PrepTest 145, Section 3, Question 19
Passage A One function of language is to(496 more words not shown)
Passage A(233 more words not shown)
Passage B(271 more words not shown)
Passage B differs from passage(7 more words not shown)
- Aoptimistic regarding the(8 more words not shown)
- Bdisapproving of the(10 more words not shown)
- Copen-minded in its(9 more words not shown)
- Dsupportive of ongoing(7 more words not shown)
- Ecircumspect in its(13 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
B directly criticizes other thinkers' reasoning; A mainly presents an account and supporting observations. The clearest contrast is therefore B's disapproval of how others reach their conclusions. Its word “circular” gives us the evidence. We don't need to infer a broader personality or attitude toward all of science.
Working the answers
- A
B mentions promising research, but it doesn't make a broader claim about science's ability to answer fundamental questions. That optimism isn't established as a difference from A, which also relies on research.
- BCorrect
B describes other scientists' and philosophers' positions, then says their arguments assume the absence of intention before using that absence as support. That is a direct criticism of their approach. A doesn't conduct a comparable critique of other writers' reasoning.
- C
Questioning a familiar position isn't the same as accepting the validity of apparently conflicting positions. B challenges the mechanical-response account and the argument for it; it doesn't reconcile the competing views as equally valid.
- D
B does mention recent research, so we shouldn't say research is absent. But A also cites research and experiments as support. We aren't given a clear contrast in how supportive they are of ongoing work.
- E
B qualifies what has been established, but it still commits to a criticism: the arguments are circular and the sharp divide is questionable. Caution about the final scientific answer is different from refusing to take any position.
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