Question 69·Hard·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1 Many popular science outlets still repeat the claim that, after puberty, the human brain loses most of its capacity to re-wire in response to new languages. Consequently, according to this view, adults cannot form the neural circuitry necessary to speak a second language with native-like proficiency, no matter how diligently they study.
Text 2 In a 2022 functional-MRI study, cognitive neuroscientist Mara Solano tracked the brains of adults enrolled in an intensive, year-long Korean immersion program. By the end of the year, participants who practiced speaking for at least two hours daily had developed activation patterns in Broca’s area that were indistinguishable from those of native speakers. Solano concluded that the adult brain retains substantial plasticity, provided that instruction is immersive and sustained.
Based on the texts, how would Solano (Text 2) most likely respond to the underlined claim in Text 1?
For cross-text connection questions, first restate in your own words what the key claim or idea is in the first text (especially if it’s underlined). Then, summarize the second author’s main finding or conclusion and decide whether it supports, opposes, or qualifies that claim. Once you know the relationship (agree/disagree/partly agree), quickly eliminate answer choices that show the wrong relationship or introduce ideas not in the second text (like new topics or concerns). Finally, select the choice that both matches the relationship and stays closest to the specific evidence and wording given in the passages.
Hints
Clarify what the underlined claim is saying
Reread the underlined sentence in Text 1. Is it saying that adult language learning is possible, impossible, or just harder? Pay attention to words like “cannot” and “no matter how diligently they study.”
Check Solano’s overall conclusion
In Text 2, focus on what happened in the year-long immersion study and what Solano concluded about adult brain plasticity. Does her conclusion sound more supportive of the claim in Text 1, or does it challenge it?
Look for direct contradiction or support
Ask yourself: if Solano were talking to the person in Text 1, would she mostly agree, mostly disagree, or partly agree and partly disagree? Then look for the answer choice that best matches that kind of response.
Eliminate choices that add new topics
Cross out any answers that bring up ideas not mentioned in Text 2 or that require assumptions beyond what the study reports.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the claim in Text 1
Look closely at the underlined sentence in Text 1: it says that, according to a certain view, adults cannot form the neural circuitry necessary to speak a second language with native-like proficiency, no matter how diligently they study.
Key points:
- It focuses on neural circuitry.
- It makes an absolute claim: adults cannot reach native-like proficiency.
- It links this limit to a supposed loss of brain plasticity after puberty.
Summarize Solano’s findings in Text 2
Now focus on what Solano actually found:
- Adults did an intensive, year-long Korean immersion program and practiced speaking at least two hours daily.
- By the end, these adults had activation patterns in Broca’s area that were indistinguishable from those of native speakers.
- Solano concluded the adult brain retains substantial plasticity, as long as instruction is immersive and sustained.
This directly addresses whether adults can change their neural circuitry in response to language learning.
Decide whether Solano would agree or disagree with Text 1
Compare the two positions:
- Text 1’s claim: adults cannot form the needed neural circuitry for native-like proficiency.
- Solano’s evidence: adults did form brain activation patterns like native speakers when training was intensive and immersive.
So Solano would disagree with the claim in Text 1 and argue that adult brains do have enough plasticity to develop native-like neural circuitry under the right conditions.
Match that stance to the answer choice
Now choose the option that best captures Solano’s likely response:
- Eliminate answers that imply Solano thinks adults’ brain patterns still differ from native speakers.
- Eliminate answers that treat Solano’s results as not demonstrating real plasticity.
- Prefer the choice that directly reflects Solano’s conclusion: adult plasticity remains substantial when instruction is immersive and sustained.
The best match is:
By arguing that adults can develop native-like neural circuitry when exposed to rigorous, immersive language practice.