We generally think of our senses as having completely separate functions. This is a logical assumption; after all, we can't see with our ears or taste with our eyes. For people with a condition called synesthesia, however, senses can be conflated, or mixed together. In fact, the word synesthesia, derived from Greek, literally means "sensations together." This combining of senses causes interesting sensory experiences. For example, some synesthetes (people who experience synesthesia) imagine tasting a particular flavor whenever they hear a certain sound. Others "hear" a sound in their minds whenever they touch a certain object. The most common types of synesthesia involve colors. In one common subtype, for instance, synesthetes associate different colors with different letters of the alphabet. Typically, synesthetes are not bothered by their synesthesia; in fact, many enjoy it.

Question

Question 1

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?(1 point)

Responses

People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses.

People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses.

People with synesthesia may hear a sound when they touch an object.

People with synesthesia may hear a sound when they touch an object.

Synesthesia is a rare condition that doesn't affect many people.

Synesthesia is a rare condition that doesn't affect many people.

Synesthesia causes discomfort and negative sensory experiences.

Synesthesia causes discomfort and negative sensory experiences.

Question 2

The main, or central, idea of the passage is People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses. How does the detail in bold develop the main idea?(1 point)

Responses

It provides historical context for the discovery of synesthesia.

It provides historical context for the discovery of synesthesia.

It emphasizes the cultural significance of synesthesia in Greek language and philosophy.

It emphasizes the cultural significance of synesthesia in Greek language and philosophy.

It illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of synesthesia by integrating linguistic and sensory concepts.

It illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of synesthesia by integrating linguistic and sensory concepts.

It describes the word's origin to reinforce the nature of the condition.

It describes the word's origin to reinforce the nature of the condition.

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Answer 1

Question 1

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

Response: People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses.

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Question 2

The main, or central, idea of the passage is People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses. How does the detail in bold develop the main idea?

Response: It describes the word's origin to reinforce the nature of the condition.