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ruplun
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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is Updated on: 09 Oct 2018, 06:18
Originally posted by ruplun on 27 May 2013, 08:12.
Last edited by Bunuel on 09 Oct 2018, 06:18, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic, edited the question and added the OA.
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55% (hard)

Question Stats:

65% (02:23) correct 35% (02:34) wrong based on 431 sessions

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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is typically smaller for male cats than for female cats. A neurobiologist performed autopsies on male cats who died from disease X, a disease affecting no more than 0.5 percent of male cats, and found that these male cats had interstitial nuclei that were as large as those generally found in female cats. Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X, but, the hypothalamus is known not to be causally linked to disease Y, and disease X is a subtype of disease Y.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


(A) The first is a fact in support of the consideration that is one of two points of this argument; the second is the alternative point that weighs against the first.

(B) The first is an evidence that supports the consideration that the argument includes; the second is the fact that weighs against that consideration that could be drawn from the first.

(C) The first is a general principle that is against the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion; the second is an exceptional example.

(E) The first is a fact in support of the conclusion that the argument depends on; the second is a fact that is against the first one.
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KyleWiddison
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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is 28 May 2013, 23:22
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The conclusion is "Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X". The first boldface is a premise (fact/evidence) supporting the conclusion - eliminate C. The second boldface is a counterpoint (fact/evidence) that works against the conclusion (not against the first boldface) - eliminate A, D & E.

Answer - B

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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is 15 Jun 2021, 06:44
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KyleWiddison
The conclusion is "Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X". The first boldface is a premise (fact/evidence) supporting the conclusion - eliminate C. The second boldface is a counterpoint (fact/evidence) that works against the conclusion (not against the first boldface) - eliminate A, D & E.

Answer - B

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Hey Kyle,
Just wanted to confirm my understanding, In option D, the explanation of 2nd BF as exceptional example is incorrect right?
And in A, in 1st BF, the part one of two point is incorrect .

Can you confirm if my understanding is correct?
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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is 18 Jun 2021, 22:08
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(A) The first is a fact in support of the consideration that is one of two points of this argument; the second is the alternative point that weighs against the first.
i haven't still figured out the first point however the second one is correct since it opposes the fact that the hypothalmus disease affect the hypothalmus and not that the size of the hypothalmus is the cause contracting the disease hence out as first half doesn't make sense

(B) The first is an evidence that supports the consideration that the argument includes; the second is the fact that weighs against that consideration that could be drawn from the first.'
Yes this everthing the bold face tries to convey first is part of the argument it affects the male cats when autopsed had large brain andthe second oppose the size was not the criteria for contacting the disease but the disease altered the size
hence lets hang onto B


(C) The first is a general principle that is against the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.
Thie premise is not agaignst the conclusion rather seeking to establish the conclusion


(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion; the second is an exceptional example.
First is a premise the argument is supplying and second is not an example just another premise oppposing the conclusion that the size of the hypothalmus is not the deciding factor


(E) The first is a fact in support of the conclusion that the argument depends on; the second is a fact that is against the first one.
This one was hard to eleminate yes the first half is correct the second half doesn't oppose the first one however is another premise in opposition with the conclusion

hence IMO B
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The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain’s hypothalamus, is 19 Jun 2022, 13:09
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