The practice of mindfulness meditation originated as an ancient Buddhi

1. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the amygdala?

A. Extended meditation causes long—term damage to the amygdala.
B. The response to stress produced by the amygdala is less valuable than the response produced by the prefrontal cortex.
C. There is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.
D. The size difference of the amygdala between those who practice meditation and those who do not may impact their responses to stress.
E. The relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex.

Let's figure out the ones that are least likely to be the correct choice.
(A) Not stated in the passage. The passage states that the size of amygdala decreases with meditation but no information about damage to amygdala is stated.
(B) The response from amygdala is a fearful response, and the response from prefrontal cortex is a more rational one. Thus, we can say that rational response is more valuable that fearful response. This can likely be the answer. Let's check the other options.
(C) This is again not stated in the passage. This option lifts information from the passage and connects them in a wrong context. Thus, this option is incorrect.
(D) What worries me about this option is how can 'size difference impact responses to stress'? Also, there are three factors that together combine to impact responses - shrinking size of amygdala, thickening of the prefrontal cortex and the weakening relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain. Not the size of amygdala alone.
(E) This is recycled language, however, the context is not set properly and, therefore, this is not our correct answer.


2. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. convincing the reader of the benefits of meditation
B. outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation and the debates the practice inspires
C. arguing that meditation is the most effective way to depress the “fight or flight” response
D. validating the stance of those who believe meditation is a science
E. teaching people how to better handle stress

(B) most effectively and concisely presents the main purpose of the passage. Let's talk about why the other options are not correct:
(A) The author does not delve deep into the benefits of meditation. Of course, he does refer to the changes that take place in the brain, but that is only one aspect of it. Also, the author does not want to convince its readers that these benefits exist. From his tone, I infer that he is just concerned about giving out this information. Also, the last passage has not been referenced in this option, and hence, is incorrect.
(C) The tone of the author is not argumentative, nor does he say that meditation is the BEST way to depress the "fight or flight" response. There may very well be other, better ways to achieve the same result.
(D) While the author might validate the stance of a few people, she is not primarily concerned about it. This option limits the scope of the passage to merely paragraph 3. Thus, this option is incorrect.
(E) This is not mentioned in the passage, let alone the primary purpose of the passage. Out


3. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about fearful responses to stress?

A. Fearful responses to stress can be replaced with more rational responses if the person engages in a couple of hours of meditation per week.
B. Fearful responses to stress occur more regularly in people with a thin prefrontal cortex.
C. There is some debate over whether the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science.
D. Researchers believe that further study regarding fearful responses to stress and the relationship those responses have to mindfulness meditation is warranted.
E. Fearful responses to stress can be seen on an MRI scan.

(A) According to the passage, the researchers hypothesized that fearful responses to stress MAY be replaced with rationals ones if people meditate. This states a possibility, not surety as "CAN" used in this option suggests. Thus, this is incorrect.
(B) This information is not presented in the passage.
(C) The passage suggests that there is debate over whether 'meditation should be considered science', not whether a 'research' should be considered science. This option is incorrect.
(E) Responses being seen on an MRI scan is not stated in the passage.
Thus, option (D) is our correct answer and is clearly stated in the first sentence of paragraph 3 of the passage as well.


4. Which of the following scenarios would a proponent of meditation—as—science be most likely to argue is not a science?

A. A worldwide effort to uncover the secrets of a little—known video game.
B. A thorough review of popular literature with the goal of analyzing sentence structure and word choice for similarities.
C. The study of stars and planet movement to notice patterns that correlate to terrestrial events.
D. The observation of fashion trends over the course of hundreds of years to predict fashion in the future.
E. Collecting samples of wood used in the construction of log cabins to determine which wood produces the most stable product.

According to the proponents of meditation-as-science, "science is the study of the natural world through observation and experiment to produce a unified body of knowledge on a given subject". Thus, we need to determine the subject of discussion and evidence of observation or experiment to produce knowledge on that subject.
(A) Subject: Video games; Evidence of observation or experiment: Worldwide efforts
(B) Subject: literature; Evidence of observation or experiment: Thorough review
(C) Subject: Stars and planet movement; Evidence of observation or experiment: The study
(D) Subject: Fashion trends; Evidence of observation or experiment: The observation of trends
(E) Subject: Wood; Evidence of observation or experiment: Collecting samples (?)

Collection of data does not amount to their observation/study. Thus, option (E) is not an example of science and is, thus, incorrect here.

1.According to the passage, which of the following is true about the amygdala?

A. Extended meditation causes long—term damage to the amygdala.
B. The response to stress produced by the amygdala is less valuable than the response produced by the prefrontal cortex.
C. There is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.
D. The size difference of the amygdala between those who practice meditation and those who do not may impact their responses to stress.-> Correct. Para2 “…meditation practice showed an apparent reduction in the size of the amygdala…. Commonly thought of as the primal "fight or flight" center of the brain, the amygdala dictates the response to stress”
E. The relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex.

2.The passage is primarily concerned with

A. convincing the reader of the benefits of meditation
B. outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation and the debates the practice inspires -> Correct.
Explanation:
Para 1: Introduction of meditation and present technology to checks the effect of mediation on brain and body.
Para 2: MRI scan observation on a brain of a person who meditate 8-weeks. And findings prompted researchers to hypothesize that meditation help to fearful responses to stress with more rational ones.
Para 3: Researcher asked for further study on mental and physical ramification due to meditation and debate about meditation is a science.
C. arguing that meditation is the most effective way to depress the “fight or flight” response
D. validating the stance of those who believe meditation is a science
E. teaching people how to better handle stress.

3.Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about fearful responses to stress?

A. Fearful responses to stress can be replaced with more rational responses if the person engages in a couple of hours of meditation per week.-> Correct
Explanation:
Para-2…. MRI scans conducted on the brains of people who engaged in an eight—week…. findings prompted researchers to hypothesize that increased meditation may be capable…”
B. Fearful responses to stress occur more regularly in people with a thin prefrontal cortex.
C. There is some debate over whether the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science.
D. Researchers believe that further study regarding fearful responses to stress and the relationship those responses have to mindfulness meditation is warranted.
E. Fearful responses to stress can be seen on an MRI scan.

4.Which of the following scenarios would a proponent of meditation—as—science be most likely to argue is not a science?

A. A worldwide effort to uncover the secrets of a little—known video game.
B. A thorough review of popular literature with the goal of analyzing sentence structure and word choice for similarities.
C. The study of stars and planet movement to notice patterns that correlate to terrestrial events.
D. The observation of fashion trends over the course of hundreds of years to predict fashion in the future.-> Correct. Prediction without any experiment.
E. Collecting samples of wood used in the construction of log cabins to determine which wood produces the most stable product.

Explanation: Proponent of meditation: Science is “…study of the natural world through observer and experiment to produce a unified body of knowledge on a given subject.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the amygdala?

A. Extended meditation causes long—term damage to the amygdala. - W Passage does not relate shrinking of amygdala to damage.
B. The response to stress produced by the amygdala is less valuable than the response produced by the prefrontal cortex. - W Passage does not compare the response to stress produced by the two parts of the brain
C. There is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. - W Passage describes these two things as happening simultaneously. It does not imply correlation.
D. The size difference of the amygdala between those who practice meditation and those who do not may impact their responses to stress. Correct "These findings prompted researchers to hypothesize that increased meditation may be capable of replacing our fearful responses to stress with more rational ones." This line from the passage supports this option
E. The relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex. W Same as option C there is no correlation between these two events.

2. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. convincing the reader of the benefits of meditation - W Passage only talks about the impact of meditation in fearful response to stress. It does not imply that this is a benefit.
B. outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation and the debates the practice inspires - Correct. The first two paragraphs discuss the science behind the response of the brain and the last paragraph illustrates the debate regarding meditation as science.
C. arguing that meditation is the most effective way to depress the “fight or flight” response - W The passage does not discuss the effectiveness of meditation in relation to other ways to depress the response
D. validating the stance of those who believe meditation is a science- W The passage does not take a stance on the issue. It is not the primary purpose of the passage
E. teaching people how to better handle stress -W The passage does not discuss this in detail

3. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about fearful responses to stress?

A. Fearful responses to stress can be replaced with more rational responses if the person engages in a couple of hours of meditation per week. -W The amount of effective time of meditation is not discussed in the passage.
B. Fearful responses to stress occur more regularly in people with a thin prefrontal cortex. - Fearful response to stress and thin prefrontal cortex have not been correlated in the passage.
C. There is some debate over whether the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science. -W The debate mentioned in the passage is about meditation-as-science. Not the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress.
D. Researchers believe that further study regarding fearful responses to stress and the relationship those responses have to mindfulness meditation is warranted. -W Researchers have called for more studies on mindfulness meditation, not the fearful response and it's relationship to mindfulness meditation.
E. Fearful responses to stress can be seen on an MRI scan. - Correct. The MRI shows reduction in size of amygdala which is linked with fearful response to stress

4. Which of the following scenarios would a proponent of meditation—as—science be most likely to argue is not a science?

"Proponents of meditation—as—science argue that science is the study of the natural world through observation and experiment to produce a unified body of knowledge on a given subject." According to this a science should be a study of the natural world through observation and experiment to produce an unified body of knowledge
A. A worldwide effort to uncover the secrets of a little—known video game. - Correct. Uncovering secrets does not imply observation and experiment
B. A thorough review of popular literature with the goal of analyzing sentence structure and word choice for similarities. -Review implies observation
C. The study of stars and planet movement to notice patterns that correlate to terrestrial events. -W It is a study with observation of the natural world.
D. The observation of fashion trends over the course of hundreds of years to predict fashion in the future. -W Directly says observation of fashion trends.
E. Collecting samples of wood used in the construction of log cabins to determine which wood produces the most stable product. -W collecting samples implies observation and experiment

Q1.
A. This is not mentioned in the passage.
B. Same as A
C. Although para2 mentions "While the amygdala appears to shrink because of meditation, the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain associated with concentration and awareness, thickens,", no direct corelation is mentioned.
D. Correct. In para2, it is mentioned that "the amygdala dictates the response to stress", "amygdala appears to shrink because of meditation" and "increased meditation may be capable of replacing our fearful responses to stress with more rational ones.". From these 3 sentences we can infer that meditation ---->size of amgdala---->response to stress.
E. As per para2, meditation leads to 1. shrinkage of amygdala 2. Thickening of prefrontal cortex and 3. relationship between amygdala and rest of the brain weakens. Hence meditation is the reason and not thickening of prefrontal cortex that affects relationship.

Q2.
para1 deals with introducing meditation. para2 deals with the science behind the meditation and its effects. para3 deals with a debate as to whether meditation is a science or not.
Only Option B is in line with this structure of the passage.

Q3.
A. This is very close. But the passage mentions "These findings prompted researchers to hypothesize that increased meditation may be capable of replacing our fearful responses to stress with more rational ones." The meditation time is not limited to 2 hours per week.
B. Correct. This can be inferred from the above sentence from para2.
C. No debate for this reason.
D. Researchers suggested more research on -ve effects of mindfulness meditation and not on fearful responses to stress.
E. MRI can show the size of amygdala only, not fearful responses.

Q4.
Last para mentions "Meditation, says the argument, is the observation of one's own mind, and a body of knowledge has been built over thousands of years as the result of consistent experimentation of techniques to observe and better understand the consciousness of the mind."
A. Correct True
B, C, D & E use similar reasoning. We can arrive at this by PoE.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the amygdala?

A. Extended meditation causes long—term damage to the amygdala. Incorrect. the passage tells us about how meditation may reduce the size of Amygdala but it need not be a harmful change or a damage to Amygdala

B. The response to stress produced by the amygdala is less valuable than the response produced by the prefrontal cortex. Amygdala & Prefrontal cortex perform different functions and as such we can't infer that the response of one is more or less important than the other

C. There is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. Incorrect. there is an inverse relation b/w the size of Amygdala and that of prefrontal cortex. the passage mentions the following in 2nd para :


D. The size difference of the amygdala between those who practice meditation and those who do not may impact their responses to stress. Correct. As given in the 2nd para, MRI scans of the brains of people who practiced mindfulness meditation for 8 weeks and of those who didn't practice meditation revealed a reduction in size of Amygdala and an increase in size of Prefrontal cortex. This observation made the scientists to hypothesize that increased meditation may be capable of replacing fearful responses to stress with more rational ones. Thus, we can infer that a change in size of Amygdala impacted the response to stress of the two sets of people

E. The relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex. The passage only states the changes observed both in physical terms (size of Amygdala and that of prefrontal cortex) and in non-physical terms (weakening of relationship b/w Amygdala and rest of the brain, but it does not necessarily establish or give a hint of a possible interconnection, i.e., we can't infer that relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex


2. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. convincing the reader of the benefits of meditation Incorrect. The 3rd para states that though scientists based on their research hypothesize that regular meditation helps replace our fearful response to stress with more rational ones but still they feel that more research is warranted to discern the mental and physical consequences of medication before settling on any one belief

B. outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation and the debates the practice inspires Correct.
Para 1 introduces us to the concept of mindfulness meditation and eludes to a technique used to find effects of meditation on the brain and body
Para 2 discusses The observations from MRI scans of the people who did meditation for 8 weeks and gives a hypothesis
Para 3 says researchers call for more studies on the same before arriving at any conclusion and that There is debate on whether Meditation is a science + gives view of the supporters of this theory

Hence, we can see that
outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation - inferred from para 2
debates the practice inspires - inferred from para 3

C. arguing that meditation is the most effective way to depress the “fight or flight” response Most effective is bit extreme considering that scientists have called for more research before arriving at any conclusion

D. validating the stance of those who believe meditation is a science Incorrect. No validation is given, just views are expressed

E. teaching people how to better handle stress Incorrect. Clearly this is not the primary purpose of whole passage


3. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about fearful responses to stress?

A. Fearful responses to stress can be replaced with more rational responses if the person engages in a couple of hours of meditation per week. Incorrect. the passage only expresses a possibility, so use of "can" is not justifiable


B. Fearful responses to stress occur more regularly in people with a thin prefrontal cortex. Incorrect. we don't know if such responses occur more regularly in such people. An extreme inference

C. There is some debate over whether the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science. Incorrect. the debate is over whether meditation is a science not on the research used to study meditation's effects

D. Researchers believe that further study regarding fearful responses to stress and the relationship those responses have to mindfulness meditation is
warranted. Correct by POE + by the following statement


E. Fearful responses to stress can be seen on an MRI scan. Incorrect. we can't say see the fearful responses but only the physical changes in size of Amygdala and that of prefrontal cortex


4. Which of the following scenarios would a proponent of meditation—as—science be most likely to argue is not a science?


A. A worldwide effort to uncover the secrets of a little—known video game. Correct This activity doesn't align with building a unified body of knowledge

B. A thorough review of popular literature with the goal of analyzing sentence structure and word choice for similarities. Incorrect. It involves observation and experimentation of literary aspects to make a unified set of knowledge

C. The study of stars and planet movement to notice patterns that correlate to terrestrial events. Incorrect. it involves observation of movements and making a unified body of knowledge by noticing patterns and experimentation by comparing these patterns with terrestrial events

D. The observation of fashion trends over the course of hundreds of years to predict fashion in the future. There is observation of trends and a body of knowledge is built through experimentation

E. Collecting samples of wood used in the construction of log cabins to determine which wood produces the most stable product. Incorrect. it involves observation of the wood types and experimentation regarding their stability

1. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the amygdala?

A. Extended meditation causes long—term damage to the amygdala.
B. The response to stress produced by the amygdala is less valuable than the response produced by the prefrontal cortex.
C. There is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.
D. The size difference of the amygdala between those who practice meditation and those who do not may impact their responses to stress.Correct
E. The relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain is weakened as a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex.


Option D: is correct.
Explaination : Because this is the only fact that we can conclude about the amygdala. Let's see why the rest are incorrect.
In case of A: damage is strong word, in the passage it's only mentioned : "MRI scans conducted on the brains of people who engaged in an eight—week meditation practice showed an apparent reduction in the size of the amygdala". We cannot say for a face if meditation causes long-term damage to the brain or not.
In case of B: response to stress produced by the amygdala is not less valuable, its just less, meaning, the body stops fighting stress and makes more rational decisions, as mentioned in para 2 :"increased meditation may be capable of replacing our fearful responses to stress with more rational ones."
In case of C: we cannot conclude that there is a direct correlation between the size of the amygdala and the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, as nothing is directly mentioned in the passage.
In case of E: in the passage it's mentioned: "While the amygdala appears to shrink because of meditation, the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain associated with concentration and awareness, thickens, and the relationship between the amygdala and the rest of the brain appears to weaken.". We cannot say that the shrinking is a result of the thickening of the prefrontal cortex.




2. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. convincing the reader of the benefits of meditation
B. outlining the science of the response the brain has to meditation and the debates the practice inspires. Correct
C. arguing that meditation is the most effective way to depress the “fight or flight” response
D. validating the stance of those who believe meditation is a science
E. teaching people how to better handle stress


Correct answer is B.
Explaination : This is the exactly what is author is trying to present. In the 1st 2 paras the author tries to prove the effects and benefits, meditation has on the brain and in the last para, author mentions that a new debate has emerged over whether meditation itself is a science. So option 2 makes most sense.
Option A : Incorrect because author is no where trying to convince the reader, the benefits of the meditation. The passage is simply a discussion about meditation, its benefits and its comparision to science.
Option C : Incorrect, author is not arguing as he presents both the sides of the argument in the passage, the benfits using science and the debate about it being a science.
Option D : not mentioned in the passage
Option E : the author is not teaching people how to better handle stress, he is just effects the advantages meditation has on the brain.





3. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about fearful responses to stress?

A. Fearful responses to stress can be replaced with more rational responses if the person engages in a couple of hours of meditation per week. Correct
B. Fearful responses to stress occur more regularly in people with a thin prefrontal cortex.
C. There is some debate over whether the research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science.
D. Researchers believe that further study regarding fearful responses to stress and the relationship those responses have to mindfulness meditation is warranted.
E. Fearful responses to stress can be seen on an MRI scan.


Correct answer is A.
Explaination: only option A can be inferred from the passage as its also mentioned in the passage:"Line imaging techniques have shed light on the effects on the brain and body of those who participate in a couple of hours of mindfulness meditation each week.
MRI scans conducted on the brains of people who engaged in an eight—week meditation practice showed an apparent reduction in the size of the amygdala.", and in lines below that, So we can infer A.
Now for incorrect ones,
Option B : incorrect, since its not directly related, and this is not how its mentioned in the passage.
Option C : research is over if meditation is a science and not research behind reducing fearful responses to stress should be considered science.
Option D : incorrect as its clearly mentioned in the beginning of the last para: "While researchers have called for more studies to be done on the mental and physical ramifications of mindfulness meditation,", implies that the research is still not warrented and more research is required.
Option E : Fearful responses cannot be seen on MRI scan, amygdala responsible for fight or flight” and fearful responses can be seen on MRI.




4. Which of the following scenarios would a proponent of meditation—as—science be most likely to argue is not a science?

A. A worldwide effort to uncover the secrets of a little—known video game.
B. A thorough review of popular literature with the goal of analyzing sentence structure and word choice for similarities.
C. The study of stars and planet movement to notice patterns that correlate to terrestrial events.
D. The observation of fashion trends over the course of hundreds of years to predict fashion in the future. Correct
E. Collecting samples of wood used in the construction of log cabins to determine which wood produces the most stable product. -

Explanation - option D is definitely not science. All the rest of the options either observe, analyze the data provided or collect samples of to examine the wood.

OAs of this RC are posted now, If anyone have any question kindly let me know.

1. D
2. B
3. D
4. A

It is time consuming to comment on all the members' replies here so for a quick review i can say these people are ranked on top three.

1. GDT
2. AnirudhaS
3. Subash22
=3. Gautam12121991

Thanks all

There is a confusion between option A and B of question 2 of this RC because both seem to be right. Pls explain the difference and how is B more appropriate.
Thank you.

Hello Yuti

Welcome to GMAT Club!

We have approx. 7 sets of explanations already with the topic, please read them first and let me know if you have still any doubts

Thank you!