Set 1 Part 7

34.What does broke new ground mean?

• A. Built on the work of others

• B. Produced unusual or unexpected results

• C. Proved earlier theories on the subject to be false

• D. Achieved something that had not been done before

Answer explanation

The phrase "broke new ground" refers to achieving or accomplishing something that had not been done before. In the context of the given text, it specifically highlights the significant advancement made in the mid-1990s in translating the brain's activity into readable signals. This breakthrough allowed people to control computer cursors using only the electrical fields generated by their thoughts.

35. What was significant about Wernicke and Broca's works?

• A. They succeeded in grouping certain phenomes into words.

• B. They enabled the understanding of the workings of the motor cortex.

• C. Their methods worked for speakers of languages other than English.

• D. They linked the production of certain speech sounds to recognisable brain activity.

Answer explanation

The works of Wernicke and Broca were groundbreaking because they shed light on the specific functions and locations within the brain that contribute to language processing. Their discoveries and research enabled us to comprehend how the motor cortex, including Wernicke's and Broca's areas, plays a vital role in language comprehension and production. Their contributions have been instrumental in furthering our knowledge of language-related brain functions and the impact of brain damage on language abilities.

36. What does the writer conclude about scalextric?

• A. It could become a form of entertainment.

• B. It can contribute to studies on language acquisition.

• C. Mobile technologies may become unreliable because of it.

• D. People would be awaiting the possibility of experimenting with its benefits.

Answer explanation

Based on the given text, the writer concludes that people would eagerly anticipate the opportunity to experiment with the benefits of mind-controlled Scalextric.

37. Which of the following is a possibility for mind reading?

I. Our inner voice can sometimes distract us when we are reading and writing.

II. The possibility of reading minds enables the understanding of speech and action.

III. Machines can be readily trained to interpret electrical signals from the brain that correspond to movements on a keyboard.

IV. Mind reading is still at its elementary stage but it is not impossible to reach advanced possibilities.

• A I and II

• B I and III

• C II and III

• D II and IV

Answer explanation

Option II states that the possibility of reading minds enables the understanding of speech and action. This aligns with the information in the text where it is mentioned that mind control technology could be used to translate thoughts into written text or control devices based on a person's thoughts.

Option IV acknowledges that mind reading is still in its elementary stage but suggests that reaching advanced possibilities is not impossible. The provided text describes ongoing research and the potential for future advancements in mind control technology, indicating the possibility of further development in mind reading capabilities.

Option I refers to our inner voice distracting us while reading and writing, which does not directly relate to mind reading.

Option III is not directly supported by the provided text. The text describes the use of mind-controlled technology to power a Scalextric game, but it does not explicitly mention the interpretation of electrical signals from the brain corresponding to movements on a keyboard.

Therefore, based on the options provided and the additional text, Options II and IV are the possibilities for mind reading.

38. The word feasible may best be replaced with

• A. possible

• B. probable

• C. achievable

• D. providable

Answer explanation

Feasible means capable of being accomplished or achieved. In the given text, it states that using the brain as a power source has become more feasible, indicating that it has become more achievable or possible as our understanding of the mind has progressed. Therefore, replacing feasible with achievable accurately conveys the meaning in the context of the sentence.

39 Still, don't expect your thoughts to remain inscrutable for long. This means that

• A. mind reading is popular

• B. mind reading is dynamic

• C. mind reading is evolving

• D. mind reading is not constant

Answer explanation

The text mentions that our current mind-reading skills are still fairly primitive, indicating that there is room for improvement and development in this field. The statement "don't expect your thoughts to remain inscrutable for long" implies that advancements are expected in mind-reading capabilities in the future. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation is that mind reading is evolving, making option C, "mind reading is evolving," the correct answer. This conveys the idea that there are ongoing advancements and progress being made in the ability to understand and interpret thoughts.

40. In the last paragraph, it can be inferred that the writer

• A. wants people to be more open to the idea of mind reading

• B. does not think that conventional methods are received

• C. is of the opinion that mind reading is outdated

• D. believes that mind reading is a way of life

Answer explanation

The text mentions that our current mind-reading skills are still fairly primitive but concludes with the statement, "Still, don't expect your thoughts to remain inscrutable for long." This implies that there is an expectation or anticipation of future advancements in mind-reading capabilities. The phrase suggests that the writer wants readers to be open to the idea that mind reading may become more advanced and accurate in the future. Therefore, option A, "wants people to be more open to the idea of mind reading," best captures the inferred intention of the writer.