Question

which of the following inferences about the authors thesis is best supported by the first paragraph of the excerpt?
for almost a generation, psychologists around the world have been engaged in a spirited debate over a question that most of us would consider to have been settled years ago. the question is this: is there such a thing as innate talent? the obvious answer is yes. not every hockey player born in january ends up playing at the professional level. only some do—the innately talented ones. achievement is talent plus preparation. the problem with this view is that the closer psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent seems to play and the bigger the role preparation seems to play.
a. preparation is more important than innate talent when it comes to achievement.
b. neither preparation nor innate talent are important for achievement.
c. preparation and innate talent are equally important when it comes to achievement.
d. innate talent is more important than preparation for achievement.

Explanation:

The first paragraph starts with the common view that achievement is talent plus preparation, but then states that as psychologists study gifted careers, innate talent's role shrinks while preparation's role grows, directly supporting the idea that preparation matters more for achievement. Options B, C, and D contradict this conclusion.

Answer:

A. Preparation is more important than innate talent when it comes to achievement.