the relaxation.

POE

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption Irelavant

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefitsSo what??It's not about settling.

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given timeOFS, It has nothing to do with the relaxation factor. Moreover differed doesn't signify the difference.

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all Irrelavant, Not bothered about other groups

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep Hmm, Inline with pre-thinking. If this is true then conclusion is valid, If it's false then the conclusion is not valid.

IMO E

Anthropologist: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have. Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not. So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

According to the argument, most people alive today finds sound of running water relaxing which is acquired from heritable trait. So the anthropologist concludes that early humans settled near running water produced more offspring survive to reproductive age than those not settled near stagnant water.

In order to evaluate the anthropologist’s explanation for why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing we then need how this heritable trait has passed through different periods, from earlier time periods till current time. Did people living near running water survived better than people who lived near stagnant water.



(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption
Safety of drinking water is out of scope of the argument. The argument is on the heritable trait by which the early humans can be transferable to later generation and the relaxing count has made offspring to survive longer to produce more offsprings. Eliminate



(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits
Other important benefits is beyond the scope of the argument.Eliminate.



(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time
This option in its evaluation provides further historical information about how many early humans were settling near both running water and stagnant water. Clearly if this information is available we can evaluate whether the most people are settled closer to running waters(as the offsprings survived so that upon maturity more offsprings evolved).
This option is valid and requirement. Keep C.

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
This option does not consider early humans settled near stagnant water. The evaluation may become inaccurate with this option, and only considers past possibility of only one event. Eliminate.


(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep
Stimulation of brain and peaceful sleep are out of scope of the argument. Eliminate.



Hence the best answer choice is C.

Anthropologist: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have. Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not. So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

Anthropologist explanation depends on that humans who settled near running water is having more offspring's, hence it is useful in determining anthropologist argument whether this is true or not.

Which of the following would be most useful in evaluating the anthropologist’s explanation for why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing?

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits
(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time
(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption.. out of scope
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits..out of scope
(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time...we need reasons for settlement near running water
(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all..irrelevant as we are looking for reasons of settling near running water
(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep..correct because it creates a soothing effect hence relaxing

E is the answer

Posted from my mobile device

OA) A
Anthropologist: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have. Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water, and groups of early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not. So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

Which of the following would be most useful in evaluating the anthropologist’s explanation for why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing?

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption
--> this information will tell whether people who settle near stagnant water survive and based on that can find whether the offspring of these people survive, and this information helpful to evaluate the argument

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed if that location offered the group other important benefits
--> argument is already about people who settled near running water because they find it relaxing vs. those not settled near running because it's not relaxing

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time
--> this information will not lead to whether the offspring of people who settled near running water are more

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
--> still need the information regarding these offspring survived or not

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep
--> this information cannot connect the offspring's survival to running water

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption. This is irrelevant to find if the humans find the running water sound relaxing.

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits. Double negative and a tricky choice. The first half is useful but we are not focused about the other benefits. So eliminate this

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time. Irrelevant

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all. This is what the premise is talking about. so finding a YES/NO to this will help in evaluating the argument.

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep. irrelevant

Ans D

Explanation:
The conclusion of the argument is that finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have.
The premise (logic) of the argument is that settling near running water confers some advantages to humans in the form of more offspring surviving to reproductive age than those who did not find the sound of water relaxing and did not settle near running water.
The premise and conclusion can be linked as:
Finding sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait----->running water confers advantage------> advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age.
We need to evaluate the options observing their impact on the premise (logic) on which the conclusion is based.

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption.
Whether there were methods to purify water or not has neither any impact on the conclusion (finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait) nor any relevance with the premise (running water confers advantage------> advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age). OUT.

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits.
Whether there were other important benefits is beyond the scope of the argument as the premise deals with the particular advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age and this statement has no bearing on the premise. OUT.

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time.
This statement has no bearing on the premise (running water confers advantage------> advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age).

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
This has a direct impact on the conclusion (finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait) as it directly attacks the premise (running water confers advantage------>advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age). If the answer to the given statement is yes, then it is in line with the premise and the conclusion holds true but if the answer to the given statement is no i.e. if groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would not have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all, then the premise (running water confers advantage------>advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age) is falsified bringing the conclusion (Finding sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait) into question because the premise and conclusion are linked as: Finding sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait----->running water confers advantage------> advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age. KEEP IT.

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep. This attacks the conclusion (Finding sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait) by giving another reason for people finding the sound of running water relaxing but fails to address the premise (running water confers advantage------> advantage of more offspring surviving to reproductive age). Hence, OUT.

ANSWER D.

Conclusion: So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption - Out of scope, Eliminate
(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits, Out of scope, Eliminate
(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time. Out of scope. Eliminate
(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all - Out of scope, Eliminate
(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep. - So, early humans who settled near running water as a result of finding the sound relaxing must have had far more offspring survive to reproductive age than early humans who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing.
Correct

Ans : E

(A) Whether some early humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, such as boiling it, so that it was safe for consumption
--> Irrelevant as this does not help in evaluating the explanation

(B) Whether groups of early humans did not avoid settling in locations at which they did not feel relaxed, if that location offered the group other important benefits
--> This has to be an assumption for the argument to hold

(C) The percent by which the number of early humans settling near running water differed from the number of early humans settling near stagnant water at any given time
--> This might show the percentage difference would not be able to help compare the offspring ratios

(D) Whether groups of early humans that settled near still water sources would have had significantly more offspring than did groups that did not settle near water at all
--> If this is true or false, we can question the conclusion

(E) Whether the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing is because it masks noises that could stimulate the brain, resulting in more peaceful sleep
--> The reason for the feeling of relaxation is irrelevant


IMHO Option D

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