The Origins of Superior Performance

Answer choices

1. A

   Wrong Emphasis: lacks central topic3% picked this

   Researchers have recently found that many inborn traits, including a surprising number of physical characteristics and motivational factors, can be

   The main clause here says Researchers have found that many inborn traits can be altered through training and practice. Yes, that's true, but this passage is all about "superior performance". You forgot to mention the main character!

   3%
2. B

   Too Strong: anyone12% picked this

   Recent research into the origins of superior performance gives evidence that in sports, music, and some other fields of activity, anyone can achieve exceptional

   This is pretty close, "Research into superior performance says that anyone can achieve exceptional levels." We're looking for, "Research into superior performance says that innate talent is not required." The author didn't say that every single person can be Lebron James or Albert Einstein. She said that "extended intense training, together with that level of talent common to all reasonably competent performers, may suffice". If you are reasonably competent, and then you put in the ten years of intense sustained practice, then you can be a virtuoso in your field. But there's still some minimum requirements. Not everyone can do it.

   12%
3. C

   Too Strong: irrelevant Unsupported: previously accepted5% picked this

   Contrary to previously accepted theories of the development of expertise, researchers have now shown that innate characteristics are irrelevant to the differences in performance

   This is pretty close: "New research into expertise says that innate talent is irrelevant to reaching superstar status." We're looking for, "New research into expertise says that innate talent is not required for reaching superstar status." Also, this claims that the position in the first paragraph was a "previously accepted theory". The position in the first paragraph is just "certain psychologists".

   5%
4. D

   Correct74% picked this

   Recent research involving superior performers in various fields indicates that outstanding performance may result from adaptations due to training

   Why this is right

   The main clause of this sentence is that "new research in superior performance says that people become superstars through training rather than because of innate traits." That aligns with our Most Valuable Sentence, at the beginning of the final paragraph. The part about "various fields" is supported by the 2nd sentence of the 2nd paragraph: "Recent research in different domains of excellence suggests that exceptional performance arises predominantly from acquired complex skills and physiological adaptations, rather than from innate abilities". This answer choice matches up best with that line from the passage, which was essentially the sentence distilling the takeaway from the new research.

   Skill tested: Main Point · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

   74%
5. E

   Unsupported: revised their theories6% picked this

   Psychologists who previously attributed early childhood proficiency in such activities as music and chess to innate talent have revised their theories in light of

   We start with certain psychologists in the 1st paragraph, as a point of view the author is going to challenge. The rest of the passage consists of the author showing how new research challenges the position of those psychologists. We never hear about these psychologists going, "You're right, author. We're revising our theories. Thanks for showing us the truth". This answer is saying that the passage told us a story in which psychologists changed their beliefs.

   6%