48 McGRAW-HILL’S SAT
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- Which of the following best summarizes the
overall purpose of this passage?
(A) to compare Aristotle’s philosophy with
those of Democritus and Archimedes
(B) to describe the preconceptions behind
Aristotle’s physical theories
(C) to uncover the flaws in ancient Greek
astronomy
(D) to show how Aristotle’s theories
facilitated the development of modern
technology
(E) to contrast the modern conception of the
animal with that of the ancient Greeks - According to the passage, in what way have
animals “lost their importance” (lines 30–31)?
(A) Humans no longer treat animals as
respectfully as they once did.
(B) Humans no longer need animals to do
hard labor.
(C) Few religions today require animal
sacrifices.
(D) Modern writers rarely write stories or
fables with animals as main characters.
(E) Animals no longer inspire modern
physical theories. - Which of the following is most similar to the
“imaginative preconceptions” (lines 17–18) of
Aristotle?
(A) the belief that animals are inferior to
humans
(B) the belief that all scientific problems can
be solved through rigorous philosophical
analysis
(C) the belief that computers have minds
and souls like humans or animals
(D) the belief that the body of an animal is a
complicated machine
(E) the belief that the sun and moon are not
alive
20. What does the author imply about the “men of
genius” (line 38)?
(A) They believed that physics is essentially
the study of the mechanics of motion
rather than spirits or wills.
(B) They were able to precisely determine
the orbits of the planets.
(C) They regarded the sun and moon as
gods.
(D) They alone saw the similarity between
the motion of animals and the motion of
heavenly bodies.
(E) They regarded all movement as being
produced by a Divine Being.
21. According to the passage, modern scientists di-
minish “the apparent gulf between animals and
machines” (lines 46–47) by
(A) using machines to train animals
(B) studying the motivations of animals
(C) working to make machines function
more like animals
(D) using technology to improve the lives of
animals
(E) uncovering the mechanical laws
behind biology
22. In line 48, the word “assimilate” most nearly
means
(A) compare
(B) repeat
(C) attach
(D) refer
(E) elevate