Body temperature varies over a 24-hour period, with a low point roughl

Question

Body temperature varies over a 24-hour period, with a low point roughly between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Speed of reaction varies in line with body temperature, such that whenever body temperature is low, speed of reaction is low. If low body temperature caused slow reaction, the speed of reaction should increase if we artificially raised body temperature during the period 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. But the speed of reaction does not increase.

Which one of the following conclusions can properly be drawn from the above statements?

(A) Low speeds of reaction cause low body temperature.

(B) Low speeds of reaction do not cause low body temperature.

(C) Low body temperatures do not cause low speeds of reaction.

(D) Low body temperatures cause low speeds of reaction.

(E) Artificially raising body temperature causes increased speed of reaction.

srishti246 · Answer

This is a very interesting question to establish the logic of causal / correlation relationships. In the question stem it is clearly stated that there is a CORRELATION between low body temp. and speed of reaction. It also states that had there been a causal relationship then vice versa wouldve been possible. Hence, the right option is C as it concludes that there is no causal relationship between the two variables in question.

analytica233 · Answer

"IF low body temperature CAUSED slow reaction, the speed of reaction SHOULD INCREASE if we artificially raised body temperature during the period 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. BUT the speed of reaction does NOT increase.". Hence, the causal relationship between slow temperature and slow reaction is refuted. (C) is correct.

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

a conclusion should alwas be right . how can we assume that because of arificial increase if speed doesnt change then nautral correlaion of temperaure and speed of reaction is incorrect??? some exper please explain?? I would rather go with opion C???

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Let us analyze the premises given in the stimulus:

i) Body temperature varies during the day.
ii) Speed of reaction varies proportionally with body temperature.
iii) Body temperature attains its 24 hour low between 4-5am.
iv) During this time, reaction speeds are also slowest.
v) Speed of reaction does not increase when body temperature is raised artificially.

From the above, we can infer that, while there is a correlation between body temperature and speed of reaction, there is no causal relationship of body temperature impacting speed of reaction. If this were causal, artificial increase in body temperature should have caused an automatic increase in speed of reaction as well.

Let us analyze the options:

(A) Low speeds of reaction cause low body temperature.  We know body temperature does not cause speed of reaction. One of the alternatives is that the causal relationship is in reverse - it is the speed of reaction that causes body temperature to rise or fall. However, this is only a possibility and we cannot be certain that this is the case basis just the given information. Eliminate.

(B) Low speeds of reaction do not cause low body temperature.  Similar to the reasoning for (A), we cannot be sure that this relationship does not exist, either. Eliminate.

(C) Low body temperatures do not cause low speeds of reaction.  Correct. Consistent with our pre-thinking.

(D) Low body temperatures cause low speeds of reaction.  This has been definitively ruled out in our pre-thinking as well as the stimulus. Eliminate.

(E) Artificially raising body temperature causes increased speed of reaction.  This is contradictory to the facts given in the stimulus, which clearly state that artificially increasing body temperature does not cause increased speed of reaction. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Body temperature varies over a 24-hour period, with a low point roughl

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