- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8937
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Thu Jun 09, 2016 4:01 pm
#26331
Complete Question Explanation
Point At Issue. The correct answer choice is (C)
Graham claims that the computer’s victory over the chess champion shows that a machine can master any type of human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles. Adelaide counters Graham’s argument by pointing out that the computer was merely an extension of the people who programmed it, enabling them to defeat the chess champion. Adelaide clearly believes that it was the programmers, not the computer, that defeated the chess champion. Graham, on the other hand, attributes the victory to the computer.
The correct answer choice must meet the Agree/Disagree Test: one of the authors must agree with the answer choice while the other author disagrees with it. If these two different responses are not produced, then the answer choice is incorrect. Also, if either of the two authors’ opinion of the answer choice is unknown, the answer choice is also incorrect.
Answer Choice (A): While Graham cites chess as one example of human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles, he never claims that chess is the best example. Adelaide also fails to express any view on what the “best” example might be in this case. Since both speakers’ views on this issue are unknown, the answer choice is incorrect.
Answer Choice (B): Graham would probably agree with this answer choice. However, Adelaide’s viewpoint is unknown. Since she does not disagree with this answer choice, it is incorrect.
Answer Choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. Graham would agree that the computer should receive credit for defeating the chess champion. He believes that the computer’s victory demonstrates a capacity to master any human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles. Adelaide, on the other hand, would disagree—she clearly attributes the computer’s victory to its programmers, not the computer itself.
Answer Choice (D): While Graham may agree that intelligence can be demonstrated by performing activities in accord with fixed principles, Adelaide does not necessarily disagree with this view. Since Adelaide does not disagree with this answer choice, it is incorrect.
Answer Choice (E): Neither speaker expressly addresses the issue of whether tools can be designed to aid in any human activity that is governed by fixed principles.
Point At Issue. The correct answer choice is (C)
Graham claims that the computer’s victory over the chess champion shows that a machine can master any type of human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles. Adelaide counters Graham’s argument by pointing out that the computer was merely an extension of the people who programmed it, enabling them to defeat the chess champion. Adelaide clearly believes that it was the programmers, not the computer, that defeated the chess champion. Graham, on the other hand, attributes the victory to the computer.
The correct answer choice must meet the Agree/Disagree Test: one of the authors must agree with the answer choice while the other author disagrees with it. If these two different responses are not produced, then the answer choice is incorrect. Also, if either of the two authors’ opinion of the answer choice is unknown, the answer choice is also incorrect.
Answer Choice (A): While Graham cites chess as one example of human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles, he never claims that chess is the best example. Adelaide also fails to express any view on what the “best” example might be in this case. Since both speakers’ views on this issue are unknown, the answer choice is incorrect.
Answer Choice (B): Graham would probably agree with this answer choice. However, Adelaide’s viewpoint is unknown. Since she does not disagree with this answer choice, it is incorrect.
Answer Choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. Graham would agree that the computer should receive credit for defeating the chess champion. He believes that the computer’s victory demonstrates a capacity to master any human intellectual activity governed by fixed principles. Adelaide, on the other hand, would disagree—she clearly attributes the computer’s victory to its programmers, not the computer itself.
Answer Choice (D): While Graham may agree that intelligence can be demonstrated by performing activities in accord with fixed principles, Adelaide does not necessarily disagree with this view. Since Adelaide does not disagree with this answer choice, it is incorrect.
Answer Choice (E): Neither speaker expressly addresses the issue of whether tools can be designed to aid in any human activity that is governed by fixed principles.