A Series of Experiments was Conducted in Which Rats of Various Ages were Placed in a Series of Mazes

Question: A series of experiments was conducted in which rats of various ages were placed in a series of mazes and timed to see how long it took them to find their way out. In the first set of runs, the younger rats made their way out of the mazes an average of 30 percent faster than the older rats. Three days later, however, when the same rats were placed in the same mazes, the older rats were faster than the younger rats by nearly 40 percent.

Which of the following hypotheses best accounts for the findings of the experiment?

1. A rat’s sense of smell becomes less acute as it gets older.
2. The older rats had been used in earlier experiments.
3. Older rats have a better-developed sensory memory, which allows them to “remember” the mazes three days later.
4. Younger rats become frustrated when faced with repeated dead ends in a maze, while older rats do not.
5. Older rats tire more easily than younger rats.

Answer: C

Explanation:

A GMAT Critical Reasoning section comprises some facts and arguments. GMAT critical reasoning tests the reasoning skills along with the candidate's logical and analytical thinking abilities. The candidate has to deduce the correct option by finding the logically correct argument.

The statement states - A series of experiments was conducted in which rats of various ages were placed in a series of mazes and timed to see how long it took them to find their way out. In the first set of runs, the younger rats made their way out of the mazes an average of 30 percent faster than the older rats. Three days later, however, when the same rats were placed in the same mazes, the older rats were faster than the younger rats by nearly 40 percent.

Which of the following hypotheses best accounts for the findings of the experiment?

1. This argument is not backed by the passage and doesn't explain the behaviour in the second experiment. It is not correct.
2. This argument defeats the result of the first experiment. Therefore this cannot account for the findings of the experiment.
3. This is the correct option, a good memory can explain the behaviour observed in the second experiment.
4. If this were the case, younger rats would have gotten frustrated in the first experiment as well. This is not the correct option.
5. It is not relevant to the question. This still doesn't explain their behaviour in the second experiment.

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