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Option C.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” = That is not necessarily true. this can be an enhancement of previous research. Incorrect assumption.
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli = this may be true but is not the crux of the passage. the passage is concerned with finding the path of selection and attention of brain. Incorrect usage.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable = Correct usage. It identifies crux of the passage.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research = Cure is not the crux of the passage. Incorrect usage.
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical = No mention of ethics and out of scope. incorrect usage.
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The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical

So, NIH is funding research on the identification of the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. Mainly because the National Institutes of Health believes neural circuits are identifiable, otherwise, it would not finance the research. So, answer choice C gives us this idea. The correct answer is C.
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Assumption question in my opinion.

Pre-thinking:
Conclusion: the scientists by virtue of this study will be able to find out the neural crcuits involvled in.....

Negate and see:

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”-----> Previously explained or not explained does not affect the conclusion they will be able to find out the detection
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli------> Negate this but doesnot affect the conclusion. Its a trap answer
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable----> negate this and the conclusion breakss
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research----> out of scope
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical----> Again irrelevant
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OA : C

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Might have explained it but the main agenda is to study mice and owls.

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
Even if they don't, doesn't matter

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
Yes, then only reserach money should be invested else it is a waste

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
Good but not main agenda

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
Unethical or ethical is something which is not to be looked after
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Conclusion of argument : the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection
Premise: researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not.

People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

we need to find assumption basis of the argument , apply negation test and weaken the conclusion

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
that previous research has already explained the “cocktail party effect” ; this is not weakening the conclusion

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
that mice and owls do not possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli ; this cannot be correct as the premise correctly states that The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not which is being done on mice and owls ; incorrect

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are not detectable ; this weakens the conclusion ; correct option

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research ; argument is not discussing about finding a cure ; wrong option

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical ; no mention about ethical or unethical practise

option C is correct
that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable


Bunuel
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical



 


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Bunuel
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.


In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

Inference type question:
(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” Irrelevant

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli The comparison is not required for the conclusion to hold good. So incorrect.

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
If this is not detectable then there is on analysis. So it shatters the entire argument

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research OFS doesn't impact the argument

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical OFS, doesn't impact the argument

IMO C
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Between B, C, D
D : We don't know whether they are looking for a cure. It may just be to understand the issue better. No where mentioned that they want to cure people
Same with B.
IMO C : If the pathways were not detectable, spending money would have been a waste
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The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

Based on the information, we need to find what NIH believes so that they can fund scientists to identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. We need to find answer choice what do the NIH believe? What was the NIH conviction?

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
"cocktail party effect" is a study on ability of brain to select what needs attention & what does not[only this, limited scope]. The fund is for identifying neural circuits involved in attention & selection[more extensively].
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
This can be an assumption and not the conviction.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
This makes a perfect sense. Only if NIH believes neurological pathway is detectable, then NIH will be willing to fund the scientist to research on identifying them.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
It is clearly stated that subjects with psychiatric disorders lack neurological ability. So, funding to to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection, will not help to cure psychiatric disorders. It is only for identification and not for the cure.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
This is out of scope.

So the answer choice is C.
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The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” -out of context; previous research is not mentioned or cared
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli- may be true but not 100%
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable - correct must be true, since the researcher want to measure them it must be detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research -possible, but not as strong as C
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical -could be unethical, but it could be ethical as well so no

C
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The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Out of context. Nowhere is it mentioned

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
May be tempting. We cannot talk of the motive of funding by NIH from the given information.

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
CORRECT. The purpose of the research is to identify these circuits, and that would be possible only if the NIH believes they are detectable.

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
The para does not speak of it, so out of context.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
The para does not speak of it, so out of context.


C
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Bunuel
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical



 


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IMO C

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” -- It may be so, but that is not what the scientists have assumed

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli --
Observe the scientists at NIH are performing research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection.
Nowhere in passage it is mentioned that the scientists at NIH are doing it for human beings or whether they think that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli


(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable -- Correct. This is the assumption NIH most likely believes in allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research -- This does not look like an assumption.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical -- This is irrelevant
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Breakdown the Argument:
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

Assumption:
In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Not about the explanation of the cocktail party effect
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
Not about comparing abilities.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
Good
if it is not then research is a waste of resources.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
They may be doing it just to mitigate the side effects.
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
out of scope

Answer C
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Bunuel
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical



 


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V33-04
­Just because the last line "People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability." mentions people and their psychiatric disorders, that does not mean they are neurologically related to owls and mice. Option C is wrong. However, the research is conducted because they are sure that the readings of the experiment are detectable. Option C is correct.
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