PrepTest 102, Section 2, Question 19
In all mammalian species, the period of a(62 more words not shown)
The statements above, if true,(11 more words not shown)
- AYoung mammals of(29 more words not shown)
- BThe young of(28 more words not shown)
- CAdult mammals are(23 more words not shown)
- DMammals that cannot(22 more words not shown)
- EYoung mammals of(27 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
A playful puppy may be doing something useful for its future, not just burning off energy.
The first sentence links the most playful period with rapid growth of brain connections used for movement, posture, and social responses. At that point, I would be careful: two things occurring together doesn't by itself tell us which causes which. Perhaps both reflect some other aspect of development.
But read the next sentence before stopping there. It explicitly describes connections created by frequent play and says those connections later become indispensable—needed—for survival and well-being. For this question, we're told to accept those statements as true. So we have more than a coincidence: play helps create something the adult will need.
Think of young predators play-wrestling or pouncing. Such activity could help develop movements used in adult life. That is an illustration of the stated function, not proof of every specific play behavior an animal performs.
What we’re looking for
The question asks which claim the statements support least well. We should expect four choices to connect in some way with play, development, and later functioning. The remaining choice will require a different claim the passage doesn't give us evidence for.
Working the answers
- A
Practicing escape movements without an actual predator fits the described role of play in developing movements needed for survival. It gives prey animals a possible form of practice for a later danger. The passage doesn't spell out this behavior, but its account of useful developmental play provides relevant support, so A isn't the least-supported choice.
- BCorrect
The passage concerns mammals. It doesn't tell us that fish, reptiles, or birds lack play serving a similar developmental function. The fact that one group uses play this way doesn't mean other groups do not. B needs a comparison with nonmammals that the passage never makes.
- C
This connects an adult's social play with the experience and connections developed when it was young. The passage says youthful play builds connections for social responses that matter later, so it gives some basis for that connection. It doesn't prove that an adult must repeat every youthful activity, but this claim stays within the developmental relationship the passage describes.
- D
If particular play helps create connections needed for adult functioning, missing that play could leave an animal with deficits later. That fits the stated importance of the connections. It isn't necessary to claim every deprived animal fails at everything for this possible limitation on later success to receive support.
- E
Harmless practice versions of hunting movements fit the proposed function for young predators. A young animal can practice pouncing without catching actual prey, then use the developed coordination later. Like A's escape behavior, E applies the relationship between early play and adult survival rather than adding a claim about an unmentioned category of animals.
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