Question

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
How do we choose one discovery over any other? The physician Lewis Thomas made a choice. He bluntly asserts: “The greatest of all the accomplishments of 20th-century science has been the discovery of human ignorance.” 
The science writer Timothy Ferris agrees: “Our ignorance, of course, has always been with us, and always will be. What is new is our awareness of it, our awakening to its fathomless dimensions, and it is this, more than anything else, that marks the coming of age of our species.” It is an odd, unsettling thought that the culmination of our greatest century of discovery should be the confirmation of our ignorance. How did such a thing come about? 
Which of the following statements can be BEST concluded from the above passage?

• A. Humans know more when they know they know very little.
• B. Humans became scientists when they realized that they were ignorant.
• C. Humans progressed because they knew that they knew very little.
• D. The realization that humans are ignorant led them to invent new things.
• E. That they do not know enough make humans seek to know more.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

The passage discusses the idea that one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century is the realization of human ignorance. Both Lewis Thomas and Timothy Ferris assert that recognizing our ignorance is significant. This realization is depicted as unsettling but pivotal, marking an evolution in human understanding. The question asks us to identify the statement that best concludes the passage.

Let's analyze each option:

1. The statement "Humans know more when they know they know very little" implies self-awareness of ignorance leads to greater knowledge. While this could be linked to the theme, it focuses more on the current knowledge rather than the motivation to explore further arising from ignorance.
2. The statement "Humans became scientists when they realized that they were ignorant" suggests a causative link between self-awareness of ignorance and becoming a scientist. This is a specific claim not strongly supported by the passage's content.
3. The statement "Humans progressed because they knew that they knew very little" indicates progress due to acknowledgment of ignorance. This can be partially linked but doesn't closely capture the theme of seeking knowledge as a consequence of this realization.
4. The statement "The realization that humans are ignorant led them to invent new things" could be deemed relevant. However, the passage emphasizes the acknowledgment of ignorance more than concrete inventions as a direct result.
5. The statement "That they do not know enough make humans seek to know more" aligns well with the idea. The passage talks about the "awakening to [ignorance's] fathomless dimensions," implying that recognizing ignorance fuels a quest for further understanding. This statement effectively summarizes this sentiment.

Thus, the correct answer is best concluded by the statement: "That they do not know enough make humans seek to know more".

Answer 2

Step 1: Understand the central idea of the passage.
The passage emphasizes that the recognition of human ignorance is the greatest discovery of 20th-century science. This awareness is presented as a defining feature of humanity’s progress and curiosity.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option 1: Incorrect. The statement is philosophical but does not align directly with the conclusion drawn from the passage. 
- Option 2: Incorrect. While it hints at the relationship between ignorance and scientific inquiry, it oversimplifies the connection. 
- Option 3: Incorrect. This is partially true but fails to encapsulate the broader implication of awareness driving curiosity and progress. 
- Option 4: Incorrect. The passage does not focus on invention as a direct outcome of ignorance. 
- Option 5: Correct. The passage concludes that awareness of ignorance motivates humans to seek greater knowledge, marking their progress.
Final Answer: (5)