Recent studies have documented cases of patients experiencing severe headaches accompanied by visual disturbances in bright light. Some researchers ha...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Recent studies have documented cases of patients experiencing severe headaches accompanied by visual disturbances in bright light. Some researchers have concluded that these patients suffer from migraines, noting that light sensitivity is a well-documented migraine symptom. However, neurologist Dr. Sarah Chen points out that light sensitivity can also occur in various other neurological conditions. Given this information, the presence of light sensitivity in these patients _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
confirms that the patients have migraines rather than other conditions.
cannot be considered definitive proof that the patients have migraines.
rules out the possibility that the patients have migraines.
suggests that migraines commonly cause visual disturbances.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Recent studies have documented cases of patients experiencing severe headaches accompanied by visual disturbances in bright light.' |
|
| 'Some researchers have concluded that these patients suffer from migraines, noting that light sensitivity is a well-documented migraine symptom.' |
|
| 'However, neurologist Dr. Sarah Chen points out that light sensitivity can also occur in various other neurological conditions.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Since light sensitivity can occur in multiple neurological conditions, not just migraines, its presence alone does not definitively prove patients have migraines.
Argument Flow: The passage presents medical cases, shows how researchers interpreted them as migraines based on light sensitivity, then introduces Dr. Chen's point that light sensitivity is not unique to migraines, leading to a logical conclusion about diagnostic certainty.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to complete the logical thought that follows from Dr. Chen's counterpoint about light sensitivity occurring in other conditions.
What type of answer do we need? An inference that logically connects Dr. Chen's observation to what it means for diagnosing these patients.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Dr. Chen showed that light sensitivity is not unique to migraines - it happens in other neurological conditions too
- This means light sensitivity alone cannot be the deciding factor for a migraine diagnosis
- The logical conclusion should reflect that light sensitivity by itself does not provide enough information to be certain about the diagnosis
confirms that the patients have migraines rather than other conditions.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims light sensitivity confirms migraines over other conditions
- This directly contradicts Dr. Chen's point that light sensitivity occurs in various neurological conditions
cannot be considered definitive proof that the patients have migraines.
✓ Correct
- States that light sensitivity cannot be considered definitive proof of migraines
- This perfectly follows from Dr. Chen's observation and matches our prethinking
rules out the possibility that the patients have migraines.
✗ Incorrect
- Says light sensitivity rules out migraines entirely
- This goes too far - Dr. Chen did not say light sensitivity cannot be part of migraines, just that it is not unique to them
suggests that migraines commonly cause visual disturbances.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on whether migraines commonly cause visual disturbances
- This does not address the logical flow about what Dr. Chen's point means for the diagnosis