Cat 2009 English Test 23

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English Test 23 Directions for Questions from 1 to 3: The passage given below is followed by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question. Passage As Popper represents it, the central problem in the philosophy of science is that of demarcation, i.e., of distinguishing between science and what he terms ‘non-science’, under which heading he ranks, amongst others, logic, metaphysics, psychoanalysis, and Adler’s individual psychology. Popper is unusual amongst contemporary philosophers in that he accepts the validity of the Humean critique of induction, and indeed, goes beyond it in arguing that induction is never actually used by the scientist. However, he does not concede that this entails the scepticism which is associated with Hume, and argues that the Baconian/Newtonian insistence on the primacy of ‘pure’ observation, as the initial step in the formation of theories, is completely misguided: all observation is selective and theory-laden — there are no pure or theory-free observations. In this way he destabilises the traditional view that science can be distinguished from non-science on the basis of  its inductive methodology. Popper, then, repudiates induction, and rejects the view that it is the characteristic method of scientific investigation and inference, and substitutes falsifiability in its place. It is easy, he argues, to obtain evidence in favour of virtually any theory, and he consequently holds that such ‘corroboration’, as he terms it, should count scientifically only if it is the positive result of a genuinely ‘risky’ prediction, which might conceivably have been false. For Popper, a theory is scientific only if it is refutable by a conceivable event. Every genuine test of a scientific theory, then, is logically an attempt to refute or to falsify it, and one genuine counterinstance falsifies the whole theory. In a critical sense, Popper’s theory of demarcation is based upon his perception of the logical asymmetry which holds between verification and falsification: it is logically impossible to conclusively verify a universal proposition by reference to experience, but a single counter-instance conclusively falsifies the corresponding universal law. In a word, an exception, far from ‘proving’ a rule, conclusively refutes it. Every genuine scientific theory then, in Popper’s view, is prohibitive, in the sense that it forbids, by implication, particular events or occurrences. As such it can be tested and falsified, but never logically verified. Thus Popper stresses that it should not be inferred from the fact that a theory has withstood the most rigorous testing, for however long a period of time, that it has been verified; rather we should recognise that such a theory has received a high measure of corroboration. and may be provisionally retained as the best available theory until it is finally falsified (if indeed it is ever falsified), and/or is superseded by a better theory. Thus, while advocating falsifiability as the criterion of demarcation for science, Popper explicitly allows for the fact that in practice a single conflicting or counter-instance is never sufficient methodologically to falsify a theory, and that scientific theories are often retained even though much of the available evidence conflicts with them, or is anomalous with respect to them. Scientific theories may, and do, arise genetically in many different ways, and the manner in which a particular scientist comes to formulate a particular theory may be of biographical interest, but it is of no consequence as far as the philosophy of science is concerned. Popper stresses in particular that there is no unique way, no single method such as induction, which functions as the route to scientific theory, a view which Einstein personally endorsed with his affirmation that ‘There is no logical path leading to [the highly universal laws of science]. They can only be reached by intuition, based upon something like an intellectual love of the objects of experience’. Science, in Popper’s view, starts with  problems rather than with observations — it is, indeed, precisely in the context of grappling with a problem that the scientist makes observations in the first instance: his observations are selectively designed to test the extent to which a given theory functions as a satisfactory solution to a given problem.

 

1. What is the primary purpose of the author of the passage? (1) To illustrate different ways of demarcating between science and non-science (2) To highlight the ultimate inability of falsifiability to provide satisfactory corroboration of a scientific theory (3) To negate the primacy of observation in the formation or testing of scientific theories (4) To demonstrate that existing scientific methodologies permit the acceptance of scientific theories that are at best good approximations of highly universal theories of science (5) To discuss the reasons why Popper is viewed as unusual among contemporary philosophers

j To illustrate different ways of demarcating between science and non-science k l m n j To highlight the ultimate inability of falsifiability to provide satisfactory corroboration of a scientific theory k l m n j To negate the primacy of observation in the formation or testing of scientific theories k l m n j To demonstrate that existing scientific methodologies permit the acceptance of scientific theories that are at best good approximations of k l m n highly universal theories of science j To discuss the reasons why Popper is viewed as unusual among contemporary philosophers k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

2. The idea of ‘falsification’ as used in the passage would apply to which of the following statement(s)? (1) The ability to conclude whether ‘all ferrous metals are attracted by a magnetic field’ from the observation of a single ferrous metal that is not attracted by a magnetic field (2) The ability to conclude whether ‘at least one swan is black’ from observing only grey swans in repeated testing (3) The ability to disprove the theory of evolution from the observation of a single fossil rabbit dating from the era of the dinosaurs  

j Only 1 k l m n j 1 and 2 k l m n j 2 and 3 k l m n j 1 and 3 k l m n j 1, 2 and 3 k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

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j 1, 2 and 3 k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

3. The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following? (1) The theory of falsifiability could be applied to statements such as ‘murder is evil’ when the maker of the statement is seen to indulge in an act of murder (2) Science starts from observations and leads to theories and problems (3) Practical falsification may not be enough to discard a theory which is otherwise viewed as sound (4) No scientific theory can be a good theory because all scientific theories are inherently prohibitive (5) While the method of falsification is logically asymmetrical , the same is not true of the method of induction

j The theory of falsifiability could be applied to statements such as ‘murder is evil’ when the maker of the statement is seen to indulge in an act k l m n of murder j Science starts from observations and leads to theories and problems k l m n j Practical falsification may not be enough to discard a theory which is otherwise viewed as sound k l m n j No scientific theory can be a good theory because all scientific theories are inherently prohibitive k l m n j While the method of falsification is logically asymmetrical , the same is not true of the method of induction k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 4 to 6: In each of the following questions a paragraph is given followed by five summaries. Choose the option that best summarizes the paragraph

4. How many experts does it actually take to change a light bulb, specifically an eco light bulb? That has been the question ever since Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) experienced a fall from sustainable grace. This happened when some bright spark raised questions about their mercury content (admittedly a neurotoxin) which might - so the concern went - pose a grave threat to our personal health. Previously, changing your light bulbs seemed like the ideal low-hanging fruit for all of us eager to diminish our hulking carbon footprint. Just to recap: CFLs use around 60 per cent less electricity than their conventional incandescent counterparts; they last six to 15 times longer and save you from emitting some 170lbs of CO2 emissions per bulb. So changing your bulbs can cut your CO2 burden by about 10 per cent. Indeed, by the end of next year retailers will be banned (by law) from selling high-wattage incandescents.  

j CFLs were the ideal environmentally-friendly solution to high wattage incandescents until recently k l m n j We can no longer say that CFLs are the ideal environmental-friendly solution to high wattage incandescents. k l m n  

 

j The mercury content of CFLs has made them hazardous and poses a grave threat to human health. k l m n j CFLs, which were considered an ideal eco-friendly solution to high wattage incandescents, have been questioned as regards their mercury k l m n content. j CFLs have experienced a fall from sustainable grace due to their high mercury content. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

5. A Sense of Life differs from simple emotions. It is not an emotional evaluation of one’s metaphysical views, whether implicit or explicit. A Sense of Life is not programmed by a single evaluation. It is an integration of countless evaluations. Over the course of one’s life, it integrates emotions and valuejudgments related to all aspects of living. A Sense of Life is the sum of these emotions and valuejudgments. This is the method by which it acts as an emotional evaluation of the world. Not directly through a concept of the world and an appropriate judgment, but a complex summation of judgments about every aspect of the world one has made.

j A sense of life differs from simple emotions as it is not just a single evaluation. k l m n j A Sense of life is a complex concept as opposed to simple emotions or a single evaluation or judgement about the world. k l m n j A sense of life is an integration of emotions and judgements about the world that one has made over the course of one’s life. k l m n j Emotions and value-judgements are part and parcel of a sense of life which can be attained only over the course of one’s life k l m n j A sense of life is not easy to attain as it is a complex integration of evaluations about the world. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

6. To forgive someone doesn’t mean condoning their actions. It just means absolving yourself of the hurt and pain and getting back control over your own life and emotions. It means easing the burden of  revenge and hatred from your shoulders and getting on with life. You don’t forgive for another; you do it for yourself — to come to terms with your emotions and to attempt a closure on an episode that refuses to let go of you. If you don’t do that, years later you would still be smarting from an action, stuck in a painful time zone, while the perpetrator of all that pain has moved on and put the incident behind him. So, rather than him, you are the one living out the consequences of his action!  

j You forgive someone for yourself k l m n j You forgive someone to ease the burden of revenge from your shoulders. k l m n j There is no better way to get control over your life than forgiving someone. k l m n j You forgive someone to avoid a lot of pain later on. k l m n j The person whom you don’t forgive is least bothered about what you are going through. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 7 to 8: In each question, there are three to five sentences. Each sentence has pair/s of words/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrases to form correct sentences. Then from the options given choose the right sequence

www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=69 7. In the rainy season, raincoats and umbrellas really sell [A] / cell [B]. Her constant chatter greats [A] / grates [B] on my nerves.

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In each question, there are three to five sentences. Each sentence has pair/s of words/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrases to form correct sentences. Then from the options given choose the right sequence

7. In the rainy season, raincoats and umbrellas really sell [A] / cell [B]. Her constant chatter greats [A] / grates [B] on my nerves. The shelf was made of gneiss [A] / nice [B]. We could hear the horses naying [A] / neighing [B] in the vicinity. The behaviour patterns of teenagers are [A] / is [B] very unpredictable these days.  

j BAABA k l m n j BBBAB k l m n j BAABB k l m n j AAABA k l m n j ABABA k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

8. She needed to pear [A] / pare [B] down her monthly expenses. We heard the grown [A] / groan [B] of the hinges as the crane lowered the weighty cargo into the vessel’s hold.After a momentary paws [A] / pause [B] the audience broke into cheers. The aircraft [A] / aircrafts [B] were flown out once the storm had subsided. The central part of the hangar [A] / hanger [B] is of a cylindrical shape consisting of five steel arches covered with concrete.  

j AAABA k l m n j BBBAA k l m n j BBBBA k l m n j ABABA k l m n j BBAAB k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 9 to 10: In each question, there are three to five sentences. Each sentence has pair/s of words/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrases to form correct sentences. Then from the options given choose the right sequence

9. One of the wealthiest and most respectable citizens of the borough [A] / burrow [B] had been missing for several days, which gave rise to suspicion of foul [A] / fowl [B] play. We congratulated him on his performance on [A] / at [B] the rehearsal. The reinforced islet [A] / eyelet [B] allows it to hang on a pegboard, a tool trailer or a basement wall. A rosy garland was the victor’s meed [A] / mead [B].  

j BBAAB k l m n j AABBB k l m n j BBBBA k l m n j AABBA k l m n j ABBAB k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

10. When Lena sighed she exhaled a heavy perfume of sashay [A] / sachet [B] powder. Very commonly a calender [A] / calendar [B] includes more than one type of cycle, or has both cyclic and acyclic elements. The claque [A] / clack [B] was quite vociferous in its [A] / it’s [B] support. Unaccustomed to sudden emergencies, her head began to swim, and her grip upon the bridal [A] / bridle [B] relaxed.

j BBAAB k l m n j BBABA k l m n j BAAAB k l m n j ABABB k l m n j ABAAB k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

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