16Hit1600
Craft and StructureMediumEvidence that an association preceded its supposed cause

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 A study finds that children who learn a musical instrument score higher in mathematics than children who do not. Text 2 A second study followed children from before any of them began music lessons. The children who later took up an instrument were already scoring higher in mathematics before their lessons started.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

  1. A. Text 2 offers evidence that the association reported in Text 1 exists before music lessons begin.Correct
  2. B. Text 2 shows that music lessons lower children's mathematics scores.
  3. C. Text 2 confirms that music lessons cause higher mathematics scores.
  4. D. Text 2 studies a different subject from Text 1.

Answer: A. Text 2 offers evidence that the association reported in Text 1 exists before music lessons begin.

If the future musicians were already ahead in maths, the lessons can't be what put them ahead — Text 2 undercuts the causal reading of Text 1.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Text 2 shows that music lessons lower children's mathematics scores.
Text 2 says nothing about scores falling.
C. Text 2 confirms that music lessons cause higher mathematics scores.
Text 2 points the other way: the difference came first.
D. Text 2 studies a different subject from Text 1.
Both texts concern music and mathematics.

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