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05 Oct 2025, 22:58
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D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
61% (02:01) correct
39%
(02:11)
wrong
based on 173
sessions
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Not Attempted Yet
Education researchers recently concluded a study that seems to counter the prevailing opinion that first-graders who completed preschool programs prior to entering kindergarten do better academically than other first-graders. In the study, male first-graders who attended preschool programs performed no better than other male first-graders on reading tests.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the claim that first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs perform better academically?
A. Female first-graders perform better than male first-graders on these reading tests.
B. Female first-graders who completed preschool programs, on average, take more difficult reading tests.
C. First-graders who completed preschool programs are more satisfied with their performance in school.
D. Urban first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs receive better grades than do other urban first-graders.
E. Younger siblings of graduates of preschool programs also attend preschool programs.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the claim that first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs perform better academically?
A. Female first-graders perform better than male first-graders on these reading tests.
B. Female first-graders who completed preschool programs, on average, take more difficult reading tests.
C. First-graders who completed preschool programs are more satisfied with their performance in school.
D. Urban first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs receive better grades than do other urban first-graders.
E. Younger siblings of graduates of preschool programs also attend preschool programs.
05 Oct 2025, 23:03
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Hey Experts,
This question appeared in a Princeton mock, and I???m a bit skeptical about the argument. My initial thought was that there???s a gap in the representative sample the author relies on. The study focuses only on male first graders who attended preschool programs and found that they performed no better than other male first graders. Yet, the author concludes that preschool programs in general don???t improve performance for children entering kindergarten.
However, the official answer says the correct option strengthens the argument. Shouldn???t the right answer instead strengthen the idea that the male first graders are a representative sample of all first graders?
I???m confused here???please help me understand.
This question appeared in a Princeton mock, and I???m a bit skeptical about the argument. My initial thought was that there???s a gap in the representative sample the author relies on. The study focuses only on male first graders who attended preschool programs and found that they performed no better than other male first graders. Yet, the author concludes that preschool programs in general don???t improve performance for children entering kindergarten.
However, the official answer says the correct option strengthens the argument. Shouldn???t the right answer instead strengthen the idea that the male first graders are a representative sample of all first graders?
I???m confused here???please help me understand.
06 Oct 2025, 00:03
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Akshat_verma_25
Akshat_verma_25 I can see you've done excellent critical thinking here - you correctly identified the gap in the study's sample! The confusion stems from a crucial detail in the question stem that determines which argument you're supposed to support.
The Key Issue: Which Claim Are You Strengthening?
The question asks: "Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the claim that first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs perform better academically?"
This is asking you to strengthen the prevailing opinion (that preschool HELPS), NOT the study's finding (that showed no benefit for males).
Why Option D is Correct
Option D: "Urban first-graders who are graduates of preschool programs receive better grades than do other urban first-graders."
This directly demonstrates that in urban settings, preschool graduates DO perform better academically. This strengthens the prevailing opinion by providing concrete evidence that preschool helps - at least for certain populations - despite the study's findings about males.
What Went Wrong in Your Approach
Your instinct about representative samples was actually excellent CR thinking! You correctly identified that the study only examined male first-graders, which is indeed a limitation.
However, you then tried to prove the male sample was representative to support the study's conclusion. But the question asks you to do the opposite - strengthen the prevailing opinion that preschool does help, which the study challenged.
The gap you identified (males-only sample) actually weakens the study's ability to disprove the prevailing opinion. Option D goes further by providing positive evidence that preschool does benefit students in at least one context.
I hope this clears up your confusion! Feel free to ask any follow-up questions you may have.
