Reading comp PrepTest 140 · Section 4 · Question 17

Passage

Questions 14-19  .       In certain fields of human endeavor, such as  . music, chess, and some athletic activities, the  . Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic: Science

Paragraph 1
  • Paragraph note
    • A phenomenon and explanation are introduced
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Phenomenon - Some people are so much better at stuff than others
    • Common/Psychologist explanation - They're born with it
Paragraph 2
  • Paragraph note
    • New research challenges that explanation
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Problem - Old explanation was based on random samples, not real studies
    • Research - Superior performance is from acquired skills/physiological adaptations
    • Example 1 - Athlete skills are limited to their sport
    • Example 2 - Chess players can only remember real chess moves/games
Paragraph 3
  • Paragraph note
    • Results of new studies expanded
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Vast majority aren't born but train (10+ intense years)
    • Mental and physical traits can be developed
    • Exception - Things like height
Paragraph 4
  • Paragraph note
    • Wrap-up and new focus for predictions
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Evidence - Innate talent doesn't explain exceptional performance
    • What does? Motivation (to put in hours training)
Main Point:
Exceptional performance isn't the result of innate talent but rather over a decade of intense training, which requires motivation from an early age.

Key Lines:
Lines 3-4 - The phenomenon is introduced
Lines 5-10 - An explanation is offered for that phenomenon
Lines 23-27 - The Author's explanation based on new research is offered
Lines 62-64 - Implications of the explanation for predicting success are noted

Meta-Structure:
Phenomenon/Explanation - In particular, this passage is about dueling explanations for the phenomenon of superior performance. Some say that it's innate talent, but the Author argues that it's intense training.

Last Thoughts:
The passage is actually pretty straightforward! There are several examples in the paragraphs (sports, chess, height), so we should anticipate questions about them. Other than that, there aren't many outstanding features here.

Question prompt

Which one of the Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: A

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Social Science

Answer choices

  1. A
    desire and interest
    Why choice A matches the stem
    Correct. Question Type:
    Must Be True

    Strategy Overview:
    Find the relevant section and identify the correct answer

    Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
    When a Must Be True question stem asks you about something explicitly stated in the passage ("say"), and it gives you guidance as to what the topic is, you should find that section of the passage—otherwise, you'll be going on a wild goose chase in the answers!

    Here, it's asking about something specifically stated as to what's required to keep up intense practice. Looking at our notes, we can see that the last paragraph was about the motivation to keep practicing, so we should check there. And scanning through the second half, which is where it discussed motivation, we can see that the Author says that such practice usually "depends on . . . interest and desire" (Lines 58-59), we should look for an answer stating that.

    Answer Explanation:
    (Lines 58-59) This answer is explicitly stated towards the end of the passage, so it's the correct answer.

    Key Takeaway:
    Note the difference between a question such as #16 and this one. #16 asked for an inference from the passage, whereas this one asked you to identify something that the passage said. While both are directly supported by the passage, the answer here was explicitly stated in the passage. Distinguishing between these two types of Must Be True questions can be key to answering them quickly—you should always know whether you're looking for something that's directly supported by the passage or directly stated in the passage.
  2. B
    emotional support from other Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 62) While emotional support might be one factor in motivation or sustained practice, it's not one that's cited by the passage.
  3. C
    appropriate instruction at the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. (Line 38) The passage does speak extensively about extended intense training, but it never mentions "appropriate instruction at the right age." The closest it gets is saying that the "vast majority" started instruction early, which falls short of saying that it's necessary, appropriate, or the right age.
  4. D
    sufficient leisure time to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. It might be implied that this is the case—otherwise, how would someone keep up practice?—but it's never explicitly stated.
  5. E
    self-discipline and control
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. (Line 62) This might be something that contributes to motivation or to the maintenance of an intense training schedule, but it's not one cited by the passage.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A Credited 91%
  2. B 2%
  3. C 3%
  4. D 2%
  5. E 1%

Deeper help

Ask follow-ups on any step

Optional AI tutor mode will let you interrogate assumptions, compare answers, and drill weak patterns without leaving the page.

Human-written explanations stay primary; AI is an add-on when you want it.

Discussion

  • correct answer 1 reply

    Started by susan

  • Why C 2 replies

    Started by AndrewArabie

View all discussions Start a discussion