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I think B should be the answer because E says some and not all
Interesting point.

At the same time, if some of the mathematicians could solve the problems without significant activity in their linguistic-processing centers, then we have good reason to believe that such activity is not essential. After all, if it were essential, then all the mathematicians would need to use it.

So, (E) does strengthen the case for the conclusion.
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Thanks MartyMurray for the nice explanation, but I have little doubt regarding option B as isn't it doubting the evidence provided in the argument, so how come we can even consider this as a contender for the answer.
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PandCduo
I think B should be the answer because E says some and not all
Interesting point.

At the same time, if some of the mathematicians could solve the problems without significant activity in their linguistic-processing centers, then we have good reason to believe that such activity is not essential. After all, if it were essential, then all the mathematicians would need to use it.

So, (E) does strengthen the case for the conclusion.
­
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Nsp10
Thanks MartyMurray for the nice explanation, but I have little doubt regarding option B as isn't it doubting the evidence provided in the argument, so how come we can even consider this as a contender for the answer.­
­Let's compare what the passage says with what (B) says.

Here's what the pas­sage says:

The brain scans revealed considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain.

So, the statement in the passage indicates that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers.

Now, here's (B).

B) The brain scans revealed activity in several parts of the brain other than the linguistic-processing centers.

We see that (B) says that there was activity in other parts of the brain.

Notice that the fact that there was activitiy in other parts of the brain does not conflict with the fact that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers. After all, there could have been activity both in the linguistic-processing centers and in other parts of the brain.

So, what (B) says does not conflict with what the passage says.
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but then why it is using the word other than, to me it is sounding like mutually exclusive relation.
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Nsp10
Thanks MartyMurray for the nice explanation, but I have little doubt regarding option B as isn't it doubting the evidence provided in the argument, so how come we can even consider this as a contender for the answer.­
­Let's compare what the passage says with what (B) says.

Here's what the pas­sage says:

The brain scans revealed considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain.

So, the statement in the passage indicates that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers.

Now, here's (B).

B) The brain scans revealed activity in several parts of the brain other than the linguistic-processing centers.

We see that (B) says that there was activity in other parts of the brain.

Notice that the fact that there was activitiy in other parts of the brain does not conflict with the fact that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers. After all, there could have been activity both in the linguistic-processing centers and in other parts of the brain.

So, what (B) says does not conflict with what the passage says.
­
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Dear MartyMurray

Choice B is an assumption whose negation will shatter the author's conclusion. Whereas negation of choice E, will weaken the conclusion but not necessarily break it as we don't know whether the 2nd study was properly supervised/conducted compared to the 1st, etc.

So based on this analysis, I think choice B should be the necessarily required strengthener, whereas choice E is just another strengthener. Hence, I chose B.

What do you think about this question? Also, as you have mentioned in your reasoning analysis that the author might've assumed the negation of choice B is an unrealistic scenario. So is this kind of trap an often occurring trait in the very high-difficulty questions?

Thanks in advance!
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MartyMurray
Nsp10
Thanks MartyMurray for the nice explanation, but I have little doubt regarding option B as isn't it doubting the evidence provided in the argument, so how come we can even consider this as a contender for the answer.­
­Let's compare what the passage says with what (B) says.

Here's what the pas­sage says:

The brain scans revealed considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain.

So, the statement in the passage indicates that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers.

Now, here's (B).

B) The brain scans revealed activity in several parts of the brain other than the linguistic-processing centers.

We see that (B) says that there was activity in other parts of the brain.

Notice that the fact that there was activity in other parts of the brain does not conflict with the fact that there was activity in the linguistic-processing centers. After all, there could have been activity both in the linguistic-processing centers and in other parts of the brain.

So, what (B) says does not conflict with what the passage says.
­but then why it is using the word other than, to me it is sounding like mutually exclusive relation.
­Yes, this "revealed activity" is in other parts of the brain. That information does not mean that there is not also activity in the linguistic-processing centers.­
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Understanding the argument - ­
Psychologist: In an experiment, volunteers were asked to solve abstract arithmetic problems while their brains were being scanned. - Background info. 
The brain scans revealed considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain. - Fact. 
However, it is likely that this activity reflected passing thoughts that are not an indispensable part of arithmetical reasoning processes. - The meaning of "indispensable" is absolutely necessary. In simple terms, it's not a minimum condition. If it were a minimum condition, then 0% of people can solve the arithmetic problem without meeting this minimum condition. 

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest justification for the psychologist's judgment?

We need to strengthen that its not a minimum condition. How can we say if it's not a minimum condition? By showing 1 person could solve the arithmetic problem without activity in the linguistics processing region. 

Option Elimination - 

A) The volunteers who reported that they had used language in their minds when solving the arithmetic problems were the most efficient in solving them. - Weakener. 

B) The brain scans revealed activity in several parts of the brain other than the linguistic-processing centers. - Out of scope.

C) In experiments in which volunteers have been asked to perform mental tasks other than arithmetic while their brains were being scanned, activity was often present in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain. - notice the words "activity was often present" in this option and the words in the argument "considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers." There is still a possibility that this considerable activity is a minimal part of the arithmetic reasoning process. 
For example, we regularly consume protein in our diet for reasons other than going to the gym. Now, we notice that the same people who started going to the gym consume a lot of protein. Protein may be a minimum requirement for the gym. 

D) Studies have found that some people who have suffered significant head injuries are still capable of solving arithmetic problems. - It doesn't say anything about the linguistic processing centers.  

E) A second study using the same problems, but with professional mathematicians as research subjects, found that some solved the problems without any significant activity in their linguistic-processing brain centers. - Some can be more than equal to 1. So, it's not a minimum condition. Strengthens the conclusion. 
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what difficulty level is this question ? rate it 0-805
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what difficulty level is this question ? rate it 0-805

­You can check difficulty of a question in the tags just above the first post. For this question, the difficulty is 805+ Level, as to8gh as it gets.
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Cant we interpret E in a different way? Since professional mathematics would be able to solve the problem easily, there might bot be significant activity in the linguistic processing centers and thus it might imply that considerable activity in linguistic centers are indispensable part of arithmetic since it changes as the participants are changed

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need explanation to reasoning behind answer choice E, please.
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Yeah, I think GMAC got this wrong. E is weaker than A, because arguably, "without any significant activity in their linguistic-processing centers" could mean that, because they are professional mathemeticians solving problems previously given to random volunteers, SOME (and it says "some") were able to solve with less effort, and less activity (doesn't say NO activity). This statement is kind of a nothing statement. Whereas B means okay, there are other parts of the brain lighting up too, who is to say that this one part is more integral than the others? I know E is the "right" answer according to the test but I think they are wrong.
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Hi,

I am not able to understand how C is incorrect. Although I did read the entire thread, the reasoning is not clear to me. Can someone provide an explanation on the same?

Thanks!
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Hi,

I am not able to understand how C is incorrect. Although I did read the entire thread, the reasoning is not clear to me. Can someone provide an explanation on the same?

Thanks!

The question is whether the activity in the linguistic-processing centers is essential for arithmetical reasoning processes.

Option C talks about a situation where volunteers have been asked to perform mental tasks other than arithmetic. So, whether the linguistic processing centers are active or not during tasks other than arithmetic is not directly relevant to the question at hand.
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Thanks for the detailed explanation!
I understood how option B is a pseudo-strengthener!

Thanks,
PP

sunnypv
Psychologist: In an experiment, volunteers were asked to solve abstract arithmetic problems while their brains were being scanned. The brain scans revealed considerable activity in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain. However, it is likely that this activity reflected passing thoughts that are not an indispensable part of arithmetical reasoning processes.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest justification for the psychologist's judgment?

A) The volunteers who reported that they had used language in their minds when solving the arithmetic problems were the most efficient in solving them.
B) The brain scans revealed activity in several parts of the brain other than the linguistic-processing centers.
C) In experiments in which volunteers have been asked to perform mental tasks other than arithmetic while their brains were being scanned, activity was often present in the linguistic-processing centers of the brain.
D) Studies have found that some people who have suffered significant head injuries are still capable of solving arithmetic problems.
E) A second study using the same problems, but with professional mathematicians as research subjects, found that some solved the problems without any significant activity in their linguistic-processing brain centers.
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