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03 Aug 2019, 23:47
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B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
78% (01:52) correct
22%
(01:58)
wrong
based on 276
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Ergonomically designed computer keyboards tend to lose their “play”—the responsiveness of the keys— more quickly than do traditional keyboards. A software designer has suggested that it is in fact the curvature of the key rows and not increased typing speed that is to blame. Due to the bent shape of the board, it is more difficult for the average user to clean between the keys, resulting in a gradual deadening of the spring mechanisms.
The answer to which of the following questions will most likely yield significant information that would help to evaluate the software designer’s hypothesis?
A. Do traditional keyboards and ergonomically designed keyboards utilize the same plastics?
B. Does sprinkling a keyboard with dust impede the spring action beneath the keys?
C. Does a keyboard with deadened play make typing more difficult?
D. Do computer manufacturers receive more complaints about ergonomically designed keyboards than about traditional keyboards?
E. Are software designers more likely than other users to utilize their keyboards when working?
The answer to which of the following questions will most likely yield significant information that would help to evaluate the software designer’s hypothesis?
A. Do traditional keyboards and ergonomically designed keyboards utilize the same plastics?
B. Does sprinkling a keyboard with dust impede the spring action beneath the keys?
C. Does a keyboard with deadened play make typing more difficult?
D. Do computer manufacturers receive more complaints about ergonomically designed keyboards than about traditional keyboards?
E. Are software designers more likely than other users to utilize their keyboards when working?
05 Aug 2019, 13:13
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The stem gives us two competing hypotheses: keyboards lose their "play" either because people type faster on them (wearing them out I guess), or because they get dirty and that affects "play". Only answer B is remotely relevant to evaluating one of those hypotheses.
There's a problem with the question setup though - the stem states as a premise that not cleaning properly leads to a deadening of the spring mechanisms. But if B is correct, and we need to conduct an experiment to confirm that dirt deadens the springs, it's not a premise. They mean for that claim to be part of the software designer's hypothesis, but it's stated as if it's a fact.
There's a problem with the question setup though - the stem states as a premise that not cleaning properly leads to a deadening of the spring mechanisms. But if B is correct, and we need to conduct an experiment to confirm that dirt deadens the springs, it's not a premise. They mean for that claim to be part of the software designer's hypothesis, but it's stated as if it's a fact.
13 Mar 2026, 10:16
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Let me walk you through this step by step.
First, let's identify the software designer's hypothesis. It's a causal chain with three links:
1. Curved key rows → harder to clean between keys
2. Harder to clean → debris (dust, crumbs, etc.) builds up
3. Debris buildup → spring mechanisms deaden → loss of 'play'
To evaluate any hypothesis, we need to test whether the links in its causal chain actually hold. If any link breaks, the whole hypothesis falls apart.
Now let's check each answer:
A (Same plastics?) - This is about materials, not about cleaning or curvature. Irrelevant to the hypothesis.
B (Does dust impede spring action?) - This directly tests Link 3. If dust DOES impede springs, the hypothesis gains support. If dust does NOT impede springs, the whole hypothesis collapses — because even if curved keyboards are harder to clean, it wouldn't matter if debris doesn't affect springs. This is the critical link to test.
C (Does deadened play make typing harder?) - This asks about the consequence of the problem, not its cause. We're trying to evaluate WHY play is lost, not what happens after.
D (More complaints about ergonomic keyboards?) - We already know ergonomic keyboards lose play faster. This just restates the problem rather than testing the explanation.
E (Software designers using keyboards more?) - Completely irrelevant to whether curvature causes cleaning difficulty.
The answer is B because it tests the most critical assumption: that debris actually damages spring mechanisms. Without this being true, the entire hypothesis has no foundation.
Answer: B
Key Takeaway: For 'evaluate the hypothesis' questions, look for the answer that tests a necessary assumption in the argument's causal chain. The best question to ask is one where a 'yes' answer strengthens and a 'no' answer weakens the argument.
First, let's identify the software designer's hypothesis. It's a causal chain with three links:
1. Curved key rows → harder to clean between keys
2. Harder to clean → debris (dust, crumbs, etc.) builds up
3. Debris buildup → spring mechanisms deaden → loss of 'play'
To evaluate any hypothesis, we need to test whether the links in its causal chain actually hold. If any link breaks, the whole hypothesis falls apart.
Now let's check each answer:
A (Same plastics?) - This is about materials, not about cleaning or curvature. Irrelevant to the hypothesis.
B (Does dust impede spring action?) - This directly tests Link 3. If dust DOES impede springs, the hypothesis gains support. If dust does NOT impede springs, the whole hypothesis collapses — because even if curved keyboards are harder to clean, it wouldn't matter if debris doesn't affect springs. This is the critical link to test.
C (Does deadened play make typing harder?) - This asks about the consequence of the problem, not its cause. We're trying to evaluate WHY play is lost, not what happens after.
D (More complaints about ergonomic keyboards?) - We already know ergonomic keyboards lose play faster. This just restates the problem rather than testing the explanation.
E (Software designers using keyboards more?) - Completely irrelevant to whether curvature causes cleaning difficulty.
The answer is B because it tests the most critical assumption: that debris actually damages spring mechanisms. Without this being true, the entire hypothesis has no foundation.
Answer: B
Key Takeaway: For 'evaluate the hypothesis' questions, look for the answer that tests a necessary assumption in the argument's causal chain. The best question to ask is one where a 'yes' answer strengthens and a 'no' answer weakens the argument.
