In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammals life in which

Question

In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammal’s life in which it is most frequently playful coincides with the periods of most rapid growth of the neural connections in the mammal’s brain that give rise to various complex patterns of movement, posture, and social response. Indeed, the neutral connections created by frequent play during this period later become indispensable for the mammal’s survival and well-being as an adult.

The statements above, if true, serve LEAST well as evidence for which one of the following?

The statements above, if true, serve LEAST well as evidence for which one of the following?

(A) Young mammals of species that are preyed on by other animals are likely to engage in forms of sudden mock flight, bolting away from locations where no predators are to be found.

(B) The young predators of nonmammalian species such as fish, reptiles, and birds do not normally engage in playful behavior that serves the function served by play in the development of young mammals.

(C) Adult mammals are more likely to engage in interactive play with their young if they engaged in similar forms of play when they themselves were young.

(D) Mammals that cannot engage in certain common forms of play when young are likely to show certain deficits that limit their subsequent success as adults.

(E) Young mammals of predatory species tend to practice in their play inoffensive versions of motions and actions that are useful in finding and catching prey when these mammals become adults.

Pritishd · Accepted Answer

Main Point of this Passage: 
1. The time spent playing during the early years significantly contributes to the development of the brain in mammals
2. Couple of key areas that develop include posture, movement and social response
3. These developments of the brain positively impact the survival skills and health of the mammal during its adult years

We are asked to find an option that is least supported by the above information

(A) Young mammals of species that are preyed on by other animals are likely to engage in forms of sudden mock flight, bolting away from locations where no predators are to be found 
This is supported by the second and third points which talk about development of movement and in-turn growth of survival skills

(B) The young predators of non mammalian species such as fish, reptiles, and birds do not normally engage in playful behavior that serves the function served by play in the development of young mammals 
The passage neither compares nor talks about non-mammalian species and hence this one is not supported by the passage

(C) Adult mammals are more likely to engage in interactive play with their young if they engaged in similar forms of play when they themselves were young 
This is supported by the second point which talks about social response. Playtime develops social skills and in-turn as adults mammals demonstrate these skills through interaction with each other

(D) Mammals that cannot engage in certain common forms of play when young are likely to show certain deficits that limit their subsequent success as adults 
This can be inferred from the first point which talks about the contribution of playtime towards development of the brain. Using this we can conclude that lack of play leads to lack of skills essential for successful operation during adult years

(E) Young mammals of predatory species tend to practice in their play inoffensive versions of motions and actions that are useful in finding and catching prey when these mammals become adults 
This option basically states the main point of the passage:
b.1. The words  "inoffensive versions of motions and actions"  is describing the type of play
b.2. The words  "finding and catching prey"  means survival skills
Combine both the points and what we get is that playing during the young years develops survival skills that become essential during adult years.

Best Guess Trick: 
If one is short on time then one can take a best guess by observing that the passage talks about mammals and hence options that support the evidence should also talk about mammals. If we just glance over the options then B talks about non-mammals whereas all other options talk about mammals. One can mark B and move on.

Ans -  B

guddo · Answer

In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammal’s life in which it is most frequently playful coincides with the periods of most rapid growth of the neural connections in the mammal’s brain that give rise to various complex patterns of movement, posture, and social response. Indeed, the neural connections created by frequent play during this period later become indispensable for the mammal’s survival and well-being as an adult. 
 
The statements above, if true, serve LEAST well as evidence for which one of the following?

The passage supports the idea that play in young mammals helps develop neural connections needed for adult movement, posture, social response, survival, and well-being.  So the passage is good evidence for claims about mammalian play and later adult function . It is weakest as evidence for a claim about  nonmammalian species .

(A) Young mammals of species that are preyed on by other animals are likely to engage in forms of sudden mock flight, bolting away from locations where no predators are to be found.

This is supported. Mock flight could help develop movement patterns useful for survival in prey species.

(B) The young predators of nonmammalian species such as fish, reptiles, and birds do not normally engage in playful behavior that serves the function served by play in the development of young mammals.

This is correct. The passage talks only about mammals. It gives no evidence about whether fish, reptiles, or birds do or do not have similar play behavior.

(C) Adult mammals are more likely to engage in interactive play with their young if they engaged in similar forms of play when they themselves were young.

This has some support. Since play develops neural connections involved in social response, early play could affect later social behavior.

(D) Mammals that cannot engage in certain common forms of play when young are likely to show certain deficits that limit their subsequent success as adults.

This is strongly supported. The passage says neural connections created by frequent play later become indispensable for adult survival and well-being.

(E) Young mammals of predatory species tend to practice in their play inoffensive versions of motions and actions that are useful in finding and catching prey when these mammals become adults.

This is supported. Play helps develop complex movement patterns that later matter for survival, so playful hunting-like behavior in young predators fits the passage.

Answer: (B)

quasipsum · Answer

For (B):  The author deliberately wrote  "In all mammalian species..."  instead of  "In all animal species..."  This explicit restriction gives strong, direct textual support to the idea that non-mammals operate differently. 
  For (C):  You have to invent a bridge connecting "baseline survival/well-being" to "a higher statistical probability of playing with your own children."
  
Because (C) requires you to invent a specific behavioral rule that is completely absent from the text, it is the least supported option.

officiisnobis · Answer

The passage doe not discuss non mammals and their behavior. Correct answer- B

In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammals life in which

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In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammals life in which

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