Reading Comprehension

PT145 · S3 · P3 · Q18 Communication Systems

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Passage A One function of language is to influence others’ behavior by changing what they know, believe, or desire.

Topic

The differences and similarities between animal communication and human language, especially focusing on mental states, intention, and the possibility of purposeful communication.

Framework

Present Debate (particularly for Passage B); Highlight Noteworthy (for Passage A, which is more informative/comparative)

Main Point

**Passage A:** Animal vocalizations, unlike human language, generally lack intentional communication based on attributing mental states to others—even when they seem purposeful, they are likely automatic responses, not truly purposeful acts based on others' knowledge or needs. **Passage B:** The usual claim that animal communication differs fundamentally from human language due to a lack of conscious intention might be circular and oversimplified; recent research suggests the gap may not be as large or clear-cut as previously thought. - Most Valuable Sentence Passage A: Last line of the first paragraph: - Most Valuable Sentence Passage B: End of last paragraph:

P1: Passage A - Function of Language & Comparison to Animal Vocalizations

The author begins by reminding us that a key function of language is to get others to change what they think, know, or want. For humans, reading other people's minds (in a sense) and responding to perceived needs is a big part of conversation.

P2: Passage A - Differences Between Human and Animal Communication

The passage argues that animal vocalizations, although sometimes evolved to benefit the signaling animal, are unconscious and not guided by an understanding of other animals' mental states. Unlike people, animals (except perhaps chimps) don't seem to communicate based on what they think another animal knows or needs; experimental evidence from frogs, macaques, and chimps shows animal calls are not tailored to inform ignorant individuals.

P1: Passage B - The Conventional Distinction

The passage starts by highlighting a traditional scientific view: animal communication is rigid and reflexive, while human language is flexible and creative.

18.

The authors would be most likely to disagree over

the extent to which communication
They Implicitly Agree
Both passages think that humans perceive the mental states of others. Neither gets into specifics about "to what extent" humans have this ability. They're arguing about the mental capacities of nonhuman animals mainly (although the author of passage B takes human communication down a notch in its specialness). But we can only care about human communication if it's being compared to nonhuman communication.
4% picked this
the importance of determining to
Not Discussed: the importance
They would disagree over "to what extent animal communication systems differ from human language", but they never talked about how important it is to make that assessment. They might agree "It's important to make this assessment" and just disagree in their assessments. But all we know is that they disagree in their assessments of how much animal communication differs from human language.
5% picked this
Correct
whether human language and animal
Why this is right
Passage A thinks that human communication is on a different level (the first sentence of its second paragraph). Such communication (animal communication) is -- in contrast to human language -- inadvertent. (i.e. human language is intentional) Passage B thinks it's merely a matter of degree. In its final sentence it literally says that recent findings have called into question "the assumption that the difference between animal and human communication is qualitative rather than merely quantitative".
Skill tested: Author Opinion · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.
70% picked this
whether chimpanzees' vocalizations suggest that
No Support Passage B: chimps
We'd be stretching our guess at what Passage B would say by citing her opinion on chimpanzees, given that she never discussed them. Our guess is that the author of Passage B would say "sure, they may possess conscious intention / the ability to attribute mental states". But the author of Passage A could actually agree here, as he singled out chimpanzees as a possible nonhuman exception that could still perceive mental states.
14% picked this
whether animals' vocalizations evolved to
No Support Passage B: evolved
We have no idea what Passage B's opinions are when it comes to evolution and adaptations relating to communication.
7% picked this

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