2021-YDS Reading Comprehension (43-46)

43-46: Answer these questions according to the passage below. The question of animal language and thought has been debated since ancient times. Some have held the view that humans are exceptional in these respects, while others believe that humans and animals are similar with respect to language and thought. The issue is important because our self-image as a species is at stake. Arguments for human exceptionalism such as Cartesian, Wittgensteinian and behaviourist state that language and thought are closely associated, and animals do not have language. The ape language experiments of the 1960s and 1970s were especially important against this background: if apes could learn language then even the advocates of human exceptionalism would have to admit that they have thoughts. It is now generally believed that whatever linguistic abilities apes have shown have been quite rudimentary. Yet many sceptics are willing to grant that in some cases apes did develop linguistic skills to some extent, and clearly evidenced thought. Studies of other animals in captivity and various animals in the wild have provided evidence of highly sophisticated communicative behaviour. Cognitive ethology and comparative psychology have emerged as the fields that study animal thought. While there are conceptual difficulties in grounding these fields, it appears plausible that many animals have thoughts and these can be scientifically investigated. 43. According to the passage, the issue of animal language is significant because ----. A) it has just started to emerge in various debates B) it can determine the self-image of human beings as a species C) it has been proven that animals can understand human language D) human beings’ self-image is strengthened when animals understand their language E) there is strong evidence against animals’ ability to have thoughts 44. According to the passage, human exceptionalism is based on ----. A) evidence that apes have the ability to learn a human language B) the fact that apes are able to think just like humans do C) the assumption that animal behaviour is closely connected to their thoughts D) an idea that there is a strong link between language and thought E) a behaviourist approach to language learning 45. It can be inferred from the passage that ----. A) captive and wild animals differ greatly in how they communicate B) wild animals are better at developing ways of communication than captive animals C) there is a significant lack of study of animal thought and communication D) studies of animals in captivity fail to provide any evidence of their ability to think E) whether captive or wild, many animals may exhibit sophisticated communicational behaviour 46. Which of the following can be said about the author of the passage? A) He seems to be of the opinion that there are many animals with the ability to think. B) He supports the philosophical views that regard humans as the highest of species. C) He clearly states that investigating animal intelligence in terms of thinking is a waste of time. D) He does not accept the idea that humans and animals can be investigated on one scale. E) He endorses the idea that human beings’ self-image as a species has been destroyed.

This question includes visual content: The image captures a page from an examination containing a paragraph titled '43-46: Answer these questions according to the passage below.' The passage discusses animal language and thought, human exceptionalism, and cognitive ethology. There are four multiple-choice questions (numbered 43, 44, 45, and 46), each with five options (A-E). Some options are marked with circles, indicating selection by a test-taker.