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

Question

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition with Lots of Fun

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
(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

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Manhattan Prep Official Explanation

Step 1: Identify the Question 
 
The words  most useful in evaluating  in the question stem indicate that this is an Evaluate the Argument question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument 
 
An anthropologist notes that most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing and that finding the sound of running water relaxing is heritable. She claims that early humans who lived near running water would have had  significant advantages  over humans that did not: Those people who settled near running water  as a result of finding the sound relaxing  would have had more offspring  than early humans who did not find the sound of running water relaxing . Essentially, the author believes that some early people found the sound of running water relaxing, and so settled near it. Then, because running water provides  significant advantages , these people had  more offspring  than people who were not relaxed by the sound of running water. As a result, most people today find the sound of running water relaxing.

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal 
 
The author makes two major assumptions. First, the author assumes that early humans who were not relaxed by the sound of running water were less likely to settle there. If there were other reasons to settle near running water—such as being  cleaner and safer to drink —humans might settle near it even if they didn’t find the sound relaxing. Second, the author assumes that finding the sound of running water relaxing wasn’t widespread amongst humans before some groups started to settle near sources of it. If most people already found the sound relaxing, it was merely survivor bias that resulted in the greater proliferation of groups that settled near running water. Both of these assumptions involve a correlation of finding the sound of running water relaxing and choosing to settle near it as a result.

Step 4: Work From Wrong to Right

(A) The argument makes it clear that  early humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not . Perhaps some of those people found ways to mitigate, but not eliminate, those disadvantages. However, knowing that does not help evaluate any of the assumptions made by this author.

(B) CORRECT. The double negative wording in this choice is confusing. Start with the opposite: If early humans  did  avoid settling in places where they didn’t feel relaxed, the anthropologist’s argument would be strengthened. People who didn’t find the sound of water relaxing would settle elsewhere, and only those who found the sound of running water relaxing would reap the benefits of living near it. If, however, early people who were not relaxed by the sound of running water still settled near it anyway, then they would have gained the same benefits as did those who found the sound relaxing. In this case, the anthropologist’s argument would be weakened.

(C) Knowing by what percent these two groups differed does not address the author’s assumptions. For one, knowing that the difference in size between groups is, say, 10%, does not tell you which group is greater in number. And even knowing that the group that settled near running water was, indeed, greater in number would not help evaluate the argument that it was an affinity for the relaxing sound of running water that brought them there to begin with.

(D) The anthropologist makes it clear that  humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages for survival and reproduction over those who did not  (i.e., those that lived near still or stagnant water or near no water at all). However, knowing the comparison of the number of offspring of those settling near still water and those settling near no water at all does not help determine whether the anthropologist's explanation for why most people find the sound of running water relaxing is valid.

(E) The anthropologist is not attempting to explain why people find the sound of water relaxing at all, but why  most people do . This is a question of prevalence. Knowing the reason for the preference does not, on its own, help to explain whether the anthropologist’s explanation for the widespread occurrence of that preference is correct.

Lizaza · Answer

What I immediately dislike about the anthropologist's argument is that he compares people who actually  'settled near running water'  to those who just  'didn't find the sound of running water relaxing' .
There is instantly a question: those who disliked the running water, did they still sometimes live next to it out of survival concerns? Because this is not addressed by the author whatsoever, while the remaining logical assumptions seem to be quite legit. Therefore, I will be looking for something along these lines in the answer options - did or didn't people settle somewhere regardless of their tastes.

Okay, knowing that people could survive near stagnant water is helpful - but the word 'some' is very limiting. Even if someone reproduced safely, how many people was it? Is it statistically significant?
This option doesn't really say any of that, so   A is wrong .

This seems like what we were looking for exactly: it addresses the question of whether not liking the sound of running water made all the difference. I'll illustrate it with the  variance test: 
If people avoided settling there, it reinforces the author's point and makes the argument legit.
If, however, enjoying the sound made no difference at all, then people not liking running water may have still lived next to it and enjoyed its perks, and would've produced as numerous an offspring as those liking the sound, which doesn't explain the dominance of running water-lovers today - and hence destroys the anthropologist's explanation.
So,   B looks right the right answer.

'At any given time' is rather vague - plus, what does the percentage give us? We know nothing of the preferences of those who live near stagnant water. Maybe, quite opposite to the author's logic,
all of the stagnant water dwellers would have dearly loved to listen to the sound of a waterfall all day long! In any case, this option fills no gaps in the reasoning and sheds no light on the conclusion. 
Therefore,   C is wrong .

This option is completely irrelevant, as it shifts the focus from categories A and B in question to one more category C - no-water dwellers. We don't need to consider them, because we have
no information or reasoning regarding them. Therefore,   D is wrong .

This one is a good contender, because it seems to refute the author's argument from an unexpected angle. And yet, it doesn't pass the variance testing.
That is to say, if indeed the reason for liking running water is different, then anthropologist's reasoning is made null and void.
However, if the answer to question E is 'now', people don't enjoy the water sound because of their brain - then it becomes completely irrelevant to evaluating the author's prompt, and doesn't 
help us with the question at all. If the answer is correct, it should shed the light on the task in both cases, whether it's 'yes' or 'no', which is not the case. So,   E is wrong .

---

Thus, we are left with   B, which is the correct answer.

Elite097 · 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? 
The explanation given is that finding the sound relaxing is a HERITABLE trait that most people have. The argument rests on the logic that since people who moved there earlier would be more likely to have offspring till the reproductive stage and since trait is heritable, the offspring would also be more likely to find the sound relaxing because it is a heritable trait (transferable from parents) and this is why most people alive find the sound relaxing--- produce more kids > kids also get the heritable trait. We want to evaluate this reasoning.

(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-- does not help in evaluating 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--- yes they did not avoid - this would be a weakener because even though found the music relaxing they still settled in other locations where they were not relaxed so this would weaken the explanation given that this is so because of heritable trait

No- they did not not avoid would be a strengthener because this would mean the explanation holds and heritabe trait is the reason.

(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---- comparing wrong groups of population

(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-----no : strengthens , yes - does not weaken because the explanation given could still hold even if this chocie is true because it could be that it is heritable and they think that the sound is relaxing too as a result of the heritance

Ans B

pintukr · 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?

Pre-thinking. Anthropologist's explanation of most people finding the running water 'relaxing' because of greater chances of survival of offsprings' survival till reproductive age. 
-- If there're other locations where most people could settle, it will attack the conclusion.
-- If there're no other locations where most people could settle, it will support the conclusion.

(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
 Given that 'Running water tends to be cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water' ; purification of water may not be necessary..Hence, doesn't help evaluate 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

If YES, it supports the conclusion; If NO, it nullifies the conclusion of the argument. Hence, the prompt is a useful parameter for evaluation of the argument. Hence, the correct answer.

(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

No information about the percentage in numerical terms ; moreover there may have been early humans who preferred neither running water nor stagnant 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

no comparison possible amongst those people finding running water relaxing and those who didn't find the sound of running water relaxing

(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

Out of scope. since impact of peaceful sleep on reproductivity or survival has not been discussed in the passage.

So, (B) is the correct answer

rvgmat12 · Answer

Premises:
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.

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.

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
No. This information doesn't help us evaluate the argument. Whether they had methods to purify the stagnant water doesn't change the premise that humans who settled near running water would have had significant advantages.

(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
Yes - the conclusion of the argument stands invalidated. Humans could have settled at other locations that offered other important benefits
No - the conclusion of the argument stands

(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
No. We cannot determine the veracity of the argument by getting this information 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
No. This information doesn't help us evaluate 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
No. We are not evaluating the reason people find the sound of running water relaxing

rxb266 · Answer

Anthropologist conclusion: Finding the sound of running water relaxing is a heritable trait that most people alive today have.
Premise 1: 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.
Premise 2: 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.

Question stem:

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 right answer to Evaluate the Argument questions is the one when answered YES affects the conclusion and when answered No also affects the conclusion.

(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

Even if humans who settled next to stagnant water had methods to purify their water, this does not give us the reason as to why most people alive today find the sound of running water relaxing. INCORRECT !!

(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

If this is True, then there is possibility that group of humans who do not find the sound of running water relaxing settled near such places and their offspring survived. So it weakens anthropologist’s conclusion.

If this is False, then anthropologist’s conclusions is further validated .

Likely Correct.

(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

The issue of percentage of difference is Tangential to the argument. INCORRECT.

(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

The number of offspring’s between two groups of early humans is not discussed in the argument and does not affect the conclusion. INCORRECT.

(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 argument is about whether<< Finding the sound of running water relaxing>> is a heritable trait. It does not concern WHY?? People find that relaxing !! INCORRECT !!

IMO Option B

Suraj0184 · 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?

(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
 Doesn't justify the conclusion of the argument of more offspring for those finding the sound of running water 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
 If they avoided, conclusion justified..If they didn't avoid, conclusion not justified..correct parameter for evaluation

(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 option

(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
 No discussion in this prompt about finding the sound of running water relaxing..Hence, not correct parameter for evaluation

(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
 Out of scope, since no discussion regarding brain in the passage

IMO, (B) will be the answer

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

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

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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My Rewards