they would get the same scores we get ............ they were

[sb70012]

The rise in IQ seems to be caused by a combination of factors such as better nutrition, more schooling, and exposure to more complex technologies. Researchers believe that if our grandparents were born today, they would get the same scores we get ............ they were exposed to the same environment and education we are exposed to.

a. even if
b. as long as (answer key)

Source: Summit 2B (by Joan Saslo and Allen Ascher) Pearson
Longman Press, Unit7, Subordinate conjunctions and transitions.

If you click here you will see the picture of the page of the book.

Hello teachers,
I am confused that why option (a) can not work in there? In my opinion it makes sense too if we choose option (a)
Would you please clarify it to me that why option (a) can not be used in there?

Thank you

 

[MikeNewYork]

The rise in IQ seems to be caused by a combination of factors such as better nutrition, more schooling, and exposure to more complex technologies. Researchers believe that if our grandparents were born today, they would get the same scores we get ............ they were exposed to the same environment and education we are exposed to.

a. even if
b. as long as (answer key)

Source: Summit 2B (by Joan Saslo and Allen Ascher) Pearson
Longman Press, Unit7, Subordinate conjunctions and transitions.

If you click here you will see the picture of the page of the book.

Hello teachers,
I am confused that why option (a) can not work in there? In my opinion it makes sense too if we choose option (a)
Would you please clarify it to me that why option (a) can not be used in there?

Thank you

"As long as" means "on the condition that". In the sentence the idea is that people in the past would get the same scores (as people get today) if they were exposed to the same opportunities to learn things.

"Even if" means "no matter whether". In that sentence "even if" would create a meaning opposite to what was intended. In other words: People would get the same scores (as people get today) no matter what they were exposed to. But they didn't.

 

[5jj]

Don't worry about such twaddle. if they were born today they clearly would not get the same scores as anybody, because they would be babies. If 'today' is taken to mean 'at the same time as we were', then of course they would be exposed to the same environment and education we are/were exposed to.

You can't make sense out of nonsense. It's a bad test question.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Don't worry about such twaddle. if they were born today they clearly would not get the same scores as anybody, because they would be babies. If 'today' is taken to mean 'at the same time as we were', then of course they would be exposed to the same environment and education we are/were exposed to.

You can't make sense out of nonsense. It's a bad test question.

I don't think the question was that bad. It was testing comprehension of "even if" versus "as along as", not the comprehension of "today", which has a variety of meanings.

 

[5jj]

I don't think the question was that bad. It was testing comprehension of "even if" versus "as along as", not the comprehension of "today", which has a variety of meanings.

I do realise that. However, if there is a possibility of more than one interpretation of a single word ( today, for example) that is unconnected with what is being tested, then we have a bad test. I also realise that most educated native speakers would come up with the 'correct' answer. I just happen to think that learners should not be judged on their competence in English by flawed questions.

 

[5jj]

I just happen to think that learners should not be judged on their competence in English by flawed questions.

Did I write that? I apologise for that lapse. What I should have said was: I passionately believe that learners should not be judged on their competence in English by flawed questions.