Question

Which one of the options does NOT describe the passage below or follow from it? We tend to think of cancer as a ‘modern’ illness because its metaphors are so modern. It is a disease of overproduction, of sudden growth, a growth that is unstoppable, tipped into the abyss of no control. Modern cell biology encourages us to imagine the cell as a molecular machine. Cancer is that machine unable to quench its initial command (to grow) and thus transform into an indestructible, self-propelled automaton.
[Adapted from The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee]

• A. It is a reflection of why cancer seems so modern to most of us.
• B. It tells us that modern cell biology uses and promotes metaphors of machinery.
• C. Modern cell biology encourages metaphors of machinery, and cancer is often imagined as a machine.
• D. Modern cell biology never uses figurative language, such as metaphors, to describe or explain anything.

Hint:

In reading comprehension questions, the phrase “does NOT follow” means you must look for the option that directly contradicts or goes against the text.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understand the main point.
The passage emphasizes that cancer is considered “modern” because of the metaphors used to describe it. Modern biology encourages the use of machine metaphors.
Step 2: Verify each option.
- (A) True. The passage reflects that cancer seems modern because of its metaphors. - (B) True. It directly says modern cell biology uses and promotes machinery metaphors. - (C) True. The passage explicitly encourages imagining cells as machines. - (D) False. The passage actually stresses the opposite: modern biology \textit{does} use figurative language.
Step 3: Identify what does NOT follow.
Option (D) contradicts the passage. Therefore, it is the correct choice. Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{(D) Modern cell biology never uses figurative language, such as metaphors, to describe or explain anything.}} \]