AceGamsat - The Humanities Bible

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The Humanities Bible How to Master Section I of the GAMSAT www.AceGAMSAT.com

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Table of Contents OVERVIEW BLOOM'S TAXONOMY

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HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES QUESTION TYPES & BURKES "DRAMATISM"

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PROSE

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PROSE EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS

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POETRY EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS

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SOCIAL SCIENCES EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS

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EDITORIAL CARTOONS - EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS

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PASSAGE & QUESTIONS ON AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FOR EVALUATION

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POEMS (DRAMA & SONGS)

SOCIAL SCIENCES

EDITORIAL CARTOONS (& GRAPHS)

CRITICAL THINKING OVERVIEW FOR GAMSAT STUDY GLOSSARY

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SECTION I - CRITICAL REASONING IN THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

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OVERVIEW Section I of GAMSAT assesses the ability to understand and analyse both written and graphically presented material around social and cultural themes within our environment. A large portion of this section will be in written passages although some will be tables and graphs. Various writings in personal, imaginative, expository and argumentative styles are used in Section I questions of GAMSAT. Social-cultural, personal and interpersonal themes are among those included in this exam.

The majority of the GAMSAT is based around multiple-choice questions that test reasoning in: 1) Humanities and Social Sciences

2) Biological and Physical Sciences

These multiple-choice questions are formulated around the central thesis of Bloom’s Taxonomy as it relates to desired educational objectives. An Education Committee chaired by Benjamin Bloom coined the original concept of a classification of learning objectives in 1956. The framework provided by Bloom’s Taxonomy was used as the basis for formation of the GAMSAT, which was originally produced by four Australian Medical Schools in 1995 and has been adopted by Universities across Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The central concept behind question development in both Humanities and Socials Sciences section and Biological and Physical Sciences section of GAMSAT revolves around the testing of skills in the Cognitive Domain. Skills in the Cognitive Domain revolve around knowledge, comprehension and critical thinking. This is arranged into six levels from lower order processes to higher order processes. The GAMSAT Multiple Choice Questions aim to test higher order processes, which are in turn dependent upon mastery of lower order processes.

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BLOOM’S TAXONOMY The processes that are examined in the Cognitive Domain are arranged from lowest to highest in the following sequence: 1. Knowledge

Examination of knowledge processes tests the student’s ability to recall previously learned materials including facts, terms and basic concepts. This includes:

• Knowledge of Specifics – including terminology and specific facts • Knowledge of Means and Ways of dealing with Specifics – including conventions, trends and sequences, classifications and categories, criteria and methodology • Knowledge of Universals and Abstractions – including principles and generalisations, theories and structures

2. Comprehension

Examination of comprehension processes tests the student’s ability to demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas through organisation, comparison, translation, interpretation, description, or summarisation. The key skills tested here include: • Translation • Interpretation • Extrapolation

3. Application

Examination of application skills tests the student’s ability to use new knowledge and to apply acquired knowledge and skills in a different manner from its original context.

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4. Analysis Examination of analytical skills tests the student’s ability to critique, analyse and to break down information into relevant parts. It tests the student’s ability to make inferences and to support generalisations. The key elements tested include:

• Analysis of Elements • Analysis of Relationships • Analysis of Organisational Principles

5. Synthesis

Examination of synthesis skills tests the student’s ability to compile information and differing elements in order to provide a new solution to a problem. The key elements tested include:

• Production of a unique Communication • Production of a Plan • Derivation of a set of abstract Relations

6. Evaluation

Finally, the highest order process examined, tests the student’s ability to form an evaluation by making judgements about the information or validity of ideas. The key elements tested include:

• Judgement of Internal Evidence • Judgement of External Criteria

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HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE QUESTION TYPES Typically, the types of questions seen in the Humanities and Social Sciences Section are categorised into the following: • • • •

Prose (in all diverse types) Poetry (including Drama) Social and/or Behavioural Sciences Editorial Cartoon and/or Graphic Representations

Burke’s “Dramatism” can be used as an Approach to all Forms of Section 1

Table 1 - Act, Agency, Agent, Scene, Purpose

1. Act: What happened? What is the action? What is going on? What action; what thoughts? 2. Scene: Where is the act happening? What is the background situation? 3. Agent: Who is involved in the action? What are their roles? 4. Agency: How do the agents act? By what means do they act? 5. Purpose: Why do the agents act? What do they want? www.acegamsat.com

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PROSE The majority of questions in the Humanities and Social Science section are in the form of prose or a passage. These vary in length and may be written in modern English from the twenty first century or earlier period English such as that from the sixteenth century. The earlier styled English prose may appear more challenging as it may contain styles and language that are no longer commonly used as well as discuss unfamiliar subjects. Excerpts may be fictional or nonfictional and come from various sources such as short stories, essays, letters, journals and biographies. The excerpts can also be argumentative in nature.

ANALYSIS OF PROSE

Develop a standard for analysing Prose. When reading the passage, answer a set of questions prior to attempting the GAMSAT multiple–choice questions. This will help you focus and eliminate incorrect answers. When reading a passage consider the following:

Who is the Narrator? Is it fictional or non-fictional? What time / era was it written and what is the setting? What is the view of the character or author?

What is the Genre? Where is the passage taken from? Non-fictional passages will usually focus on an issue, idea or on the narrator or author. Fictional passages are likely to focus on characters and situations. Why was the passage written? What is the Subject and Purpose of the passage? Try to identify the author’s agenda or purpose for writing the passage.

How is the passage written? What is the Tone, Style and Structure? Take note of the word choice and language used in the passage as this will elude to the tone and style of the piece. The tone of the prose is seen through dictation, imagery, figurative language and syntax. Analysis of tone engages the rhetoric of a passage. Rhetorical language is designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect. Look at the structure of the paragraph of each prose. Look at each paragraph individually and how they relate to one another.

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PROSE EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLE 1: PROSE QUESTION Questions 1 - 6 Carefully read and assess the following short story “A Haunted House” by Virginia Woolf (1882-1941). Pay particular attention to the narrator, implied meanings of the story, word choices, and imagery. Whatever hour you woke there was a door shutting. From room to room they went, hand in hand, lifting here, opening there, making sure--a ghostly couple. "Here we left it," she said. And he added, "Oh, but here too!" "It's upstairs," she murmured. "And in the garden," he whispered. "Quietly," they said, "or we shall wake them."

But it wasn't that you woke us. Oh, no. "They're looking for it; they're drawing the curtain," one might say, and so read on a page or two. "Now they've found it,' one would be certain, stopping the pencil on the margin. And then, tired of reading, one might rise and see for oneself, the house all empty, the doors standing open, only the wood pigeons bubbling with content and the hum of the threshing machine sounding from the farm. "What did I come in here for? What did I want to find?" My hands were empty. "Perhaps its upstairs then?" The apples were in the loft. And so down again, the garden still as ever, only the book had slipped into the grass.

But they had found it in the drawing room. Not that one could ever see them. The windowpanes reflected apples, reflected roses; all the leaves were green in the glass. If they moved in the drawing room, the apple only turned its yellow side. Yet, the moment after, if the door was opened, spread about the floor, hung upon the walls, pendant from the ceiling-what? My hands were empty. The shadow of a thrush crossed the carpet; from the deepest wells of silence the wood pigeon drew its bubble of sound. "Safe, safe, safe" the pulse of the house beat softly. "The treasure buried; the room . . ." the pulse stopped short. Oh, was that the buried treasure? A moment later the light had faded. Out in the garden then? But the trees spun darkness for a wandering beam of sun. So fine, so rare, coolly sunk beneath the surface the beam I sought always burned behind the glass. Death was the glass; death was between us, coming to the woman first, hundreds of years ago, leaving the house, sealing all the windows; the rooms were darkened. He left it, left her, went North, went East, saw the stars turned in the www.acegamsat.com

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Southern sky; sought the house, found it dropped beneath the Downs. "Safe, safe, safe," the pulse of the house beat gladly. 'The Treasure yours."

The wind roars up the avenue. Trees stoop and bend this way and that. Moonbeams splash and spill wildly in the rain. But the beam of the lamp falls straight from the window. The candle burns stiff and still. Wandering through the house, opening the windows, whispering not to wake us, the ghostly couple seek their joy. "Here we slept," she says. And he adds, "Kisses without number." "Waking in the morning-" "Silver between the trees--" "Upstairs--" 'In the garden--" "When summer came--" 'In winter snow time--" "The doors go shutting far in the distance, gently knocking like the pulse of a heart. Nearer they come, cease at the doorway. The wind falls, the rain slides silver down the glass. Our eyes darken, we hear no steps beside us; we see no lady spread her ghostly cloak. His hands shield the lantern. "Look," he breathes. "Sound asleep. Love upon their lips."

Stooping, holding their silver lamp above us, long they look and deeply. Long they pause. The wind drives straightly; the flame stoops slightly. Wild beams of moonlight cross both floor and wall, and, meeting, stain the faces bent; the faces pondering; the faces that search the sleepers and seek their hidden joy.

"Safe, safe, safe," the heart of the house beats proudly. "Long years--" he sighs. "Again you found me." "Here," she murmurs, "sleeping; in the garden reading; laughing, rolling apples in the loft. Here we left our treasure--" Stooping, their light lifts the lids upon my eyes. "Safe! safe! safe!" the pulse of the house beats wildly. Waking, I cry "Oh, is this your buried treasure? The light in the heart."

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1. Of all the genres listed below, which type would this short story not be considered to be? Which is the EXCEPTION? A. Fantasy

B. Romance

C. Science Fiction D. Supernatural

The narration of this story could possibly be: I - First person point of view

II - Second person point of view

III - Third Person point of view – Omniscient 2. From the list above, what narrative viewpoints are used within the story? A. I only

B. II only C. II & III

D. I, II, & III 3. The tone of the short story could BEST be described as: A. Melancholy B. Playful

C. Discursive D. Poetic

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4. How many "characters" are active within the story? A. 2 B. 4 C. 5

D. 3 5. Hyperbole in fiction, is overstatement or exaggeration. Which phrase from the story listed below, would be considered an example of hyperbole? A. Nearer they come, cease at the doorway B. Kisses without number

C. Stooping, holding their silver lamp above us, long they look and deeply

D. "Safe, safe, safe," the pulse of the house beat gladly. “The Treasure yours." 6. The stream of consciousness point of view represents the narrator and character becoming indistinct, more or less fused together. Which example from the story listed below characterises this point of view? A. The wind roars up the avenue.

B. "What did I come in here for? What did I want to find?"

C. A moment later the light had faded. Out in the garden then? D. The wind falls, the rain slides silver down the glass

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ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 1 – PROSE 1. Of all the genres listed, C - Science Fiction is the correct answer.

The story cannot be considered as adhering to this genre, while it has all the elements of A - Fantasy, B - Romance & D - Supernatural.

2. D - all points of view are used within the story, also including stream-of consciousness this makes the story poetic, due to all the shifting narrators throughout the story. The first paragraph:

Whatever hour you woke there was a door shutting. From room to room they went, hand in hand, lifting here, opening there, making sure--a ghostly couple.

Starts with second person point of view - by use of "you" in the first sentence. Then abruptly shifts to third person point of view - omniscient - in the second sentence. Uses of 1st person point of view are sporadic, but still included: My hands were empty. (This phrase is used twice)

So fine, so rare, coolly sunk beneath the surface the beam I sought always burned behind the glass. Death was the glass; death was between us, coming to the woman first, hundreds of years ago, leaving the house, sealing all the windows; the rooms were darkened. Our eyes darken, we hear no steps beside us; we see no lady spread her ghostly cloak. Notice the odd mix of 1st person and 3rd person in the climax:

Here we left our treasure--" Stooping, their light lifts the lids upon my eyes. "Safe! safe! safe!" the pulse of the house beats wildly. Waking, I cry "Oh, is this your buried treasure? The light in the heart."

The mixing of these points of view - gives the story a haunted, dreamy, poetic quality.

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3. As mentioned above - the mix of point of view, as well as the use of imagery, and short sentences gives the story a poetic tone - D - which is the correct answer.

While there are hints of A & B within the story, these are not certainly the BEST descriptions of tonality, and can be inclusive of D, but not vice-versa - this is a unilateral distinction. C - Discursive is not correct - tangential - something discursive is broad, lengthy and conversational.

4. The characters active in the story are 5 - the living couple, the ghost couple, and the house which speaks to us as well within the story - making C the correct answer.

Note that characters and narrators are different – unless they are fused in a stream of consciousness narrative technique.

5. Only B - Kisses without number indicates Hyperbole - or overstatement. Literally, this would be kisses that are infinite - therefore the correct answer. Neither A, C, or D are indicative of this quality.

6. Through deduction, A - a personification is simply a third person narration, therefore can be ruled out. B - is a direct quote from one of the characters, therefore incorrect as well. D - containing the elements of simile is also third person narration and not very close to a character in general. C - which contains - Out in the garden then? A question, after a short 3rd person narrator, indicates a character and narrator becoming fused as a stream of consciousness technique - therefore the correct answer.

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EXAMPLE 2: PROSE QUESTION Assess the following abstract concerning a relationship between medical television and the medical profession Abstract Background Medical television programs offer students fictional representations of their chosen career. This study aimed to discover undergraduate medical students' viewing of medical television programs and students' perceptions of professionalism, ethics, realism and role models in the programs. The purpose was to consider implications for teaching strategies. Methods

A medical television survey was administered to 386 undergraduate medical students across Years 1 to 4 at a university in New South Wales, Australia. The survey collected data on demographics, year of course, viewing of medical television programs, perception of programs' realism, depiction of ethics, professionalism and role models. Results

The shows watched by most students were House, Scrubs, and Grey's Anatomy, and students nominated watching 30 different medical programs in total. There was no statistical association between year of enrolment and perceptions of accuracy. The majority of students reported that friends or family members had asked them for their opinion on an ethical or medical issue presented on a program, and that they discussed ethical and medical matters with their friends. Students had high recall of ethical topics portrayed on the shows, and most believed that medical programs generally portrayed ideals of professionalism well. Conclusions

Medical programs offer considerable currency and relevance with students and may be useful in teaching strategies that engage students in ethical lessons about practicing medicine.

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1. The study conceptually centers on: A. ethics

B. teaching

C. media representations D. medical role models

2. What made this study pragmatic?

A. For medical students to emulate role models

B. To understand media representation and medical approaches C. For an understanding of professionalism in the medical field D. For the purposes of teaching

3. What can be inferred to be the main weakness in the above abstract? A. The study was essentially inductive, not deductive

B. Actual methodology for interpreting surveys was not made apparent C. The participants were only undergraduate medical students

D. TV portrayals and real life scenarios greatly differ in terms of ethics and professionalism

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 2 - PROSE 1. C and D are the tools of conceptually centering on A - ethics, the correct choice. B - teaching is the possible application in the study, making the study useful, practical, and pragmatic: The answer to question 14. 2. As a companion question to 1, the study is useful in the teaching of ethics, as evidenced in the Conclusions section of the abstract, indicating D as the correct answer. A & B are tangential, while C is inclusive of D. Medical programs offer considerable currency and relevance with students and may be useful in teaching strategies that engage students in ethical lessons about practicing medicine.

3. Through deduction we find that C - the use of undergraduate students is incorrect. We are told these are pre-medical students and ideal for research surveys as subjects. D - is arguable and not the main weakness - as a tangential statement the difference between the two is not the main weakness - in fact, part of the study's intent is to make connections between these variables. We cannot infer A - because we do not actually know the methodology of the study, whether it was inductive or deductive. B of course is the main weakness -- there is really no statement within the method section on what methodology was used to interpret the surveys – as such the correct answer.

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EXAMPLE 3: PROSE QUESTION Carefully study the overview of Kenneth Burke, his treatment of figures of speech, and the accompanying diagram Kenneth Burke, the philosopher of language and rhetorician, author of The Grammar of Motives & A Rhetoric of Motives is well known for his views of symbolic behavior through the theoretical perspective of dramatist. His insights view the human element as “an actor doing an act with an agency within a scene for a purpose.” Interestingly enough, this is also a methodology for journalism students for writing text: Who? Did What? With What? Where? & Why? Burke’s fascination with figures of speech and rhetoric led him to entertain the idea that fundamental to human thought were four “Master Tropes.” These figures of speech, or tropes were considered “paradigmatic” or over-arching models or ways of viewing culture and human enterprise throughout history. Considered as paradigmatic were the following figures of speech: Metaphor, Metonymy, Synecdoche, and Irony. Traditional Definitions

Metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in common. “My love is a rose,” or “John is a Lion” are common examples. Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. For example, “lend me your ear” or “He has been drinking” (consuming alcohol), or Silicone Valley (electronics and microchip industries) Metonymy is also the rhetorical strategy of describing something indirectly by referring to things around it. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole (for example, ABCs for alphabet) or the whole for a part ("England won the World Cup in 1966"). Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. A statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea. For example, a wife saying “I just love when you watch football,” after her husband has spilled beer on accident while celebrating a score. The MASH TV show is full of examples of irony. Consider Burke’s extended application of these tropes. Note: numerous other theorists from philosophy, psychology, history, linguistics and other disciplines have followed his lead. The four top definitions are from Burke; the bottom two rows represent applications from other disciplines.

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METAPHOR

METONYMY

SYNECDOCHE

IRONY

Comparison or Perspective

Sequence or Process Moves in Time

Representation – Part of the Whole

Comparison through Non-Comparison or Perspective Through Incongruity

Perspective

Reduction

Representative or Imitative

Dialectic

Induction

Cause-Effect, StimulusResponse

Models, Paradigms

Deduction

Moves in Space

One of the statements corresponds to one of the tropes I - Sails on the sunset II - Time is an arrow

III - Walk in my shoes

IV - I ran until my feet bled 1. Which of the following would follow the correct sequence (left to right) in relation to the diagram? A. I, III, IV, II

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2. From the diagram above, how is Metaphor related to Synecdoche? A. Temporally B. Spatially

C. Through imitation

D. Through disassociation 3. What would be the most subjective trope? A. Metaphor

B. Metonymy

C. Synecdoche D. Irony

4. As an analogy to Burke’s dramatism, which model below represents the best likeness? A. Rhetorical figures of speech

B. Basic journalism technique of writing C. Deduction

D. Philosophical inquiry

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 3 - PROSE 1. I Sails on the sunset, II Time is an arrow, III Walk in my shoes & IV I ran until my feet bled are Synecdoche, Metaphor, Metonymy, and Irony respectively, indicating that B- II, III, I, IV is the correct sequence in relation to trope diagram.

2. Both employ a spatial sort of choice, a representation or model is certainly an aspect of perspective, and induction implies a compilation of examples suggestive of imitation of a given phenomenon. These choices work spatially, ala studies in aphasia, Roman Jakobson and other linguists’ insistence of two axes of language - Metaphor, as a spatial choice, while Metonymy as a temporal choice -- this indicates B as the correct answer. Imitation (C) is close, yet inclusive of a spatial choice, while D is clearly Irony. Studies in aphasia, in stroke victims indicate the spatial and temporal choices available. Stoke victims, as evidenced in their speech will substitute words metaphorically – “Could you hand me a shovel.” While meaning a spoon to eat with, or metonymically – “You could spoon me a hand.” Indicative of a temporal substitution. 3. An inductive perspective or comparison (Metaphor) is the most subjective, indicating A as the correct choice. Metonymy (B) indicating a temporal displacement is a linear approach such as cause-effect relationships is clearly less subjective. Synecdoche (C) is related, yet more generalised, to be less subjective, a model or representation shares some social consensus and Irony (D) at its apex is the basis for deductive logic which is more objective – or ideally, working on its own, removed from the human subject. 4. The comparison to B - journalism technique is made in the beginning of the text and is the correct answer. The Master tropes are A - Rhetorical Figures of Speech - but this is different from dramatism, and C - deduction - ruling out examples to arrive at the universal or true statement is both incorrect. D - philosophical inquiry is vague, also incorrect.

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EXAMPLE 4: PROSE QUESTION Read and assess this commentary on “What is Art?” "What is art?" Art is first of all a word - one that acknowledges both the idea and the fact of art. Without it, we might well ask whether art exists in the first place. The term is not found in every society. Yet art is made everywhere. Art, therefore, is also an object - an aesthetic object. It is meant to be looked at and appreciated for its intrinsic value. Its special qualities set art apart, so that it is often placed away from everyday life - in museums, churches, or caves... [Its] absolute qualities elude us, [so] that we cannot escape viewing works of art in the context of time and circumstance, whether past or present...

We all dream, that is imagination at work. To imagine means simply to make an image - a picture - in our minds. Human beings are not the only creatures who have imagination. Even animals dream. Cats' ears and tails may twitch as they sleep and sleeping dogs may whine and growl and paw the air, as if they were having a fight. Even when awake, animals "see" things. For no apparent reason, a cat's fur may rise on its back as it peers into a dark closet; just as you or I may get goose bumps from phantoms we neither see nor hear. Clearly, however, there is a profound difference between human and animal imagination. Humans are the only creatures who can tell one another about imagination in stories or pictures. The urge to make art is unique to us. No other animal has ever been observed to draw a recognisable image spontaneously in the wild. In fact, their only images have been produced under carefully controlled laboratory conditions that tell us more about the experimenter than they do about art. There can be little doubt, on the other hand, that people possess an aesthetic faculty. By the age of five every normal child has drawn a moon pie-face. The ability to make art is one of our most distinctive features, for it separates us from all other creatures across an evolutionary gap that is unbridgeable. Just as an embryo retraces much of the human evolutionary past, so do budding artists reinvent the first stages of art. Soon, however, they complete that process and begin to respond to the culture around them. Even children's art is subject to the taste and outlook of the society that shapes his or her personality...

Given the many factors that feed into it, art plays a very special role in the artist's personality. Sigmund Freud, the founder of modern psychiatry, conceived of art primarily in terms of sublimation outside of consciousness. Such a view hardly does justice to artistic creativity, since art is not simply a negative force at the mercy of our neuroses but a positive expression that integrates diverse aspects of personality... In a larger sense art, like science and religion, fulfils our innate urge to comprehend ourselves and the universe. This function makes art especially significant and worthy of our www.acegamsat.com

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attention. Art has the power to penetrate to the core of our being, which recognises itself in the creative act. For that reason, art represents its creator's deepest understanding and highest aspirations. At the same time, artists often play an important role as the articulators of our shared beliefs and values, which they express through an ongoing tradition to us, their audience. A masterpiece, then, is a work that contributes to our vision of life and leaves us profoundly moved: it can bear the closest scrutiny and withstand the test of time. 1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage? A. Art is an aesthetic object, little understood by psychiatrists. B. Art allows us to see a great deal that reminds us of life.

C. Art is an expressive form that has perpetuated since the beginning of man.

D. Art is one of the greatest forms of expression available exclusively to humans. 2. Which of the following would support the author’s assumptions about the most important difference between humans and other creatures? A. Show dogs can be trained to carry themselves beautifully in the ring and display impressive movements in front of judges. B. A soul-searching teenager will make graffiti art to express his/her insights.

C. A female chimpanzee dresses herself similar to the image of a Mexican dancer that she is constantly shown. D. A pre-schooler likens his respective family members to a picture of the bear’s family in the Goldilocks story.

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3. If one were to describe the author's ideal artist, which of the following qualities would he/she possess? A. A highly developed aesthetic faculty

B. Strong faith in one’s passion and dreams

C. An acute awareness of his/her subconscious impulses D. A strong intuition

4. The passage suggests that one's appreciation for art might be heightened if one: A. learns about the background of the piece and its artists.

B. knows the artist and can get a detailed explanation firsthand. C. identifies with the artist’s vision of humanity. D. allows a piece of art to penetrate one’s being.

5. The passage suggests that a budding artist is like an embryo in that he/she: A. grows slowly, nurtured by a mother's care.

B. begins with basic elements and evolves into more complex forms. C. has begun to be influenced by cultural forces.

D. has the ability to produce recognisable images.

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6. The author will most likely NOT support an artwork that shows:

A. an artist’s childhood memories of fun plays and emotions projected in his work. B. a bit of reality captured in natural fluidity and vibrant colours of the medium.

C. architecture, people, and energy fused into psychological maps based on the artist’s negative experiences. D. a unique crossbreed of commercial work and street art aesthetics.

7. According to the passage, art combines which of the following aspects of the artist's human experience? A. Reason and emotion

B. Insight and ambition

C. Self-realisation and conviction D. Dream and reality

8. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

A. Art is an aesthetic object, little understood by psychiatrists. B. Art allows us to see a great deal that reminds us of life.

C. Art is an expressive form that has perpetuated since the beginning of man.

D. Art is one of the greatest forms of expression available exclusively to humans.

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 3 - PROSE 1. Correct Answer: D

Choice A. is false since not only does the passage not focus on psychiatrists, there is no mention of art being "little understood by psychiatrists"; rather, in one paragraph (P4) there is mention of one psychiatrist who did not do "justice to artistic creativity."

Choice B. is false despite the fact that it sounds appealing (!) and you may find some support for this response in the last paragraph; the fact is sufficient support cannot be given for this response as being the main concern or characteristic of the passage. Choice C. is false since its focus is "since the beginning of man" which may be alluded to sparsely in the passage but the history of art was clearly not the focus of the passage.

Choice D. is true because paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 are all written to show that art is "one of the greatest forms of expression" and the largest paragraph (P2) focused on demonstrating that art "separates us from all other creatures across an evolutionary gap that is unbridgeable"(= "available exclusively to humans"). 2. Correct Answer: B - The answer can be affirmed in Paragraphs/Sentences: P2, S9; P5, S1 3. Correct Answer: A - The answer to this question can be deduced from the following: "Art is an aesthetic object. It is meant to be looked at and appreciated for its intrinsic value"; "There can be little doubt, on the other hand, that people possess an aesthetic faculty." A well-developed sense of the beautiful is necessary to appreciate and make art. 4. Correct Answer: A - The answer to this question can be deduced from the following:"[Its] absolute qualities elude us, [so] that we cannot escape viewing works of art in the context of time and circumstance, whether past or present..." One may develop a better understanding of art objects if one can better understand the historical circumstances from which they arose.

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5. Correct Answer: B - When the question states "X is like Y... ," this is called a simile. Thus we must look for traits that are present in both X and Y. Answer choices A. and D. may be present in either a budding artist or an embryo but not necessarily both! Answer choice C. is false because an embryo is hardly influenced by cultural forces. Answer choice B. is correct because the simile begins with: "Just as an embryo retraces much of its evolutionary past, so the artist reinvents the first stages of art." That which is similar between the evolutionary past of an embryo and the development of a budding artist has nothing to do with culture but everything to do with answer choice B. This question is tricky for some students because the passage goes on to discuss the cultural aspect of the artist's development (P3, L3-6). As long as you remain focused on the question - looking for that which is similar between X and Y - then you can't be tricked!

6. Correct Answer: C - The answer to this question can be deduced from the following: "Such a view hardly does justice to artistic creativity, since art is not simply a negative force at the mercy of our neuroses but a positive expression that integrates diverse aspects of personality..." According to the author, art is mainly a conscious statement of our individuality rather than a negative impulse. 7. Correct Answer: B - The answer to this question can be deduced from the following: "Art has the power to penetrate to the core of our being, which recognises itself in the creative act. For that reason, art represents its creator's deepest understanding and highest aspirations 8. Correct Answer: D - Choice D. is true because paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 are all written to show that art is "one of the greatest forms of expression" and the largest paragraph (P2) focused on demonstrating that art "separates us from all other creatures across an evolutionary gap that is unbridgeable" (= "available exclusively to humans").

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POEMS (DRAMA & SONGS) Poem interpretation and analysis can be challenging for many candidates, this is due to it being unfamiliar to many. Poems in GAMSAT vary in length and style. ANALYSIS OF POEMS

Develop a standard for analysing Poems. When reading a poem answer a set of questions prior to attempting GAMSAT multiple-choice questions. This will help you focus and eliminate incorrect answers immediately. When reading a poem consider the following:

Who is the Speaker? Are they male or female and where are they? What period are they from? What are the social and cultural themes? Depending on the poem you may only be able to answer a few of these questions. How is the poem written? What is the structure? How is the poem constructed and how do the components relate to each other? The structure of the poem may indicate the period it was written in. Is the poem in complete sentences or separated by semicolons? Are there repetitions such as parallel syntax or a simile in a sentence? Analysing the structure will give insight into the tone and meaning of the poem. What is the subject and theme of Poem? Various complex themes are raised throughout GAMSAT. Identify the subject before deciding on the theme of the poem. Many poems can be complex in meaning and it is unusual for GAMSAT questions to ask a sole meaning of a poem. What does the Style tell us about the poem?

Why has this been written? What is the meaning? Are questions asked and answered? Is there an argument being put forward? Is there permanent ambiguity or multiple meanings expressed? Look at the word choice and specific meanings. Word order is often altered in poetry to maintain rhythm and emphasise meaning.

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EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLE 1: POEM QUESTION Read and critically assess the poem “Sailing to Byzantium” by William Butler Yeats 1

That is no country for old men. The young

3

- Those dying generations - at their song,

2 4 5 6 7 8 9

In one another's arms, birds in the trees

The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas,

Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long Whatever is begotten, born, and dies.

Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.

An aged man is but a paltry thing,

10 A tattered coat upon a stick, unless

11 Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing 12 For every tatter in its mortal dress,

13 Nor is there singing school but studying 14 Monuments of its own magnificence;

15 And therefore I have sailed the seas and come 16 To the holy city of Byzantium.

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17 O sages standing in God's holy fire 18 As in the gold mosaic of a wall,

19 Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre, 20 And be the singing-masters of my soul.

21 Consume my heart away; sick with desire 22 And fastened to a dying animal

23 It knows not what it is; and gather me 24 Into the artifice of eternity.

25 Once out of nature I shall never take

26 My bodily form from any natural thing,

27 But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make 28 Of hammered gold and gold enamelling 29 To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; 30 Or set upon a golden bough to sing 31 To lords and ladies of Byzantium

32 Of what is past, or passing, or to come.

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1. What does Byzantium BEST represent? A. Death

B. Afterlife C. Journey

D. Timeless Land 2. In what Lines does the journey (sailing) take place? A. 12-14

B. 15-16 C. 18-20

D. 21-22 3. The dominant metaphor or image is: A. sculpture B. travel

C. musical D. fire

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4. The Persona's soul becomes enmeshed with A. with the Holy Fire B. art or music

C. the spirit of the body D. sacred ritual

5. Which Lines suggest the Soul is separate from the Body? A. 4-6

B. 18-20 C. 10-12

D. 21-22

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 1 - POEM 1. Correct Answer: B

While all the answers are partially correct, we must infer that B is correct answer, although it is A, this is too personal, while we know Byzantium is a place, it also is a C – a journey, but by no means the BEST answer. Perhaps D – a Timeless land, but the portrait Yeats evokes is B – Afterlife.

2. Correct Answer: B

A close reading or rescan will affirm that B is the correct answer.

3. Correct Answer: C

All through the poem there is reference to music – singing and song, affirming C as the correct answer.

4. Correct Answer: B

Within the last stanza, the soul is transmogrified with art and music, affirming B as the correct answer.

5. Correct Answer: D

A close reading will affirm that D is the correct answer.

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EXAMPLE 2: POEM QUESTION Consider the following poem “Jardin Noir” (Black Garden) by Antonin Artaud Spin the eddies of the sky inside these black petals. Shadows have covered the earth that bears us.

Open a pathway to the plough amongst your stars. Enlighten us, escort us with your host, Silver legions, on the mortal course

Which we strive towards at the core of night. 1. The imagery and tone of the poem suggest that: A. We need to make every moment count

B. We are only mortal, like everything else C. We need guidance from above D. We are divided from nature

2. Throughout the poem, there is an interplay between: A. The garden and The stars B. Light and Darkness

C. Mortal and Immortal

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3. In the poem, people are compared to: A. Stars

B. Shadows C. Flowers

D. Silver legions 4. The first line, “Spin the eddies of the sky inside these black petals” suggests which metaphor below? Which is the best choice? A. River

B. Entropy C. Mirror

D. Network 5. The poem’s overall form, can be inferred to be a: A. Question B. Eulogy

C. Hyperbole D. Plea

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 2 – POEM 1. The following lines from the poem suggest this disassociation. Shadows have covered the earth that bear us . . . Enlighten us, escort us with your host . . . which we beckon to each night. This indicates D as the correct answer. There is nothing to suggest A, "making every moment count, or C "needing guidance from above," B "being mortal like everything else is suggested the Silver legions association, but this is too specific, in relation to the general imagery and tone of the poem. 2. This seems evident enough, obviously the interplay between light and darkness. Black garden, Black petals, stars, Silver Legions are indicative of this interplay. This indicates B as the correct answer. There are associations between A - the garden and the stars, a minimal wink at C - mortality and immortality, but nothing suggestive of D -earthly and divine, to the extent of B and the numerous references to this aspect or interplay

3. The "black petals . . . which bear us" suggests that people are compared to flowers. Silver legions applies to Stars. Shadows seems a general mood of the poem. Like the flowers, people beckon to the stars. This indicates C as the correct answer. Such a meditation takes place in a garden, while all the other aspects of A - stars, B - shadows, & D - Silver legions are interwoven into the text. 4. The line suggests a reflection of the sky inside the flower, therefore C - Mirror is correct. The other answers can be deduced quite quickly to not be correct. A Metaphor of A - River would suggest "flow" --this can be deducted to be incorrect. B - entropy - refers to the physical law where everything has the tendency to degrade, also incorrect. D - Network suggests intersections and flows of information - also incorrect

5. Lines 3 - 4 are certainly a plea: Open a pathway to the plough amongst your stars. Enlighten us, escort us with your host, making D the correct answer. There is no real sense of A - question, though there is a sense of mystery in the tone. B - a eulogy - is praise or public remarks for one who has died, this can be ruled out rather easily. C - hyperbole refers to overstatement - excessive exaggeration, much like Monty Python or English types of humor. There is nothing in the poem that denotes a form of overstatement

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EXAMPLE 3: POEM QUESTION Read and assess this song "Jokerman" by Bob Dylan. Pay particular attention to the use of religious symbols and imagery and who the Jokerman may represent. Standing on the water, casting your bread While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing Distant ships sailing into the mist You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing Freedom just around the corner for you But with truth so far off, what good will it do. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky You rise up and say goodbye to no one Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one Shedding off one more layer of skin Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want marry your sister Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

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Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat Take the motherless children off the street And place them at the feet of a harlot Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response. Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

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1. At the best, the figure of Jokerman is: A. Archetypal

B. Ambiguous

C. Devoutly Religious D. Dualistic

2. Which of the following phrase from the song represents a quote or witty saying? A. You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name B. Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in. C. Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within D. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

3. Which of the following biblical references is NOT made within the song? Which is the EXCEPTION? A. Book of Proverbs

B. Sodom and Gomorrah C. Book of Deuteronomy D. Book of Leviticus

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4. What or Who is Jokerman's only teachers?

A. Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy B. Biblical scripture, in general

C. The Law of the Jungle and the Sea

D. The Laws inscribed in the Talmud and Kabbalah 5. Which verse shows Jokerman in a world that is contemporaneously violent? A. Verse 4 B. Verse 2 C. Verse 6

D. Verse 5

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 3 - POEM 1. Correct Answer: B - is the correct answer, we see the figure as mixed, partly religious, and partly worldly as ambivalent as the imagery of the song is. We can never identify him as one character –although the religious references allude to Jesus and other figures. 2. Correct Answer: D - of course is the obvious answer –a common saying still used today. The other sayings are irrelevant, and only pertain to the song itself. 3. Correct Answer: A - A close reading or rescan will affirm that C is the correct answer and exception 4. Correct Answer: C - Direct quote or paraphrase confirms C as the correct answer: The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers

5. Correct Answer: D - A close reading or rescan will affirm that D -Verse 5 contains contemporary images of violence.

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EXAMPLE 4: POEM QUESTION Carefully analyse the poem “The World is Too Much with Us” by William Wordsworth

1 The world is too much with us; late and soon,

2 Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; 3 Little we see in Nature that is ours;

4 We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! 5 This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; 6 The winds that will be howling at all hours,

7 And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers, 8 For this, for everything, we are out of tune; 9 It moves us not. --Great God! I'd rather be 10 A pagan suckled in a creed outworn;

11 So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,

12 Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; 13 Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;

14 Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

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1. Based on the imagery, what two essential ideas or elements are BEST linked together within the poem? A. Romanticism & Subjectivity B. Nature & Myth

C. Myth & Religion

D. Nature & Marketplace 2. The basic theme of the poem is that society has become: A. detached from Objectivity

B. obsessed with the Marketplace C. alienated from Nature D. unaware of Myth

3. Wordsworth directly or indirectly criticises: I - Material things

II - Money and marketplace transactions III - Organised religion A. I only B. I & II

C. II & III

D. I, II, & III

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4. The above sonnet has which rhyme scheme? A. abbaaccacdcdcd

B. abbaabbacdcdee C. abbaabbacdcede

D. abbaabbacdcdcd

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 4 - POEM 1. Correct Answer: B - While all answers of ideas and elements are included within the poem, the basic constitution of the images concern B – Nature & Myth – which can be affirmed with a close reading. 2. Correct Answer: C - A can be ruled out rather quickly, while B & D are included within the poem – the basic theme is C – alienated from Nature through different preoccupations and monetary pursuits. 3. Correct Answer: D - A close reading will affirm that all I, II, & III are implicated within the poem. 4. Correct Answer: D - A close reading will affirm that D abbaabbacdcdcd is the correct rhyme scheme.

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SOCIAL SCIENCES The Social Science questions examine comprehension of humanities and fundamental concepts in social science. This section comprises of written passages along with graphs and tables. Candidates are required to interpret and analyse such graphs and tables. Numerical Data is generally given in the form of

1. Discrete Data: Meaning a finite number of values are possible. For example, the number of students enrolled in a class or a point between two lines on a graph. 2. Continuous Data: Is usually in the form of a physical measurement such as weight or height.

Spend time familiarising yourself with tables and graphs before attempting Social Sciences multiple-choice questions. Answer your pre-determined questions such as to Who, What, Where, Why before attempting the question.

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EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLE 1: SOCIAL SCIENCE QUESTIONS Read and assess this commentary on non-verbal communication across cultures Nonverbal communication represents two-thirds of all communication. Nonverbal communication can portray a message both verbally and with the correct body signals. Body signals comprise physical features, conscious and unconscious gestures and signals, and the mediation of personal space. The wrong message can be established if the body language conveyed does not match a verbal message. Nonverbal communication strengthens a first impression in common situations like attracting a partner or in a business interview: impressions are on average formed within the first four seconds of contact. First encounters or interactions with another person strongly affect a person's perception. When the other person or group is absorbing the message they are focused on the entire environment around them, meaning the other person uses all five senses in the interaction: 83% sight, 11% hearing, 3% smell, 2% touch and 1% taste.

Nonverbal communication can have different meanings according to different cultures. Foreigners may even be confused about universal emotions. "In many cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian cultures, people express grief openly. They mourn out loud, while in Asian cultures, the general belief is that it is unacceptable to show emotion openly." In fact, Chinese people value silence more than verbal communication. Gestures, postures, haptics (sense of touch), clothing, eye contact and proxemics (sense of personal distance) all can be understood differently across the world.

Gestures vary widely across cultures in how they are used and what they mean. Native Americans did not have a written language for a long time, so they relied heavily on nonverbal communication in which dances, rituals, and ceremonies were vital. Nonverbal communication can be divided into classes. “First there is body language which includes gesture, posture, distance, touch, and gaze. Second there is object language which includes signs, designs, and clothing. Finally, there is environmental language which includes colour, lighting, space, direction, and natural surroundings.” For example, "sticking out the tongue may be a form of mockery in the West, but in Polynesia it serves as a greeting and a sign of reverence. Clapping is a North American way of applauding, but in Spain and the Orient it is a means of summoning the waiter. Northern Europeans usually indicate agreement by nodding their heads up and down, and shaking the head from side to side to indicate disagreement. The Greeks have for at least three thousand years used the upward nod for disagreement and the downward nod for agreement.” In addition, laughter is a sign of amusement normally, but in Africa it is a sign of wonder or embarrassment. There are many manners of waving goodbye: Americans face the palm outward and move the hand side to www.acegamsat.com

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side, Italians face the palm inward and move the fingers facing the other person, French and Germans face the hand horizontal and move the fingers toward the person leaving. Also, it is important to note that gestures are used in more informal settings and more often by children. Chronemics, how people handle time, can be categorised in two ways: polychronic which is when people do many activities at once and is common in Italy and Spain, or monochronic which is when people do one thing at a time which is common in America. Emotional expression varies with culture. The more individualistic a culture is, the more likely the people will show emotions that are disengaged or emphasise what the self is feeling (anger, disgust, and joy). Showing fear is less likely to occur in collectivistic societies because it shows social withdrawal. Joy is more likely to be expressed in individualistic cultures because it is an expression of one’s uniqueness and individuality, whereas in collectivistic cultures, it may disrupt the group with values of interdependence. In addition, Native Americans tend to be more reserved and less expressive with emotions. Finally, frequent touches are common for Chinese; however, such actions like touching, patting, hugging or kissing in western cultures such as America are less frequent and publicly displayed.

One common example in the United States, is the gesture of a finger or hand to indicate "come here please". This is the gesture used to beckon dogs in some cultures. Pointing with one finger is also considered to be rude in some cultures and Asians typically use their entire hand to point to something. In mainstream Western culture, eye contact is interpreted as attentiveness and honesty. In many cultures, however, including Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is thought to be disrespectful or rude, and lack of eye contact does not mean that a person is not paying attention. Women may especially avoid eye contact with men because it can be taken as a sign of sexual interest. The acceptable physical distance is another major difference in the nonverbal communication between cultures. In Latin America and the Middle East, the acceptable distance is much shorter than what most Europeans and Americans feel comfortable with. This is why an American or a European might wonder why the other person is invading his or her personal space by standing so close, while the other person might wonder why the American/European is standing so far from him or her. In addition, for Latin Americans, the French, Italians, and Arabs the distance between people is much closer than the distance for Americans; in general, for these close distance groups, 1 foot of distance is for lovers, 1.5–4 feet of distance is for family and friends, and 4–12 feet is for strangers. In the opposite way, most Native Americans value distance to protect themselves. www.acegamsat.com

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1. Based on passage information, when one is decoding a message the senses are used by the following percentages: A. 83% sight, 10% hearing, 3% smell, 2% touch and 1% taste. B. 83% sight, 9% hearing, 3% smell, 2% touch and 1% taste

C. 83% sight, 11% hearing, 3% smell, 2% touch and 1% taste.

D. 83% sight, 11% hearing, 4% smell, 2% touch and 1% taste. 2. It can be inferred that cross-culturally, the meaning of a non-verbal message is: A. conditioned by linguistic factors B. arbitrary and culture-specific

C. determined by the context of the situation

D. always relative to the verbal message which accompanies it 3. Which term below refers to a person's sense of distance? A. Haptics

B. Kinesics

C. Paralinguistics D. Proxemics

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4. Environmental language, as a non-verbal factor includes: I - colour

II - clothing

III - natural surroundings IV - lighting A. I & III

B. I, II, III

C. I, II, & IV

D. I, III, & IV 5. According to passage information, which of the following statements is NOT correct? Which is the EXCEPTION? A. Laughter is a sign of wonder or embarrassment in Africa

B. Sticking out the tongue is a sign of greeting or reverence in Polynesia C. Clapping is a sign of applause in Spain

D. Native Americans tend to be more reserved and less expressive with emotions

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6. What non-verbal terminology within the passage conveys the idea of "multi-tasking?" A. Chronemic

B. Polychronic

C. Monochronic D. Haptic

7. Which cultures below interpret eye contact as disrespectful or rude according to passage information? I - Hispanic

II - Middle Eastern

III - Native American A. I

B. I & II

C. II & III

D. I, II, & III

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: EXAMPLE 1 – SOCIAL SCIENCE 1. Correct Answer: C - Based on passage information in the last sentence of the first paragraph. A close reading or rescan will affirm this. A mix and substitute type of question. 2. Correct Answer: B - This is a theme which runs throughout the passage. The meaning of a non-verbal message is not fixed or set in stone always specific to a particular culture or ethnic group. 3. Correct Answer: D - A close reading or rescan will affirm D - proxemics as the correct answer. 4. Correct Answer: D - Clothing, more properly, belongs to object language, while the other three are environmental language according to passage information 5. Correct Answer: C - A close reading will affirm that the exception and correct answer is C. Clapping is calling for a waiter in Spain according to passage information. 6. Correct Answer: B - A close reading or rescan will affirm that B - polychronic - is a description of how a person handles many different things in time - thus, multi-tasking. 7. Correct Answer: D - According to passage information, all three cultures share this tendency, thus D is the correct answer.

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EXAMPLE 2: SOCIAL SCIENCE QUESTIONS Carefully study the commentary on ethnographic research and the accompanying diagram In anthropology, participant-observation is organised so as to produce a kind of writing called ethnography. It can be applied or academic in nature. A key principle of the method is that one may not merely observe, but must find a role within the group observed from which to participate in some manner, even if only as "outside observer." Overt participantobservation, therefore, is limited to contexts where the community under study understands and permits it. James Spradley describes ethnography as different from deductive types of social research in that the five steps of ethnographic research: selecting a problem, collecting data, analysing data, formulating hypotheses, and writing all happen simultaneously. With the advent of the internet and the various social classes which inhabit certain domains, ethnographic research was marked by complexity. The following is an adaptation of Spradley's field model of ethnographic research.

Fig. 1 - Adaptation of Spradley's field model of ethnographic research

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1. The commentary suggests that the participant-observer is A. Outside the conventions of the social community B. A part of the social community

C. Neither within or outside of the social community –objective D. A part of and apart from the social community

2. How does the diagram differ from Spradley’s own description of the research process? A. Scope of field methods

B. Sequence of research methods

C. Temporal framework of gathering data D. Creation of hypotheses 3. Why is the diagram circular?

A. To show modification of a hypothesis based on collection of data B. To illustrate the cyclical nature of field collection of data

C. To show that methodologies change over the course of the research D. To illustrate the dynamics of processual fieldwork

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4. What can be inferred from the core or hub of activity illustrated in the diagram? Which below serves as the BEST inference?

A. That the internet-based social group, with continuing research and commentary, serves as guiding paradigm for research methods and hypothesis-testing

B. That ethnographic fieldwork is by and large focused on the outside of the symbolic behavior of the internet based social group

C. That current methodologies of field research and data collection are apart from the inner workings of the internet-based social group

D. That there is a mutual relationship of theory building between the internet-based social group and the actual ethnographic researchers in the field 5. Spradley’s field model of ethnographic research can be described as a: A. Linear sequence of questioning and formulating theory

B. Dynamic process of inter-related and simultaneous research and methodologies C. A matrix of networks with inputs, outputs, and feedback circles

D. A sequence of causal relationships producing numerous effects

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 2: SOCIAL SCIENCE 1. The basic idea of the participant observer is to be in the culture, without disturbing the culture, straddling the line between the subjective aspect of collecting research within, while being slightly apart (with research methodology), indicating D as the correct answer. 2. The diagram is circular -indicating a temporal difference of sequence of research, which Spradley thought all happened simultaneously, this indicates B as the correct answer, with C partially true, yet partial, and not inclusive of B. A & D are also inclusive of B. 3. The best choice option is certainly A - the diagram suggests that the research continues, while the hypothesis is continually refined as indicated by “writing the ethnography” as a loop onto itself. D is too general and abstract. B is too specific, while we are to infer that the basic methodology (C) of ethnographic research, in itself, would not change over the course of the research. 4. A is the correct answer --accepted modes and methodologies, as well as the symbolic behaviour accompanying the internet-based social group would serve as a paradigm (way to approach the research itself--meta-research) for research and establishment of hypotheses; these would also include "the history of the group - review of the literature". B is an impossibility - the assumption in ethnography being that symbolic behaviour, to a large extent is coterminous and definitional of culture itself. C is also an impossibility - the group itself would define these parameters and variables. D is true but less focused as A, there is such a relationship, but only to the extent that the ethnographer recognises the history, methodology and research methods which have been established already. 5. This question requires deduction --ruling out answers based on what the graph presents and what is referred to in the text. The key phrase is aspects of research and methodologies "all happen simultaneously" that this is not a deductive-linear or causal model for ethnographic study. With this in mind A and D - linear or causal models can be ruled out rather quickly. C - sounds good but no cigar, input and output models, are still rather linear and causal despite the addition of a feedback circle. "All happen simultaneous" suggests dynamism and process, and "simultaneous" is even included in the answer. This indicates B as the BEST and correct answer. www.acegamsat.com

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EXAMPLE 3: SOCIAL SCIENCE QUESTION Study the following ecosystem graphic representation:

1. The illustration specifically shows

A. Man’s inhumanity to nature

B. The destruction of a coral reef ecosystem

C. Conversion from simple hard bottom to coral reef

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2. This best theoretical assessment of this illustration represents A. Simultaneous and Multiple Causes and Effects B. Singular Causes and Multiple Effects C. Multiple Causes and Singular Effects

D. The entropic effects imposed on an open system 3. Of the following which is NOT a cause of loss and decline of coral and fish? A. Reduced Light

B. Increased Algae

C. Overfeeding by local fish species

D. Physical Damage from anchorage 4. Of the following which is NOT a cause of increased algae, according to the representation? A. Fishing

B. Dive tourism C. Erosion

D. Reef Conversion

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 3 – SOCIAL SCIENCES 1. Through deduction one can rule out A. Man's inhumanity to nature as being too general, while the question asks "specifically." C. is a reversal trick, which is not correct, while D is much too specific, given the numerous variables in the illustration, leaving B, the correct answer - The destruction of a coral reef ecosystem. 2. The numerous variables in the illustration most certainly indicate A. Simultaneous and Multiple Causes and Effects. There is not one B. single cause having many effects, nor is C, entirely true... although there are multiple causes, there are also multiple effects on fish, algae, coral, etc. D. is too stylish, general, unspecific, buzz-word related and a distraction. 3. A simple rescan of the variables inclusive of the illustration indicate that all A, B, & D are a cause of "loss and decline of coral and fish," while there is no indication of C. "Overfeeding by local fish species." 4. A quick re-scan of the graph will show that A, B, & C are all represented as causes to increased algae, leaving reef conversion - D - as the correct answer.

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EXAMPLE 4: SOCIAL SCIENCE QUESTION The following is a mathematical model of communication – information flow created by Shannon and Weaver in 1949. Study and assess the model.

Fig. 2 – The Shannon – Weaver Mathematical Model, 1949

1. The best term to describe this model of communication is: A. Process B. Matrix C. Linear

D. Network

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2. What is apparently lacking from this model of communication if it is applied to a human dynamic? Choose the BEST answer below. A. Nonverbal aspects B. Feedback C. Intention

D. Interpretation 3. A transmitted signal is A. Encoded

B. Decoded

C. Redundant D. Received

4. What can be inferred from the inclusion of “entropy” in the graph? Choose the BEST answer below. A. The flow of information works against entropy –it is negentropic B. Entropy is a constant variable in all flows of information C. Entropy can be defined as the redundancy of noise D. Entropy diminishes the channel capacity

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5. What can be inferred from the inclusion of “noise” in the graph? Choose the BEST answer below: A. Noise is always in the background of the source/channel B. Noise and entropy are essentially the same variable

C. Decoded signals are effected by the noise of encoding

D. Encoded signals are effected by the noise of decoding 6. Which of the following would NOT constitute noise from the examples below as applied to human communication. Which is the EXCEPTION? A. Ambiguous statements B. Misheard statements C. Lucid statements

D. Statements open to interpretation

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ANSWERS AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 4 – SOCIAL SCIENCE 1. A. is incorrect, even though seemingly the best choice option. A process indicates a temporal or time orientation, and is marked by complexity...hence the steps to the process, yet this terms lacks the explanatory power to describe the model, itself, it is too abstract. In addition, B. Matrix is too abstract and relatively non-descriptive. D. Network connotates numerous connections from different sources --multiple inputs and outputs, and thus can be ruled out. Since the flow of information travels one way in this diagram, the best description would be C. Linear - meaning unidirectional, the irreversible arrow. 2. To answer this question correctly, since all the answers are partially true, we must take note that there is no feedback loop in the model if applied to the human dynamic indicating B as the correct answer. B is inclusive of A. Nonverbal aspects, while Nonverbal aspects are not inclusive entirely of B. Unilateral distinction. One gives feedback verbally as well. Intention could be interpreted as encoding of the message ruling out C and Interpretation could be interpreted as decoding which rules out D as well. 3. This detail-oriented question can be quickly affirmed to be A. after a simple rescan. 4. This question is a bit complex and requires sound deduction in arriving at the BEST answer. A. is theoretically true according to information theory, yet we have no indication of this within the graph itself, which would be represented by a modification, feedback loop or reversible arrow indicating that the system is not degrading due to the flow of information. C. is a bit too abstract, and not indicated by the graph. Essentially the graph would need to show repeated noise linked with entropic effects, of which it does not. By the same token D, which may or may not be true, cannot be inferred by the illustration. The channel would have to be shown as decreasing in the amount or volume of information that it could contain or handle due to entropy, therefore ruled out. For these reasons and deductions, one must infer from the graph, even though not showing causes or effects that B. Entropy is a constant variable in all flows of information as the BEST choice option.

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5. Another inference through deduction question which must be thought out carefully in relation to the diagram. Literally A is the correct answer, and indicated by the diagram itself... Noise is always in the background of the source/channel. If this is a mathematical model, then noise is a constant variable within the source and channel, itself. There is nothing in the diagram that suggests that B noise and entropy are essentially the same, yet this is a theoretical possibility, but not linked in the graph itself. C & D are also true, yet not the best answer – misinterpretations can be thought of as noise, something effecting the original message sent or received. That is not what I meant or I thought you meant this...etc. Yet these concepts are not posed to the extent of A which graphically connects the variables of noise with the source and channel. 6. The key here is understanding C - lucid or clear statements, which of course is the correct answer. A, B, & D all suggest a certain amount of noise taking the form of uncertainty in the flow of human communication.

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EDITORIAL CARTOONS (and GRAPHS)

Social and political themes are echoed throughout Section I with the use of editorial cartoons. Certain viewpoints are expressed through the images and content of a cartoon. They generally express a viewpoint along with rationale for the option, conveying a particular argument.

Usually there is a caricature within the cartoon, this is an exaggeration or distortion of a person or object with the goal of providing a comic effect. The arrangement of images, text and symbols highlight relationships between people and events and highlight problems or concerns. There is often an allusion included which is an indirect reference to the past of current event that may not be clear within the cartoon. Develop a standard for analysing Editorial Cartoons. When reading the cartoon answer a set of pre-determined questions prior to looking at the GAMSAT questions to help you focus and eliminate incorrect answers. When reviewing an Editorial Cartoon consider the following:

Who is in the cartoon? Is a person or object the primary focus? Look at the relationships between people and objects. Who is the target audience of the cartoon? For example, is it a Political cartoon? What is the primary focus of the cartoon? Does it have a title? And date?

How is it structured / constructed? What elements are contained? Is there a caricature of a person or object? Is there an allusion? Have metaphors been used? Has humour been used?

Why has the cartoon been developed? What is the message? Who is the target audience? What is the context of the cartoon? Often political cartoons are developed in context to accompany news articles. What message is it sending? When was the cartoon or image developed? What extrinsic factors (history, socio-political issues) caused the response?

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EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLE 1: EDITORIAL CARTOON QUESTION Carefully study the following cartoon concerning language and interpretation

The Cartoon may be interpretable in more than one way I - Doctor-Patient communication can be problematic II - Medical terminology is convoluted

III - Doctors and patients switch roles in real life

IV - Language can separate the professional from a lay person

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1. Which of these comments offer(s) a plausible interpretation of the Cartoon A. I, II & III

B. II, III & IV C. I, III & IV D. I, II & IV

2. The Cartoon derives its humor from: A. Ironic Role Reversal

B. Superficiality of the Language C. Complexity of the Context D. Absurd Situation

3. The main assumption of the cartoon from a medical profession standpoint can be inferred to be: A. Patients have no right to view their own medical records

B. There is a need for a gatekeeper to interpret medical records to patients C. Patients will not understand medical terminology

D. Doctors need to explain medical terminology in lay person’s terms

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 1 – EDITORIAL CARTOONS 1. III can be ruled out rather easily, while the other answers I, II, & IV are possible interpretations of the Cartoon. By deduction, we find that all A, B, & C contain III in the answer, and can be ruled out, leaving D as the correct choice. 2. While C & D are partially true, B can be ruled out --there is nothing about the language used which makes it superficial. The switching of roles - being an aspect of irony, makes for the best choice option of A although the Cartoon relies heavily on the complexity of the language, as well. 3. C is the correct answer and almost a direct paraphrase of what the medical professional has stated. One cannot infer A - because the notion of "patient's rights" is never in question or assumed. In kind, one cannot infer that "there is a need for a gatekeeper to interpret medical records" from the medical standpoint, nothing in the statement suggests "need." D - tangential, perhaps this is true, but this is not an assumption from what the cartoon states, which can be inferred.

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EXAMPLE 2: EDITORIAL CARTOON QUESTION Evaluate these two cartoons concerning research Cartoon 1:

1. Which Mythical Figure does this Cartoon correspond to?

A. Sisyphus - Condemned to push a rock up a hill eternally

B. Prometheus - Condemned to have a vulture eat his liver eternally

C. Hermes - Messenger of the Gods, Patron Saint to travellers and thieves D. Procrustes - Lopped off his guests' legs to fit the bed

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Cartoon 2:

2. The Social Implications of this Cartoon imply that the Researcher is: I - Cost-Utilitarian II - Unethical

III - More Concerned with Grant Money than Research Results A. I only B. I & II

C. III only D. II & III

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 2 – EDITORIAL CARTOONS 1. Correct Answer: D - Easily enough – among the choices given. D. Procrustes - Lopped off his guests' legs to fit the bed – really no difference between this and conforming results beforehand. 2. Correct Answer: C - C. III only is the correct answer. We cannot infer that the researcher is thrift conscious or unethical by the statement.

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EXAMPLE 3: EDITORIAL CARTOON QUESTION Study and analyse the following two cartoons concerning communication

Cartoon 3: 1. From a philosophical perspective, one can infer from the cartoon above, that: A. The virtual is assumed to be adequate enough to represent the real B. Email is a valid form of communication

C. Many marriages disintegrate into remote types of communication D. The real is assumed to be inadequate in relation to the virtual 2. The cartoon above derives its humour from: A. Irony

B. Stereotypes C. Definition

D. Confusion

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Cartoon 4:

3. From the cartoon above, one can infer that communication has a content aspect and an aspect of: A. Division

B. Structure C. Process

D. Relation

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 3 – EDITORIAL CARTOONS 1. Correct Answer: A - the virtual is assumed to be adequate enough to represent the real is the only philosophical perspective which can be ascertained among the answers 2. Correct Answer: C - Because understanding what communication is – is at the base of the joke - C. Definition is the correct answer. 3. Correct Answer: D - All communication has a content and D. relational aspect, of which this cartoon illustrates quite effectively.

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EXAMPLE 4: EDITORIAL CARTOON QUESTION Assess and evaluate these cartoons which concern Social Media Cartoon 5:

1. This above cartoon derives its’ humour from:

A. The perceived indifference to actual behaviour

B. The separation of virtual from actual behaviour

C. The conflation of human action with digital usage D. The assimilation of action and behaviour

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Cartoon 6:

2. The BEST caption, title or tag of the above cartoon would be: A. Marketing Diversity B. Marketing Madness

C. Meta-Meta Marketing D. Marketing and More

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATION: EXAMPLE 4 – EDITORIAL CARTOONS 1. Correct Answer: B - is the obvious and transparent answer. The others can be deduced to be incorrect quite easily. This cartoon is more proof of reality becoming simulation (see Baudrillard). 2. Correct Answer: C - Since this character commentary takes places above, beyond and about marketing, this translates to META, therefore C is the correct answer.

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CRITICAL THINKING OVERVIEW FOR GAMSAT STUDY Overview – An Argument/Contention is Only as Good as its Support and Evidence.

Evaluating Evidence and Support in a Passage or Essay When we evaluate evidence, first we must focus on the specific types:

• • • •

Examples: the most common

Hypothetical Examples: “if this were to happen” – “or suppose . . .”

Statistics: Data based on a compilation of examples, usually percentages Testimony: Quotations, or Quotes from either:

o Experts: the strongest form of testimony

o Celebrity: testimony coming from someone famous • • •

o Lay: testimony from the average person on the street.

Polls: results from a questionnaire

Research – quantitative and/or qualitative data – probably the strongest type of evidence

•

Survey or review of the literature

•

Appeal to our sense of emotions (pathos)

• •

Narratives can function as evidence – as an extended example or allegory, they usually Analogy – using a similar case or study – a comparison.

Definition – defining one’s terms, limits the scope and provides the parameters of the issue in discussion – therefore functions as support

Various Literary Devices – Figures of Speech – function as support, a style of writing can suggest a persuasiveness in itself www.acegamsat.com

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An Argument or Persuasive Essay is only as Good as Its Support or Evidence A common system of evaluating evidence and support is known as either the STAR or what I prefer to call the RATS acronym for evaluating support. R – Relevance A – Accuracy T – Typical

S – Sufficient Keeping this system in mind, when reading a passage, we ask if the data presented is

Relevant? Accurate? Typical? And sufficient? to justify or support the claim. As one can probably infer at this point, may assumptions that are carried along with a claim and its evidence must meet these standards to be considered as a “prima facie” argument. Is the evidence or data presented relevant to the claim or proposition?

Is the evidence or data presented accurate? Are there issues of validity or is the support biased? Is the evidence or data presented typical, or representative of the class? (Qualitative issues) Is the evidence or data sufficient? Is there enough? (Quantitative issues)

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Strategies of Argumentation and Common Logical Fallacies Looking at Strategies of Argumentation Richard Fulkerson’s General Strategies of Argument

Teaching the Argument in Writing, Chapter 4, p. 29-36 1. Argument for a Generalisation

Warrant: Whatever is true of a well-chosen sample will be true of the population it was selected from. Data: The sample has trait X, and the sample is chosen or constructed in such a way as to be typical. Claim: therefore, the larger group also has trait X.

2. Argument from Analogy Warrant: Two situations that are alike in most observable ways will tend to be alike in other ways also. Data: Facts about the observed similarities between the two cases. Claim: Therefore, probably, they are also alike in some further feature.

3. Argument from Sign Warrant: X can be taken as a sign that Y (which is not directly observable for some ‘reason) is the case. Data: X (the sign) is the case. Claim: Therefore, Y is probably true.

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4. Causal Argument Warrant: If condition X and condition Y nearly always appear together, then they are causally related. (But we don’t yet know the exact nature of the relation- maybe both are the result of some other factor.) Data: In many instances X and Y have appeared together and X has come first. Claim: X causes Y, unless (rebuttal condition) there is some third common factor.

5. Argument from Authority Warrant: Whatever the expert says about X is probably correct. Backing: The expert has authoritative credentials on that subject. Data: The expert says that Y is the case. Claim: Therefore, Y is true.

6. Argument from Principle Warrant: Principle X is generally regarded as true or proper. Data: This is the sort of situation to which that principle applies. Claim: X is the case here.

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Evaluating Logical Appeals Looking at some common flaws in Logic Common Logical Fallacies

Begging the Question/Circular Reasoning: Instead of supporting a claim, the writer restates it; the conclusion asks readers to assume that certain points are self-evident or have been demonstrated when they have not. •

•

• •

We should not raise taxes to build the new airport because this would cost taxpayers more money.

The unfair and shortsighted legislation that limits free trade is clearly a threat to our economy. When did you stop drinking? Obviously, she is guilty.

False Analogy: Two things are compared unfairly. Analogies are common, but readers must be alert to make sure that the analogy is apt and appropriate. •

•

•

The overcrowded conditions in some parts of our city have forced people together like rats in a cage. Like rats, they will eventually turn on one another, fighting and killing until a balance is restored.

A corporation couldn’t operate without the leadership of a CEO to set priorities and make the big decisions. A family operates the same way: one spouse must be the head of the household, or chaos will result. When the price of a manufactured commodity goes up but the quality of it goes down, the market for that commodity inevitably declines. Universities in this country better watch out. If they continue to raise tuition and don’t maintain their educational standards, they will soon go out of business.

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Ad hominem (to the man): Instead of dealing with a person’s logical argument, a writer will sometimes insult some personal characteristic of the person instead. •

•

•

The candidate for city council suggests that anyone who opposes his proposal to establish an agency he claims will help minority women is automatically a racist and a sexist. The public should not take seriously Dr. Mason’s plan for upgrading county health services. He is a recovering alcoholic whose second wife recently divorced him.

This woman presents a passionate argument in favor of gun control, and yet this same woman was audited just last year by the IRS for questionable tax deductions.

Hasty or Sweeping Generalisations: This is your basic jumping to a conclusion. A conclusion is reached using too little evidence. •

•

•

Our son Marc really benefited socially from going to nursery school; I think every child should go. It’s not safe to travel now because terrorists set off a bomb in the Tel Aviv airport last month, and two weeks later another bomb blew up at Heathrow Airport in London.

Don’t buy a 2003 Chrysler! My uncle bought one, and it’s already been in the shop three times!

False dilemma (Either/or fallacy): The writer insists there are only two alternatives, though there may be others. •

•

•

If we allow that factory to come into our town, we are dooming ourselves and our children to a lifetime of breathing filthy air. Are we going to increase the number of police officers in this city, or are we going to abandon it to thugs, gangs, and drug dealers?

We must either totally abandon the citizens of the other country, or we must totally commit ourselves to their defense.

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Equivocation: A word is used more than one way or to mean two different things in an argument: •

• •

As a human endeavor, computers are a praiseworthy and even remarkable accomplishment. But how human can we hope to be if we rely on computers to make our decisions? When it rains for several days in a row, I am just as blue as the sky is on a sunny day.

My dad calls himself a liberal, but my allowance is the lowest of everyone in my group!

Red herrings: The writer brings up an irrelevant point to distract the reader. •

•

•

The mayor has proposed building a new baseball-only sports stadium. How can he even consider allocating millions of dollars to this irresponsible scheme when so many professional baseball players have drug problems? While it may be true that my press secretary submitted false expense account vouchers, my administration is just being targeted by a hostile media.

Okay. So I wasn’t entirely truthful in reporting my income to the IRS. But doesn’t everybody cheat on their taxes?

Tu quoquo (You also): The writer claims the argument isn’t valid because the opponent isn’t following his or her own advice. •

How can that judge favor stronger penalties for convicted drug dealers? During his confirmation hearings, he admitted he had smoked marijuana as a student.

Appeal to doubtful authority: People are advised to buy a product or believe a statement made by someone who, although famous, is not an expert in the relevant field. •

According to Ted Koppel, interest rates will remain low during the next year.

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Misleading statistics: Statistics are misrepresented or distorted to mislead readers. •

Hispanics will never be competent firefighters; after all, 50 percent of the Hispanics in the city’s training program failed the exam. [If there were only two Hispanic students in the program, this is a meaningless statistic.]

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (After this, therefore because of this): If two events occur one after another in time, the first is sometimes fallaciously held to be a cause of the second. •

•

•

Every time a Republican is elected president, a recession follows. If we want to avoid another recession, we should elect a Democrat as our next president.

Starting in June of this year, per capita ice cream consumption increased significantly. Just one month later, the number of drownings increased. It’s clear that eating ice cream causes people to drown.

We had a booming economy, and then we changed the rules for interleague baseball play! Allowing the American League to play the National League has destroyed our economy.

Non sequitur (It does not follow): A statement doesn’t logically follow from a previous statement. •

•

•

Disarmament weakened the United States after World War I. Disarmament also weakened the United States after the Vietnam War. For this reason, efforts to control guns will hurt the United States. The candidate would be an excellent mayor—after all, he was a successful businessman for years.

I’m sure that it can’t be a top-notch university. It’s in a rundown area of the city, surrounded by housing projects and abandoned warehouses.

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Slippery slope: Basically, the writer assumes that giving an inch means that an unstoppable chain of events will take place in which someone else will end up taking a yard. •

If I allow you to stay out until 2 a.m. this weekend, you’ll want to stay out until 3 a.m. next time, and pretty soon you’ll be staying out all night every weekend.

Bandwagon appeal: This tactic argues that what is popular is of necessity correct. •

Eminem must be a good musician; look how many albums he’s sold!

Ad populem (to the people): using words and expressions that are determined to "poll well" or be popular with people, even if no one is entirely sure what these expressions mean. • • •

Only godless communists would have that opinion!

Anyone with family values can see I’m the obvious choice! Any true American would want me to be the leader!

Examples from The Elements of Reasoning by Edward P.J. Corbett, Patterns for College Writing by Kirszner and Mandell, and The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers, by Hairston, Ruszkiewicz, and Friend.

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Passage and Questions on an Argumentative Essay for Evaluation Carefully study the pros and cons of whether cell phones are safe. (dated research and information) Are Cell Phones Safe? YES

According to some studies, the use of a cell phone can slightly decrease the risk of developing the brain tumors glioma and meningioma. Cell phone radiation, like radio, TV, and visible light radiation, is non-ionising and cannot cause cancer. Ionising radiation, including x-rays and ultraviolet light, produces molecules called ions that have either too many or too few electrons. Ions are known to damage DNA and cause cancer. Cell phone radiation lacks sufficient energy to add or remove electrons from molecules, and therefore it cannot ionise and cause cancer. Cell phone radiation levels are tested and certified by the manufacturer to meet the safe levels established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Random tests of phones on the market by FCC scientists further ensure that radiation levels meet FCC guidelines. Cell phones do not cause cancer or other health problems. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), US Government Accountability Office (GAO), and numerous other agencies have concluded that there is no evidence in the scientific literature proving that cell phones cause brain tumors or other health problems. If cell phones were causing cancer, we could expect a rise in the rate of brain and other related cancers. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, there has been no increase in the incidence of brain or other nervous system cancers between the years 1987 and 2005 despite the fact that cell phone use has dramatically increased during those same years. Many activities that distract drivers are much more dangerous than talking on a phone. Research shows that cell phone use is a factor in less than 1% of accidents and that adjusting the radio or CD player, talking with passengers, or eating, and drinking while driving is all responsible for more accidents than cell phones. Studies correlating head tumors and cell phone use show inconsistent results, may have been tainted by recall bias (participants not remembering how often and for how long they have used their cell phones), and have not been replicated. Most studies have not found any association between cell phone use and the development of head tumors.

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NO Studies have shown an association between cell phone use and the development of glioma, a type of brain cancer. According to one meta-study there is a "consistent pattern" connecting cell phone use and the increased risk of developing brain cancer. Many studies have found that long term cell phone use increases the risk of tumors of the head. According to one Swedish study, the risk of acoustic neuroma (a tumor formation on the nerve near the ear) was greater on the side of the head that the cell phone was held. Using a cell phone while driving, even with a hands-free device, is unsafe and can make accidents more likely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driving distractions, including the use of cell phones, contribute to 25% of all traffic crashes. The radio frequency (RF) emissions from cell phones have been shown to damage genetic material in blood cells which is a common precursor to cancer. Driving while talking on a cell phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. According to researchers at the University of Utah people who drive while talking on their cell phones are as impaired as drunk drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%. Children are at an increased risk for adverse health effects from cell phone radiation. One study has shown that children under the age of eight absorb twice the amount of radiation into their brain tissue as adults due to their lower skull thickness. The radiofrequency radiation from cell phones can damage the DNA in sperm. Cell phone storage in front pockets has been linked to poor fertility and an increased chance of miscarriage and childhood cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Reproductive medicine, semen quality "tended to decline as daily cell phone use increased." Long term cell phone use can increase the likelihood of being hospitalised for migraines and vertigo by 10-20%. The use of cellphones by people with pacemakers is unsafe. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), radiofrequency energy from cell phones can create electromagnetic interference (EMI) that may disrupt the functioning of pacemakers, especially if the cell phone is placed close to the heart. 1. Probably the strongest evidence against cell phones being harmful is: A. Expert Testimony from the FCC and GAO

B. There is no rise in brain tumors while there is a rise in cell phone use C. Cell phones produce Ions sufficient to produce harmful effects D. Radiation levels meet FCC guidelines

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2. The arguments stating that cell phone use is harmful is A. Qualitatively strong

B. Contentiously probable C. Quantitatively strong

D. Hypothetically evident 3. Respectively, how can the Pro (yes, safe) and Con (no, unsafe) be applauded? A. Diversity of Effects and Replication of Research

B. Qualitatively Consistent and Quantitatively Consistent C. Quantitatively Consistent and Qualitatively Consistent D. Replication of Research and Diversity of Effects

4. Which US government agency listed below supports the negative stand on this argument? A. FCC

B. DEA C. GAO

D. NHTSA

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ANSWER AND EXPLANATIONS: 1. While A is strong evidence, the strongest is B - there is no correlation between the tumors and usage (in terms of quantitative rising). C is not correct, in itself based on passage information - cell phones do not produce Ions, while D is tangential and unfocused. 2. In terms of the quantitative (quantity of effects), C is the best choice option --indicating a number of different effects. B & D are misdirected answers, indicating a single research project --while the value of the research itself -- A is inclusive only to the extent of the quantity of research done on different projects, indicating the possibility of a plethora of effects ranging from tumors to careless driving. 3. Following the line of thinking in question 1, D is the correct choice. Pros' (yes) research within the passage is strong and focused on "tumors," with a replication of research targeting this possibility, while Cons (no, unsafe) focus on the possibility of a variety of harmful effects. 4. A quick rescan will indicate D - NHTSA - is the correct answer. The other agencies support the positive stand on this argument

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The Humanities Bible

FURTHER STUDY - GLOSSARY http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/elarts/reading/resources/readingglossar y.pdf http://www.apa.org/research/action/glossary.aspx

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