NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

In what developmental stage do children begin to think logically about concrete events?

1. Sensorimotor Stage

2. Preoperational Stage

3. Concrete Operational Stage

4. Formal Operational Stage

The correct answer is: Concrete Operational Stage

The Concrete Operational Stage is characterized by the development of logical thinking concerning concrete events. Children in this stage, typically between the ages of 7 and 11, start to understand the principles of conservation, organization, and categorization. They can mentally manipulate information and understand the concept of reversibility. This means they can recognize that objects can change in form but remain the same in quantity, which showcases their ability to think logically and systematically about concrete situations. In contrast, the Sensorimotor Stage involves infants using their senses and abilities to explore the world, without the capacity for organized, logical thought. The Preoperational Stage, primarily for younger children ages 2 to 7, is marked by symbolic thinking yet is dominated by egocentric reasoning and an inability to perform operations mentally. Finally, the Formal Operational Stage emerges after the Concrete Operational Stage, typically from age 11 onward, when individuals begin to think abstractly and theoretically, moving beyond concrete experiences to handle hypothetical and relational thinking. Thus, the Concrete Operational Stage is the pivotal phase where logical operations are applied to concrete events.