OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Q2:

While the author does not reveal a thesis or purpose in the beginning of the passage, the author does express their position in the latter part of the passage and thus, the primary purpose of the passage best aligns with answer choice A. The passage contains various pieces of information and some explanations, but clearly the overall approach is not merely to present or explain the information. Therefore, explain and outline are dubious. It is also easy to see that the author does not claim to be refuting anyone else’s theory. The passage does, however, present argumentation for the author’s position. After outlining a number of interrelated pieces of information about the adaptive functions of nervous systems, in the second paragraph, the author argues for an interpretation of the information and for a loosely stated conclusion about genetics in relation to human consciousness. Answer choice A best expresses the author’s conclusion, which is presented at the end of the passage.

A Correct. The main focus of the passage is on arguing for a position that is expressed in the latter part of the second paragraph. Answer choice A gives a concise paraphrase of the author’s position.
B In the first paragraph, the author discusses the roles of sensory and motor information transmitted to and from the brain. But this is presented only as a subtopic contributing toward the overall purpose of the passage.
C In writing the passage, the author might conceivably have intended, at least indirectly, to refute someone else’s theory about human perception and consciousness. However, the passage provides no evidence that the author did intend it in this way.
D In the first paragraph, the author discusses motor action and its adaptive function, but this is presented only as a subtopic contributing toward the overall purpose of the passage.
E The first paragraph does contrast human information processing with that performed by computers, but it does so only to support the claims it is making about human brain activity. The second paragraph implies that human information processing surpasses that in other animals but concludes that the processes are fundamentally similar.

The correct answer is A.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Q3:

This asks about something that is explicitly mentioned in the passage. To verify this, look for the parts of the passage that relate to human consciousness. The discussion of that topic begins early in the second paragraph and continues to the end of the passage. Answer choice C is a very close paraphrase of a claim that the author makes in the middle of that discussion.

A The first paragraph contains a brief discussion of the relationship between the sensory organs and the brain in animals in general, implicitly including humans. However, comments in the second paragraph make it clear that the author considers awareness of one's own consciousness to arise from something more than the brain’s merely receiving signals from the sensory organs.
B The passage describes human purposiveness as something that humans are conscious of, not as something that makes them aware of their consciousness.
C Correct. The discussion of human consciousness begins in the second paragraph. Midway through the second paragraph, the author states: Our own introspection tells us that we are indeed conscious, and we know we behave as if we are motivated by purposes. The second sentence of the paragraph makes a similar point.
D The passage indicates that human survival drives are genetically determined and suggests that humans are conscious of having such drives, but it does not indicate that having such drives causes humans to be aware of their own consciousness.
E In the final part of the first paragraph, the author discusses humans’ skill in recognizing perceptual patterns. The point of that discussion is to contrast humans with computers in this regard. There is no indication that this skill causes humans to be aware of their own consciousness.

The correct answer is C.

Question 2

A good first step is to identify the author's purpose in each paragraph. Once you've done that, take a moment to consider how the paragraphs add up. Ask yourself: what was the author's goal in writing this passage as a whole?

In some cases, the primary purpose might be referenced in each paragraph, as you suggest, but we definitely don't want to assume that's the case. Sometimes, the first paragraph might describe the primary purpose, while the last paragraph is just an afterthought. Other times, the first paragraph may present background info, while a later paragraph states the author's purpose. Whatever the case, it's best to avoid assumptions, and to consider the author's purpose with an open mind.

Let's now apply this strategy to the passage:

• Purpose of Paragraph 1: To explain how the "brain contributes to the adaptive success of animals" by allowing our movements to serve a purpose (such as running away from something).
• Purpose of Paragraph 2: To argue that genes control not only our "brains, muscles, and sensory organs," but our sense of "purpose and complex consciousness."

What do these paragraph's add up to? Well, the second paragraph presents an argument about genetic control. More specifically, it argues that genes control not only our brains (which control our muscles), but our "sense of purpose." How does the first paragraph relate to this? Well, it provides background information to set up the argument in the second paragraph. In other words, it discusses the brain's relationship to basic movements and purpose to provide context for the argument about genetic control of different brain functions.

Let's now consider (A):


It's true the first paragraph doesn't mention genes, but that isn't necessarily a problem. Considering the passage as a whole, we see the function of the first paragraph is to provide context for the argument in the second paragraph. So the author's primary purpose is really just to argue that genes control not only our "brains, muscles, and sensory organs," but our sense of "purpose and complex consciousness." This lines up well with answer choice (A), so it's correct.

I hope that helps!