Part A

Question

What is an inference that can be made about Dr. Mesmer’s skill?

Responses

He is aware that his healing force is fake.
He is aware that his healing force is fake.

His healing force teaches patients to cure themselves.
His healing force teaches patients to cure themselves.

His method of treating patients is better than that of real doctors.
His method of treating patients is better than that of real doctors.

He is unsure of how his ability to treat the sick works.
He is unsure of how his ability to treat the sick works.
Question 2
Part B

Which detail from Mesmerized best supports the answer to Part A?

Responses

”If he told the patient to taste vinegar, the patient tasted vinegar.”
”If he told the patient to taste vinegar, the patient tasted vinegar.”

“He was also experimenting with invisible forces...”
“He was also experimenting with invisible forces...”

“... one by one, they fell into a trance.”
“... one by one, they fell into a trance.”

“Mesmer, not so loyally, blamed Charles for doing it wrong."

Answer 1

Part A

The most fitting inference about Dr. Mesmer's skill would be:

He is aware that his healing force is fake.

This inference suggests that he may recognize that his methods are not based on genuine medical science but rather on manipulation or suggestion, which aligns with the concept of "mesmerism" being more about psychological effects rather than actual healing powers.

Part B

The detail that best supports this inference is:

“He was also experimenting with invisible forces...”

This suggestion of experimentation with forces that are not tangible or scientifically proven implies that Dr. Mesmer might not fully believe in the validity of his methods, reinforcing the idea that he may be aware that his healing force is not real, but rather a fabricated or misunderstood concept.