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20 Sep 2023, 10:15
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Question 1
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
68% (02:26) correct
32%
(02:19) wrong
based on 943
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
72% (00:55) correct 28%
(01:10) wrong
based on 938
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (01:02) correct 57%
(01:13) wrong
based on 879
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
The human eye makes tiny, rapid, almost constant motions called microsaccades. Investigators have long been unsure what function, if any, microsaccades serve. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it. But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
Visual systems have evolved to most readily detect moving objects, because motion may indicate that a predator is approaching or prey is escaping. So visual neurons respond to motion with electrochemical impulses. Unchanging objects less often pose a threat, so visual neurons do not respond as strongly to a static scene. Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing.
In an experiment supporting this hypothesis, researchers asked subjects to stare fixedly at a dot in the center of a computer screen while reporting changes in their perception of another, peripheral dot. While staring at the central dot, they reported the peripheral dot fading from view. Their microsaccades became sparser and slower just before the peripheral dot seemed to vanish, then returned to normal immediately before it reappeared.
Visual systems have evolved to most readily detect moving objects, because motion may indicate that a predator is approaching or prey is escaping. So visual neurons respond to motion with electrochemical impulses. Unchanging objects less often pose a threat, so visual neurons do not respond as strongly to a static scene. Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing.
In an experiment supporting this hypothesis, researchers asked subjects to stare fixedly at a dot in the center of a computer screen while reporting changes in their perception of another, peripheral dot. While staring at the central dot, they reported the peripheral dot fading from view. Their microsaccades became sparser and slower just before the peripheral dot seemed to vanish, then returned to normal immediately before it reappeared.
1. The main purpose of the passage is to
A. discuss experimental data on the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception
B. explain how visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades
C. describe the evolution of microsaccades in visual systems
D. argue that microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects
E. compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades, one generated by evolutionary theory and the other by experimental evidence
A. discuss experimental data on the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception
B. explain how visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades
C. describe the evolution of microsaccades in visual systems
D. argue that microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects
E. compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades, one generated by evolutionary theory and the other by experimental evidence
2. In the first paragraph, the primary reason the passage mentions the idea that microsaccades could impair vision is to
A. raise an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects
B. offer theoretical support for the main conclusion of the passage's central argument
C. illustrate that investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is
D. present a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems
E. clarify a thesis that later statements in the passage are intended to refute
A. raise an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects
B. offer theoretical support for the main conclusion of the passage's central argument
C. illustrate that investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is
D. present a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems
E. clarify a thesis that later statements in the passage are intended to refute
3. The passage most strongly suggests that frogs have which of the following?
A. Eyes that do not make microsaccades
B. Eyes that make microsaccades in response to objects in motion
C. Visual neurons that respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses
D. Visual neurons that fire only when a predator is approaching or prey is escaping
E. Visual neurons that do not fire unless prompted by microsaccades
A. Eyes that do not make microsaccades
B. Eyes that make microsaccades in response to objects in motion
C. Visual neurons that respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses
D. Visual neurons that fire only when a predator is approaching or prey is escaping
E. Visual neurons that do not fire unless prompted by microsaccades
20 Sep 2023, 22:32
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Explanation for Question 1
1. The main purpose of the passage is to
To bring the main purpose of the passage into focus, we can review the key points of the passage.
The passage starts by bringing up "microsaccades."
It then states this key point: "Investigators have long been unsure what function, if any, microsaccades serve."
Then, the first paragraph ends with an important statement introduced by the contrast marker "but" that presents what the remainder of the passage is about: "But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
Then, the second paragraph presents some background on the theory of how microsaccades enable humans to see stationary objects.
Finally, the third paragraph describes an experiment whose results appear to support the hypothesis that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects..
A. discuss experimental data on the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception
The third paragraph of the passage does discuss experimental data related to the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception.
However, that discussion is just a fraction of the passage. So, the purpose of the passage as a whole is not to discuss that data.
Eliminate.
B. explain how visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades
The passage mentions that visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades, but it does not explain how they do so.
Eliminate.
C. describe the evolution of microsaccades in visual systems
In the second paragraph, the passage does say a few things about the evolution of visual systems.
However, the passage does not really describe the evolution of microsaccades. It just says a few things about why animals developed them.
Also, the discussion of evolution of visual systems is just a small part of the passage. So, discussing that is not the purpose the the passage as whole.
Eliminate.
D. argue that microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects
In our analysis of the passage, we saw that, in the first paragraph, it states the position that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects." Then, the passage discusses ideas related to evolutionary theory that support that position, and finally the passage presents experimental evidence that supports that position.
So, we see that the passage presents an argument in support of the position that "microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects."
Keep
E. compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades, one generated by evolutionary theory and the other by experimental evidence
The passage does discuss "evolutionary theory," in the second paragraph, and "experimental evidence," in the third paragraph.
However, this choice is incorrect because the passage does not "compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades." Rather, the evolutionary theory and the experimental evidence support the same one hypothesis, that "microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects."
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (D).
Explanation for Question 2
2. In the first paragraph, the primary reason the passage mentions the idea that microsaccades could impair vision is to
A. raise an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects
The idea that microsaccades could impair vision is not an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects. After all, it could be both that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects and that microsaccades impair vision sometimes or somehow.
Also, the passage does not present the idea that microsaccades could impair vision as an objection the that idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects. Rather, it mentions the idea that microsaccades could impair vision in the process of introducing the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
Eliminate.
B. offer theoretical support for the main conclusion of the passage's central argument
The passage's main conclusion that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
In the passage, that conclusion is indicated to contrast with, rather than be supported by, the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," by the contrast word "but" in "Some have even gone so far as to suggest that microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it. But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
Also, it's not logical that the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," would support the position that "microsaccades enable perception."
So, we can see that the passage does not mention the idea that microsaccades could impair vision to support the main conclusion.
Eliminate.
C. illustrate that investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is
Reviewing what the passage says about the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," we see the following:
We see that the passage says that "Investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve." It then says what "some" investigators have said, that "microsaccades could impair vision." Then, it ends that train of thought by using the contrast word "but" to introduce the passage's main position that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
So, we see that the purpose of mentioning the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision" is just to say what some investigators have said and thus "illustrate" the idea that "investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve," which is basically the same as the idea that "investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is."
Keep
D. present a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems
The idea that microsaccades could impair vision is not a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems. It's a hypothesis about what microsaccades do.
Eliminate.
E. clarify a thesis that later statements in the passage are intended to refute
Notice that the passage never really refutes that idea that microsaccades could somehow impair vision.
Also, the passage does not present the idea that microsaccades could impair vision to clarify any thesis. Rather, it presents that idea to illustrate the previous statement that "Investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve."
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (C).
Explanation for Question 3
3. The passage most strongly suggests that frogs have which of the following?
A. Eyes that do not make microsaccades
The passage says the following about microsaccades:
Then, it says the following about frogs:
The motion that human eyes create to see stationary objects is understood to be microsaccades. So, if the reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that humans create microsaccades, then the passage is suggesting that frogs have eyes that do not create microsaccades.
Keep.
B. Eyes that make microsaccades in response to objects in motion
The passage says the following:
So, the passage indicates that frog's eyes do NOT create their own motion, in other words, do not create microsaccades but see objects in motion without microsaccades.
Eliminate.
C. Visual neurons that respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses
The passage says the following:
We see that frogs do not see stationary objects because, contrary to what this choice says, their visual neurons do NOT respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses.
Eliminate.
D. Visual neurons that fire only when a predator is approaching or prey is escaping
In the second paragraph, the passage says the following:
and then the following:
We see that, although the passage mentions predators and prey, it is not saying that frogs' visual neurons respond only to predators and prey. Rather, the passage indicates that frogs visual neurons respond to motion in general.
Eliminate.
E. Visual neurons that do not fire unless prompted by microsaccades
The passage says, "Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing."
We see that the passage is indicating that frog's eyes do not create their own motion, in other words, do not create microsaccades, but easily see objects in motion.
So, the passage is saying that frogs visual neurons DO fire without being prompted by microsaccades.
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (A).
1. The main purpose of the passage is to
To bring the main purpose of the passage into focus, we can review the key points of the passage.
The passage starts by bringing up "microsaccades."
It then states this key point: "Investigators have long been unsure what function, if any, microsaccades serve."
Then, the first paragraph ends with an important statement introduced by the contrast marker "but" that presents what the remainder of the passage is about: "But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
Then, the second paragraph presents some background on the theory of how microsaccades enable humans to see stationary objects.
Finally, the third paragraph describes an experiment whose results appear to support the hypothesis that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects..
A. discuss experimental data on the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception
The third paragraph of the passage does discuss experimental data related to the correlation of microsaccades with peripheral visual perception.
However, that discussion is just a fraction of the passage. So, the purpose of the passage as a whole is not to discuss that data.
Eliminate.
B. explain how visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades
The passage mentions that visual neurons generate electrochemical impulses in response to microsaccades, but it does not explain how they do so.
Eliminate.
C. describe the evolution of microsaccades in visual systems
In the second paragraph, the passage does say a few things about the evolution of visual systems.
However, the passage does not really describe the evolution of microsaccades. It just says a few things about why animals developed them.
Also, the discussion of evolution of visual systems is just a small part of the passage. So, discussing that is not the purpose the the passage as whole.
Eliminate.
D. argue that microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects
In our analysis of the passage, we saw that, in the first paragraph, it states the position that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects." Then, the passage discusses ideas related to evolutionary theory that support that position, and finally the passage presents experimental evidence that supports that position.
So, we see that the passage presents an argument in support of the position that "microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects."
Keep
E. compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades, one generated by evolutionary theory and the other by experimental evidence
The passage does discuss "evolutionary theory," in the second paragraph, and "experimental evidence," in the third paragraph.
However, this choice is incorrect because the passage does not "compare two competing hypotheses about microsaccades." Rather, the evolutionary theory and the experimental evidence support the same one hypothesis, that "microsaccades likely play a role in the perception of stationary objects."
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (D).
Explanation for Question 2
2. In the first paragraph, the primary reason the passage mentions the idea that microsaccades could impair vision is to
A. raise an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects
The idea that microsaccades could impair vision is not an objection to the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects. After all, it could be both that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects and that microsaccades impair vision sometimes or somehow.
Also, the passage does not present the idea that microsaccades could impair vision as an objection the that idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects. Rather, it mentions the idea that microsaccades could impair vision in the process of introducing the idea that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
Eliminate.
B. offer theoretical support for the main conclusion of the passage's central argument
The passage's main conclusion that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
In the passage, that conclusion is indicated to contrast with, rather than be supported by, the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," by the contrast word "but" in "Some have even gone so far as to suggest that microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it. But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
Also, it's not logical that the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," would support the position that "microsaccades enable perception."
So, we can see that the passage does not mention the idea that microsaccades could impair vision to support the main conclusion.
Eliminate.
C. illustrate that investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is
Reviewing what the passage says about the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it," we see the following:
- Investigators have long been unsure what function, if any, microsaccades serve. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that microsaccades could impair vision by blurring it. But it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects.
We see that the passage says that "Investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve." It then says what "some" investigators have said, that "microsaccades could impair vision." Then, it ends that train of thought by using the contrast word "but" to introduce the passage's main position that "it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects."
So, we see that the purpose of mentioning the idea that "microsaccades could impair vision" is just to say what some investigators have said and thus "illustrate" the idea that "investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve," which is basically the same as the idea that "investigators have not been in agreement as to what the function of microsaccades is."
Keep
D. present a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems
The idea that microsaccades could impair vision is not a hypothesis about the evolution of visual systems. It's a hypothesis about what microsaccades do.
Eliminate.
E. clarify a thesis that later statements in the passage are intended to refute
Notice that the passage never really refutes that idea that microsaccades could somehow impair vision.
Also, the passage does not present the idea that microsaccades could impair vision to clarify any thesis. Rather, it presents that idea to illustrate the previous statement that "Investigators have long been unsure what function ... microsaccades serve."
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (C).
Explanation for Question 3
3. The passage most strongly suggests that frogs have which of the following?
A. Eyes that do not make microsaccades
The passage says the following about microsaccades:
- it is likely that microsaccades enable perception of stationary objects
Then, it says the following about frogs:
- Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing.
The motion that human eyes create to see stationary objects is understood to be microsaccades. So, if the reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that humans create microsaccades, then the passage is suggesting that frogs have eyes that do not create microsaccades.
Keep.
B. Eyes that make microsaccades in response to objects in motion
The passage says the following:
- Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing.
So, the passage indicates that frog's eyes do NOT create their own motion, in other words, do not create microsaccades but see objects in motion without microsaccades.
Eliminate.
C. Visual neurons that respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses
The passage says the following:
- Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing.
We see that frogs do not see stationary objects because, contrary to what this choice says, their visual neurons do NOT respond to static scenes with electrochemical impulses.
Eliminate.
D. Visual neurons that fire only when a predator is approaching or prey is escaping
In the second paragraph, the passage says the following:
- Visual systems have evolved to most readily detect moving objects, because motion may indicate that a predator is approaching or prey is escaping. So visual neurons respond to motion with electrochemical impulses.
and then the following:
- Some animals, such as frogs ... can easily see objects in motion.
We see that, although the passage mentions predators and prey, it is not saying that frogs' visual neurons respond only to predators and prey. Rather, the passage indicates that frogs visual neurons respond to motion in general.
Eliminate.
E. Visual neurons that do not fire unless prompted by microsaccades
The passage says, "Some animals, such as frogs, are completely unable to see stationary objects, but can easily see objects in motion. The reason humans see stationary objects better than do frogs may be that human eyes create their own motion, prompting visual neurons to keep firing."
We see that the passage is indicating that frog's eyes do not create their own motion, in other words, do not create microsaccades, but easily see objects in motion.
So, the passage is saying that frogs visual neurons DO fire without being prompted by microsaccades.
Eliminate.
The correct answer is (A).
General Discussion
28 May 2024, 07:13
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MartyMurray could you please explain why D is the wrong answer for Q3? I did not take it to mean that frogs' visual neurons respond ONLY to predators and prey, but rather predators and prey as an example of an object in motion.
