单选题 . ①Meltzoff and Moore reported experiments showing that human newborns possess the ability to imitate certain facial expressions, such as a protruding tongue or an open mouth. ②Yet numerous researchers challenge Meltzoff's interpretation that such neonatal imitation is the origin of later imitation, which appears at approximately eight to twelve months of age. ③These researchers point out that the neonatal imitative response disappears or is lessened at approximately two months. ④Moreover, since in follow-up studies only one type of imitative response toward a facial expression (that is, tongue protrusion) was observed, some researchers assert that neonatal imitation is not imitation at all but may simply be a form of exploratory behavior in response to interesting stimuli.9. According to the passage, those who challenge "Meltzoff's interpretation" do so on the basis that it ______

A、 implies inaccurate predictions
B、 lacks testable consequences
C、 assumes a discredited theory
D、 leaves an unexplained gap
E、 involves circular reasoning

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】 D：本题问的是之后的研究者凭什么反驳了梅尔佐夫，因此可以从两个角度去答。一是梅尔佐夫认为新生儿模仿行为是8个月大时的模仿行为的起源，但是新的研究发现新生儿模仿行为在2个月大的时候就消失了。2个月和8个月之间的差距不好解释，故梅尔佐夫被反驳，因此D正确。D项的gap指的便是2个月和8个月之间的差距。二是只观察到吐舌头，而没观察到张大嘴，这是梅尔佐夫的理论和现实之间的矛盾。但是这一点没有选项对应。
A：predictions可以指的是新生儿8个月大开始有模仿行为，但这是事实。真正不精确的应该是新生儿模仿行为和以后的模仿行为之间的关系。
B：梅尔佐夫的理论中当然有结论，并且这个结论确实被后面的研究者所检验，只不过这种检验的结果是证伪。
C：本文没提及梅尔佐夫理论的前提假设是什么。梅尔佐夫直接通过吐舌头这种新生儿模仿行为的事实得出了被后文反驳的结论。
E：文中没提循环论证。