The apparent change from the rather mechanistic explanation of evolut

1. When reviewing all of the arguments made in the passage it becomes apparent that the author‘s main idea in this passage is:

A. to explain the differences between natural selection and creation science.
B. to show how the continued spread of creationist views is a potentially dangerous affront to a rational, scientific understanding of evolution.
C. to contrast the creationist viewpoints, such as fundamentalism and natural theology with more ancient views of evolution.
D. to explain why the concepts of evolution are more scientifically correct than those of ―creation science.‖
E. to argue that ‗creation science‘ is the best explanation of evolution

Correct Answer - B
Explanation: as mentioned in the passage: "It is essential to confront the creationist issue and to look at it in a scientific manner. Creationism is not science and doesn't belong in the science classroom. ", implies that the author is not in favor of creationism is not science and throughout the passage he seems skeptical of the same and mentions, "Creation science, despite the apparent oxymoron, is a phrase that has been widely used by creationists to add legitimacy to their claims by stating that creationism is a scientific theory just as much as evolution", thus we can see that what author is really trying to convey is that creationist theories are not science.
Option A, D - incorrect- not the main idea of the passage.
Option C - incorrect, as author is not trying to contrast the creationist viewpoints, even before mentioning the view points he seems opposed to the same.
Option E - incorrect, not consistent with information mentioned in the passage.



2. The author brings up Greek philosophers to point out which of the following:

A. that the origins of evolutionary thought comprised some silly notions such as heads, limbs, and various other parts of animals were always being joined in random combinations.
B. that the origins of evolutionary thought began long before Darwin.
C. that both evolutionary thought and creationism have their origins among the Greeks.
D. Anaximander first came up with the theory of evolution.
E. Greeks were far more learned than any other group at that time

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: as mentioned in the passage: "One can trace the origins of evolutionary thought at least as far back as the Greeks.", and also that the views of Anaximander and Empedocles held the creationist views, implying that both the evolutionary and creationists views have their origin among the Greeks.
Option A,B,D - incorrect, as though this is mentioned, but its not the reason, why the author brings up the Greeks.
Option E - incorrect, not explicitly mentioned in the passage.



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

A. A frank discussion of creationism is pointless
B. Carl Sagan was indifferent towards rationality
C. Anaximander believed that humans were descended from apes
D. Thomas Huxley approved of Darwin‘s theories
E. Christian philosophers rejected the ideas of Aristotle and Plato


Correct Answer - D,
Explanation: as mentioned in the passage: "Thomas Huxley, one of Darwin‘s most ardent supporters, was one of the founding members of the powerful London School Board, which helped to set curriculum guidelines for students and teachers."
Option A - incorrect, as he mentions in the passage: "It is essential to confront the creationist issue and to look at it in a scientific manner."
Option B - incorrect, as he mentions in the passage: "The late Carl Sagan, one of the staunchest advocates of rationality and reason in the increasingly irrational and superstitious world in which we live," so the opposite of the statement has been mentioned in the passage.
Option C - incorrect, as what is mentioned is: "Anaximander, in 500 BC, held the belief that living creatures were formed from water and that humans and other animals were descended from fishes."
Option E - incorrect, as what is mentioned is: "Christian philosophers later elaborated on the ideas of Aristotle and Plato when"