The corpus callosum—the thick

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct76% picked this

   The corpora callosa of musicians, before they started training, do not tend to be larger than those of

   Why this is right

   Boom! A match for our prediction. This neutralizes the reverse causality objection by showing that the corpus callosa of musicians isn't already big before they begin training. We could also think of this answer as establishing a control group. In the absence of the purported cause (musical training), we don't see the purported effect (the bigger corpus callosa).

   Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   76%
2. B

   Inverse Bait9% picked this

   Musical training late in life does not cause anatomic changes to

   This argument hinges on the idea that music training early in life does cause anatomic changes to the brain. But that doesn't also assume that music training late in life does not cause anatomic changes. This is a classic LSAT trap!

   9%
3. C

   Irrelevant Comparison: any two musicians4% picked this

   For any two musicians whose training began around the age of seven, their corpora callosa are

   This argument compares musicians to non-musicians. We don't need to assume anything about how two musicians compare to one another. This is also really strong. The universal quantifier "any" is always a red flag on Necessary Assumption questions because most LSAT arguments are built to withstand at least a few non-conforming cases.

   4%
4. D

   Too Strong: all / any3% picked this

   All musicians have larger corpora callosa than do

   The universal quantifiers "all" and "any" are always red flags on Necessary Assumption questions because most LSAT arguments are built to withstand at least a few non-conforming cases. Also, we're already told that musicians have, on average, a larger corpora callosa than nonmusicians. We don't need to assume that every individual within those two groups also compares in that way in order to draw our conclusion.

   3%
5. E

   Too Strong: any7% picked this

   Adult nonmusicians did not participate in activities when they were children that would have stimulated any growth

   The universal quantifier "any" is always a red flag on Necessary Assumption questions because most LSAT arguments are built to withstand at least a few non-conforming cases. Would it mess up this argument if one adult nonmusician did participate in an activity as a child that stimulated a little growth of ye olde corpus callosum? Not at all, because the averages put forth in the evidence aren't compromised by that.

   7%