Reading comp PrepTest 155 · Section 3 · Question 27

Does this answer choice (1) tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) either weakens or has no effect on the argument in passage A?

Not quite. This answer choice suggests that passage B concluded that a concept can be "created by language." But that's not supported by passage B's main point. The author of passage B concludes that the fact that the Piraha and Munduruku Indian subjects could estimate numerical values supports the claim that we learn the concept of numbers from something other than language (PB, P2, S1). The author of passage B also states that the subjects' indifference to exact values supports the idea that language m might expand how we think about concepts or direct attention to which concepts we think about (PB, P2, S5-6). Thus, the author of passage B never concludes that language creates concepts, and we can eliminate (A).

Question Type:
Argument Structure/Principle (Strengthen)

Strategy Overview:
Consult notes and choose the answer choice that (1) ties the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) is irrelevant to or weakens the argument in passage A

Answer Anticipation:
First, what even is this question? The phrase "following principle" in the question stem might ring a bell if you've been working on Principle questions in Logical Reasoning. This phrase shows up in Principle (Strengthen) questions in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comp. In these questions, we have to pick the answer choice with the principle — or rule — that connects the author's evidence to the conclusion the author reaches.

This question asks us for the principle that will tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion. So, as we check each answer choice, we'll want to make sure that it connects a piece of evidence the author of passage B uses to a conclusion the author draws.

This question also specifies that this principle can't work for passage A. That means the correct answer could be irrelevant to the argument in passage A; alternatively, it could weaken the argument in passage A. Even with these parameters, it's very difficult to anticipate what the correct answer will say. After all, the author of passage B draws several conclusions and doesn't commit to any of them. So, let's remind ourselves of the main point of each passage and assess each answer choice with those parameters in mind.

Answer Choice Explanation:
Does this answer choice (1) tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) either weakens or has no effect on the argument in passage A?

It may take some time to reason through this choice (or eliminate the remaining choices after tabling this one), but yes. One of passage B's conclusions is that the fact that the Piraha and Munduruku Indian subjects could estimate numerical values supports the claim that we learn the concept of numbers from something other than language (PB, P2, S1). The subjects could conceptualize numbers — at least in inexact terms — even though their language lacked words for these numbers. The author uses that premise to conclude that their concept of language was not created by language. Therefore, this underlies the argument in passage B.

This is irrelevant to the argument in passage A. The author of passage A never discusses people who lack an expression for specific terms. That author instead discusses how gendered words influence how we think about the objects the words refer to. Since this principle doesn't apply to the evidence in passage A, it doesn't underlie its argument.

Therefore, this answer choice passes both criteria, so it is correct.

Key Takeaway:
For a principle to underlie an argument, the sufficient condition must apply to the argument's premise, and the necessary condition must relate to the argument's conclusion.

Does this answer choice (1) tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) either weakens or has no effect on the argument in passage A?

Nope. If we take the contrapositive of this principle, it would be, "If one can learn a language in which certain concepts are represented, then one's language cannot prevent one from possessing certain concepts." Once we do that, we can see this principle applies to neither passage.

Even though both passages conclude that people can possess certain concepts independent of their language (PA, P2, S1; PB, P2, S1), neither passage bases this on evidence that people can learn languages with certain concepts. Instead, passage B bases that conclusion on the fact that people can learn concepts when their language lacks words for those concepts. Because (C) doesn't tie passage B's evidence to the conclusion, it is incorrect.

Does this answer choice (1) tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) either weakens or has no effect on the argument in passage A?

Nope. This is wrong for the same reason as (A). This principle would apply to an argument that concluded that a concept can be created by language. The furthest passage B's author is willing to go is that language might direct our attention to certain concepts (PB, P2, S6). So, this answer choice doesn't connect passage B's evidence and conclusion, and it is wrong.

Does this answer choice (1) tie the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion and (2) either weakens or has no effect on the argument in passage A?

Not quite. The author of passage B does conclude that the Piraha and Munduruku Indian subjects learned the concept of numbers independently of their language (PB, P2, S1). However, the author doesn't base that conclusion on evidence that these subjects are "obliged" to think about numbers. In fact, the author suggests they're mostly indifferent to numbers, even if they do possess some understanding of them. Again, this principle doesn't connect the author of passage B's evidence to their conclusion, making (E) incorrect.