The brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals through the c

Question

The brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals through the control and coordination of muscle contractions. The brain is connected to the muscles by means of motor nerves. This leads to the survival of an animal only if the timing of muscle contractions bears some relation to purpose. An animal must contract its jaw muscles when its jaw contains something worth biting and contract its leg muscles when there is something worth running to or away from. Animals that have survived are those equipped with sense organs—the eyes, ears, taste buds, skin, and nose—that translate patterns of physical events into nerve impulses in the brain. The brain is connected to the sense organs by sensory nerves. The workings of the sensory system are extremely complex; human senses can achieve more sophisticated feats of pattern recognition than computers; if this were not the case, many tasks now done by people could be done by computers. However, it will be decades before the functions of human sense organs can be duplicated by machines.

Because humans are capable of self-reflection, we feel that our sensory perception and muscle activity are guided by apparent purposiveness. However, both our sense of purpose and complex consciousness may well be genetically engineered. Our genes have created our brains, muscles, and sensory organs to help us and may also have created a kind of “conscious-purpose machine” to direct us to live and reproduce by means of innate drives—hunger, sexuality, communication, fear, and aggression. This machine may also direct higher-level interpretations of these drives. That direction of consciousness is the ultimate genetic control.  
 1 
1) The passage supplies information to answer which of the following questions?

A) By what means do the sensory nerves interpret what an individual sees?
B) How will computers be able to simulate the functions of the human brain?
C) What are the major differences between human and animal sense organs?
D) What connects the brain to the motor and sensory nerves?
E) Of what value is the sensorimotor system to the adaptive success of animals?
 2 
2) The primary purpose of the passage is to

A) argue that genes may control complex as well as basic brain functions
B) explain the relationship between sensory and motor operations of the brain
C) refute a theory about human perception and consciousness
D) explain the principal elements of the adaptive behavior of motor action
E) outline the difference between human and nonhuman information processing
 3 
Which of the following does the author mention as the source for an individual’s awareness of his or her own consciousness?

A) Information the sensory organs send to the brain
B) The human brain’s power to bring about purposiveness in behavior
C) The ability of human beings to be self-reflective
D) A genetically determined set of survival drives in humans
E) Skill in recognizing perceptual patterns

ID 16911

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

Question 2 
 
A good first step is to identify the author's purpose in each paragraph. Once you've done that, take a moment to consider how the paragraphs add up. Ask yourself: what was the author's goal in writing this passage  as a whole ?

In some cases, the primary purpose might be referenced in each paragraph, as you suggest, but we definitely don't want to assume that's the case. Sometimes, the first paragraph might describe the primary purpose, while the last paragraph is just an afterthought. Other times, the first paragraph may present background info, while a later paragraph states the author's purpose. Whatever the case, it's best to avoid assumptions, and to consider the author's purpose with an open mind.

Let's now apply this strategy to the passage:

Purpose of Paragraph 1: To explain how the "brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals" by allowing our movements to serve a purpose (such as running away from something).   Purpose of Paragraph 2: To argue that genes control not only our "brains, muscles, and sensory organs," but our sense of "purpose and complex consciousness."   
What do these paragraph's add up to? Well, the second paragraph presents an argument about genetic control. More specifically, it argues that genes control not only our brains (which control our muscles), but our "sense of purpose." How does the first paragraph relate to this? Well, it provides background information to set up the argument in the second paragraph. In other words, it discusses the brain's relationship to basic movements and purpose to provide context for the argument about genetic control of different brain functions.

Let's now consider (A):

It's true the first paragraph doesn't mention genes, but that isn't necessarily a problem. Considering the passage as a whole, we see the function of the first paragraph is to provide context for the argument in the second paragraph. So the author's primary purpose is really just to argue that genes control not only our "brains, muscles, and sensory organs," but our sense of "purpose and complex consciousness." This lines up well with answer choice (A), so it's correct.

I hope that helps!

coreyander · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Q3:

This asks about something that is explicitly mentioned in the passage. To verify this, look for the parts of the passage that relate to human consciousness. The discussion of that topic begins early in the second paragraph and continues to the end of the passage. Answer choice C is a very close paraphrase of a claim that the author makes in the middle of that discussion.
 
A The first paragraph contains a brief discussion of the relationship between the sensory organs and the brain in animals in general, implicitly including humans. However, comments in the second paragraph make it clear that the author considers awareness of one's own consciousness to arise from something more than the brain’s merely receiving signals from the sensory organs.
B The passage describes human purposiveness as something that humans are conscious of, not as something that makes them aware of their consciousness.
C Correct. The discussion of human consciousness begins in the second paragraph. Midway through the second paragraph, the author states: Our own introspection tells us that we are indeed conscious, and we know we behave as if we are motivated by purposes. The second sentence of the paragraph makes a similar point.
D The passage indicates that human survival drives are genetically determined and suggests that humans are conscious of having such drives, but it does not indicate that having such drives causes humans to be aware of their own consciousness.
E In the final part of the first paragraph, the author discusses humans’ skill in recognizing perceptual patterns. The point of that discussion is to contrast humans with computers in this regard. There is no indication that this skill causes humans to be aware of their own consciousness.
 
The correct answer is C.

coreyander · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Q1:  
 
Supporting Ideas
  
Since the passage does not claim to be answering any questions, each of the five questions posed in these answer choices is hypothetical: if someone asked this question, would information somewhere in the passage constitute an answer to it? This amounts to listing five types of information and asking which one can be found in the passage. In the first paragraph, the passage does tell the value of the sensorimotor system to the adaptive success of animals. It does not give information that would serve as an answer to any of the other four hypothetical questions.
 
A The passage does not say that sensory nerves interpret anything. It indicates that those nerves send sensory signals, including visual ones, to the brain, and it suggests that the brain interprets such signals.
B The passage discusses the superiority—at the time when the passage was written—of human perceptual abilities over those of computers and suggests that computers may eventually simulate some functions of the human brain, but it does not tell how computers will be able to do so.
C The first paragraph contains a brief discussion of the relationship between the sensory organs and the brain in animals in general, implicitly including humans. However, it provides no information about how, if at all, humans’ sense organs may differ from those of other animals.
D The passage indicates that the brain sends signals through the motor nerves and receives signals through the sensory nerves, but it gives no information about whether those nerves are connected directly to the brain or indirectly through some further structure.
E Correct. The first paragraph describes how the relationship between the signals the brain sends through the motor nerves and those it receives through the sensory nerves help animals survive.
 
The correct answer is E.

coreyander · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Q2:

While the author does not reveal a thesis or purpose in the beginning of the passage, the author does express their position in the latter part of the passage and thus, the primary purpose of the passage best aligns with answer choice A. The passage contains various pieces of information and some explanations, but clearly the overall approach is not merely to present or explain the information. Therefore, explain and outline are dubious. It is also easy to see that the author does not claim to be refuting anyone else’s theory. The passage does, however, present argumentation for the author’s position. After outlining a number of interrelated pieces of information about the adaptive functions of nervous systems, in the second paragraph, the author argues for an interpretation of the information and for a loosely stated conclusion about genetics in relation to human consciousness. Answer choice A best expresses the author’s conclusion, which is presented at the end of the passage.
 
A Correct. The main focus of the passage is on arguing for a position that is expressed in the latter part of the second paragraph. Answer choice A gives a concise paraphrase of the author’s position.
B In the first paragraph, the author discusses the roles of sensory and motor information transmitted to and from the brain. But this is presented only as a subtopic contributing toward the overall purpose of the passage.
C In writing the passage, the author might conceivably have intended, at least indirectly, to refute someone else’s theory about human perception and consciousness. However, the passage provides no evidence that the author did intend it in this way.
D In the first paragraph, the author discusses motor action and its adaptive function, but this is presented only as a subtopic contributing toward the overall purpose of the passage.
E The first paragraph does contrast human information processing with that performed by computers, but it does so only to support the claims it is making about human brain activity. The second paragraph implies that human information processing surpasses that in other animals but concludes that the processes are fundamentally similar.
 
The correct answer is A.

ryorda · Answer

Hi,

I'm still confused with the explanation of Q2. Which parts tell us the author is arguing in the passage? It seems the author only explains nerve systems.
thanks

richirish · Answer

Hey, let me try an help you with a general framework for answering primary purpose questions. For such questions ask yourself "Whats the writers intent behind writing this passage"

What does the author want to prove/disapprove, argue for or against. Don't get into the details but take a step back and take a birds eye view.

A few places where you can generally find the primary purpose is the beginning of the passage, the last few lines or the alongside transition words like However, Nevertheless... etc.

In this passage for example, the whole point is to try and hypothesise that it is the genes that control our sensory organs, all the details are just to give you a broadd understanding of the sensory system to arrive at this point, think of it like a movie or tv show, episode 1 and episode 10 have little in common but they are all part of a narrative... to prove a point, you just need to figure out what that point is. The following excerpt from the passage sums it up quite nicely.

"However, both our sense of purpose and complex consciousness may well be genetically engineered. Our genes have created our brains, muscles, and sensory organs to help us and may also have created a kind of “conscious-purpose machine” to direct us to live and reproduce by means of innate drives—hunger, sexuality, communication, fear, and aggression. This machine may also direct higher-level interpretations of these drives. That direction of consciousness is the ultimate genetic control"

I believe to succeed in CR and RC inference questions you need something known as "second level thinking", you need to think beyond the obvious conclusions, that's exactly the trap GMAT sets for you, because everybody thinks like that, you need to go beyond them especially in 700+ questions, the answers are rarely straight forward if they were it wouldn't be a 700+ question in the first place.

mSKR · Answer

A) argue that genes may control complex as well as basic brain functions- Correct  
1st para: what brain does 
2nd para: how does it happens?

B) explain the relationship between sensory and motor operations of the brain
It is mentioned as outline to describe brain function in 1st passage; not a main

C) refute a theory about human perception and consciousness
No refutation

D) explain the principal elements of the adaptive behavior of motor action
Primary purpose is not explain adaptive behavior but it is present in 1st para to set the groundwork for overall meaning of passage.

E) outline the difference between human and nonhuman information processing
Only mentioned in the end of 1st para

gmatimothy · Answer

For Q2, I knew the primary purpose of the passage is to highlight genes and their control but didn't pick (A) because the 1st paragraph didn't mention anything about genes. My rule of thumb for primary purpose questions was to pick an answer that is applicable to every single paragraph of the passage. Any insights?

Sonia2023 · Answer

Which of the following does the author mention as the source for an individual’s awareness of his or her own consciousness?

A) Information the sensory organs send to the brain
B) The human brain’s power to bring about purposiveness in behavior
C) The ability of human beings to be self-reflective
D) A genetically determined set of survival drives in humans
E) Skill in recognizing perceptual patterns

KarishmaB GMATNinja - your inputs on the Question 3?

I am confused with what is the exact reason for the correct answer C. Is the question asking what does the individual thinks and not the author?
If the former is true then choice C makes sense:

Because humans are capable of self-reflection, we feel that our sensory perception and muscle activity are guided by apparent purposiveness. --- Matches with C.

Please clarify.
Thank you

KarishmaB · Answer

The question is: As per the author, what is the source of our awareness of our consciousness? (Not source of our consciousness, but source of our awareness of consciousness)

From the passage: 
  Because humans are capable of self-reflection, we feel that our sensory perception and muscle activity are guided by apparent purposiveness. However, both our sense of purpose and complex consciousness may well be genetically engineered.

Because we are able to self-reflect, we feel that purpose guides our senses and muscle activity (e.g. when we see a harmful substance, we avoid it by walking away from it for the purpose of self preservation). 
But, the author says that sense of purpose and complex consciousness may have been created by genes.

...Our genes have created our brains, muscles, and sensory organs to help us and may also have created a kind of “conscious-purpose machine” to direct us to live and reproduce by means of innate drives

The genes have created a 'conscious - purpose machine' which creates 'drives' that are responsible to direct us to live and reproduce.

Hence neither 'genes' nor 'drives' make us aware of our consciousness. Hence (D) doesn't work.

The passage just mentions "because we are capable of self-reflection,..." 
It is an indirect implication that because we are capable of self-reflection, we are aware of our consciousness and we think that purpose guides us etc.

But I was certainly a bit baffled so I looked at the official solution and saw that it mentions: "Our own introspection tells us that we are indeed conscious, and we know we behave as if we are motivated by purposes." 
But this is not mentioned in the passage as given above. Perhaps it was missed by the OP? Had this sentence been there, then the answer (C) would make complete sense.

kanikaa9 · Answer

For Q3 
C is correct 
The author is saying that because we can think about our own thoughts and actions (self-reflection), we naturally feel like our senses (seeing, touching, etc.) and our movements have a goal or a reason behind them. It makes us feel like we're not just reacting to the world, but actively engaging with it with intention.

In short, self-reflection is like having a "why" button in your brain that makes you feel like there's a purpose to what you see and what you do, and that's a big part of what makes us aware of our own consciousness.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals through the c

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The brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals through the c

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