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Information and IdeasVery hardInference from an experiment with a surprising control

Information and Ideas practice question

Volunteers who wore a wristband said to 'improve balance' scored better on a balance test than those without one. But volunteers given an identical wristband described as 'a plain band' scored just as well as the first group. The most reasonable interpretation is that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. wearing the band, not believing in it, is what improved the scores — perhaps by drawing attention to the wrist and arm position.Correct
  2. B. the band works because volunteers believe in it.
  3. C. the wristband has no effect at all.
  4. D. the volunteers without a band cheated.

Answer: A. wearing the band, not believing in it, is what improved the scores — perhaps by drawing attention to the wrist and arm position.

Both band groups improved equally, regardless of the story told about it: the band itself, not belief, mattered.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the band works because volunteers believe in it.
The 'plain band' group, told nothing, improved just as much.
C. the wristband has no effect at all.
Both band groups beat the no-band group.
D. the volunteers without a band cheated.
No basis in the text.

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