In All Mammalian Species, the Period of a Young Mammal’s Life GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammal’s life in which it is most frequently playful coincides with the periods of most rapid growth of the neural connections in the mammal’s brain that give rise to various complex patterns of movement, posture, and social response. Indeed, the neutral connections created by frequent play during this period later become indispensable for the mammal’s survival and well-being as an adult.

The statements above, if true, serve LEAST well as evidence for which one of the following?

(A) Young mammals of species that are preyed on by other animals are likely to engage in forms of sudden mock flight, bolting away from locations where no predators are to be found.
(B) The young predators of nonmammalian species such as fish, reptiles, and birds do not normally engage in playful behavior that serves the function served by play in the development of young mammals.
(C) Adult mammals are more likely to engage in interactive play with their young if they engaged in similar forms of play when they themselves were young.
(D) Mammals that cannot engage in certain common forms of play when young are likely to show certain deficits that limit their subsequent success as adults.
(E) Young mammals of predatory species tend to practice in their play inoffensive versions of motions and actions that are useful in finding and catching prey when these mammals become adults.

“In all mammalian species, the period of a young mammal’s life”- is a 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: It is best to choose option B. Since there are no comparisons or discussions of non-mammalian creatures in the passage, this claim is not supported by it. The second and third points, which discuss the improvement of mobility. The passage neither compares nor talks about non-mammalian species and hence this one is not supported by the passage. And subsequent improvement of survival abilities, support Option A. Option A is supported by the second and third points which talk about development of movement and in-turn growth of survival skills. The second point, which discusses societal reaction, supports Option C. The second point which talks about social response. Playtime develops social skills and in-turn as adult mammals demonstrate these skills through interaction with each other. Play helps young animals learn social skills, which they later use to interact with one another as adults. From the first point, which discusses how playtime aids in brain growth, option D may be deduced. We may draw the conclusion from this that a lack of play results in a lack of abilities that are necessary for effective functioning in adulthood. The style of play is described as "inoffensive versions of motions and actions." "Finding and capturing prey" also refers to survival techniques. The passage's main idea is essentially stated in this choice. When we combine the two ideas, we learn that playing as a child helps kids build survival abilities that are crucial as adults. Option E is therefore eliminated.

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