The author opens by explaining how “the world can be classified in different ways” (line 1) and states that “the classifications . . . determine which comparisons seem natural or unnatural, which literal or analogical” (lines 3-6). The passage then shows how comparisons differ according to which system of classification is used.
The Aristotelian classification scheme is hierarchical, with only three possible classifications: 1) vegetative only; 2) vegetative plus sensory only; 3) vegetative plus sensory plus rational. Accordingly, species possessing a rational soul must possess a sensory soul because they are a subset of the group possessing a sensory soul.
The Aristotelian scheme classifies species according to a hierarchy with all species included in the bottom layer (possessing a vegetative soul), some from the bottom layer included in the middle layer (also possessing a sensory soul), and some from the middle layer included in the top layer (also possessing a rational soul). Comparisons are only legitimate regarding soul types the species have in common (lines 26-34); comparisons between species regarding a type of soul found only in one are “merely analogical” (lines 33-34). Since all living organisms have a vegetative soul, comparisons on the basis of this attribute are always legitimate. However, since only some living organisms have a sensory soul, and only species at the top of the hierarchy have a rational soul, comparisons with respect to these attributes cannot be legitimately made among all living creatures.
Through exaggeration and sarcasm, the author ridicules people's need for greater distinction. The author suggests that this need stems from defensiveness and insecurity: "it is very important that the species to which we belong be uniquely unique. It is of utmost importance that the human species be insulated from all other species with respect to how we explain certain qualities." (lines 41-45). The author then implies that whether a capability is classified as strictly human depends on how it is defined, thus making the classification subject to opinion and bias: "even if 'language' is so defined that the waggle dance slips in" (lines 53-54).
The author indicates that when referring to the uniqueness of Homo sapiens, the general uniqueness of all species "is not enough for many (probably most) people" (lines 39-40). This exaggeration and subsequent examples are used to ridicule the need people have to define Homo sapiens as "uniquely unique" (line 42). The examples of how human beings distinguish themselves from other species are likewise sarcastic and disapproving: "No matter how ingenious other species get in the manipulation of objects in their environment, it is absolutely essential that nothing they do count as 'tool use'" (lines 56-59).
The subsequent text explains that each species is unique in accordance with its separate and distinct position in the classification schemes. However, many humans see Homo sapiens as also being distinguished for reasons existing outside the classification systems. The text provides examples of how certain abilities are not considered shared by any other species and are thus distinctly human: “For some reason, it is very important that the waggle dance performed by bees not count as a genuine language” (lines 47-49) and “No matter how ingenious other species get in the manipulation of objects in their environment, it is absolutely essential that nothing they do count as ‘tool use’” (lines 56-59).
"Segregated from" means separated from or kept distinct from. The surrounding text discusses how human beings want to distinguish their species on grounds outside of the classification systems by which every species is considered unique. Examples are used to illustrate how people try to characterize certain abilities of Homo sapiens as not shared by any other species and thus, "uniquely unique" (line 42): "For some reason, it is very important that the waggle dance performed by bees not count as a genuine language" (lines 47-49). The example of the definition of tools to exclude use by other species is offered in the same light. Thus, the author emphasizes people's need to be "segregated from" other species.
Through exaggeration and sarcasm, the author indicates that attempts to distinguish Homo sapiens from animals on the basis of certain abilities not related to the classification schemes are ridiculous, subjective, and futile: “little is gained” (line 52). It is those who insist that Homo sapiens and animals be seen as separate who are the subjects of the author's criticism.
Explanation:
Because it expresses a long vowel sound that would sound like "ay," answer choice (A) is correct. None of the other choices are particularly long; they are all different renditions of the vowel sound "a."
Explanation:
Venus flytraps reside close to damp, marshy places, which means they live close to "swamps," hence answer choice (B) is accurate. Despite the fact that forests may be close to water sources, answer choices (A) and (C) are not regarded as "wet places". Although it may be tempting, answer choice (D) is incorrect. While beaches are frequently "wet," they are not "marshland."
Explanation:
The article begins by introducing a special plant before going on to discuss the Venus flytrap, therefore answer option (D) is accurate. Although it may be tempting, the author only discusses one type of plant in response option (C). The article (A) makes no mention of these plants being endangered or urging readers to travel to the Carolinas (B).
Explanation:
Because the author notes that it is uncommon to come across a carnivorous plant and that most plants obtain their nutrition from photosynthesis, answer choice (B) is accurate (sunlight and water are their food). This limits the options for responses (A). The article does not support the answers (C) and (D).
Explanation:
The term "prey" refers to insects that fall into the flytrap's mouth because the author describes how the flytrap consumes insects throughout the article. The word "prey" does not refer to this way of "hunting," despite the fact that the sentence describes it.
Explanation:
The article discusses how these "hairs" can distinguish between insects and larger items like dust and dirt, so answer choice (A) is correct. Nothing in the article supports any of the alternative choices.
Explanation:
Choice D is the right answer. A long vowel sounds like its letter when spoken. Therefore, a long I would make an eye sound. "Bite" is the only word having an eye sound among the response options.
Explanation:
Choice (A) is the right response. A short vowel does not sound like its letter when it is spoken. So an o that does not produce an oh sound would be considered short. "Sock" is the only word in the answer options with an o that doesn't sound like an oh (A).