In a recent study, a group of young children were taught the word "stairs" while walking up and down a flight of stai...

Skylar on May 17, 2020

@Jermaine1, happy to help!

(D) "Young children who learn a word by observing how the object denoted by that word is used sometimes apply that word to a different object that is similarly used."'

This is the correct answer choice because it is supported clearly by the passage. Remember, the word "sometimes" means "at least once," and we know this happened at least once because it happened in the study discussed in the passage. The young children in the study learned the word "stairs" by observing how stairs are used - to climb up and down. Later the children mistakenly applied the word "stairs" to a ladder, which is used similarly - to climb up and down.

(E) "Young children best learn the names of objects when the objects are present at the time the children learn the words and when no other objects are simultaneously present."

This is incorrect because we do not have enough information to say that it is true. How do we know the "best" way for young children to learn? We have nothing to compare to the one learning method used in the study. How do we know if there were other objects present on the stairs when the children were climbing them? Since we don't know these things, we cannot say that this answer choice is true or supported by the study in the passage.

Does that make sense? Please let us know if you have any other questions!