Reading Comprehension

The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic
oath, which physicians standardly affirm upon
beginning medical practice, have long been
considered the immutable bedrock of medical ethics,
(5) binding physicians in a moral community that reaches
across temporal, cultural, and national barriers. Until
very recently the promises expressed in that oath-for
example to act primarily for the benefit and not the
harm of patients and to conform to various standards
(10) of professional conduct including the preservation of
patients' confidences-even seemed impervious to the
powerful scientific and societal forces challenging it.
Critics argue that the oath is outdated; its fixed moral
rules, they say, are incompatible with more flexible
(15) modern ideas about ethics. It also encourages doctors
to adopt an authoritarian stance that depreciates the
privacy and autonomy of the patient. Furthermore, its
emphasis on the individual patient without regard for
the wider social context frustrates the physician's
(20) emerging role as gatekeeper in managed care plans
and impedes competitive market forces, which, some
critics believe, should determine the quality, price,
and distribution of health care as they do those of
other commodities. The oath is also faulted for its
(25) omissions: its failure to mention such vital
contemporary issues as human experimentation and
the relationships of physicians to other health
professionals. Some respected opponents even cite
historical doubts about the oath's origin and
(30) authorship, presenting evidence that it was formulated
by a small group of reformist physicians in ancient
Greece and that for centuries it was not uniformly
accepted by medical practitioners.
This historical issue may be dismissed at the
(35) outset as irrelevant to the oath's current
appropriateness. Regardless of the specific origin of
its text-which, admittedly, is at best
uncertain-those in each generation who critically
appraise its content and judge it to express valid
(40) principles of medical ethics become, in a more
meaningful sense, its authors. More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism. To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation. In fact, there is already a
tradition of peripheral reinterpretation of traditional
wording; for example, the oath's vaguely and
(55) archaically worded proscription against "cutting for
the stone" may once have served to forbid surgery,
but with today's safer and more effective surgical
techniques it is understood to function as a promise
to practice within the confines of one's expertise,
(60) which remains a necessary safeguard for patients'
safety and well-being.


7. Which one of the following most accurately states the
main point of the passage?
(A) The Hippocratic oath ought to be reevaluated
carefully, with special regard to the role of the
physician, to make certain that its fundamental
moral rules still apply today.
(B) Despite recent criticisms of the Hippocratic oath,
some version of it that will continue to assure
patients of physicians' professionalism and
beneficent treatment ought to be retained.
(C) Codes of ethics developed for one society at a
particular point in history may lose some
specific application in later societies but can
retain a useful fundamental moral purpose.
(D) Even the criticisms of the Hippocratic oath based
on contemporary values and newly relevant
medical issues cannot negate patients' need for
assurance.
(E) Modern ideas about ethics, especially medical
ethics, obviate the need for and appropriateness
of a single code of medical ethics like the
Hippocratic oath.
8. Which one of the following most accurately describes
the organization of the material presented in the
passage?
(A) A general principle is described, criticisms of
the principle are made, and modifications of
the principle are made in light of these
criticisms.
(B) A set of criticisms is put forward, and possible
replies to those criticisms are considered and
dismissed.
(C) The history of a certain code of conduct is
discussed, criticisms of the code are mentioned
and partially endorsed, and the code is
modified as a response.
(D) A general principle is formulated, a partial
defense of that principle is presented, and
criticisms of the principle are discussed and
rejected.
(E) The tradition surrounding a certain code of
conduct is discussed, criticisms of that code are
mentioned, and a general defense of the code is
presented.

9. The passage cites which one of the following as a
value at the heart of the Hippocratic oath that should
present no difficulty to most reformers?
(A) creation of a community of physicians from all
eras, nations, and cultures
(B) constant improvement and advancement of
medical science
(C) provision of medical care to all individuals
regardless of ability to pay
(D) physician action for the benefit of patients
(E) observance of established moral rules even in
the face of challenging societal forces
10. The author's primary purpose in the passage is to
(A) affirm society's continuing need for a code
embodying certain principles
(B) chastise critics within the medical community
who support reinterpretation of a code
embodying certain principles
(C) argue that historical doubts about the origin of a
certain code are irrelevant to its interpretation
(D) outline the pros and cons of revising a code
embodying certain principles
(E) propose a revision of a code embodying certain
principles that will increase the code's
applicability to modern times
11. Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred
that which one of the following sentences could most
logically be added to the passage as a concluding
sentence?
(A) The fact that such reinterpretations are so easy,
however, suggests that our rejection of the
historical issue was perhaps premature.
(B) Yet, where such piecemeal reinterpretation is
not possible, revisions to even the core value
of the oath may be necessary.
(C) It is thus simply a failure of the imagination,
and not any changes in the medical profession
or society in general, that has motivated critics
of the Hippocratic oath.
(D) Because of this tradition of reinterpretation of
the Hippocratic oath, therefore, modern ideas
about medical ethics must be much more
flexible than they have been in the past.
(E) Despite many new challenges facing the medical
profession, therefore, there is no real need for
wholesale revision of the Hippocratic oath.

12. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a
criticism of the Hippocratic oath EXCEPT:
(A) The oath encourages authoritarianism on the
part of physicians.
(B) The version of the oath in use today is not
identical to the oath formulated in ancient
Greece.
(C) The oath fails to address modern medical
dilemmas that could not have been foreseen in
ancient Greece.
(D) The oath's absolutism is incompatible with
contemporary views of morality.
(E) The oath's emphasis on the individual patient is
often not compatible with a market-driven
medical industry.
13. Which one of the following can most accurately be
used to describe the author's attitude toward critics of
the Hippocratic oath?
(A) enthusiastic support
(B) bemused dismissal
(C) reasoned disagreement
(D) strict neutrality
(E) guarded agreement
14. Which one of the following would be most suitable as
a title for this passage if it were to appear as an
editorial piece?
(A) "The Ancients versus the Moderns: Conflicting
Ideas About Medical Ethics"
(B) "Hypocritical Oafs: Why 'Managed Care'
Proponents are Seeking to Repeal an Ancient
Code"
(C) "Genetic Fallacy in the Age of Gene-Splicing:
Why the Origins of the Hippocratic Oath Don't
Matter"
(D) "The Dead Hand of Hippocrates: Breaking the
Hold of Ancient Ideas on Modern Medicine"
(E) "Prescription for the Hippocratic Oath: Facelift
or Major Surgery?"

WOW Man!! It's really a tough one buddy....gone over my head.

First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

14) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

Official answers are :
[spoiler]7)B
8)E
9)D
10)A
11)E
12)B
13)C
14)E[/spoiler]

I answered only 1 correctly !

This was something!

osirus0830 wrote:First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

13) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

How much time did it take you to get to the answers?

What is the recommended time for such passages?

I think, if I can get all answers right to this one, I can kill any passage that's really a tough one

osirus0830 wrote:First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

14) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

You got 5 right buddy....congratz!

I actually mislabeled. 13, should be 14. In the parenthesis I'm discussing the differences between the titles. I didn't know how to approach number 13, so I skipped it. I still don't understand number 7. What I realized yesterday actually, was you don't need to read the entire passage. Read the first paragraph until you have identified the main idea sentence. After that, jump into the questions. There is no benefit for reading the entire passage, because you will have to revisit the passage again later to find the answer. It took me about 8 minutes to do that, but keep in mind, I skipped number 13 because I didn't know how to approach it.

hrishi19884 wrote:

osirus0830 wrote:First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

13) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

How much time did it take you to get to the answers?

What is the recommended time for such passages?

I think, if I can get all answers right to this one, I can kill any passage that's really a tough one

osirus0830 wrote:I actually mislabeled. 13, should be 14. In the parenthesis I'm discussing the differences between the titles. I didn't know how to approach number 13, so I skipped it. I still don't understand number 7. What I realized yesterday actually, was you don't need to read the entire passage. Read the first paragraph until you have identified the main idea sentence. After that, jump into the questions. There is no benefit for reading the entire passage, because you will have to revisit the passage again later to find the answer. It took me about 8 minutes to do that, but keep in mind, I skipped number 13 because I didn't know how to approach it.

hrishi19884 wrote:

osirus0830 wrote:First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

13) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

How much time did it take you to get to the answers?

What is the recommended time for such passages?

I think, if I can get all answers right to this one, I can kill any passage that's really a tough one

So its 6/7...nice work.
but how can you get the main idea just reading the 1st para.....its sometimes good to read and understand the complete passage. But, for a tough passage like this....I will always like to follow your way! Thanks!

I used to have the same view that you do, but what I realized is you will have to revisit the passage to answer the detail questions. Most of the time, the main idea is in the first paragraph, and after that they begin giving premises to support that idea. Once they begin giving details and evidence, stop reading and go straight to the questions.

hrishi19884 wrote:

osirus0830 wrote:I actually mislabeled. 13, should be 14. In the parenthesis I'm discussing the differences between the titles. I didn't know how to approach number 13, so I skipped it. I still don't understand number 7. What I realized yesterday actually, was you don't need to read the entire passage. Read the first paragraph until you have identified the main idea sentence. After that, jump into the questions. There is no benefit for reading the entire passage, because you will have to revisit the passage again later to find the answer. It took me about 8 minutes to do that, but keep in mind, I skipped number 13 because I didn't know how to approach it.

hrishi19884 wrote:

osirus0830 wrote:First, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to type all of that.


7) A
8) E
9) D

10) A ((More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients' need for assurance
(45) that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism.)

11) E (To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence-which does not actually
conflict with most reformers' purposes-should be
(50) retained, with adaptations at the oath's periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation.

12) B (all the others are found in the first paragraph)

13) E (E is better than A because it embodies the passages focus on how much change is needed or if the entire oath should be thrown out)

How much time did it take you to get to the answers?

What is the recommended time for such passages?

I think, if I can get all answers right to this one, I can kill any passage that's really a tough one

So its 6/7...nice work.
but how can you get the main idea just reading the 1st para.....its sometimes good to read and understand the complete passage. But, for a tough passage like this....I will always like to follow your way! Thanks!

Can someone explain 7 and 13?

Sure Here you go !


The moment we realize that the author is strongly in
favor of retaining the letter and spirit of the Hippocratic
oath-with modifications "at the oath's periphery"-
we can toss out (A) and (E), both of which are on the
side of either radically rewriting the oath or scrapping it
altogether. (C) is a general statement to which the
author might subscribe, but it fails to recognize that the
topic of this passage is the specific example of the
Hippocratic oath. And (D) seems to think that the
passage is an argument about "patients' need for
assurance," a point made around line 44 as the author
moves to his main view about the oath.
That leaves (B), which has the topic and scope right,
and recognizes the author's strong belief that
physicians' professionalism and beneficence is best
served by retaining the basic oath.




Because the author responds to critics by denying their
premise that the oath needs to be scrapped or totally
overhauled, and because he offers evidence as to why
their view is wrong, "reasoned disagreement," (C), is
the best answer. Now let's consider how the passage
would have to look (i.e., very different!) if any of the
other choices were correct:
(A) The author would have to be 100% gung-ho about
the prospect of dispensing with, or overhauling, the
oath. We would also not see any concession to
retaining its central principle (lines 47-50) or rewriting
it on the periphery (lines 50-53).
(B) The passage would have to ignore the oath's critics
without comment, though not without explicitly
expressing puzzlement ("bemused") over their peculiar
stance.
(D) There would be nothing but objective reporting and
no point of view. Certainly, we'd never see a sentence
advocating that anything "should be retained"
(lines 49-50).
(E) We would need to see "approval with
reservations," when in fact what we get is
"disagreement with reservations."

Thanks Giorgio. I guess my new strategy of not reading the entire passage still has flaws

Can some one explain how to attack # 8)
8. Which one of the following most accurately describes
the organization of the material presented in the
passage?
(A) A general principle is described, criticisms of
the principle are made, and modifications of
the principle are made in light of these
criticisms.
(B) A set of criticisms is put forward, and possible
replies to those criticisms are considered and
dismissed.
(C) The history of a certain code of conduct is
discussed, criticisms of the code are mentioned
and partially endorsed, and the code is
modified as a response.
(D) A general principle is formulated, a partial
defense of that principle is presented, and
criticisms of the principle are discussed and
rejected.
(E) The tradition surrounding a certain code of
conduct is discussed, criticisms of that code are
mentioned, and a general defense of the code is
presented.