It is not surprising that physical afflictions have physical causes.

Question

It is not surprising that physical afflictions have physical causes. For example, writers may suffer from carpel tunnel syndrome, which is caused by damage to the nerves in the wrist. They may also be struck with mental conditions, such as writer's block, which is a condition in which one cannot think of anything to write, or hypergraphia, which is a contrasting condition in which they experience an uncontrollable urge to write. Interestingly, recent studies reveal a physical cause for these disruptions in creativity. Writer's block and hypergraphia have their roots in the function of the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. The temporal lobes are where word recognition and idea formation occur. The frontal lobe is where the brain makes connections between ideas and forms logical thought. Research indicates that these areas of the brains influence one another and by extension to a person's ability to express ideas clearly in writing. If the temporal lobe goes unchecked by the frontal lobe, a writer may churn out pages and pages without any discernment. Normally, the frontal lobe inhibits temporal lobe activity, resulting in reasonable creative output. One question guiding current research is whether the frontal lobe can go too far-causing writer's block and, if so, whether the process can be reversed. Scientists who study seasonal affective disorder use light to stimulate the lobes of the brain and observe changes in their activity. Researchers hope to discover whether by stimulating the lobes they can unlock problems of creativity.    1 
 1. Which of the following can cause writer's block

A. the temporal lobe failing to recognize words.
B. an irregular connection between the limbic system and frontal lobe.
C. misfiring neurons in the temporal lobes.
D. a lack of connection between the temporal and frontal lobes. 
E. insufficient stimulation of the brain.

2 
 2. The author mentions the study of seasonal affective disorder in order to

A. suggest that using light to stimulate lobes of the brain may cure writer's block. 
B. demonstrate that light can affect brain function. 
C. confirm that those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are also likely to suffer writer's block or hypergraphia.
D. suggest that stimulating the temporal and frontal lobes may yield valuable information about writer's block and hypergraphia. 
E. demonstrate that seasonal affective disorder is caused by improper functioning of the temporal and frontal lobes.

3 
 3. Which of the following would serve as an effective metaphor for writer's block?

A. Loving to dance but finding one's self paralyzed
B. Having a high IQ but failing classes at school
C. Memorizing a script but stuttering during the delivery
D. Suffering memory loss due to a physical injury
E. Suffering carpal tunnel syndrome so severe that writing becomes painful

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 Passage # 14  |  Date: 08 March 2022 
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vijayram2496 · Answer

1. Which of the following can cause writer's block

A. the temporal lobe failing to recognize words.
B. an irregular connection between the limbic system and frontal lobe.
C. misfiring neurons in the temporal lobes.
D. a lack of balanced connection between the temporal and frontal lobes.
E. insufficient stimulation of the brain.

My Answer is  A 
A mentions temporal lobe failing to recognize words, which is actual reason for writers block.
B mentions limbic system and frontal lobe but no mention of limbic system in passage.
C talks about misfiring neurons which is out of topic.
D is lack of balanced connection but that causes person to write extensively
E is out of syllabus.

2. The author mentions the study of seasonal affective disorder in order to

A. suggest that using light to stimulate lobes of the brain may cure writer's block.
B. demonstrate that light can affect brain function.
C. confirm that those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are also likely to suffer writer's block or hypergraphia.
D. suggest that stimulating the temporal and frontal lobes may yield valuable information about writer's block and hypergraphia.
E. demonstrate that seasonal affective disorder is caused by improper functioning of the temporal and frontal lobes.

My Answer is  D

Seasonal Affective Disorder depends on external factor such as light .So author mentions that to suggest that using light may yield valuable information about writer's block and hypergraphia as mentioned in last line of paragraph.
A mentions about light to cure Writers Block, but researchers expect only to check changes in creativity.
B talks about use of light to stimulate brain ,but that is partially correct.
C mentions confirmation, but that is not mentioned anywhere.
E is correct but has no relation with SAD.

3. Which of the following would serve as an effective metaphor for writer's block?

A. Loving to dance but finding one's self paralyzed
B. Having a high IQ but failing classes at school
C. Memorizing a script but stuttering during the delivery
D. Suffering memory loss due to a physical injury
E. Suffering carpal tunnel syndrome so severe that writing becomes painful

My Answer is  B 
A is about loving to dance and self paralysis ,but this is genuine cause and effect.
B is correct as writers are creative but they are not finding words to write ,this is similar to having high IQ but cannot use that.
C,D ,E talks about generic issues.

ElninoEffect · Answer

1. Which of the following can cause writer's block 
" the frontal lobe inhibits temporal lobe activity, resulting in reasonable creative output. One question guiding current research is whether the frontal lobe can go too far-causing writer's block"
So what will happen if the frontal lobe inhibits the function of the temporal lobe(recognition of words formation of ideas) - Temporal lobe will not be able to recognize words and form ideas.

A.  the temporal lobe failing to recognize words. 
B. an irregular connection between the limbic system and frontal lobe.
No such connection has been mentioned.
C. misfiring neurons in the temporal lobes.
We cannot deduce that.
D. a lack of balanced connection between the temporal and frontal lobes. 
This will lead to an ineffective way to express an idea, not writer's block but still, this option is very tempting.
E. insufficient stimulation of the brain.
We cannot deduce that.

2. The author mentions the study of seasonal affective disorder in order to

I think the only reason the seasonal affective disorder has been mentioned is to discover whether by stimulating the lobes they can unlock problems of creativity.

A. suggest that using light to stimulate lobes of the brain may cure writer's block.
"Researchers hope to discover whether by stimulating the lobes they can unlock problems of creativity."
is not same as may cure also it says problems of creativity which includes hypergraphia also.
B. demonstrate that light can affect brain function.
This is what is happening in the study of seasonal affective disorder. The author has used this as a premise to reach some conclusion.
C. confirm that those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are also likely to suffer writer's block or hypergraphia.
We cannot infer that.
D.  suggest that stimulating the temporal and frontal lobes may yield valuable information about writer's block and hypergraphia.  
It Falls in line with our pre-discussion.
E. demonstrate that seasonal affective disorder is caused by improper functioning of the temporal and frontal lobes.
We cannot deduce that.

3. Which of the following would serve as an effective metaphor for writer's block?  
Which is a condition in which a writer cannot think of anything to write.
Only option A makes it logical.
A.  Loving to dance but finding one's self paralyzed 
B. Having a high IQ but failing classes at school
C. Memorizing a script but stuttering during the delivery
D. Suffering memory loss due to a physical injury
E. Suffering carpal tunnel syndrome so severe that writing becomes painful

RohitSharma001 · Answer

Hi! In Q1, Should the answer not be D? The line - "One question guiding current research is whether the frontal lobe can go too far-causing writer's block and, if so, whether the process can be reversed." specifies the connection causes writer's block.

egmat · Answer

RohitSharma001  Looking at your reasoning, I can see why the passage line about "the frontal lobe going too far" caught your attention. Let me help clarify why  D is actually describing the opposite condition  from writer's block.

The Key Distinction You're Missing:

The passage establishes a clear relationship between the frontal and temporal lobes:

- The frontal lobe  inhibits  (controls/restricts) the temporal lobe's activity
-  Normal inhibition  = reasonable creative output
-  Too little inhibition  (temporal lobe "goes unchecked") = hypergraphia (excessive writing)
-  Too much inhibition  ("frontal lobe can go too far") = writer's block

Why D Can't Be Correct:

Answer choice D states: "a  lack of connection  between the temporal and frontal lobes"

If there's  no connection , the frontal lobe  cannot inhibit  the temporal lobe at all. According to the passage, when  "the temporal lobe goes unchecked by the frontal lobe, a writer may churn out pages and pages."  This describes hypergraphia, not writer's block!

The line you quoted actually supports the  opposite  of D - it suggests writer's block occurs when the connection is  too strong  (the frontal lobe inhibits too much), not when there's a lack of connection.

Strategic Insight - Connection Problems in RC: 
 
When you see "connection" or "relationship" between brain regions/systems in GMAT RC:
-  Too much  of something → one extreme condition
-  Too little  of that same thing → opposite extreme condition 
-  Absence  of connection ≠ problematic connection

This same logic appears in business passages about regulation (too much vs. too little) and scientific passages about chemical reactions (excess vs. deficiency).

You can practice  similar RC inference questions here  (you'll find a lot of OG questions) - select Reading Comprehension under Verbal and choose Medium level questions since you're already identifying key lines but need practice with logical relationships.

It is not surprising that physical afflictions have physical causes.

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

It is not surprising that physical afflictions have physical causes.

Prep Toolkit

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

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Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards