GMAT Critical Reasoning - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a Condition Characterized by an Inability to Focus on any Topic

Question: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition characterized by an inability to focus on any topic for a prolonged period of time, and is especially common among children five to ten years old. A recent study has shown that 85 percent of seven-year-old children with ADD watch, on average, more than five hours of television a day. It is therefore very likely that Ed, age seven, has ADD, since he watches roughly six hours of television a day.

The argument above is flawed because it

(A) cites as a direct causal mechanism a factor that may only be a partial cause of the condition in question
(B) fails to indicate the chances of having ADD among seven-year-old children who watch more than five hours of television a day
(C) limits the description of the symptoms of ADD to an inability to focus for a prolonged period of time
(D) fails to consider the possibility that Ed may be among the 15 percent of children who do not watch more than five hours of television a day
(E) does not allow for other causes of ADD besides television watching

‘Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition characterized by an inability to focus on any topic for a prolonged period of time’ is the topic for GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT critical comes with five options and candidates need to choose the one which is correct. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument.  Candidates get 65 minutes to answer 36 MCQ questions in the critical reasoning section of the GMAT.

Answer: B

Explanation: This is a GMAT critical reasoning question. An assumption is an implied hypothesis. So we are looking for something that is implied in the argument. In case it is wrong or maybe disable the argument.

The statement given is:

"Inability to concentrate" is a condition characterized by an inability to focus on any topic for a prolonged period of time, and is especially common among children five to ten years old. A recent study has shown that 95 percent of seven-year-old children with this condition watch, on average, more than seven hours of television a day. It is therefore very likely that James, age seven, suffers from this condition, since he watches roughly eight hours of television a day.

The argument above is flawed because it

(A) cites as a direct causal mechanism a factor that may only be a partial cause of the condition in question
Incorrect
It's a case of correlation vs causality here. While it may be true that watching TV might sometimes make it difficult to concentrate, in this case, the issue is correlation rather than partial or direct causation.

(B) fails to indicate the chances of having ADD among seven-year-old children who watch more than five hours of television a day
Correct
People with inability may unintentionally watch more TV, but this in no way describes or determines their condition.
Therefore, not everyone who watches more TV will necessarily have the same problem.

(C) limits the description of the symptoms of ADD to an inability to focus for a prolonged period of time
Incorrect
Throughout the discussion, symptoms are not mentioned.

(D) fails to consider the possibility that Ed may be among the 15 percent of children who do not watch more than five hours of television a day
Incorrect
It is said that he watches it for an average of 8 hours each day, therefore even if he is among the remaining 5%, this does not indicate that the conclusion is flawed because of his inability.

(E) does not allow for other causes of ADD besides television watching
Incorrect
Above statement does not explain the inherent flaw.

The answer is B

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