Musicians typically record most of their albums before the age of 35.

Question

Musicians typically record most of their albums before the age of 35. Some have argued that this phenomenon is the result of older age diminishing creative processes.  But most musicians who record albums after the age of 35 started to record music only after they turned 30.  Additionally, by the time most musicians have turned 30, they have been recording music for several years. So instead of arguing that old age reduces creativity, it can instead be suggested that  many musicians over the age of 35 produce fewer albums because they have been making music for too long to write compelling new music.
 
In the argument given, the two Boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A. Each provides support for the primary explanation for the phenomenon described in the passage.
B. The first is a rebuttal of an assertion made by the argument; the second is that assertion.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is that explanation.
D.The first offers evidence in support of an explanation with which the argument agrees; the second is that explanation.
E. The first offers evidence in support of an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is an explanation with which the argument agrees.

velvetwhisper · Answer

I chose D, where the OA says C, Can somebody explain!!!

okHedwig · Answer

Hi,

I was confused between option C & E, but I see the ans mentioned here is D, Can you please explain the thought process to eliminate other options and how D will be the answer?

Thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

The argument supports the explanation offered in the last sentence, that  “many musicians over the age of 35 produce fewer albums because they have been making music for too long to write compelling new music.”  The first bold portion offers evidence that supports an alternative to the first explanation for the phenomenon—that musicians record most of their albums before age 35. The second portion states the explanation—that this is mostly due to the length of musicians’ careers.

Answer: D

rm3122 · Answer

Here s my point of view:

BF1- But most musicians who record albums after the age of 35 started to record music only after they turned 30.
Sounds like a fact or premise or could be used to support an argument

BF2- many musicians over the age of 35 produce fewer albums because they have been making music for too long to write compelling new music.
Since it is prefaced by - So instead of arguing that old age reduces creativity, it can instead be suggested that 
This is the authors conclusion.

A- Each provides support for the primary explanation for the phenomenon described in the passage.
BF1 could be a support but BF2 is not- eliminate

B- The first is a rebuttal of an assertion made by the argument; the second is that assertion.
BF1 is a statement not a rebuttal, and neither is it asserting against BF2- eliminate

C- The first provides evidence in support of an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is that explanation.
BF1 is a support, it is challenging an argument made in the opening lines of the statement, so here is where one can get confused. BF2 is not the explanation that BF1 is challenging, instead it is used to support BF2- eliminate

D- The first offers evidence in support of an explanation with which the argument agrees; the second is that explanation.
BF1 offers support to an explanation is correct, BF2 is the explanation that the argument agrees with, hence the entire statement becomes true.

E-The first offers evidence in support of an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is an explanation with which the argument agrees.
Similar to C.- eliminate

Although the argument is challenging the line- “Some have argued that this phenomenon is the result of older age diminishing creative processes.” When you look at options CDE, C and E make us believe that the author is arguing against his own conclusion which is false.

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

This is a rewrite of an official question. Although this version works, the original makes a bit more sense: https://gmatclub.com/forum/scientists-t ... 85273.html

kumarvibhuti630 · Answer

Passage Structure: States a fact, provide some claims, give some evidence for alternative view point and concludes by giving some explanation.

Argument/Conclusion : Instead of arguing that old age reduces creativity, it can instead be suggested that ... (some alternate explanations)

BF1 : It is an evidence that is supporting the main reasoning of the argument, by including details about the other set of people who starts their career after 30.

BF2 : It is the explanation or reasoning suppporting the argument.

Musicians typically record most of their albums before the age of 35.

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Musicians typically record most of their albums before the age of 35.

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