In certain fields of human endeavor, such as music, chess, and some a

Question

In certain fields of human endeavor, such as 
music, chess, and some athletic activities, the
performance of the best practitioners is so outstanding,
so superior even to the performance of other highly
  (5)   experienced individuals in the field, that some people
believe some notion of innate talent must be invoked
to account for this highest level of performance.
Certain psychologists have supported this view with
data concerning the performance of prodigies and the
  (10)   apparent heritability of relevant traits. They have
noted, for example, that most outstanding musicians
are discovered by the age of six, and they have found
evidence that some of the qualities necessary for
exceptional athletic performance, including superior
  (15)   motor coordination, speed of reflexes, and hand-eye
coordination, can be inborn.

Until recently, however, little systematic research
was done on the topic of superior performance, and
previous estimates of the heritability of traits relevant
  (20)   to performance were based almost exclusively on
random samples of the general population rather than
on studies of highly trained superior performers as
compared with the general population. Recent research
in different domains of excellence suggests that
  (25)   exceptional performance arises predominantly from
acquired complex skills and physiological adaptations,
rather than from innate abilities. For example, it has
been found that the most accomplished athletes show
a systematic advantage in reaction time or perceptual
  (30)   discrimination only in their particular fields of
performance, not in more general laboratory tests for
these factors. Similarly, superior chess players have
exceptional memory for configurations of chess
pieces, but only if those configurations are typical of
  (35)   chess games.

The vast majority of exceptional adult performers
were not exceptional as children, but started instruction
early and improved their performance through
sustained high-level training. Only extremely rarely is
  (40)   outstanding performance achieved without at least
ten years of intensive, deliberate practice. With such
intensive training, chess players who may not have
superior innate capacities can acquire skills that
circumvent basic limits on such factors as memory
  (45)   and the ability to process information. Recent
research shows that, with the clear exception of some
traits such as height, a surprisingly large number of
anatomical characteristics, including aerobic capacity
and the percentage of muscle fibers, show specific
  (50)   changes that develop from extended intense training.

The evidence does not, therefore, support the
claim that a notion of innate talent must be invoked in
order to account for the difference between good and
outstanding performance, since it suggests instead that
  (55)   extended intense training, together with that level of
talent common to all reasonably competent performers,
may suffice to account for this difference. Since
sustained intense training usually depends on an
appropriate level of interest and desire, and since those
  (60)   who eventually become superior performers more
often show early signs of exceptional interest than
early evidence of unusual ability, motivational factors
are more likely to be effective predictors of superior
performance than is innate talent.    1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) Researchers have recently found that many inborn traits, including a surprising number of physical characteristics and motivational factors, can be altered through training and practice.
(B) Recent research into the origins of superior performance gives evidence that in sports, music, and some other fields of activity, anyone can achieve exceptional levels of performance with sustained intense practice and training.
(C) Contrary to previously accepted theories of the development of expertise, researchers have now shown that innate characteristics are irrelevant to the differences in performance among individual practitioners in various fields of activity.
(D) Recent research involving superior performers in various fields indicates that outstanding performance may result from adaptations due to training rather than from innate factors.
(E) Psychologists who previously attributed early childhood proficiency in such activities as music and chess to innate talent have revised their theories in light of new evidence of the effectiveness of training and practice.

2 
 2. Which one of the following most accurately represents the primary function of the final paragraph?

(A) It makes proposals for educational reform based on the evidence cited by the author.
(B) It demonstrates that two consequences of the findings regarding superior performance are at odds with one another.
(C) It recapitulates the evidence against the supposed heritability of outstanding talent and advocates a particular direction to be taken in future research on the topic.
(D) It raises and answers a possible objection to the author’s view of the importance of intense training.
(E) It draws two inferences regarding the explanatory and predictive roles of possible factors in the development of superior performance.

3 
 3. Which one of the following can most reasonably be inferred from the passage?

(A) In at least some fields of human endeavor, it would be difficult, or perhaps even impossible, to ascertain whether or not a superior performer with extensive training has exceptional innate talent.
(B) Performance at the very highest level generally requires both the highest level of innate talent and many years of intensive, deliberate practice.
(C) Exceptional innate talent is a prerequisite to exceptional performance in some fields of human endeavor but not others.
(D) Exceptional innate talent is probably an obstacle to the development of superior performance, since such talent results in complacency.
(E) The importance of motivation and interest in the development of superior performance shows that in some fields the production of exceptional skill does not depend in any way on innate talents of individuals.

4 
 4. Which one of the following does the passage say is usually necessary in order for one to keep up intense practice?

(A) desire and interest
(B) emotional support from other people
(C) appropriate instruction at the right age
(D) sufficient leisure time to devote to practice
(E) self-discipline and control

5 
 5. Which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s main purpose in the passage?

(A) to illustrate the ways in which a revised theoretical model can be applied to problematic cases for which previous versions of the theory offered no plausible explanation
(B) to argue that the evidence that was previously taken to support a particular theory in fact supports an opposing theory
(C) to show how a body of recent research provides evidence that certain views based on earlier research are not applicable to a particular class of cases
(D) to defend the author’s new interpretation of data against probable objections that might be raised against it
(E) to explain how a set of newly formulated abstract theoretical postulations relates to a long-standing body of experimental data in a different, but related, field of inquiry

6 
 6. The passage says that superior chess players do not have exceptional memory for which one of the following?

(A) some sequences of moves that are typical of games other than chess
(B) some types of complex sequences without spatial components
(C) some chess games that have not been especially challenging
(D) some kinds of arrangements of chess pieces
(E) some types of factors requiring logical analysis in the absence of competition

johnnymbikes · Accepted Answer

Q6: The passage says that superior chess players do not have exceptional memory for which one of the following?

(A) some sequences of moves that are typical of games other than chess
(B) some types of complex sequences without spatial components
(C) some chess games that have not been especially challenging
(D) some kinds of arrangements of chess pieces
(E) some types of factors requiring logical analysis in the absence of competition

I picked A but upon a detailed breakdown, I see how it is D.

Paragraph 2 states: "For example, it has been found that the most accomplished athletes show a systematic advantage in reaction time or perceptual (30) discrimination only in their particular fields of
performance, not in more general laboratory tests for these factors. Similarly, superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces, but only if those configurations are typical of
(35) chess games."

So basically the high performance individual shows an advantage only in specialized / domain specific tasks (sport, chess). 
So top chess players have superior memory for typical chess layouts. > So if you were to randomize the layouts, they wouldn't have superior memory.

Therefore the passage is saying that a top chess player will have superior memory for typical layouts AND will NOT have superior memory for other layouts. 
Hence D: "some kinds of arrangements of chess pieces."

My takeaway from this "detail" type of question is to ALWAYS refer back to the passage to prove out the answer choice vs. relying on memory from the initial read.

desertEagle · Answer

3. Which one of the following can most reasonably be inferred from the passage?

(A) In at least some fields of human endeavor, it would be difficult, or perhaps even impossible, to ascertain whether or not a superior performer with extensive training has exceptional innate talent.
(B) Performance at the very highest level generally requires both the highest level of innate talent and many years of intensive, deliberate practice.
(C) Exceptional innate talent is a prerequisite to exceptional performance in some fields of human endeavor but not others.
(D) Exceptional innate talent is probably an obstacle to the development of superior performance, since such talent results in complacency.
(E) The importance of motivation and interest in the development of superior performance shows that in some fields the production of exceptional skill does not depend in any way on innate talents of individuals.

Only extremely rarely is
(40) outstanding performance achieved without at least ten
years of intensive, deliberate practice

E is incorrect because motivation and interest is broader than required. Desire and motivation is a predictor and may not be necessary

Ans A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. Which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s main purpose in the passage?

Explanation

Use your Bottom Line of the passage to help you to evaluate the choices. A. No. The passage does not discuss problematic cases.

B. No.  The author bases his argument on new evidence.

C.  Yes.   This accurately captures the author’s purpose. The author discusses how recent research shows that beliefs about innate ability do not apply to exceptional performance in certain areas of human endeavor.

D. No.  The author does not discuss possible objections to his argument.

E. No.  The author confines his discussion to one field of inquiry, that of exceptional performance, and articulates findings based on data rather than abstract theoretical postulations.

Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

Explanation

Use your Bottom Line of the passage to help you to evaluate the choices. The correct answer will cover or include all of the major themes in the passage.

A. No.  The passage does not discuss altering inborn traits.

B. No.  While this answer choice is tempting, the passage indicates that a reasonably competent level of talent is a factor in achieving superior performance.

C. No.  This answer choice is too strong and is not supported by the passage. While superior performance is not driven primarily by innate characteristics, they may still play a role.

D.  Yes.   This is an accurate paraphrase of the Bottom Line.

E. No.  This answer choice is too narrow. While the author mentions music and chess, the argument is about superior performance in general and not proficiency.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. The passage says that superior chess players do not have exceptional memory for which one of the following?

Explanation

To answer this question, you need to look at the second paragraph, where the author discusses the exceptional memory of chess players and find that answer choice that best matches the stated exceptions.

A. No.  In the second paragraph, the author states that superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces only if those configurations are typical of chess games. There is no mention of other games.

B. No.  In the second paragraph, the author states that superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces only if those configurations are typical of chess games. There is no mention of sequences without spatial components.

C. No.  In the second paragraph, the author states that superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces only if those configurations are typical of chess games. There is no mention of how challenging games are.

D.  Yes.   In the second paragraph, the author states that superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces only if those configurations are typical of chess games.

E. No.  In the second paragraph, the author states that superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces only if those configurations are typical of chess games. The passage does not mention logical analysis in the absence of competition.

Answer: D

SejalT · Answer

Why C is wrong in question 2?

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

The correct answer to question 2 must accurately describe "the primary function of the final paragraph."

Here's (C) from question 2.

(C) It recapitulates the evidence against the supposed heritability of outstanding talent and advocates a particular direction to be taken in future research on the topic.

Let's look at the two parts of (C) to see why it's incorrect.

It recapitulates the evidence against the supposed heritability of outstanding talent

"Recapitulates the evidence" means "restates the evidence, possibly in summary form." Look at the final paragraph, we see that, while it mentions the evidence, it does not restate or summarize the evidence.

advocates a particular direction to be taken in future research on the topic

Carefully reviewing the final paragraph, we see that it says "motivational factors are more likely to be effective predictors of superior performance than is innate talent." We can take from that statement that it would make sense for future research to study "motivational factors."

Notice, however, that the final paragraph does not "advocate," meaning "argue in support of," taking that direction. It only mentions "motivational factors" without advocating research of those factors.

So, while (E) says some things that are related to what the third paragraph says, (E) does not accurately describe the function of the final paragraph.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. Which one of the following most accurately represents the primary function of the final paragraph?

Explanation

The question is asking for the role that the final paragraph plays in the argument. The correct answer will discuss the paragraph’s focus on refuting the notion of innate talent and the argument that early signs of motivational factors are more predictive than innate talent.

A. No.  The paragraph does not mention educational reform.

B. No.  The conclusions drawn are complementary.

C. No.  The paragraph mentions neither evidence nor the direction of future research.

D. No.  The paragraph does not raise an objection to intense training; it merely discusses the requirements to sustain such training.

E. Yes.   The paragraph infers that extended intense training combined with a reasonably competent level of talent accounts for the difference between good and outstanding and that motivational factors are likely to be a more effective predictor of superior performance.

Answer: E

namculpa · Answer

Let's look at Q3 for a moment. I see why option E is wrong as it uses the phrase "production of exceptional skill DOES NOT DEPEND IN ANY WAY on innate talents of individuals."
Okay so we can eliminate that.

But, I am not super convinced with A either. Nowhere do they mention that it would be difficult to ascertain whether or not a superior performer with extensive training has exceptional innate talent. Let's take chess for example. If a person at age 3 (Anish Sarkar for instance) displays exceptional ability, does it come from years of practice? So viewing childhood performances can give us an insight into talent vs hard work. And it may be the case in other fields as well. Can we really say that it is difficult (let alone impossible)?

Seems like a bit of a stretch. Some people have highlighted the start of para 3 as the reason for option A being correct. It says "The vast majority of exceptional adult performers were not exceptional as children, but started instruction early and improved their performance through sustained high-level training. " So from here, it is clear that they did not have innate abilities. So we can ascertain it. The passage does not mention anywhere about the difficulties of knowing whether it is innate abilities or hard work that results in exceptional performance.

egmat · Answer

Your logic: The passage says most exceptional adults weren't exceptional as children. So we KNOW they don't have innate talent. Case closed.

The problem:  That's not what the passage concludes.
The passage says training " may suffice " to explain exceptional performance - not that innate talent definitely doesn't exist in these people.

The real inference: 
All exceptional performers have 10+ years of intense training. Training changes their physiology, skills, and even anatomy.
So when you look at an elite performer, you're looking at someone who has been fundamentally  TRANSFORMED  by practice.
How do you untangle what was innate vs. what was trained?
You can't easily. That's why A says it would be "difficult, or perhaps even impossible."

bestreturn · Answer

I don't quite get what they mean by 'some kinds of arrangement of chess pieces'. When I read that answer choice, my understanding was that it's the strategic patterns of the chess pieces on the board, so it's still related to chess game. I probably interpreted it the wrong way. Does it mean different kind of chess game?

egmat · Answer

The Confusion: 
You read "some kinds of arrangements of chess pieces" and thought it meant strategic patterns from actual chess games.

The Key Insight: 
 Chess pieces can be arranged in two ways: 
- Arrangements  typical  of real games → Masters remember these exceptionally
- Arrangements  NOT typical  of real games (random/impossible positions) → Masters have  no special advantage

Passage Evidence (Lines 32-35): 
"Superior chess players have exceptional memory for configurations of chess pieces,  but only if  those configurations are typical of chess games."

Correct Reading: 
The word  "some"  in Answer D refers to the subset of arrangements that are  NOT  typical of actual games - like randomly scattered pieces that would never occur in real play.

The Trap: 
Assuming "arrangements of chess pieces" = "chess game patterns." Not all arrangements occur in real games!

Answer: D

In certain fields of human endeavor, such as music, chess, and some a

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