Question
Close Read: Analyze Craft and Structure
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A
What main theme about science is most clearly suggested by Charlie’s experience in “Flowers from Algernon”?
A. Science always helps improve the world.
B. Science often harms the environment.
C. Science may do unexpected harm.
D. Science often wastes money.
Part B
Which quotation from “Flowers for Algernon” best supports the answer to Part A?
A. I figured out a new way to line up the machines in the factory, and Mr. Donnegan says it will save him ten thousand dollars a year in labor and increased production. He gave me a $25 bonus.
B. Contrary to my earlier impressions of him, I realize that Dr. Nemur is not at all a genius. He has a very good mind, but it struggles under the specter of self-doubt. He wants people to take him for a genius. Therefore, it is important for him to feel that his work is accepted by the world.
C. How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes—how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.
D. Algernon died two days ago. Dissection shows my predictions were right. His brain had decreased in weight and there was a general smoothing out of cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures.
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A
What main theme about science is most clearly suggested by Charlie’s experience in “Flowers from Algernon”?
A. Science always helps improve the world.
B. Science often harms the environment.
C. Science may do unexpected harm.
D. Science often wastes money.
Part B
Which quotation from “Flowers for Algernon” best supports the answer to Part A?
A. I figured out a new way to line up the machines in the factory, and Mr. Donnegan says it will save him ten thousand dollars a year in labor and increased production. He gave me a $25 bonus.
B. Contrary to my earlier impressions of him, I realize that Dr. Nemur is not at all a genius. He has a very good mind, but it struggles under the specter of self-doubt. He wants people to take him for a genius. Therefore, it is important for him to feel that his work is accepted by the world.
C. How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes—how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.
D. Algernon died two days ago. Dissection shows my predictions were right. His brain had decreased in weight and there was a general smoothing out of cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Part A:
The main theme about science most clearly suggested by Charlie’s experience in “Flowers for Algernon” is **C. Science may do unexpected harm.** This theme emerges from Charlie's journey, where the scientific experiment aiming to increase his intelligence ultimately leads to tragic consequences.
Part B:
The quotation from “Flowers for Algernon” that best supports the answer to Part A is **D. Algernon died two days ago. Dissection shows my predictions were right. His brain had decreased in weight and there was a general smoothing out of cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures.** This quotation highlights the unexpected negative consequences of the scientific intervention, indicating that while the initial goal may have been positive, the ultimate outcome was harmful.
The main theme about science most clearly suggested by Charlie’s experience in “Flowers for Algernon” is **C. Science may do unexpected harm.** This theme emerges from Charlie's journey, where the scientific experiment aiming to increase his intelligence ultimately leads to tragic consequences.
Part B:
The quotation from “Flowers for Algernon” that best supports the answer to Part A is **D. Algernon died two days ago. Dissection shows my predictions were right. His brain had decreased in weight and there was a general smoothing out of cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures.** This quotation highlights the unexpected negative consequences of the scientific intervention, indicating that while the initial goal may have been positive, the ultimate outcome was harmful.