PrepTest 118, Section 2, Question 10
The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic oath,(437 more words not shown)
The author's primary purpose in(4 more words not shown)
- Aaffirm society's continuing(7 more words not shown)
- Bchastise critics within(12 more words not shown)
- Cargue that historical(13 more words not shown)
- Doutline the pros(9 more words not shown)
- Epropose a revision(15 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
What is the writer trying to accomplish? Our main-point prediction was a defense of the oath's continuing value despite the criticisms. The wording here may be more abstract, so look for that same purpose without requiring the answer to say “Hippocratic oath.”
Working the answers
- ACorrect
The code is the Hippocratic oath, and its principles include benefiting patients and practicing within one's expertise. Affirming the continuing need for those commitments describes the writer's defense.
- B
Disagreeing with critics isn't the same as chastising them. The writer answers their arguments rather than scolding them. Also, reinterpretation itself is something the writer accepts.
- C
The historical issue is set aside near the start of the response. That helps the defense move forward, but dismissing doubts about origins isn't the overall purpose. The central question is the oath's usefulness now.
- D
We don't get a balanced list of advantages and disadvantages of revising the oath. We get criticisms followed by reasons to preserve its core.
- E
The writer permits limited adaptations but doesn't put forward a particular rewritten oath. The surgery example illustrates an existing way to interpret old wording, not a proposed new code.
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