Q9 - Psychologist: Although studies of young

[al2568]

Not sure why E and not B.

They studied the environment. But then they say that innate mechanisms also play a role.

I don't see why the study of which is more important, is a better answer than solidifying innate mechanisms as a factor first.

[ohthatpatrick]

Well, I think you inadvertently hit the nail on the head when you said "they say that innate mechanicms also play a role".

The blank is prefaced by "So", indicating that it will be the conclusion to the argument. Do conclusions of arguments normally ask whether the premises were true?

If I said,
"John loves chocolate, but he also loves strawberry, so I guess the question that ought to be asked is does John really love chocolate?"

It just wouldn't make sense as a conclusion. The author already established (already believes) that innate mechanisms are a contributing factor, so why would his conclusion call that idea into question?

What you want to look for with most of these Logical Completion questions is an idea that safely synthesizes the multiple threads leading up to it. (B) would only be focused on one thread, while (E) intertwines both of the ideas mentioned.

When I say "SAFELY" synthesizes, I mean beware of going overboard with extreme language, as (A) "fully explained", (C) "solely", and (D) "most" all do.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have lingering qualms.

[contropositive]

I understand the explanation provided, but isn't this a Inference question type...whatever we pick must be true based on the stimulus? I thought B was more true than E because the stimulus never says environmental influence has more important role just that there has been important facts revealed about environmental influence

[tommywallach]

Hey Royai,

Remember, we're looking for a question that STILL needs to be asked, not just something that is true. (B) is true, which means it definitively DOES NOT work in the blank. The blank should be for something we don't yet know for certain (otherwise, why would we need to ask?).

-t

[contropositive]

Hey Royai,

Remember, we're looking for a question that STILL needs to be asked, not just something that is true. (B) is true, which means it definitively DOES NOT work in the blank. The blank should be for something we don't yet know for certain (otherwise, why would we need to ask?).

-t

Thanks Tom, that makes perfect sense. But what if the blank space didn't require a question? would I then have to pick an answer choice that must be true like in inference questions? what type of question would this even be considered? I have the Manhattan LR 4th edition

[deedubbew]

What's wrong with A? When dealing with fill in the blank questions, I've found that they are usually inference questions. I attack inference questions by keeping in mind that the wrong answer choices are out of scope. A and E both seem out of scope. A is too broad while E is too narrow. Because A did not bring in new information and was more related to everything already mentioned, I chose it over E. The stimulus mentions that it cannot be just one factor. So a related question would be how many factors is it then? This was closest to A. No part of the stimulus calls for two influences to be compared.

[maryadkins]

Not sure if you saw Patrick's explanation above:

When I say "SAFELY" synthesizes, I mean beware of going overboard with extreme language, as (A) "fully explained", (C) "solely", and (D) "most" all do.

(A) is way too far-reaching. Can EVER be fully explained? Good grief. So it's saying there maybe is no point in attempting to explain it? (E) at least gets at the heart of what's being discussed. Don't choose an answer choice that abandons the discussion altogether in favor of a sweeping generalization.

[jdieck]

Hi,

Just wondering if it is okay for language acquisition to equal language learning. Do you think the ideas are similar enough to say that they are same for the purposes of answering this question? I was thinking maybe one could eliminate A and D based on it being learning and not acquisition.

Thank you,

[tommywallach]

Sadly, I don't think so. For the purposes of language, those two nouns mean pretty much the same thing.

-t