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Q.17 The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Scientific research shows that many animals are very intelligent and have sensory and motor abilities that dwarf ours. Dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes and warn humans of impending heart attacks and strokes. Elephants, whales, hippopotamuses, giraffes, and alligators use low-frequency sounds to communicate over long distances, often miles. Many animals also display wide-ranging emotions, including joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even resentment and embarrassment. Itâs not surprising that animals share many emotions with us because we also share brain structures, located in the limbic system, that are the seat of our emotions.
A. The advanced sensory and motor abilities of animals is the reason why they can display wide-ranging emotions.
B. The similarity in brain structure explains why animals show emotions typically associated with humans.
C. Animals can show emotions which are typically associated with humans.
D. Animals are more intelligent than us in sensing danger and detecting diseases.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:The passage highlights the intelligence and emotional depth of animals, supporting these claims with scientific observations. The most crucial idea is that animals experience complex emotionsâsuch as empathy, grief, and compassionâbecause they share similar brain structures with humans, particularly within the limbic system, which is the part of the brain associated with emotions.
This reasoning forms the explanatory core of the passage: not only do animals exhibit behaviors and responses that resemble human emotions, but the biological basis for this similarity is rooted in shared neural architecture. The author's goal is to emphasize that these emotional capacities are not accidental, but neurologically grounded.
Option-wise Analysis:
- Option A: This option incorrectly links sensory and motor abilities to emotional range. While the passage does mention that animals possess remarkable sensory skills (like detecting disease or communicating over long distances), these abilities are not presented as the cause of their emotional capacity. Emotions are explicitly tied to brain structures, not to sensory or motor functions.
- Option B: This option captures the key explanatory link in the passage. The shared brain structuresâespecially in the limbic systemâare identified as the reason animals can feel emotions similar to humans. This aligns with the authorâs central argument and reasoning.
- Option C: While factually trueâthe passage does assert that animals show emotions similar to humansâthis statement is incomplete. It misses the causal explanation that gives the passage its scientific depth: the neurological basis for those emotions. As such, it doesnât fully capture the central point.
- Option D: The passage certainly credits animals with advanced sensory abilities, such as detecting illness or sensing danger. However, it does not make a direct comparison claiming animals are more intelligent than humans. It instead frames animal intelligence as remarkable in certain domains without suggesting overall superiority.
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Word 1: Impending
Context:
"Dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes and warn humans of impending heart attacks and strokes." - Scientific Commentary on Medical Detection Dogs
Explanatory Paragraph:
âImpendingâ describes somethingâusually negative or seriousâthat is about to happen soon. It signals a sense of urgency, warning, or anticipation. In the given context, it refers to medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes that are approaching, and the impressive ability of dogs to sense and alert humans before these events occur. The word is commonly used in news, literature, and emergency discussions to highlight danger or inevitable outcomes on the horizon.
Meaning: About to happen or likely to occur soon, often used for negative or serious events (Adjective)
Pronunciation: im-PEN-ding
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *impendere*, meaning âto hang over,â from *in-* (âuponâ) + *pendere* (âto hangâ)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word carries an emotional weightâitâs often used with danger, crisis, or serious events. Be careful not to overuse it for mild situations. Think of it as a âcloud hanging in the airââsomething thatâs about to happen, and everyone feels it coming.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: approaching, looming, imminent, upcoming, threatening
Antonyms: distant, remote, past, unlikely
Usage Examples:
- Dark clouds signaled an impending storm.
- The soldiers prepared for the impending battle with heavy hearts.
- Doctors warned the patient about the signs of an impending stroke.
- Thereâs growing anxiety about an impending economic crisis.
Cultural Reference:
In literature and film, the phrase âa sense of impending doomâ is often used to build tension or foreshadow danger, as seen in classic thrillers or Gothic novels.
Think About It:
Why do you think the word âimpendingâ is more often used for negative events than positive ones? How does it influence tone and mood in writing?
Quick Activity:
Write a sentence describing a positive event using âimpending,â then rewrite it using a more neutral or uplifting word. How does the emotional tone change?
Memory Tip:
âImpendingâ = think of something *hanging over you*, like a storm cloudâit's about to fall, and you feel it coming.
Real-World Application:
Used in journalism, health warnings, fiction, and risk management, âimpendingâ helps signal urgency and prepare readers or listeners for critical situations, especially in life-saving contexts like medicine or climate alerts.
Word 2: Dwarf
Context:
"Scientific research shows that many animals are very intelligent and have sensory and motor abilities that dwarf ours." - Scientific Commentary on Animal Intelligence
Explanatory Paragraph:
âDwarfâ as a verb means to make something else seem small or insignificant by comparison. In this context, it is used figuratively to highlight how the sensory and motor abilities of certain animals are so advanced that they make human abilities seem limited. This word is often used in comparisons to emphasize superiority, vastness, or overwhelming difference in scale, strength, or capability.
Meaning: To make something appear much smaller or less important in comparison (Verb)
Pronunciation: dworf
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Old English *dweorg*, meaning âmythical small being,â later evolved into a verb meaning âto overshadow or outshineâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
As a verb, âdwarfâ is powerful in writingâgreat for showing contrast or exaggeration. Common in science writing, economics, sports, and storytelling. Be aware: itâs different from the noun form referring to a small person or figure from mythology/fantasy.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: overshadow, outshine, eclipse, outclass, dominate
Antonyms: enhance, boost, elevate, magnify
Usage Examples:
- The massive skyscraper dwarfs all other buildings in the city.
- The cheetahâs speed dwarfs that of any human sprinter.
- The whaleâs brain capacity dwarfs many assumptions about animal intelligence.
- The companyâs profits this year dwarfed those from the previous decade.
Cultural Reference:
In space science, the term âdwarf planetâ (like Pluto) is used to describe celestial bodies that are smaller than regular planets, but the verb âto dwarfâ flips thisâoften used to describe something *bigger* or more impressive than something else.
Think About It:
What does it mean when we say something âdwarfsâ something else? Is the comparison always fair or accurate?
Quick Activity:
Write a sentence using âdwarfâ to compare two things in size or ability. Then rewrite it without using âdwarfââhow does the impact change?
Memory Tip:
Picture a huge tree next to a tiny shrubââdwarfâ means the big one makes the small one look even smaller by comparison.
Real-World Application:
âDwarfâ is often used in journalism, business, science writing, and everyday speech to highlight extreme contrastsâuseful for dramatic emphasis or precise comparisons.
Word 3: Empathy
Context:
"Many animals also display wide-ranging emotions, including joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even resentment and embarrassment." - Scientific Observation on Animal Emotions
Explanatory Paragraph:
âEmpathyâ is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another being. It involves emotionally identifying with someone else's experienceâwhether it's joy, sorrow, pain, or fear. In this context, the term emphasizes that animals, like humans, can emotionally connect with others and respond to their suffering or happiness. Empathy is a foundation for compassion, cooperation, and social bonding, and recognizing it in animals reshapes how we view their intelligence and emotional depth.
Meaning: The ability to understand and share another personâs or beingâs emotions and feelings (Noun)
Pronunciation: EM-puh-thee
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Greek *empatheia*, meaning âpassionâ or âphysical affection,â formed from *en-* (in) + *pathos* (feeling)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Empathy is not just about being niceâit's about emotionally tuning in to others. It's key to relationships, leadership, and emotional intelligence. This word also opens up ethical discussions about how we treat animals, and how we define consciousness or personhood.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: understanding, compassion, sensitivity, emotional insight
Antonyms: indifference, apathy, detachment, insensitivity
Usage Examples:
- Elephants are known to show empathy by comforting distressed companions.
- A good leader demonstrates empathy when responding to team challenges.
- The ability to show empathy is central to meaningful human relationships.
- Research shows that dogs can sense human emotions and respond with empathy.
Cultural Reference:
Empathy is a central theme in the philosophy of ethics, and in psychology, itâs linked to emotional intelligence. Characters in literatureâlike Atticus Finch in *To Kill a Mockingbird*âare often admired for their ability to empathize across social divides.
Think About It:
Can empathy be taught, or is it something you are born with? How does empathy affect the way we treat both humans and animals?
Quick Activity:
Recall a time when someone showed empathy toward you. What did they say or do that made you feel understood?
Memory Tip:
âEmpathyâ = *in feeling* â Think âI feel *with* you,â not just for you. Itâs stepping into anotherâs emotional shoes.
Real-World Application:
Empathy is crucial in education, therapy, healthcare, animal welfare, and leadership. In a world of increasing disconnection, empathy helps build trust, resolve conflict, and promote kindness in both human and animal interactions.
Word 4: Resentment
Context:
"Many animals also display wide-ranging emotions, including joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even resentment and embarrassment." - Scientific Commentary on Animal Emotions
Explanatory Paragraph:
âResentmentâ refers to a feeling of anger, bitterness, or displeasure about being wronged, mistreated, or unfairly treated. It often builds up over time and may be triggered by perceived injustices, neglect, or betrayal. In the context of animal behavior, this word is used to show that animals, like humans, may react emotionally to situations where they feel excluded, punished unfairly, or treated with hostility. This recognition expands our understanding of animal cognition and emotion.
Meaning: A feeling of bitterness or anger caused by a sense of being treated unfairly (Noun)
Pronunciation: rih-ZENT-muhnt
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From French *ressentiment*, from Latin *resentire*, meaning âto feel againâ or âto feel stronglyâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word carries emotional depth and is often used in psychology, literature, and sociology. It's different from immediate angerâit lingers and often signals deeper conflict. Great word for discussing emotional tension in stories or human/animal relationships.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: bitterness, grudge, indignation, irritation, animosity
Antonyms: forgiveness, contentment, peace, acceptance
Usage Examples:
- She held deep resentment toward her boss for being overlooked for the promotion.
- The dog showed signs of resentment when its owner favored another pet.
- Years of inequality bred resentment among the marginalized communities.
- Resentment can quietly grow if emotions are not expressed or addressed.
Cultural Reference:
In Shakespeareâs *Othello*, the character Iago is driven by resentment, which fuels his manipulative and destructive actionsâmaking it a classic literary example of how resentment can lead to tragedy.
Think About It:
How does resentment differ from anger? What happens when resentment is not acknowledged or resolvedâin people or in animals?
Quick Activity:
Write about a moment when you or someone you know felt resentment. What caused it, and how was it expressed (or not)?
Memory Tip:
âResentmentâ = *re-* (again) + *sent* (feel) â Itâs the feeling that keeps coming back when you think about being wronged.
Real-World Application:
Resentment is a central topic in conflict resolution, therapy, leadership, and social justice. Recognizing it helps prevent long-term emotional harm and supports healing in personal and professional relationships.
Word 5: Limbic
Context:
"Itâs not surprising that animals share many emotions with us because we also share brain structures, located in the limbic system, that are the seat of our emotions." - Neuroscience Perspective on Animal Emotions
Explanatory Paragraph:
âLimbicâ refers to the limbic system, a group of interconnected structures in the brain that play a key role in controlling emotions, memory, and certain survival behaviors such as fear, pleasure, and aggression. The term is often used in neuroscience and psychology to describe the emotional and instinctual center of the brain. In this context, the word highlights the biological similarities between humans and animals in terms of emotional processing, helping explain why animals exhibit emotions similar to ours.
Meaning: Related to the limbic system of the brain, which is involved in emotion, behavior, motivation, and memory (Adjective)
Pronunciation: LIM-bik
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *limbus*, meaning âborderâ or âedge,â as the limbic system lies on the inner edge of the cerebral cortex
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a key term in biology and psychology. Use it when discussing emotions from a scientific or neurological angle. It helps bridge discussions of behavior, biology, and consciousnessâespecially when comparing humans and animals.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: emotional (in context), neural, instinctual, affective (in psychology)
Antonyms: rational, cortical, logical, unemotional
Usage Examples:
- The limbic system governs emotional responses like fear and affection.
- Damage to limbic areas of the brain can disrupt memory and emotional balance.
- Both dogs and humans show similar limbic activation when experiencing stress.
- The limbic brain plays a major role in forming emotional bonds and instincts.
Cultural Reference:
Paul D. MacLean popularized the concept of the âtriune brain,â placing the limbic system at the center of emotional behavior. This idea has influenced psychology, education, and even pop culture's understanding of how the brain works.
Think About It:
If animals and humans share a limbic system, should emotional experiences in animals be taken more seriously? How does this affect how we treat them?
Quick Activity:
Look up a diagram of the human limbic system. Label three major parts (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus) and write one sentence about what each does.
Memory Tip:
âLimbicâ sounds like âlimitââthink of it as the border between thought and feeling in your brain. Itâs where emotions begin.
Real-World Application:
Understanding the limbic system is vital in psychology, medicine, education, and animal welfare. It helps explain emotional disorders, trauma responses, and why empathy and bonding exist across species.
