For years, people who have recognized that many children are inherent

1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage ?

a) “ADD: A Lack of Willpower”
b) “ADD Research and The Six Clusters of Executive Function”
c) “ADD Medications to Address Neurotransmitter Disruptions”
d) “ADD: A Childhood Behavior Disorder of Hyperactivity”
e) “Moving Towards Understand the ADD Mind”


Correct Answer - E
Explanation - The passage is mostly about understanding the the ADD, what it is, how does brain function during ADD. All the paras of the passage, mostly discuss what is ADD, so E seems the best choice.
Options A,B,C,D are incorrect, because they dont throw any light on what the passage actually talks about.



2. With which of the following is the author most likely to agree ?

a) Children with ADD are likely to do well in school once they are put on stimulant medications.
b) People with ADD are often better able to inhibit impulses while on stimulant medication.
c) ADD is a childhood disorder that does not affect adults.
d) It would be premature to conclude that ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter pathway disruption.
e) Children with ADD are more impulsive when taking Ritalin.


Correct Answer - B,
Explanation - as mentioned in the passage : "Stimulants are not without risks and side effects, and stimulants do not cure ADD. But they do alleviate symptoms while the dose of medication is active."
Option A - incorrect, not discussed in the passage.
Option C - incorrect, as it does affect adults,as mentioned: " ADD is a very real chemical impairment of the brain that persists in adulthood for 30-50% of those diagnosed as children."
Option D - incorrect, as it would not be premature to conclue that ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter pathway disruption.
Option E - incorrect, opposite of the mentioned happens.



3. It can be inferred from the passage that people with ADD

a) are likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood
b) have brain pathways that, when compared to those in people without ADD, are more likely to lead to impulse inhibition
c) are prescribed Ritalin more than any other stimulant to positively affect their neurotransmitters
d) tend to have very low levels of dopamine in their brains
e) may have difficulty with peer and sibling relationships as well as with the completion of tasks at work and school


Correct Answer - E
Explanation - Its clearly mentioned in the end of the 3rd para of the passage as: "The brain of a person with ADD may have difficulty forestalling the impulse to speak out of turn, the inclination to intentionally irritate a sibling (despite knowledge that such action will lead to punishment), the distraction of paperclips on a desk, or the desire to play outside before math homework has been completed.", implying that this is the statement that can readily be inferred from the passage.
Option A - incorrect, not necessarily, as its mentioned in the passage thatADD is a very real chemical impairment of the brain that persists in adulthood for 30-50% of those diagnosed as children.
Option B - incorrect, straightaway not mentioned in the passage in this way.
Option C - incorrect, not necessarily, could be could be, we cannot infer it for sure.
Option D - incorrect, not necessarily, may be they dont have very low levels, its a vague statement and moreover not discussed in depth in the passage.



4. All of the following support the author's contention that ADD is related to the neurotransmitter pathway in the brain EXCEPT

a) Straterra, a medication that affects the neurotransmitter pathway for norepinephrine but not for dopamine, can be effective for some ADD patients.
b) Hundreds of studies have demonstrated that stimulant medications work effectively to alleviate ADD symptoms for 70 to 80 percent of patients.
c) New high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of the brains of children with ADD indicate significant and specific differences of regional brain size within areas of the brain thought to control attentional and inhibitory control systems, compared with brain scans of children without ADD
d) The dopamine theory of ADD is supported by neuroimaging studies, which confirm an inhibitory dopaminergic effect at prefrontal level.
e) Two genes, DAT1 – a dopamine transporter gene and DRD4 - a dopamine receptor gene, have been reported to be associated with ADD by a number of scientists.

Correct Answer - C
Explanation - C is the only option that talks about the differences in regional brain size of an ADD and a normal person. It doesnt discuss anything related to neurotransmitter pathway & its connection to ADD & so doesnt support author's contention.
Options A,B,D & E - all talk about dopamine, stimulants which we can deduce from passage are either a chemical found in the neurotransmitter pathways of the brain or are used to inhibit the impulsion caused by the disruption in neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. So basically all these options directly or indirectly support the author's contention that ADD is related to neurotransmitter pathways.

Answers are in bold.

1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage ?
a) “ADD: A Lack of Willpower”
b) “ADD Research and The Six Clusters of Executive Function”
c) “ADD Medications to Address Neurotransmitter Disruptions”
d) “ADD: A Childhood Behavior Disorder of Hyperactivity”
e) “Moving Towards Understand the ADD Mind”

Explanation of question 1
A - Well no, because at the end the author is saying no it CANNOT be lack of willpower. Passage states - "it is difficult to give credence to the notion that ADD impairments are simply due to a lack of willpower." It might have been close if there was a question-mark at the end. “ADD: Is it a Lack of Willpower?” Then maybe, but not in its present state.
B - executive function is just one part addressed in the passage.
C - medications used are just one part addressed in the passage.
D - not really, as the author then proves why it is not (dopamine imbalance, neural pathways wired wrong...)
E - Perfect choice. In fact if you read it para by para you will see that the author is unravelling more and more information about ADD. Then final paragraph the author says "much remains to be learned", this also means the central idea is moving towards knowing, but we are not there yet.
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2. With which of the following is the author most likely to agree ?
a) Children with ADD are likely to do well in school once they are put on stimulant medications.
b) People with ADD are often better able to inhibit impulses while on stimulant medication.
c) ADD is a childhood disorder that does not affect adults.
d) It would be premature to conclude that ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter pathway disruption.
e) Children with ADD are more impulsive when taking Ritalin.

Explanation of question 2
A - Nothing about how well they would do in schools while on medication is mentioned in the passage.
B - Yes the author says that medication such as Ritalin helps inhibit impulses. It is also mentioned here "Persons with ADD who use stimulant medications often experience improvements in executive brain functions and impulse inhibition."
C - No the author say 30-50% of those who are diagnosed with ADD as children persists when they are adults. So it DOES affects adults.
D - No the author safely concludes that impairment of executive functions are the result of the disruption of neurotransmitter pathways in the brain.
E - Infact the opposite, Ratalin helps INHIBIT the impluses.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. It can be inferred from the passage that people with ADD
a) are likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood
b) have brain pathways that, when compared to those in people without ADD, are more likely to lead to impulse inhibition
c) are prescribed Ritalin more than any other stimulant to positively affect their neurotransmitters
d) tend to have very low levels of dopamine in their brains
e) may have difficulty with peer and sibling relationships as well as with the completion of tasks at work and school

Explanation of question 3
A - Maybe, but from 50-70% of the time. It persists in adults 30-50% of the time remember. So no its not likely to achieve normalcy ALL the time, as this option claims. Out.
B - Opposite answer, ADD brain pathways are MORE likely to lead to perform the impulse, not inhibit it.
C - Everything was going great, until we come across - "more than any other stimulant". Ratalin is just one such stimulant, do not know if it is popular or not. Out.
D - Well we definitely know that dopamine levels are indicators of ADD in a a person, but what we do not know is if high level of dopamine means ADD or vice versa. Well this choice tells us it is low levels, so we have to take it as this is an inference question.
E - This is not mentioned in the passage and takes the inference too far for my liking. Out.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. All of the following support the author's contention that ADD is related to the neurotransmitter pathway in the brain EXCEPT
a) Straterra, a medication that affects the neurotransmitter pathway for norepinephrine but not for dopamine, can be effective for some ADD patients.
b) Hundreds of studies have demonstrated that stimulant medications work effectively to alleviate ADD symptoms for 70 to 80 percent of patients.
c) New high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of the brains of children with ADD indicate significant and specific differences of regional brain size within areas of the brain thought to control attentional and inhibitory control systems, compared with brain scans of children without ADD
d) The dopamine theory of ADD is supported by neuroimaging studies, which confirm an inhibitory dopaminergic effect at prefrontal level.
e) Two genes, DAT1 – a dopamine transporter gene and DRD4 - a dopamine receptor gene, have been reported to be associated with ADD by a number of scientists.

Explanation of question 4
A - Medication affecting the neuro pathway is in line with author's views. Out.
B - Yes this is also in line with author, as he says that medication helps.
C - Ok so this is a tricky one. Size of brain is related to ADD. Cool, so does this support the author's contention? I don't think it does. Is there a relationship between neuro pathways and size - maybe, I mean I am no doctor but it feels like there is. BUT is it mentioned in the passage? No. Therefore I feel this is not really supporting author's contention.
D - Author does say executive functions depend on dopamine levels.
E - We just concluded in the previous option that dopamine levels are indicators of person having ADD or not. Therefore this choice is also true. Out.

1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage ?

Following is the gist of the passage:

Para 1: Talks about ADD, what skeptics believe to be the cause for ADD and what studies have helped us understand about it
Para 2: Expands on earlier view and how a research improved understanding of the disorder
Para 3: Further improvement in understanding- ADD symptoms overlap those of impairment of executive functions of brain + expands on the cause + eg
Para 4: Talks about chemicals that help neural pathways function + stimulants alleviate but don't cure
Para 5: Have to learn more about ADD + One thing clear earlier view not the cause

Thus, the passage is mainly concerned with how over the years we have learnt a lot about ADD through studies and our earlier views on the cause of the disorder have changed. Para 1 also mentions "Yet, given the progress that has been made in understanding the ADD mind,"

a) “ADD: A Lack of Willpower” Incorrect
b) “ADD Research and The Six Clusters of Executive Function” Incorrect. Six clusters not mentioned
c) “ADD Medications to Address Neurotransmitter Disruptions” Incorrect. Appears only in para 4 + Not the main point
d) “ADD: A Childhood Behavior Disorder of Hyperactivity” Incorrect. Doesn't capture the essence
e) “Moving Towards Understand the ADD Mind” Correct

2. With which of the following is the author most likely to agree ?

a) Children with ADD are likely to do well in school once they are put on stimulant medications. Incorrect. It only says improves attention can't infer do well
b) People with ADD are often better able to inhibit impulses while on stimulant medication. Correct. The passage says "Persons with ADD who use stimulant medications often experience improvements in executive brain functions and impulse inhibition."
c) ADD is a childhood disorder that does not affect adults. Incorrect. The passage mentions that it is incurable so the person will continue to have it
d) It would be premature to conclude that ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter pathway disruption. Incorrect. Can't be inferred
e) Children with ADD are more impulsive when taking Ritalin. Incorrect. Not mentioned in fact, it alleviates symptoms

3. It can be inferred from the passage that people with ADD

a) are likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood Incorrect. The passage says it is incurable
b) have brain pathways that, when compared to those in people without ADD, are more likely to lead to impulse inhibition Incorrect
c) are prescribed Ritalin more than any other stimulant to positively affect their neurotransmitters Incorrect. Not mentioned
d) tend to have very low levels of dopamine in their brains Incorrect. The passage just says stimulants affect dopamine level but we don't know if they are increased or decreased to infer if these levels were high or low
e) may have difficulty with peer and sibling relationships as well as with the completion of tasks at work and school Correct. Mentioned in para3

4. All of the following support the author's contention that ADD is related to the neurotransmitter pathway in the brain EXCEPT

a) Straterra, a medication that affects the neurotransmitter pathway for norepinephrine but not for dopamine, can be effective for some ADD patients. Incorrect
b) Hundreds of studies have demonstrated that stimulant medications work effectively to alleviate ADD symptoms for 70 to 80 percent of patients. Incorrect. We are told that stimulants affect neural pathways
c) New high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of the brains of children with ADD indicate significant and specific differences of regional brain size within areas of the brain thought to control attentional and inhibitory control systems, compared with brain scans of children without ADD correct. SIze comparisons do not facilitate inference of what exactly is the cause
d) The dopamine theory of ADD is supported by neuroimaging studies, which confirm an inhibitory dopaminergic effect at prefrontal level. Incorrect
e) Two genes, DAT1 – a dopamine transporter gene and DRD4 - a dopamine receptor gene, have been reported to be associated with ADD by a number of scientists Incorrect

Q1.
Para1 introduces by saying that ADD is not lack of will power and discipline and that there is research to understand the reasons.
Para2 answers the question - "what led scientists to understand that ADD is not what it is thought to be in the past"
Para3. New research findind. ADD relationship with impairment of executive functions.
Para4. How stimulant medication will have an effect on ADD.
Para5. Relationship between brain pathway and ADD.

During the progress of the passage, it is clear that author is exploring "what is leading to ADD". Basically the author is trying to understand the ADD better.

A. The very first para rules out that ADD is not lack of willpower. "Today some skeptics still believe that those diagnosed with ADD are simply people who lack willpower and discipline."
B. This can be the title for para3 only.
C. This can be the title for para4 only.
D. This is true but this does not cover the entire scope of the passage.
E. Correct As per the per-thinking.

Q2.
A. Although author mentions that children with ADD will not pay attention or listen to teachers. That does not mean that stimulant medication will help them perfrom well in school. "In the 1970's, researchers first recognized that hyperactive children also had tremendous difficulty maintaining the attention required to complete tasks or listen to their teachers."
B. Correct This is what author is telling in para4. "Persons with ADD who use stimulant medications often experience improvements in executive brain functions and impulse inhibition."
C. It is not true. The passage mentions otherwise in para1.
D. No. In para5, the author mentions that it is clear that disruption to neurotransmitter pathway affects ADD. "Yet it seems clear that impairment of executive functions, those brain processes that organize and activate what we generally think of as attention, are the result of the disruption of neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. "

Q3.
A. No. If that's the case, there is no reson to further research on ADD. Also it is mentioned in para1 that 30-50% of ppl still retain ADD as adults.
B. Correct This can be inferred from para5 "Yet it seems clear that impairment of executive functions, those brain processes that organize and activate what we generally think of as attention, are the result of the disruption of neurotransmitter pathways in the brain" and para2 "Researchers have now recognized that ADD symptoms overlap with impairments in executive functions" and "Impairment in these functions stems from the brain’s inability to inhibit impulses.". This means that Disruption of neurotransmitter pathways leads to impairment of executive functions which in turn leads to inability to inhibit immpulses and inturn ADD.
C. No. Ritalin is one of the stimulant medication.
D. Relationship between level of chemical neurotransmitter and ADD is not discussed in the passage.
E. This is true. But this is explicitly mentioned and need not be inferred.

Q4.
A. Any medication that effects neurotransmitter chemicals will have an effect on ADD patient, not necessarily only Dopamine. Dopamine is only one such example of neurotransmitter chemical.
B. This exactly supports what author is trying to tell in Para4.
C. Correct This correlation is no where mentioned in the passage.
D. This supports authors theory as stated in para4. The theory was generic to any neurotransmitter chemical, but this is specific proof on Dopamine.
E. Same as D.

OAs of this RC are as follow:

1. E
2. B
3. E
4. C

Good work by all those got 3/4 result. Good job done by bm2201 for getting 4/4.

SajjadAhmad Can you pls post OE for Q3.

Hope it helps

Hey,

Could you please explain where did I go wrong in choosing A in question 3?

A) are likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood

The passage says ADD persists in adulthood for 30-50% of those diagnosed in children.

Thus, we can infer that they ARE 50-70% likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood as ADD does not persist in adulthood. If the answer says something like ' they are 100% likely to achieve normal attention and executive functioning by adulthood' then it would be correct.

Thanks a lot in advance!

So you're right in part, but making a 'leap too far.'

You're right to say that children with ADD are likely to not have ADD as an adult.

Do you see where the 'jump' is in A?