The hearing organs of unborn babies begin to develop after less than

Question

The hearing organs of unborn babies begin to develop after less than four weeks of pregnancy, and by four months an unborn baby can actually hear. At six months in the womb, infants are able to hear clearly, and some biologists believe that they are already developing a partiality for certain kinds of music. A number of companies have begun marketing prenatal listening devices so that parents can instill a love for classical music in their unborn child, and research has indicated that classical music has very positive effects on the mind development of unborn babies. Some research suggests, however, that the baby is most likely to respond positively to the mother’s musical preference, because her favorite music is most likely to relax her.

The passage above implies which of the following about playing music for unborn babies?

(A) Because unborn babies can hear music clearly by the sixth month of pregnancy, astute parents should begin to introduce their child to music in the womb.

(B) Studies indicate that the best music to play around unborn babies is classical, because it has the most positive effects on prenatal development.

(C) Although classical music has positive benefits on unborn babies, parents should play music that is most comfortable for them and particularly for the mother.

(D) Because unborn babies can begin to develop musical partiality at six months, the baby will definitely develop a taste for whatever music its mother likes best.

(E) Given that an unborn baby’s music preferences can develop by six months, the baby can make its dislike for music very clear to its mother.

Naila02 · Answer

Bunuel  , could you please post the OA? Is that C?

sakkul26 · Answer

(A) Because unborn babies can hear music clearly by the sixth month of pregnancy, astute parents should begin to introduce their child to music in the womb. -  Ya please introduce your baby,  BUT  , what kind of music it should be - this option seems incomplete
 
(B) Studies indicate that the best music to play around unborn babies is classical, because it has the most positive effects on prenatal development. -  this option at least tries to put some light on what kind of music should your baby listen, but that is not the only consideration.

(C) Although classical music has positive benefits on unborn babies, parents should play music that is most comfortable for them and particularly for the mother. -  this looks like the best option. What type of music while simultaneously stressing that mothers choice should also be incorporated

(D) Because unborn babies can begin to develop musical partiality at six months, the baby will definitely develop a taste for whatever music its mother likes best. -  not making any sense. good for the baby though

(E) Given that an unborn baby’s music preferences can develop by six months, the baby can make its dislike for music very clear to its mother. -  again senseless

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

In this question, the author of the passage focuses on the way that unborn babies are able to hear and even develop preferences for music. The passage claims that an unborn baby’s hearing organs begin development at four weeks, and the baby can hear by four months. The passage goes on to claim that unborn infants can “hear clearly” in the womb at six months, and “some biologists believe that they are already developing a partiality for certain kinds of music” by that point. The author notes that there are companies who are currently developing prenatal listening devices to feed classical music to their children (due to the perceived benefits of listening to classical music), yet the passage concludes by noting that there is research suggesting that unborn babies respond best to the type of music the mother enjoys most. The question then asks the student to determine the answer choice that is implied regarding the issue of unborn babies and listening to music. The student should approach this as an inference/implication question and review each of the answer choices carefully to locate an antecedent statement (or statements) in the passage.

The Correct Answer:

C The author claims that “research has indicated that classical music has very positive effects on the mind development of unborn babies. Some research suggests, however, that the baby is most likely to respond positively to the mother’s musical preference, because her favorite music is most likely to relax her.” In other words, classical music is possibly beneficial, but the unborn baby is best served by listening to music that the mother likes. Answer choice (C) accurately states this, so it is correct.

The Incorrect Answers:

A Answer choice (A) makes a statement of argument that utilizes language not clearly used in the passage. The author of the passage notes that playing music for the unborn baby might very well be beneficial, but the author does not suggest the judgment statement that  astute parents  should introduce music to their unborn child. This infers more from the author’s tone than is clearly present, so answer choice (A) cannot be correct.

B Answer choice (B) is incorrect due to the strength of the word choice. The passage notes that “research has indicated that classical music has very positive effects on the mind development of unborn babies.” This means that classical music might be of benefit for the developing minds of unborn babies. It does not mean unequivocally that it is the  best music  with the  most positive benefits . Answer choice (B) may be eliminated.

D The author indicates that unborn babies are often most comfortable with the mother’s preference, but the passage does not necessarily claim that babies  will definitely  develop similar preferences. The passage seems to indicate that the baby is responding positively to the mother’s preference, and while this means that the baby ultimately develops a similar preference, the word “definitely” is too strong to be inferred from the passage. Answer choice (D) cannot be correct.

E The author of the passage indicates that babies can develop partiality. But the author makes no mention of the baby indicating a dislike for the music, and while it is possible that the unborn child can express a certain sense of discomfort, there is nothing in the passage to indicate that the infant will  make its dislike for music very clear . This assumes just a little too much, so it cannot be correct.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The hearing organs of unborn babies begin to develop after less than

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