PrepTest 145 - Section 3 - Passage 3 - Question 19

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Passage A.

Intro topic · Function of language

One purpose is to influence others' behavior.

Contrast · Animal vocalizations vs. human language

Animal communication is inadvertent, unlike human language. Animals (except chimps) can't attribute mental states to other animals.

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Example · Communication by one frog

No evidence that the frog attributes knowledge or desire to other frogs.

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Additional contrast · Animal vocalizations vs. human language

Primates (besides humans) don't communicate in response to thinking that another primate needs info.

Example · Macaques and chimps

No evidence they are more likely to communicate about things when their fellow primates are clearly unaware of those things.

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Main point · Many animal vocalizations aren't as intentional as they seem

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Scientists' perspective · Animal communication isn't intentional, whereas human language is

This is a recap of Passage A's perspective.

Scientists' perspective · Animals can't lie

Lying requires intention to deceive, and it's widely thought that animals don't have conscious intention.

Passage Style

19.

Passage B differs from passage █ ██ ████ ███████ █ ██ ████

optimistic regarding the ███████ ██ ███████ ██ ██████ ███████ ███████████ █████████

Not supported, because we have no reason to think Passage A is less optimistic about using science to answer questions. Both Passage A and Passage B discuss scientific evidence and use that evidence to support their points.

disapproving of the ████████ █████ ██ ██████ ███████ ██ ███ ████ ███████ █████

This is the best answer. Passage B argues that the approach of certain scientists is flawed in that it uses circular reasoning. Passage A doesn’t criticize the approach of others.

58%

open-minded in its ███████████ ██ ██████ ███ ████████ ██ ██████████ ███████████ █████████

Not supported, because we have no indication that Passage B is willing to accept “apparently conflicting positions.” There are no apparently conflicting positions that Passage B accepts. Rather, Passage B criticizes certain arguments.

supportive of ongoing ████████ ███████ ██ ███ ████████ ██ ████

Not supported, because we have no reason to think Passage A is less supportive of ongoing research into animal communication.

circumspect in its ███████ ██ ██████ ██████ ██ ███ █████████ ████ ███████ ██ ███████████████ ████████ █████████

Not supported, because we have no reason to think Passage B is more careful about committing itself to positions based on unsettled research questions. Passage B does take a position — that we can’t rule out conscious intention behind animal communication. Even though we don’t know Passage B believes animals do in fact have the ability to form conscious intent, it’s still a “position” to say that they might have this ability and that researchers shouldn’t rule this possibility out.

24%

PrepTest 145 - Section 3 - Passage 3 - Question 19

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