Summarize Argument
The author concludes that no one has to wear gloves or mittens to keep their hands warm in the winter. Rather, they can just use extra layers of clothing. This is because extra layers of clothing keep the vital organs warm, which in turn can keep the hands warm.
Notable Assumptions
Based merely on the fact that extra layers of clothing can indirectly keep the hands warm, the author concludes that gloves or mittens are never necessary. This means the author assumes extra layers of clothing always indirectly keep the hands warm.
A
Maintaining the temperature of your hands is far less important, physiologically, than maintaining the temperature of your torso.
It doesn’t matter how important it is to keep your hands warm. We’re concerned with whether it’s possible to do so without gloves or mittens.
B
Several layers of light garments will keep one’s vital organs warmer than will one or two heavy garments.
We don’t care how those layers are configured so long as they keep the vital organs warm.
C
Wearing an extra layer of clothing will not keep one’s hands warm at temperatures low enough to cause frostbite.
There are certain situations where extra layers don’t cut it. Mittens or gloves would certainly be necessary at temperatures low enough to cause frostbite.
D
Keeping one’s hands warm by putting on an extra layer of clothing is less effective than turning up the heat.
“Turning up the heat” isn’t an option here. We’re talking about extra layers.
E
The physical effort required to put on an extra layer of clothing does not stimulate circulation enough to warm your hands.
The author never says that the mere effort of putting on an extra layer is how the hands stay warm. They stay warm, supposedly, since the vital organs stay warm.
Summarize Argument: Causal Explanation
The argument is an explanation for why music with a simple recurring rhythm is appealing. The author argues that the reason for this appeal is that it reminds humans of the womb. The author supports the argument by saying the mother’s regular heartbeat is a source of comfort in the womb. Birth takes away the comfort of the womb, including that sound. Therefore, in seeking comfort, it is natural that people are drawn to recurring rhythms that sound like the heartbeat in the womb.
Identify Conclusion
The conclusion is the author’s explanation for why particular music is appealing: “The reason music with a simple recurring rhythm exerts a strong primordial appeal is that it reminds us of the womb environment.”
A
The explanation of the strong primordial appeal of music with a simple recurring rhythm is that it reminds us of the womb environment.
This accurately paraphrases the conclusion. The author is reasoning (explaining) why the music with a simple recurring rhythm has this strong primordial appeal - it reminds us of the womb environment.
B
The comforting sound of the mother’s regular heartbeat is the first sound that is heard inside the womb.
This is support for the explanation the author provides. There is a regular rhythm in the womb - this helps explain why the rhythmic music is appealing.
C
Birth deprives us of a primal and constant source of comfort when it takes away the warmth and security of the womb.
This is support for the explanation the author provides. It helps us to understand why a regular rhythm is associated with comfort.
D
People seek sensations of warmth and security throughout life because birth takes away the warmth and security of the womb.
This is support for the explanation the author provides. It helps us to understand why people are drawn to comforting rhythms.
E
The comforting sound of the mother’s regular heartbeat is a simple recurring rhythmic sound.
This is an unstated premise/assumption - the mother’s regular heartbeat is similar to recurring rhythmic sounds in music. This assumption supports the explanation the author provides.
Summary
Beginner chess players decide each move by considering the consequences. In contrast, expert chess players primarily use pattern recognition. For example, expert chess players recognize having been in a similar position before and decide each move based on information recalled about the consequences of that move on a prior occasion.
Strongly Supported Conclusions
Expert chess players primarily rely on their memory when playing chess.
A
Beginning chess players are better at thinking through the consequences of chess moves than experts are.
This answer is unsupported. The stimulus only compares beginner and expert chess players in terms of their techniques. The stimulus does not suggest that either player is better.
B
A beginning chess player should use pattern-recognition techniques when deciding what move to make.
This answer is unsupported. The stimulus does not offer a judgment as to what beginner chess players should do.
C
One’s chess skills will improve only if one learns to use pattern-recognition techniques.
This answer is unsupported. We don’y know from the stimulus whether pattern recognition is a necessary condition for improving chess skills.
D
In playing chess, an expert player relies crucially on his or her memory.
This answer is strongly supported. An expert is relying crucially on his or her memory when they primarily decide their next moved based on information recalled about that move’s consequences.
E
Any chess player who played other games that require pattern-recognition skills would thereby improve his or her chess skills.
This answer is unsupported. We don’t know from the stimulus whether any other activity requiring pattern recognition skills would help a chess player improve their chess skills.