Reading comp PrepTest 145 · Section 1 · Question 23

Incorrect. (Lines 1-12) The passage spends the first twelve lines discussing the development of Lamarckian evolution, Darwinian evolution, and the eventual consensus around the latter. The rest of the passage is about a modern biologist trying to revive the latter. As such, the passage isn't primarily concerned with that historical account, but rather with the modern work.

Correct. Question Type:
Main Point

Strategy Overview:
Reflect on the main point and abstract from it to describe why the Author wrote this passage

Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
The Author starts with a bit of history on evolutionary biology before stating that a modern scientist wants to revive an old theory—Lamarckism (Lines 12-16)—at least for the immune system. She then gives a rundown of how the immune system works (Paragraph 2) before using that information to present how Steele believes learned immunity can be passed down, as it would be under Lamarck's theory (Lines 41-43). The Author then presents Steele's evidence (Lines 48-55) before noting that other biologists remain skeptical (Lines 55-58). In all of this, the Author never takes sides, simply presenting the arguments.

From this, we said that the main point of the passage is:

While biologists remain skeptical, Steele and others have proposed a Lamarckian means by which learned immunity could be passed down to the next generation.

So how do we take this and turn it into the primary purpose? By abstracting away from it. The Author sat down to write a passage exploring the work of a scientist in arguing for a limited revival of a previously debunked theory. Let's find an answer reflecting that.

Answer Explanation:
(Lines 12-16) Paragraph 1 ends with a discussion of the main topic of the passage—Steele's work to revive Lamarckism at least as far as it applies to the immune system. It then goes on to discuss the workings of the immune system (Paragraph 2), how Steele believes the immune system can pass on traits (Paragraph 3) and Steele's evidence for this having happened (Paragraph 4). As such, the Author is concerned with exploring the argument and evidence of Steele in vindicating Lamarckism, which is noted as being a long-disregarded evolutionary theory, so this is the correct answer. The active verb here is also neutral ("describing"), reflecting that the Author didn't form a definitive opinion on whether Steele is right or not.

Key Takeaway:
Similar to Question #22/Author's Attitude questions, these primary point-type Main Point questions put a lot of weight on the first word. It should properly reflect what the Author did in the passage and why they sat down to write it.

Incorrect. (Paragraph 2) Paragraph 2 answers a set of questions about how the immune system works, but the passage as a whole uses these questions to explore the work of Steele. The Author didn't write this for inclusion in a textbook on the immune system—she wrote it to talk about a specific biologist!

Incorrect. (Lines 1-12) There are two evolutionary theories presented—Lamarckism, and Darwinism. Steele's hypothesis has to do with the former theory, but it's not an independent theory of evolution. As such, the passage isn't concerned with evaluating the overall merits of Lamarckism or Darwinism, but rather the way that Steele is attempting to revive one as it applies to a specific situation.

Incorrect. (Lines 1-12) Similar to answer choice (D), the "discredited" theory here is Lamarckism, and the passage doesn't present that as a case study in the philosophy of science. Rather, it takes a look at a scientist's attempts to revive it in a specific context.