The primary purpose of the passage is to show that

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

The view of the "behaviourists" is that nothing can be known except by external observation. They deny altogether that there is a separate source of knowledge called "introspection", by which we can know things about ourselves which we could never observe in others. Many psychologists, especially those of the behaviorist school, tend to adopt what is essentially a materialistic position, as a matter of method if not of metaphysics.

They make psychology increasingly dependent on physiology and external observation, and tend to think of matter as something much more solid and indubitable than mind. Meanwhile the avant-garde physicists, especially Einstein and other exponents of the theory of relativity, have been making "matter" less and less material. Their world consists of "events", from which "matter" is derived by a logical construction. I think that what has permanent value in the outlook of the behaviorists is the feeling that physics is the most fundamental science at present in existence. But this position cannot be called materialistic, if, as seems to be the case, physics does not assume the existence of matter.

What is the relation between old fashioned materialism and modern physics?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

The view of the "behaviourists" is that nothing can be known except by external observation. They deny altogether that there is a separate source of knowledge called "introspection", by which we can know things about ourselves which we could never observe in others. Many psychologists, especially those of the behaviorist school, tend to adopt what is essentially a materialistic position, as a matter of method if not of metaphysics.

They make psychology increasingly dependent on physiology and external observation, and tend to think of matter as something much more solid and indubitable than mind. Meanwhile the avant-garde physicists, especially Einstein and other exponents of the theory of relativity, have been making "matter" less and less material. Their world consists of "events", from which "matter" is derived by a logical construction. I think that what has permanent value in the outlook of the behaviorists is the feeling that physics is the most fundamental science at present in existence. But this position cannot be called materialistic, if, as seems to be the case, physics does not assume the existence of matter.

The passage implies all of the following about Meth addiction except:

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

It triggers dopamine production in the brain and gives a high that can last much more than the traditional drugs, depending upon the method of abuse and the quantity used.

Not to be confused with Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth, or Crystal, as it is known on the street is arguably the most addictive drug on the planet. The chemical, Dopamine, which controls the sensations of pleasure and reward in the human brain, is quite similar in structure to both Meth and Cocaine. The effect of Meth however, is accentuated by its relatively higher absorbability, for comparable doses, than amphetamines, and its longer lasting effects and its even more harmful effects on the brain. What started its life as a prescription drug for attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy and obesity, has now had a metamorphosis into an addictive drug with serious, often fatal consequences.

What adds to its potential for abuse is the ease with which it can be abused, the user can simply dissolve it in water and ingest it orally, or snort it like cocaine, or, for a faster rush and high, smoke it. Smoking helps it absorb into the brain faster and the feeling of euphoria thus generated is what drives users back to the drug time and again. It has also been known to be abused by inserting in the anus or the urethra. Addicts often abuse it in a binging pattern by repeating doses of the drug as and when the effects start to wear off. Because the drug takes up to or more than twelve hours to get half metabolized out of the system, the potential for death due to overdose is very high. Even in small doses, the short term effects of Meth usage usually include wakefulness, high alertness levels, lower fatigue, depressed appetite and heightened libido. Other side effects include cardiovascular problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and hyperthermia. Overdose, like usage in the binging pattern, can lead to convulsions or death. Unlike Cocaine, which blocks re-uptakes of Dopamine, Meth triggers excess production of the hormone in the brain, which in turn is thought to be responsible for the drug’s deleterious effects on the nerve terminals in the brain. Long term abuse can and often is triggered by the development of tolerance to the pleasure giving effects of the drug, and this in turn can turn the recreational user into an addict. The event can trigger long term and irreversible changes in the brain chemistry and trigger a host of psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions and paranoid behavior which can last for years after substance abuse has been discontinued. Recent studies show that even after two years of cessation of drug abuse, some brain functions of former addicts do not return to normal, which gives weight to the theory that the long term effects of the abuse might be irreversible. In pregnant and nursing women, the drug has been known to permeate through the placenta to the embryo and even to secrete with the mother’s milk.

What does the phrase 'infinite good is being bought' mean?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

The treasure of wisdom and science, which all men desire by an instinct of nature, infinitely surpasses all the riches of the world; in respect of which precious stones are worthless; in comparison with which silver is clay and pure gold is just a little sand; at whose splendor the sun and the moon are dark; compared with whose marvelous sweetness honey is bitter to the taste. In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace. We must consider what pleasantness of teaching there is in books, how easy, how secret! How safely we lay bare the poverty of human ignorance to books without feeling any shame! They are masters who instruct us without rod or ferule, without angry words, without money. The value of books is unspeakable; no dearness of price ought to hinder a man from the buying of books, if he has the money that is demanded for them, unless it be to withstand the malice of the seller or to await a more favorable opportunity of buying. For if it is wisdom only that makes the price of books, which is an infinite treasure to mankind, and if the value of books is immeasurable, how shall the bargain be shown to be dear where an infinite good is being bought?

What does the phrase 'poverty of human ignorance' mean?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

The treasure of wisdom and science, which all men desire by an instinct of nature, infinitely surpasses all the riches of the world; in respect of which precious stones are worthless; in comparison with which silver is clay and pure gold is just a little sand; at whose splendor the sun and the moon are dark; compared with whose marvelous sweetness honey is bitter to the taste. In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace. We must consider what pleasantness of teaching there is in books, how easy, how secret! How safely we lay bare the poverty of human ignorance to books without feeling any shame! They are masters who instruct us without rod or ferule, without angry words, without money. The value of books is unspeakable; no dearness of price ought to hinder a man from the buying of books, if he has the money that is demanded for them, unless it be to withstand the malice of the seller or to await a more favorable opportunity of buying. For if it is wisdom only that makes the price of books, which is an infinite treasure to mankind, and if the value of books is immeasurable, how shall the bargain be shown to be dear where an infinite good is being bought?

What has united people of different ideologies in contemporary America?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.

Why does the author contrast the current situation with a historical precedent?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.

Why does the author use the expression, “What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered” when talking about the issue in question?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.