What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once

Question

What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once closely linked: eminent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler dabbled in astrology and other mystical activities alongside their more orthodox scientific pursuits. The late 16th century was a time of upheaval—cosmology was being redefined, the new world was colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took many forms. The mystical activities of John Dee— a mathematician, philosopher, and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I—could be seen from late 16th century, argues Benjamin Woolley. Dee's seances with angels and spirits were one of the many ways he tried to fathom the secrets of the universe.

Dee's thirst for knowledge drove him to assemble one of the finest libraries in Europe and what would today be termed a research institute. His wide-ranging expertise meant he was regarded as an authority on matters ranging from calendar reform to navigation and cartography. He was also learned in cryptography, astronomy, and optics' nascent science. Dee was stalked by the accusation that he was meddling with diabolical forces from his undergraduate days at Cambridge. Which, indeed, he was. For much of his life, Dee conducted seances or "actions" in which he communicated with the spirit world through a medium, or "skryer," who spoke on their behalf. Dee's most gifted skryer was a mysterious young man called Edward Kelley, through whom Dee variously attempted to discover the location of buried treasure.

His fortunes rose and fell precipitously during his career; he went from being penniless to being a valued royal counselor and back again several times, was imprisoned, and denounced. It is a shame that Dee was not born a century later, as he would have thrived in the scientific revolution. After all, Mr. Woolley argues, Dee's main interest was magic, traditionally divided into natural magic (obeying natural laws) and supernatural magic (involving supernatural forces). The word "magic," in other words, is a term that includes understanding the world and exploiting that understanding. The modern term for this is science.    1 
 1. The author mentioned the age of the late 16th century, most probably to

A. Highlight that late 16th century was a time of great disturbance
B. Point out the time in which science and magic were closely related
C. Highlight, the era of some prominent researchers
D. Call attention to events that might lead John Dee to his interest in magic
E. Identify the age at which new stars and comets start appearing in the sky along with some other events

2 
 2. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A. Prominent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler were more interested in mystical activities than orthodox scientific pursuits
B. Although John Dee tried multiple times, but he failed to connect with the spirits
C. Dee has expert authority in the fields such as navigation, cartography, and cryptography.
D. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces.
E. Dee spent the majority of his life in attempts and experiments to contact with the mystical forces.

3 
 3. The passage answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT

A. How science and magic are related
B. Why the time of late 16th century was disrupting
C. How Dee flourished the magic and scientific methods
D. Why John Dee established a library
E. Why Dee used Edward Kelley for his mysterious purpose

4 
 4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore
B. Dee started conducting magic experiments in his youth
C. Tycho Brahe and Nicolaus Copernicus were the prominent researchers of 16th century
D. Because of his aptitude, Dee was appointed as a valued royal counselor
E. The methods used in magic are more sophisticated than are methods of scientific experiments

5 
 5. The primary purpose of the passage is:

A. Identify the relationship between science and magic with the help of a 16th-century case study of John Dee
B. Highlight the impact of dwindling 16th century on science and magic, with the help of a case study of John Dee
C. Summarize the mystical activities of John Dee in the late 16th century
D. Compile the events related to the 16th-century science and magic
E. Construct a comprehensive understanding of the difference between science and magic

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 03 Date: 02-Jan-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

100mitra · Accepted Answer

RC#4 long passage Paraphrase: Para 1 : 16th century - researchers’ curiosity in mystic activities (magic), and introduction of John Dee, in the world of science and magic, for his interest in mystical activity with angels and spirits Para 2: John Dee learning, expertise and character, and his mystical activity with angels and spirits, his attempted to discover the location of buried treasure from his early age. https://tudorscribe.medium.com/how-an-e ... 5c7119a736 Para 3: John Dee’s financial life, and his tribute to magical activities world, which modern term for this is science 1. The author mentioned the age of the late 16th century, most probably to A. Highlight that late 16th century was a time of great disturbance Wrong: Yes, it was the time of upheaval, but it’s not the reason, as only this stand along information leads to no direction. B. Point out the time in which science and magic were closely related Wrong: this time is not mentioned in the passage, as one can view in paragraph 1 C. Highlight, the era of some prominent researchers Wrong: this time frame information is not mentioned in the passage D. Call attention to events that might lead John Dee to his interest in magic Correct: Just after mention, of late 16th century, John Dee’s introduction is given in the passage, which perfectly fits the intended meaning. E. Identify the age at which new stars and comets start appearing in the sky along with some other events Wrong: This is a trap! As this information is mentioned in same sentence, but point to look into is. It all begun well before the 16th Century, and it was getting redefined, as mentioned in passage in line “cosmology was being redefined, the new world was colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took many forms” 2. According to the passage, which of the following is true? A. Prominent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler were more interested in mystical activities than orthodox scientific pursuits Wrong: Easy elimination, the key word here for rejection is “dabbed”, mentioned in passage. B. Although John Dee tried multiple times, but he failed to connect with the spirits Wrong: as mentioned in passage, John Dee spent most of his life trying to connect the sprits, but it won’t be correct to true, how many times did he tried to connect and failed with the spirits C. Dee has expert authority in the fields such as navigation, cartography, and cryptography. Wrong: John Dee expertise was with navigation and cartography, He was also learned in cryptography, astronomy, and optics' nascent science. D. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces. Wrong: he was stalked by the accusation, E. Dee spent the majority of his life in attempts and experiments to contact with the mystical forces Correct: as mentioned by Benjamin Woolley & Mr. Woolley, Study found in Cambridge under graduation universities, and 3. The passage answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT A. How science and magic are related – Mentioned in paragraph 1 B. Why the time of late 16th century was disrupting – Mentioned in paragraph 1 C. How Dee flourished the magic and scientific methods - Not Mentioned D. Why John Dee established a library – Mentioned in paragraph 2 E. Why Dee used Edward Kelley for his mysterious purpose – Mentioned in paragraph 2 4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? A. Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore Wrong: No clear information mentioned in passage. B. Dee started conducting magic experiments in his youth Correct: passage infers John Dee, mentioned in paragraph 2, during his educational days. C. Tycho Brahe and Nicolaus Copernicus were the prominent researchers of 16th century Wrong: Easy elimination, as they were one of the prominent researchers D. Because of his aptitude, Dee was appointed as a valued royal counsellor Wrong: it was because of his knowledge E. The methods used in magic are more sophisticated than are methods of scientific experiments Wrong: No clear information mentioned in passage. 5. The primary purpose of the passage is: A. Identify the relationship between science and magic with the help of a 16th-century case study of John Dee Correct: as concluded in last line in passage “The word "magic," in other words, is a term that includes understanding the world and exploiting that understanding. The modern term for this is science” B. Highlight the impact of dwindling 16th century on science and magic, with the help of a case study of John Dee Wrong: it is mentioned in paragraph 1, about the disturbance of 16th century, but it did not with any impact of dwindling C. Summarize the mystical activities of John Dee in the late 16th century Wrong: No such activities are mentioned in detail in the passage. D. Compile the events related to the 16th-century science and magic Wrong: No such activities are mentioned in detail in the passage E. Construct a comprehensive understanding of the difference between science and magic Wrong: No such details are mentioned in the passage

Solenja · Answer

Hey 100mitra!
i really appreciate your explanation for the above questions, but im still confused regarding the second and the fourth questions do you think you can explain it in a more elaborative please.
thanks in advance.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Can you specify the answer choices of above said questions you are looking to eliminate?

Dhwanii · Answer

Am I correct ? Q2 - Option D. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces. This option is incorrect because he wasn't wrongly accused as it was something which he did really do.

Q4 - Option A, Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore
Start of the passage states science and magic were once closely related and the last lines of the passage convey that science is modern term for magic, meaning its not closely related but the same thing. So we can contend for A right ?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Am I correct ? Q2 - Option D. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces. This option is incorrect because he wasn't wrongly accused as it was something which he did really do.

Absolutely Correct!

Q4 - Option A, Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore
Start of the passage states science and magic were once closely related and the last lines of the passage convey that science is modern term for magic, meaning its not closely related but the same thing. So we can contend for an A right?

And the last lines say the same again that science and magic are still related. That is why (A) cannot be inferred.

Dhwanii · Answer

No, last line says science and magic are same thing which differs from being related. I mean we can't say that H2O and water are related because its same thing.

hientranzx · Answer

1. The author mentioned the age of the late 16th century, most probably to

A. Highlight that late 16th century was a time of great disturbance
"upheaval" work was used in the paragraph, but it was a description for the "16th century", not the main intention of the author.
B. Point out the time in which science and magic were closely related
C. Highlight, the era of some prominent researchers
D. Call attention to events that might lead John Dee to his interest in magic
--> Right. The second paragraph is about Dee too, so Dee is the main charactor that the author wants to focus on.
E. Identify the age at which new stars and comets start appearing in the sky along with some other events

2. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A. Prominent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler were more interested in mystical activities than orthodox scientific pursuits
"Johannes Kepler dabbled in astrology and other mystical activities alongside their more orthodox scientific pursuits." 
It means that "mystical activitie = orthodox scientific pursuits", not "mystical activitie > orthodox scientific pursuit"
B. Although John Dee tried multiple times, but he failed to connect with the spirits
No information about "failed to connect with the spirits"
C. Dee has expert authority in the fields such as navigation, cartography, and cryptography.
"His wide-ranging expertise meant he was regarded as an authority on matters ranging from calendar reform to navigation and cartography" --> he is an expert in navigation, catography.
But "He was also learned in cryptography" --> he is not an expert in cryptography
D. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces.
E. Dee spent the majority of his life in attempts and experiments to contact with the mystical forces.
--> Correct. For much of his life, Dee conducted seances or "actions" in which he communicated with the spirit world through a medium, or "skryer," who spoke on their behalf.

3. The passage answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT

A. How science and magic are related
What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once closely linked
B. Why the time of late 16th century was disrupting
cosmology was being redefined, the new world was colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took many forms
C. How Dee flourished the magic and scientific methods
--> Right
D. Why John Dee established a library
Dee's thirst for knowledge drove him to assemble one of the finest libraries
E. Why Dee used Edward Kelley for his mysterious purpose
Dee's most gifted skryer was a mysterious young man called Edward Kelley, through whom Dee variously attempted to discover the location of buried treasure.

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore
No information about "not anymore"
B. Dee started conducting magic experiments in his youth
--> Correct. Dee was stalked by the accusation that he was meddling with diabolical forces from his undergraduate days at Cambridge.
C. Tycho Brahe and Nicolaus Copernicus were prominent researchers of the 16th century
They are "eminent researchers" (=prominent research), but not sure they are in the 16th century or not. 
D. Because of his aptitude, Dee was appointed as a valued royal counselor
Wrong. "His wide-ranging expertise meant he was regarded as an authority on matters"
E. The methods used in magic are more sophisticated than are methods of scientific experiments
No information about "more sophisticated"

CM12 · Answer

I'm having issues understanding why Q1 = "Call attention to events that might lead John Dee to his interest in magic." In the passage (see underlined parts below), is the timing not that:  1st) Mid-16th Century,  John Dee is already conducting his magic/activities & then  2) late 16th century , was the time of upheaval. If John Dee's activities/magic came first, how would mentioning late 16th century occurrences be the events leading to his interest if he was already interested/doing these things? Am I misunderstanding it?

What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once closely linked: eminent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler dabbled in astrology and other mystical activities alongside their more orthodox scientific pursuits.  The late 16th century was a time of upheaval —cosmology was being redefined, the new world was colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took many forms. The mystical activities of John Dee— a mathematician, philosopher, and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I— could be seen from the mid of 16th century , argues Benjamin Woolley. Dee's seances with angels and spirits were one of the many ways he tried to fathom the secrets of the universe.

owen1ee · Answer

This question is testing the function of the sentence. As you can see in the paragraph above. The first two sentences perfect enclosed first message 'Q&A of the relationship between magic and science.' The sentence 'The late 16th xxx' starts a new message. It introduces a series of events that are related to John's events. So the intention to write this sentence is to introduce the activity of John.

Prob2303 · Answer

Hi Sajjad,

Can I get the explanation of the passage and the OE for Q1 and Q2?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The author mentioned the age of the late 16th century, most probably to

Difficulty Level:   700+

Explanation

Explanation:

The passage discusses the late 16th century as a time of upheaval, where cosmology was being redefined, the new world was being colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took various forms. The late 16th century is presented as a period of significant change and exploration in various fields.

The author specifically mentions John Dee, a mathematician, philosopher, and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, who engaged in mystical activities such as seances with angels and spirits to fathom the secrets of the universe. The passage implies that the events and changes happening during the late 16th century might have influenced John Dee's interest in magic and his attempts to understand the universe through mystical practices.

Option D  accurately reflects the idea that the mention of the late 16th century is intended to call attention to events that might have influenced John Dee's interest in magic.

Let's briefly evaluate the other options:

A. Highlight that late 16th century was a time of great disturbance.

While the late 16th century is described as a time of upheaval, the disturbance is not the primary focus. The passage is more concerned with the relationship between science and magic during this period.

B. Point out the time in which science and magic were closely related.

This is a general statement about the historical context, but it doesn't specifically address why the late 16th century is mentioned in relation to events that might have influenced John Dee's interest in magic.

C. Highlight the era of some prominent researchers.

The passage does mention eminent researchers from the late 16th century, but the focus is more on John Dee and his mystical activities.

E. Identify the age at which new stars and comets start appearing in the sky along with some other events.

While the passage mentions the appearance of new stars and comets in the late 16th century, this is not the main reason for mentioning the era. The primary focus is on the events that might have led John Dee to his interest in magic.

In summary,  option D  best captures the purpose of mentioning the late 16th century in the passage.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The passage mentions that John Dee conducted seances or  "actions"  throughout much of his life in which he communicated with the spirit world through a medium, or " skryer,"  who spoke on their behalf. It describes these seances as one of the many ways Dee tried to fathom the secrets of the universe. The term  "seances"  and the reference to his various attempts suggest a significant portion of Dee's life dedicated to mystical practices and attempts to contact mystical forces.

Now, let's assess why the other options are incorrect:

A. Prominent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler were more interested in mystical activities than orthodox scientific pursuits.

This is not accurate. The passage mentions that these eminent researchers dabbled in astrology and other mystical activities alongside their more orthodox scientific pursuits, indicating a balance between both.

B. Although John Dee tried multiple times, he failed to connect with the spirits.

The passage does not provide information about the success or failure of Dee's attempts to connect with the spirits. It mentions his seances and interactions with the spirit world but does not specify the outcomes.

C. Dee has expert authority in the fields such as navigation, cartography, and cryptography.

This is partially correct. The passage highlights Dee's expertise in navigation and cartography, and he learned cryptography, but the passage did not tell us whether he was an expert in cryptography or not. Hence, by inducting cryptography, this option is generalizing the expert authority of Dee too much making it out of scope.

E. Dee spent the majority of his life in attempts and experiments to contact with the mystical forces.

This is the correct answer based on the information provided in the passage about Dee's continuous attempts and experiments with seances throughout much of his life.

Answer: E

VerbalBot · Answer

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What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once

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What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once

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