Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of for

Question

Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty. It is commonly thought that this happens because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity. However, studies show that  of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number entered their field at an older age than is usual.  Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years, the studies’ finding strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have aged but rather that  scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their field.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.

(B) The first is an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument; the second is that position.

(C) The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is that explanation.

(D) The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a competing explanation that the argument favors.

(E) The first provides evidence to support an explanation that the argument favors; the second is that explanation.

Similar Question:   Link1   Link2

HaileyCusimano · Accepted Answer

For bold face portion questions, we can consistently use process of elimination to arrive at the correct answer on the basis of three key points: 1. Whether the bold portions are presented as fact (evidence/premise) or opinion (conclusion) 2. Whether the bold portions align with or contrast one another (are they making the same point, or different points?) 3. Whether the bold portions align with or contrast the author's argument (Here - it's important to identify the argument structure and conclusion, regardless of whether it falls under one of the bold faced portions - keep in mind, the non-boldened portions are equally important to understanding the argument as a whole!) On this basis, the first bold portion is clearly presented as fact - it's the result of a study! So, we can eliminate (A) and (B) - as "claim" and "objection" pose opinion/conclusion language. (C) (D) and (E) all pose the second boldface as an "explanation," - so we're good to move on to the next point. Next, we want to see whether they align with or contrast one another. Since "of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number entered their field at an older age than is usual" is used to support the idea that "the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have aged but rather that scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their field" - the two bold portions align with one another (they're making the same point) - so we can eliminate (D) and since these portions align with the author's argument, we can also eliminate (C) - leaving (E) as our correct answer. What's tricky about this question, is that the "commonly held belief" presented in the second sentence leads many students to look for "conflicting" or "refuting" language in the answer choices, despite the fact that the bold portions both agree with what the author of the argument is trying to say. This is a common pitfall set in place by GMAT authors - so we'll want to be sure we focus on the roles as they relate to the author's argument, and use process of elimination to arrive at the correct answer.

AliciaSierra · Answer

https://e-gmat.com/blogs/?p=2791

sayantanc2k · Answer

Why do scientists produce fewer creative works after they cross forty?
There are two opposing explanations:
explanation 1: loss of creative capacity
explanation 2: they have spent a long time in the field (and hence they do not have anything new to contribute).

BF2 is the explanation 2 above, and BF1 is a statement supporting explanation 2.

Hence option E is correct.

The fastest way to eliminate D is:
BF1 and BF2 are on the  same side  of the argument. Option D states that BF1 and BF2 are on the  opposing side . Hence D is wrong. This same side/ opposing side consideration is one of the fastest ways to eliminate options in BF questions.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

The argument begins by saying that scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty and that it is  commonly thought  that this is because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity. The first BF statement  however  says that  of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number entered their field at an older age than is usual.  This is explained in the second BF statement that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have aged but rather that  scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their field.

Option A- We can directly eliminate option A as the first BF statement is not a claim but a fact. The study shows X- X becomes a fact and not a claim.

Option B- The first is not an objection but rather a support to the position/ explanation of the author- eliminate option B

Option C- It is correct that the first part is the evidence  but  it is not an evidence that supports an explanation that the author challenges. The first part is the evidence that supports the author’s position/conclusion- eliminate option C

Option D- contains the same error as in option C- eliminate option D

Option E- the author uses the result of the study to support his stand. The first BF is an evidence to support the author’s explanation. The second BF is the explanation that the author supports. Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Vishnupriya
CrackVerbal Prep Team

egmat · Answer

Solution 
 Understand the passage

Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty. 
 The author presents a generic observation.
She says that generally scientists put forth their most creative work, before they cross the age of forty

It is commonly thought that this happens because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity. 
 Here the author provides the reason behind the generic observation.
Aging leads to a reduction in the creative capacity and that is why a scientist does his most creative work before forty

However, studies show that of  scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number entered their field at an older age than is usual.   
 But, there are studies that tell a different tale. It has been observed that the scientists who produce their most creative work after forty, a considerably large number of them started their career as a scientist at an older age than the usual age at which scientists start their careers.
Here the author provides a second observation to show a disagreement with the first generic observation.
So, this part of the argument is going in the opposite direction of the generic observation

Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years, 
 The large majority of scientists will have been working in their fields for at least fifteen years by the time they reach forty; and because of this
(Here the author begins to explain the logic behind the second observation. From here onwards, the argument goes in the same direction as the second observation)

the studies’ finding strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is 
 The results of the studies indicate that the actual reason why scientists older than forty hardly ever produce highly creative work
(continuing with the logic/explanation behind the second observation)

not that they have aged but rather that  scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their field . 
 is not because they have grown old but because they have spent too much time in their field.

Pre-thinking 
 1st Bold Face 
Role = Observation/evidence
Relationship = Used to support the explanation behind that observation .

2nd Bold Face 
Role = explanation behind the observation why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work.
Relationship =goes in the same direction as the observation in the 1st boldface.

Overall 
Both go hand in hand in the same direction.
The first is a surface observation and the second explains that observation.

Answer Choice Analysis

A 
 The first is a claim,

No. It is not a claim being made by the author. It is an observation.

the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument;

No. It is not refuted in the passage.

the second is a conclusion drawn

No. It is part of an explanation

on the basis of that claim.

No. No claim is the basis of this explanation.

Thus, this is not the correct choice

B 
 The first is an objection that has been raised

No. It is not an objection

against a position defended in the argument;

No. It is not against the argument

the second is that position

No. It is not any position or claim. It is merely an explanation of an earlier observation

Thus, this is not the correct choice

C 
 The first is evidence that has been used to

Yes. It is an observation that has been used

support an explanation that the argument challenges;

No. It has been used to support an explanation that goes in the same direction as the evidence

the second is that explanation.
 
Yes. This is the explanation that is supported by the evidence in the first boldface.
Thus, this is not the correct choice.

D 
 The first is evidence that has been used

Yes. It is an observation that has been used

to support an explanation that the argument challenges;

No. It has been used to support an explanation that goes in the same direction as the evidence

the second is a competing explanation that the argument favors.

Yes, we can say that the second statement is a competing explanation that is favored by the argument.

Thus, this is not the correct choice.

E  
 The first provides evidence

Yes. It is an observation that has been used

to support an explanation that the argument favors;
 
Yes. This observation supports and goes in the same direction as the argument. It is used to explain what the argument is trying to state.

the second is that explanation

Yes. This is the explanation of the observation that the argument uses in the first boldface

Thus, this is the correct choice.

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Step 1: Read question stem to determine question type (In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?)
This is a Structure question (aka Boldface question)

Step 2: Read the passage

Step 3: Identify the premises and conclusion

Step 4: Using GENERIC LANGUAGE, summarize the roles played by the boldfaced portions (do this BEFORE examining the answer choices)

Step 5: Find an answer choice that matches your summary.

PREMISE: Scientists most creative BEFORE 40
PREMISE: Some feel this is caused by aging itself
PREMISE: Creative scientists OVER 40 typically started career later
PREMISE: By the age 40, most scientists have already spent at least 15 years in field 
 CONCLUSION:Age doesn't kill creativity. Career boredom kills creativity

Here's my summary; 
The first bolded part is a premise that supports the conclusion. The second bolded part is part of the conclusion.

Check the answer choices.....only answer choice E matches.

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

badgerboy · Answer

I would go with  .

A. The first is the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument.   
B. The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes   ; the second is a finding that has been used in support of that position.
C. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding that has been used in support of that explanation   .
D. The first is an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a finding on which that challenge is based.   
E. The first is an explanation that the argument defends   ; the second is a finding that has been used to challenge that explanation.

GowriNK · Answer

Boldface questions require you to understand the structure of the argument. Let's try to do that: First boldface: A position/explanation/claim that the argument opposes. Second boldface: A finding/evidence that supports the position that the argument defends. The position that the argument defends: the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that they generally have spent too long in their field. Let’s look at the first halves of the options: Option E is out because the first boldface is not defended by the argument. Now let’s look at the second halves of the remaining choices: Option A is out because the second boldface is not an objection raised against the position that the argument defends. In B, ‘that position’ refers to the position mentioned in the first half of the choice, which is the position that the argument opposes. But the second boldface opposes and not supports this position. So B is also out. In C, the second boldface is not a finding used to support ‘that’ explanation (that ageing is the reason for loss of creative capacity). C can also be eliminated. Thus, D is the right answer. According to D, the first is an explanation the argument challenges (ageing is the reason for loss of creative capacity) and the second is a finding on which this challenge is based (a disproportionately large number of the scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty entered their field at an older age than usual). Hope this is clear now.

BeckyRobinsonTPR · Answer

This is a bold face argument type so your first task is to find the conclusion and premise.

the conclusion of the argument is "the real reason why scientists over forty.. is that they have spent too long in their field.:

This is supported by the fact that the scientists who are creative over forty have spent less time in the field.

therefore the second bold phrase is the author's conclusion and the first bolded phrase is the premise (or reason given for the conclusion)

then you look to the answer choices

russ9 · Answer

Hi Becky, can't we argue that A can also pass?   Isn't the accuracy inherently being challenged by the simple fact that two positions are present?    This seem's to be a trouble area for me?

DollyS · Answer

Hi Russ9 Though your doubt is addressed to Becky, I just thought to share my two cents

Before we check whether the accuracy has been challenged, let me ask you one thing: Do you think that the first is a claim ? A) the first is a claim , the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim "Studies show that of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number of the scientists entered their field at an older age than is usual. " Passage says that 'studies show xyz.' Thus, it simply states a fact. Does the argument challenges the accuracy of this fact? No! In fact, it is used in support of the explanation that argument favors (BF2). The accuracy of the first explanation has been challenged. It suggests ageing is the cause for loss of creativity; however, argument contradicts this explanation and states 'spending too long in the field' is the real cause. It's very important to be in author's shoes always so rather seeing these as two contradictory positions, you should see them as position countered by the argument and position taken by the argument. As a thumb rule, you should always begin boldface questions by segregating all the statements into facts and opinions. This will help you avoid some common traps as one tested in this question. For this, read each statement and classify it as a fact or an opinion as follow: Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of forty. - It's a Fact. It is commonly thought that this happens because aging by itself brings about a loss of creative capacity. This explains the reason for loss of creativity after 40. BF1: However, studies show that of scientists who produce highly creative work beyond the age of forty, a disproportionately large number of the scientists entered their field at an older age than is usual. This statement begins with a contrast marker so we can expect the flow of the passage to change. As studies show this information, the statement presents another fact. Thus we know, that BF1 is a FACT and not a claim. Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years, BF2: the studies' finding strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their given field. It presents the explanation that argument supports. Note: This explanation has been drawn in contradiction to the first explanation. Now look at option A A) the first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim BF1 is not a claim; it's a fact. The accuracy of the fact is not at issue in the argument, in fact this fact has been used to support the explanation supported by the argument; second is based on BF1, the fact. Hope this helps! :-D

Dolly

a13ssandra · Answer

E for me too.

Explanation:
Sentence 1 -Premise - Scientists typically do most of their creative work before the age of 40
Sentence 2 - Counter Premise - Studies show (EVIDENCE): (BOLD) scientists who produce their creative work beyond the age of 40 entered the field at an older age
Sentence 3 - Conclusion (EXPLANATION/claim)- Since by the age of forty the large majority of scientists have been working in their field for at least fifteen years, the studies' finding strongly suggests that the real reason why scientists over forty rarely produce highly creative work is not that they have simply aged but rather that (BS) scientists over forty have generally spent too long in their given field.

Answer is E because the fist boldface is EVIDENCE and the argument favours this evidence, and second boldface is an Explanation to the first boldface

LighthousePrep · Answer

Here is how I approached it:

After reading the passage, I broke the answer choices into two parts. "The first..." and "the second..."

Then I applied the process of elimination to rule out the obviously wrong choices:
A) Ruled out because the first statement is not a claim, it is a fact.
B) Ruled out because again, the statement is a fact, not a claim or position or objection. They are just telling you something which is data driven.

I keep the next three after reading only up to "The first is evidence..."

Now I move further into answer choices C, D, E.
Now the difference between (C & D) vs. E requires you to answer: does the second bold statement agree with or disagree with the first bold statement?

Because I think that the second statement would agree with the first statement, I chose E.

yenpham9 · Answer

The 1st boldface is the premise supporting the main conclusion of the argument.
The 2nd boldface is the main conclusion based on that premise.

(A) The  first is a claim,  the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on
the basis of that claim. The first is not a claim and also its accuracy is not mentioned further in the argument.

(B) The first is  an objection  that has been raised  against a position defended in the argumen t; the second is
that position. The first part of this answer choice is opposite of the function of the first boldface.

(C) The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that  the argument challenges ; the
second is that explanation. The explanation is of argument favor not challenge.

(D) The first is evidence that has been used to support  an explanation that the argument challenges ; the
second is a competing explanation that the argument favors. The explanation is of argument favor not challenge.

(E) The first provides  evidence to support  an explanation that the  argument favors ; the second is  that
explanation . This is correct.

Raihanuddin · Answer

The solution is from E gmat. Only main part is given here

the author’s conclusion here is that  aging is not responsible for a loss of creativity in scientists . Rather, the reason for their loss of creativity is that they have spent too long working in their field. This part is the author’s conclusion. The author directly contradicts the common belief by saying that ‘the real reason’ is not the commonly believed one.

Option A bad B can be eliminated easily. Lets get reason for eliminating C and D

C- the first is evidence that supports the author’s conclusion, not the conclusion that the author challenges. 
 Also, the second is the author’s explanation, not the explanation that the author challenges. 
D- First part can be eliminated for the reason stated in C. Second part is correct
E- Correct Answer

aj0809 · Answer

Brilliant solution by egmat.

A. THE FIRST IS A CLAIM, THE ACCURACY OF WHICH IS AT ISSUE IN THE ARGUMENT; THE SECOND IS A CONCLUSION DRAWN ON THE BASIS OF THAT CLAIM. THIS OPTION IS INCORRECT.LET’S UNDERSTAND THIS.FIRST OF ALL, THE FIRST STATEMENT IS A FACT, NOT A CLAIM. ALSO, THE ARGUMENT DOES NOT CHALLENGE THE ACCURACY OF THIS STATEMENT. THIS STATEMENT SUPPORTS THE AUTHOR’S CONCLUSION.THE SECOND HALF OF THIS STATEMENT IS ALSO INCORRECT SINCE IT IDENTIFIES BF2 AS A CONCLUSION. BF2 IS PART OF THE AUTHOR’S CONCLUSION, NOT THE ENTIRE CONCLUSION.
B. The first is an objection that has been raised against a position defended in the argument; the second is that position. This option is incorrect.First of all, BF1 cannot be an objection to the author’s position, since the author’s position is based on BF1.Second, “position defended in the argument means” could mean a conclusion. However, Bf2 is not a conclusion; it is only a part of a conclusion.
C. The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is that explanation. This option is incorrect.Let’s see why. ‘The first is evidence’—this part is correct. But the first is evidence that supports the author’s conclusion, not the conclusion that the author challenges.Also, the second is the author’s explanation, not the explanation that the author challenges.
D. The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that the argument challenges; the second is a competing explanation that the argument favors. This choice is also incorrect.The first part of this choice is the same as the first part of choice C, and is incorrect for the same reasons.In this option, the second half has no error. BF2 is indeed a competing explanation that the argument favors. So, the only error in this choice is the part that says that BF1 supports the explanation that the author challenges.
E. The first provides evidence to support an explanation that the argument favors; the second is that explanation.  This is the correct answer.  The first is evidence since it is a fact. This choice correctly says that BF1 supports the explanation that the author favors. The second half is also correct in saying that BF2 is the explanation favored by the author.

aadit1984 · Answer

The trick here is to keep an eye on the keywords on which GMAT Test makers often play to create attractive but inconsistent answer choices. In case of Option D, it is true that BF1 is an evidence, however it in no way supports an explanation that the argument challenges. On the contrary, it is used to help arrive at the author's claim.

(D) The first is evidence that has been used to support an explanation that the argument   challenges  ; the
second is a competing explanation that the argument favors.

Thus, we can straight away eliminate A, and B for not correctly classifying BF1 as evidence or a fact (interchangeable). And then, on closer inspection, eliminate C and D as both are inconsistent owing to the presence of "support an explanation that the argument   challenges  ".

Thus, we are left only with option E, which is the right answer!

merajul · Answer

I am confused between C & E. Can anyone explain why E is the right answer??
My thought process was like this -->
1st Bold Face ??? Evidence against argument (in the first line)
2nd Bold Face ??? Explanation of the 1st one (why it is so...?)

Lucy Phuong · Answer

IMHO, there is problem with your thinking process:
First, let's analyze the argument: There are 2 explanation for a situation, the 1st explanation is challenged and the 2nd one is favored by author. Evidence is given.
1st Bold Face ??? Evidence against  1st explanation  (not against  argument ). The word "however" indicates this. In another word, the 1st BF is evidence supporting the 2nd explanation.
2nd Bold Face ??? The 2nd explanation (not  the 1st one ).

That's why (E) is correct.

I think your wrong identification of functions of 2BF leads to wrong choice.

Scientists typically do their most creative work before the age of for

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