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- Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:23 pm
#22647
Question #4: Method. The correct answer choice is (E).
The author argues that a baby’s babbling is a linguistic task. Why? Apparently, babbling babies open the right sides of their mouths wider than the left, unlike those who engage in nonlinguistic vocalizations—they tend to open the left side of the mouth wider. The argument is structured as follows:
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the scientist only evaluates evidence presented in support of her conclusion. No counterargument is ever discussed.
Answer choice (B): The scientist never questions the adequacy of a generally accepted principle, let alone undermine or replace it with another principle.
Answer choice (C): This is a half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Yes, the author raises a question and then describes an experimental test, but there is no reason to believe that the test was necessary to answer the question. Remember—Method of Reasoning questions belong to the Prove Family of questions, requiring the ability to prove the correct answer choice by referring to the information contained in the stimulus.
Answer choice (D): The author certainly describes an explanation for some facts, but the similarity between the author’s method of reasoning and answer choice (D) ends here. There is no debate over whether the explanation in question is, in fact, correct.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. In the first sentence, the author presents two possible interpretations (linguistic task vs. random sounds) of an observed phenomenon (babbling babies). The author then provides evidence in support of one interpretation (babbling babies is a linguistic task) and against the other. The fact that the conclusion is supported by two premises does not make this answer choice incorrect, as both premises can properly be summarized as “evidence” that babbling is a linguistic task.
The author argues that a baby’s babbling is a linguistic task. Why? Apparently, babbling babies open the right sides of their mouths wider than the left, unlike those who engage in nonlinguistic vocalizations—they tend to open the left side of the mouth wider. The argument is structured as follows:
Premise—Babbling babies open the right sides of their mouths wider.In prephrasing an answer to a Method of Reasoning question, it is important to keep an open mind: arguments can be described at varying levels of specificity, which is why your structural understanding of it should take priority over a narrowly prephrased description.
Premise—During nonlinguistic vocalizations, people open the left side of the mouth wider.
Conclusion—Babbling is a linguistic task.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the scientist only evaluates evidence presented in support of her conclusion. No counterargument is ever discussed.
Answer choice (B): The scientist never questions the adequacy of a generally accepted principle, let alone undermine or replace it with another principle.
Answer choice (C): This is a half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Yes, the author raises a question and then describes an experimental test, but there is no reason to believe that the test was necessary to answer the question. Remember—Method of Reasoning questions belong to the Prove Family of questions, requiring the ability to prove the correct answer choice by referring to the information contained in the stimulus.
Answer choice (D): The author certainly describes an explanation for some facts, but the similarity between the author’s method of reasoning and answer choice (D) ends here. There is no debate over whether the explanation in question is, in fact, correct.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. In the first sentence, the author presents two possible interpretations (linguistic task vs. random sounds) of an observed phenomenon (babbling babies). The author then provides evidence in support of one interpretation (babbling babies is a linguistic task) and against the other. The fact that the conclusion is supported by two premises does not make this answer choice incorrect, as both premises can properly be summarized as “evidence” that babbling is a linguistic task.
