Once a childs imagination becomes developed, a host of imaginary crea

Question

Once a child’s imagination becomes developed, a host of imaginary creatures may torment the child. But this newly developed cognitive capacity may also be used to render these creatures harmless. For instance, a child’s new toy may be imagined as an ally, powerful enough to ward off any imaginary threats.

The type of situation described above most closely conforms to which one of the following propositions?

(A) Some newly developed capacities only give rise to problems.

(B) Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.

(C) Children are not able to distinguish between real and imaginary threats.

(D) The most effective way for children to address their fears is to acknowledge them.

(E) Most problems associated with child-rearing can be solved with a little imagination.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Only two answers seem to come close, but let's get a hold of the situation. We have a situation that arises as a child's imagination becomes developed. That situation brings negative effects, but it may also bring counter-acting effects as well.

Once a child’s imagination becomes developed, a host of imaginary creatures may torment the child. But this newly developed cognitive capacity may also be used to render these creatures harmless. For instance, a child’s new toy may be imagined as an ally, powerful enough to ward off any imaginary threats.

The type of situation described above most closely conforms to which one of the following propositions?

(A) Some newly developed capacities only give rise to problems.
Nope. The passage even speaks about allies.

(B) Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.
Yes. The passage basically says that the situation causes A but can also cause B. And that A and B can cancel each other out.

(C) Children are not able to distinguish between real and imaginary threats.
Not mentioned. Extreme language, too, I daresay. This one was close, though. I didn't immediately throw it out of consideration.

(D) The most effective way for children to address their fears is to acknowledge them.
Not mentioned. Irrelevant.

(E) Most problems associated with child-rearing can be solved with a little imagination.
Not mentioned. Irrelevant.

The English used in the question is a little difficult to grasp; the following may be useful if you ever encounter the word PROPOSITION later on (it has more than one meaning). The meaning used here is this one, I feel:

a statement or assertion that expresses a judgement or opinion.
"the proposition that high taxation is undesirable"

GDT · Answer

Once a child’s imagination becomes developed, a host of imaginary creatures may torment the child. But this newly developed cognitive capacity may also be used to render these creatures harmless. For instance, a child’s new toy may be imagined as an ally, powerful enough to ward off any imaginary threats.

The type of situation described above most closely conforms to which one of the following propositions?

(A) Some newly developed capacities only give rise to problems.  Incorrect. Only is Extreme word

(B) Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.   Correct. AS in the stimulus, a figment of imagination can lead to certain bad things such as nightmares but the same imaginative power can be used to ward off imaginary threats

(C) Children are not able to distinguish between real and imaginary threats.  Incorrect. Extreme proposition

(D) The most effective way for children to address their fears is to acknowledge them.  Incorrect. We don't know if this is the most effective way

(E) Most problems associated with child-rearing can be solved with a little imagination.  We don't know if most problems can be solved with this technique

TarPhi · Answer

I think Answer B - (B) Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.
Cause of the problem = Imagination = solution to the problem

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

In other words: Once  imagination  develops in a child, it can be  used  in  two contrasting ways : 
(i) visualizing imaginary creatures that torment the child
(ii) visualizing creatures that can be seen as an ally, powerful enough to ward of imaginary threats.

The type of situation described above most closely conforms to which one of the following propositions?

(A)  Some newly developed capacities only give rise to problems.  - does not mention any kind of contrast. Hence,  eliminate (A).

(B)  Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.  - (B) implies that the same event can have two different results. This is similar to how imagination can be used to arrive at two different experiences for the child. Hence,   (B) is the right answer choice.

(C)  Children are not able to distinguish between real and imaginary threats.  - (C) talks about an incapability of children. The passage does not mention any incapability, rather it highlights a contrast. Since (C) does not have any sort of contrast mentioned,  eliminate (C).

(D)  The most effective way for children to address their fears is to acknowledge them.  - (D) does not have any sort of contrast mentioned. Hence,  eliminate (D).

(E)  Most problems associated with child-rearing can be solved with a little imagination.   - (E) suggests a solution, but does not highlight a different result accruing from the same event or cause, a contrast that is indeed highlighted in the passage. Hence,  eliminate (E).

Adelajne · Answer

(B) Sometimes the cause of a problem may also provide its solution.
It mimics the argument's logic that since a child's imagination becomes developed (cause) and this leads to imagine creatures that torment the child (effect). In fact, this new ability can be used for good and imagine the toy as an ally. so the cause of the problem may also (the same language from the argument " may also be used to render these creatures harmless." provide the solution. So Correct Answer.
(E) Most problems associated with child-rearing can be solved with a little imagination.
Does not involve a cause and effect relationship, keeps the matter general.

nkme2007 · Answer

The problem of child's imagination can itself be used to eliminate the fears of the child make it his/her friend.

Option B fits nicely.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Once a childs imagination becomes developed, a host of imaginary crea

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