Question

What does the passage do as a whole?

• A. Explains why self-assembly is the best approach to make integrated circuits.
• B. Explains how the “top-bottom” approach is better than the “bottom-up approach.”
• C. Shows how the “bottom-up” and the “top-bottom approach” can both complement and hinder the development of nano- scaling techniques.
• D. Discusses how “top-bottom approach” has been discarded because of the new approach.
• E. Reasons that future necessitates an innovative approach.
• A. The new approach is easier to work with.
• B. The task of working on ever-smaller dimensions is way too complicated for the approach.
• C. This process has worked since 1950s till now only.
• D. It is not future ready.
• J. It is as tedious a task as exposing a negative on photographic paper.
• A. Explain how integrated circuits can be made only by self-assembly.
• B. To provide an analogy for the combined method.
• C. To illustrate bottom-up approach.
• D. To raise questions about bottom-up approach.
• O.
• A. To establish the parameters of an ensuing debate.
• B. To identify problems in one of the processes, which are then explored in greater details.
• C. To provide a backdrop for a discussion of a modern day approach.
• D. To discuss an existing prototype that the author admires.
• T. To introduce opposing viewpoints, which are then evaluated.
• A. A look at the history of nanostructures
• B. Pointing out limited usefulness of the “top-down” process
• C. Detailed study of transistors
• D. At the threshold of new approach
• Y. How top-bottom approach works

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Analyze the main theme of the passage.
The passage describes the benefits and potential of both the top-down (lithography) and bottom-up (self-assembly) approaches to creating integrated circuits. It highlights how these methods can complement each other and support the development of nano-scale devices.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Explains why self-assembly is the best approach to make integrated circuits: The passage does not argue that self-assembly is the best approach, but rather that both approaches have their merits and can complement each other.
- (B) Explains how the “top-bottom” approach is better than the “bottom-up approach”: The passage does not say that one is better than the other; it emphasizes combining both approaches.
- (C) Shows how the “bottom-up” and the “top-bottom approach” can both complement and hinder the development of nano-scaling techniques: Correct. The passage discusses both approaches, how they can work together, and the challenges and advantages of each.
- (D) Discusses how “top-bottom approach” has been discarded because of the new approach: The passage does not discard the top-down approach but suggests combining it with self-assembly.
- (E) Reasons that future necessitates an innovative approach: The passage does not focus on the future necessity but on current strategies.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C), as it best captures the main focus of the passage, which is about how both approaches can complement each other.

Answer 2

Step 1: Identify the primary challenge discussed in the passage.
The author discusses how as technology advances and the need for smaller devices increases, the traditional top-down approach becomes increasingly difficult to use for nano-scale devices.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) The new approach is easier to work with: This is incorrect because the new approach is not described as easier, but rather as a complementary method to the top-down approach.
- (B) The task of working on ever-smaller dimensions is way too complicated for the approach: Correct. The passage discusses how as the dimensions get smaller, the top-down approach becomes less effective.
- (C) This process has worked since 1950s till now only: The passage mentions the long use of top-down processes, but it doesn’t say this is the primary challenge.
- (D) It is not future ready: The passage does not claim that the top-down approach is not future ready, but rather that it needs to be supplemented by new techniques.
- (E) It is as tedious a task as exposing a negative on photographic paper: This is used as an analogy for the complexity of the task but is not the primary difficulty identified.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B), as it directly addresses the primary challenge described in the passage.

Answer 3

Step 1: Understand the analogy.
The example of water splashing on a pane of glass is used to illustrate the idea of combining self-assembly (bottom-up) with an imposed pattern (top-down), showing how both methods can work together to form more controlled, complex patterns.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Explain how integrated circuits can be made only by self-assembly: This is not correct because the passage discusses a combination of self-assembly and top-down approaches.
- (B) To provide an analogy for the combined method: Correct. The water analogy demonstrates how self-assembly and top-down strategies can work together.
- (C) To illustrate bottom-up approach: While the water example relates to self-assembly, the main point is how it combines with the top-down approach.
- (D) To raise questions about bottom-up approach: The passage does not question the bottom-up approach but rather highlights how it can be integrated with the top-down approach.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B), as the water analogy is used to explain how both approaches can be combined to achieve better results.

Answer 4

Step 1: Understand the role of the first paragraph.
The first paragraph introduces the traditional top-down method used for building integrated circuits, setting up the context for the discussion about new approaches such as self-assembly (bottom-up) and how they complement the existing methods.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) To establish the parameters of an ensuing debate: The first paragraph does not set up a debate but introduces the existing method.
- (B) To identify problems in one of the processes, which are then explored in greater details: The first paragraph does not identify a problem but provides an overview of the top-down process.
- (C) To provide a backdrop for a discussion of a modern day approach: Correct. The first paragraph sets the stage for the discussion of the modern day approach (self-assembly).
- (D) To discuss an existing prototype that the author admires: The paragraph does not focus on a specific prototype but on the general top-down process.
- (E) To introduce opposing viewpoints, which are then evaluated: There are no opposing viewpoints introduced in the first paragraph.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C), as it accurately describes the function of the first paragraph in introducing the current method for building integrated circuits.

Answer 5

Step 1: Understand the passage’s focus.
The passage describes how traditional top-down methods are being supplemented by self-assembly (bottom-up) approaches in nanotechnology. The central theme is about how new approaches are at the threshold of replacing or complementing older methods.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) A look at the history of nanostructures: The passage focuses more on the present and future of nanotechnology rather than its history.
- (B) Pointing out limited usefulness of the “top-down” process: This is not the primary focus. The passage discusses how both approaches are useful and can complement each other.
- (C) Detailed study of transistors: While transistors are mentioned, the passage is more about approaches to building nano-scale devices than specific studies on transistors.
- (D) At the threshold of new approach: Correct. This best captures the passage's theme of combining traditional and new methods in nanotechnology.
- (E) How top-bottom approach works: This is a limited perspective, focusing only on the top-down approach, rather than the main message of combining methods.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) because it best reflects the passage’s theme of adopting new approaches in nanotechnology.