Question
ELA 10 B Semester Exam
13 of 4013 of 40 Items
Feature
Passage 1
In 1973, a baby chimpanzee named Nim, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a tiny diaper, was carried off a plane and introduced to his new human family. He had arrived in New York City as part of a Columbia University study to see whether a chimpanzee could develop language. Nim did, in fact, learn many signs. But many experts, including the psychologist who led the experiment, question whether Nim and other primates who have learned signs are in fact using language. The researcher who worked with Nim came to the belief that while Nim imitated people’s signs, he did not form sentences and express ideas. Language, he concluded, is a human skill.
Passage 2
Linguists and other experts on language and cognitive development have long argued about whether animals can use language. There is no doubt that animals communicate. Language, though, is a complex system that some believe only humans can master. A landmark experiment in animal language, involving a young chimpanzee named Nim, proved this. In short, people, and only people, can acquire language.
Question
Use the introductions to two argumentative texts to answer the question.
Which opening better conveys the purpose of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
Passage 2, because it describes language as a complex system.
Passage 2, because it describes language as a complex system.
Passage 2, because it mentions the experiment with Nim the chimpanzee.
Passage 2, because it mentions the experiment with Nim the chimpanzee.
Passage 1, because it describes what Nim wore when he met his new human family.
Passage 1, because it describes what Nim wore when he met his new human family.
Passage 1, because it describes the study that led to a conclusion about animals and language.
13 of 4013 of 40 Items
Feature
Passage 1
In 1973, a baby chimpanzee named Nim, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a tiny diaper, was carried off a plane and introduced to his new human family. He had arrived in New York City as part of a Columbia University study to see whether a chimpanzee could develop language. Nim did, in fact, learn many signs. But many experts, including the psychologist who led the experiment, question whether Nim and other primates who have learned signs are in fact using language. The researcher who worked with Nim came to the belief that while Nim imitated people’s signs, he did not form sentences and express ideas. Language, he concluded, is a human skill.
Passage 2
Linguists and other experts on language and cognitive development have long argued about whether animals can use language. There is no doubt that animals communicate. Language, though, is a complex system that some believe only humans can master. A landmark experiment in animal language, involving a young chimpanzee named Nim, proved this. In short, people, and only people, can acquire language.
Question
Use the introductions to two argumentative texts to answer the question.
Which opening better conveys the purpose of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
Passage 2, because it describes language as a complex system.
Passage 2, because it describes language as a complex system.
Passage 2, because it mentions the experiment with Nim the chimpanzee.
Passage 2, because it mentions the experiment with Nim the chimpanzee.
Passage 1, because it describes what Nim wore when he met his new human family.
Passage 1, because it describes what Nim wore when he met his new human family.
Passage 1, because it describes the study that led to a conclusion about animals and language.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The best response to the question is:
**Passage 1, because it describes the study that led to a conclusion about animals and language.**
This choice effectively conveys the purpose of the text by providing context about Nim's situation and the study's findings, which is central to the argument being presented.
**Passage 1, because it describes the study that led to a conclusion about animals and language.**
This choice effectively conveys the purpose of the text by providing context about Nim's situation and the study's findings, which is central to the argument being presented.