PrepTest 117

Incorrect. There's no indication that a larger classroom would fix the problems seen in the first attempt of a mixed—age classroom. In fact, the stimulus notes that inadequate attention" to some students was a problem of the model, thus suggesting a bigger class would exacerbate the issues, not solve them. This answer establishes a difference, but not one that resolves the paradox.

Incorrect. This answer brings up a relevant difference—in explaining why the older classrooms should have been more successful than the newer ones. That's not what was actually seen, so this answer makes the paradox worse.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
First attempt — Mixed—age classrooms bored the old kids and confused the young ones, failing to teach anyone
Recent attempt — Mixed—age classrooms are working for both older and younger kids

Answer Anticipation:
This argument brings up two attempts to do the same thing, highlighting a different outcome in the more recent attempt. When a paradox revolves around a difference, we should look for a difference to explain it.

Let's find an answer that highlights something done differently in the more recent mixed—age classroom that can explain how it shifted from boring the older kids to stimulating them, and confusing the younger kids to teaching them more efficiently than a traditional classroom.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights a difference between now and then that has resulted in a more engaging environment across age groups, so this answer resolves the paradox.

Key Takeaway:
When the outcome of a given action has changed, there must be another change to explain the different outcome. Find a relevant difference between the two attempts—either specific to the action itself, or to the surrounding situation—to resolve that paradox.

Incorrect. Another difference that doesn't seem to resolve the problem. If the age discrepancy was already leading to boredom for the older kids and confusion for the younger, it's hard to see how getting a wider spread of ages wouldn't just make those issues worse.

Incorrect. It's unclear what effect this would have. Would the experience have taught them what to avoid, or taught them bad habits and soured them on the model? Since we don't know what effect this would have, it can't resolve the paradox.