A teacher hypothesizes that students learn vocabulary more effectively through visual flashcards than through audio repetition. She divides her class...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A teacher hypothesizes that students learn vocabulary more effectively through visual flashcards than through audio repetition. She divides her class of thirty-two students into two equal groups. One group studies twenty new vocabulary words using visual flashcards for fifteen minutes daily over two weeks, while the control group studies the same words through audio repetition for the same duration. Both groups take identical vocabulary tests at the end of the study period.
Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the teacher's hypothesis?
Students using visual flashcards demonstrated better retention of word meanings when retested one month later than students using audio repetition.
Students using audio repetition scored an average of 12% higher on the vocabulary test than students using visual flashcards.
Students using audio repetition required significantly more study sessions to master the vocabulary than students using visual flashcards.
Students using visual flashcards reported higher levels of engagement and motivation during the study period than students using audio repetition.
Looking at this step-by-step, I need to solve this Command of Evidence question that asks what would weaken a teacher's hypothesis about visual flashcards being more effective than audio repetition for vocabulary learning.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A teacher hypothesizes that students learn vocabulary more effectively through visual flashcards than through audio repetition." |
|
| "She divides her class of thirty-two students into two equal groups." |
|
| "One group studies twenty new vocabulary words using visual flashcards for fifteen minutes daily over two weeks, while the control group studies the same words through audio repetition for the same duration." |
|
| "Both groups take identical vocabulary tests at the end of the study period." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A teacher designs a controlled experiment to test whether visual flashcards or audio repetition is more effective for vocabulary learning.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a straightforward experimental design where the teacher states her hypothesis favoring visual flashcards, then sets up a controlled study with two equal groups using different methods but identical conditions and testing.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which finding would most directly weaken the teacher's hypothesis
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that contradicts or undermines the hypothesis that visual flashcards are more effective than audio repetition
Any limiting keywords? "most directly weaken" - we need the strongest evidence against the hypothesis
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The teacher's hypothesis is that visual flashcards are MORE effective than audio repetition
- To weaken this hypothesis, we need evidence showing that audio repetition is actually better or at least equal in effectiveness
- The most direct way to weaken the hypothesis would be test results showing the audio group outperformed the visual group
Students using visual flashcards demonstrated better retention of word meanings when retested one month later than students using audio repetition.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows visual flashcards had better long-term retention than audio repetition
- This actually supports the teacher's hypothesis rather than weakening it
Students using audio repetition scored an average of 12% higher on the vocabulary test than students using visual flashcards.
✓ Correct
- Shows audio repetition students scored 12% higher on the vocabulary test than visual flashcard students
- This directly contradicts the hypothesis by demonstrating superior performance from the audio method
Students using audio repetition required significantly more study sessions to master the vocabulary than students using visual flashcards.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows audio repetition required more study sessions to master vocabulary
- This suggests visual flashcards are more efficient, which supports rather than weakens the hypothesis
Students using visual flashcards reported higher levels of engagement and motivation during the study period than students using audio repetition.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows visual flashcard students reported higher engagement and motivation
- This supports the hypothesis that visual flashcards are more effective