PrepTest 140, Section 4, Question 25
Physicists are often asked why the image of(441 more words not shown)
With which one of the(13 more words not shown)
- AThe failure of(19 more words not shown)
- BExplanations of what(15 more words not shown)
- COne explanation of(22 more words not shown)
- DThe degree to(23 more words not shown)
- EConsidering objects reflected(16 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The final paragraph gives us a specific reason scientists might like the front-to-back account: it appears to separate the mirror's behavior from the observer's behavior. The author recognizes that traditional preference, then argues that it is unsuitable for explaining images and appearances. Look for a claim that preserves that relationship rather than inventing a new cause of misunderstanding.
Working the answers
- A
No problem with optical equipment is identified, and no improved experiment is proposed. The criticism concerns the concepts used in the explanation, not the quality of an instrument.
- B
The author identifies a defect in the front-to-back explanation, not a general failure of explanations of mirrors. The opening field-of-sight account also explicitly includes the observer. This broad conclusion is unsupported.
- CCorrect
The author directly says the front-to-back explanation is partly motivated by the traditional desire to separate observer and phenomenon. That is precisely the tendency this answer identifies.
- D
We are told that people are accustomed to using mental constructs, but nothing compares people with different levels of scientific training. This adds an unsupported explanation of the degree of that habit.
- E
The problem is treating the reflected chair as a real three-dimensional chair. The author does not claim that recognizing mental constructs as mental constructs interferes with understanding perception. In fact, distinguishing the image from the real object is part of the criticism.
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