Verbal Reasoning Answer Key, Part 1

1. The main idea of this particular paragraph is that the Socratic Method has had a profound influence on both science and philosophy. This may sound strange because it may appear that the paragraph is actually discussing Socrates as the first two sentences actually explain that Socrates has made a wide range of various contributions. However, Socrates and his contributions are not actually the main topic of the paragraph as the paragraph is primarily discussing the Socratic Method. The first two sentences of the paragraph are actually just leading into the paragraph's discussion of the Socratic Method rather than identifying the main idea of the paragraph. The final three sentences of the paragraph, on the other hand, attempt to explain the Socratic Method and the importance of the Socratic Method.

2. The thesis statement for this particular paragraph is "One of the most influential ideas from Socrates, however, is the Socratic method" as this sentence actually identifies the main idea of the paragraph. The first sentence of the paragraph may appear to be the thesis statement, but Socrates is not actually the main topic of the paragraph and, as a result, the first sentence is not the thesis statement. The second statement is similar to the thesis statement, but is still just another sentence leading up to the sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph as it does not actually identify the specific topic that the paragraph is discussing. The fourth sentence, even though it discusses the Socratic Method, is offering details about the Socratic Method and not identifying the specific topic of the paragraph. The final sentence is actually a concluding sentence as it reiterates the thesis that was established in the third sentence of the paragraph.

3. The specific activities and approaches that have been influenced by the Socratic Method according to the statements made by this particular paragraph are philosophical debate, the consideration of moral concepts, and the scientific method. Philosophical debate and the consideration of moral concepts such as justice are based heavily on questioning complex points of view presented by other individuals and heavily on the ability to question the very nature of a concept. As a result, it is essential for an individual to be able to break a concept or point of view into separate smaller questions in order to analyze concepts or points of view that are complex and not necessarily easily defined. The Socratic Method is also strongly related to the scientific method as both methods are based on the concept of approaching a problem by asking questions and then attempting to find the answers to those questions in order to find the answer to the problem.

4. There are a wide range of different professions that might find the information included in this particular paragraph useful. However, the professions that would most likely benefit from an understanding of the Socratic Method are lawyers, philosophers, politicians, and scientists. Lawyers and politicians often have to analyze a particular argument or point of view and find contradictions and flaws in that particular argument. The Socratic Method is actually an effective way of analyzing a particular argument piece by piece, so it can be an extremely useful approach for lawyers and politicians that are attempting to counter a particular argument. The Socratic Method is also a central part of philosophy, as it was originally designed by Socrates as a way of analyzing a moral problem by posing questions about every possible factor related to that problem, so an understanding of the Socratic Method is essential for any philosopher. Finally, scientists are constantly posing new questions and attempting to answer those questions, so the Socratic Method is actually a fundamental part of scientific research as a whole.

5. The main idea of this particular passage is that scientists have recently changed the way that they classify living organisms due to new discoveries. At first, it may appear that the passage is mainly describing the five kingdoms as each kingdom is actually identified in the first sentence of the passage, but this is not actually the main concern of the passage. In fact, the second sentence of the passage makes it clear that the actual concern is how the system of kingdoms has changed and that there were originally five kingdoms, but now most scientists actually recognize six kingdoms because the Monera Kingdom was split into two separate kingdoms. The rest of the passage focuses on the details of the changes that have been made and does not offer any details about the other five kingdoms so the passage is focusing on the change from the old system of classification to the new system rather than the kingdoms themselves.

6. According to the information included in the passage, the Monera Kingdom was split into two kingdoms because it actually consisted of two very different types of single-celled organisms. Each organism is assigned to a particular kingdom based on the specific characteristics of the organism and the Monera Kingdom originally consisted of all of the single-celled organisms without a nucleus because scientists had previously believed that they were all closely related. However, recent studies of single-celled organisms without nuclei has revealed that there are two distinct types of single-celled organisms without nuclei as the organisms that are now often classified as belonging to the Arachea Kingdom are typically found in very different environments from the organisms that are now considered to belong to the Bacteria Kingdom. In other words, the Monera Kingdom was split into two kingdoms because the organisms that belonged to the Monera Kingdom were not as closely related as scientists had originally believed.

7. The background information provided by the passage appears in the first sentence of the passage that states "Traditionally, scientists have classified living organisms into five kingdoms, which includes the Animal Kingdom, the Fungi Kingdom, the Plant Kingdom, the Protist Kingdom, and the Monera Kingdom." This sentence is not a thesis statement as the passage does not discuss details about the traditional system. However, this sentence is a background sentence that sets up the background information that the individual needs to understand in order to realize that there has been a change from the old system of classification to the new system. The key word that identifies this sentence as a sentence containing background information is the word "traditionally" as it makes it clear that the information being discussed has happened in the past, but is not happening any longer. Any word that makes it clear that the information being discussed is something that used to happen, but does not happen any longer is usually an indication that the sentence is describing background information.

8. According to the information included in the passage, the difference between organisms belonging to the Arachea Kingdom and organisms belonging to the Bacteria Kingdom is the type of environments in which the organisms can usually survive. Both kingdoms contain single-celled organisms without nuclei, but the environments in which the members of each kingdom are normally found are very different. Members of the Arachea Kingdom are single-celled organisms, each without a nucleus, that are capable of surviving in extremely harsh environments that organisms belonging to the Bacteria Kingdom would not be able to survive in, such as highly acidic water, water with a high salt content, extremely high temperatures, and/or extremely low temperatures. Members of the Bacteria Kingdom are single-celled organisms, each without a nucleus, which can only survive in environments that are less harsh.

9. According to the passage, the relationship between the Bacteria Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom is that organisms classified as belonging to the Bacteria Kingdom usually inhabit the same types of environments as members of the Animal Kingdom. In fact most bacteria is found specifically inside, on, or immediately surrounding organisms belonging to the Animal Kingdom such as birds, cats, dogs, humans, and other similar organisms. This is an important relationship to note because, according to the passage, members of both the Animal Kingdom and the Bacteria Kingdom actually inhabit areas that are very different from the types of areas in which organisms belonging to the Arachea Kingdom normally inhabit. This relationship is also important because it implies that most organisms belonging to the Bacteria Kingdom not only live in the same environments as members of the Animal Kingdom, but also that these organisms may need members of the Animal Kingdom in order to survive since they are commonly found near organisms belonging to the Animal Kingdom.

10. According to the information provided by the passage, streptococci and staphylococci would both be classified as members of the Bacteria Kingdom. This is because streptococci are commonly found in the mouth, skin, and other areas of the body and staphylococci are commonly found on the skin and in mucous membranes so both of these organisms are found in or around members of the Animal Kingdom. On the other hand, halobacteria would actually be classified as a member of the Arachea Kingdom as it is not found specifically in or around members of the Animal Kingdom, but rather in water with a high salt content. The name halobacteria may actually be somewhat misleading as it suggests that the organism is indeed a member of the Bacteria Kingdom, but the name comes from the old usage of the word bacteria when all single-celled organisms without nuclei were referred to as bacteria.