People with a certain eye disorder are virtually unable to see in moderately bright light, which seems to them unbearably...
GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions
People with a certain eye disorder are virtually unable to see in moderately bright light, which seems to them unbearably intense, since the cells of their retinas are overwhelmed by moderately bright light. These people do, however, show normal sensitivity to most components of dim light. Their retinal cells are also not excessively sensitive to red components of moderately bright light.
The information above best supports which of the following hypotheses about people with the disorder described, if they have no other serious visual problems?
Passage Visualization
| Passage Statement | Visualization and Linkage |
|---|---|
| People with a certain eye disorder are virtually unable to see in moderately bright light, which seems to them unbearably intense |
Establishes: Primary symptom - dysfunction in moderate brightness Example: Normal person functions fine at 500 lux (office lighting), but affected person experiences overwhelming discomfort and virtual blindness Key Pattern: Selective brightness sensitivity |
| since the cells of their retinas are overwhelmed by moderately bright light |
Establishes: Causal mechanism - retinal cell overload Visualization: At 500 lux → Retinal cells receive excessive stimulation beyond processing capacity Implication: Cells cannot handle normal moderate light levels |
| These people do, however, show normal sensitivity to most components of dim light |
Establishes: Contradictory finding - normal dim light function Example: At 50 lux (candlelight) → Normal visual processing for most light components Key Insight: Cells function normally at low intensities Paradox Setup: Same cells that are "overwhelmed" by moderate light work fine in dim light |
| Their retinal cells are also not excessively sensitive to red components of moderately bright light |
Establishes: Selective wavelength exception Example: At 500 lux moderate brightness:
Critical Distinction: The disorder affects specific wavelengths differently |
| Overall Implication |
Core Pattern Revealed: The disorder creates selective hypersensitivity to specific wavelengths of light at moderate intensities, while leaving red wavelength processing and dim light processing largely intact. Key Paradox: Cells that are "overwhelmed" by moderate light intensity can actually process some components (red, dim light) normally, indicating the problem is wavelength-specific rather than general intensity-based. |
Valid Inferences
Inference: People with this disorder would likely have better vision in moderately bright light that contains primarily red wavelengths compared to moderately bright light that contains primarily non-red wavelengths.
Supporting Logic: Since the passage establishes that their retinal cells are overwhelmed by moderately bright light in general, but specifically states they are "not excessively sensitive to red components of moderately bright light," we can conclude that red light at moderate brightness levels would cause less visual impairment than other colors at the same brightness. The disorder appears to selectively affect how certain wavelengths are processed, making red components more tolerable than other spectral components.
Clarification Note: This inference focuses on relative performance between different wavelength compositions at the same moderate brightness level, rather than suggesting these individuals would have completely normal vision in red light - the passage doesn't support that stronger claim.
This choice suggests that people with the disorder cannot read large print in any moderately dim light where normal people can read. However, the passage states these people show 'normal sensitivity to most components of dim light,' which means they should generally perform normally in dim light conditions, not worse than people without the disorder.
This choice claims these people will see a red exit sign more clearly than white lights in a darkened concert hall. While the passage mentions they're not excessively sensitive to red components, this refers specifically to moderately bright light, not dim light scenarios. In dim light, they have normal sensitivity to most components, so there's no reason to expect red to be superior to white light in dim conditions.
This suggests people with the disorder see more acutely at night and in dim light than normal people. The passage only states they have 'normal sensitivity' to dim light components, not superior sensitivity. Having normal function doesn't mean having enhanced function compared to others.
This choice proposes that glasses filtering out non-red components while allowing red light through would help in moderately bright light. Since the passage establishes that these people are overwhelmed by moderately bright light generally but are NOT excessively sensitive to red components specifically, removing the problematic wavelengths while preserving the tolerable red components should logically improve their vision in moderately bright conditions. This directly follows from the selective wavelength sensitivity described.
This suggests these people perceive non-red colors the same way as normal people. However, the passage indicates their retinal cells are overwhelmed by moderately bright light (which would include non-red components), suggesting their perception of non-red colors would likely be different, particularly in moderate brightness levels.