Q19

[agersh144]

I think by POE we can get it down to B and C

A) Universality? Not such much. Drop me off in NYC and my chances of finding my way homing my way home are not so stellar... just saying
D) Criticize? Really? Where is that? No where in lines 9-11, not even a hint. Wrong.
E) Correct? Wait the author says that the other alterative "map sense" seems more promising in lines 34-35 this answer has the author on the wrong side of the scale.

Ok so left with B and C.

C) Discredit is a bit strong. Although the author thinks its unlikely it's not utilized in the first paragraph at least for the purposes of discrediting rather as a contrast or foil to bifurcate map sense from outward displament sense both of which are worthy of consideration and further evaluation which is what we get in....

B) Suggest a particular explanation of pigeons homing ability is worthy of consideration. I guess I would have been slightly more comfortable if it said several explanations or two explanations rather than just one because it was a tad bit confusing trying to figure out which one they meant is worthy of consideration. Regardless the 4 other answer choices won't suffice. Even if I'm not wild about "particular" explanation because is it the outward displacement? If so it doesn't seem like the author is too enthusiastic about considering it in much further detail due to the improbability that it could account for the pigeons homing ability. On the other hand if its refering to the other alterative the map sense which the author is in favor of considering and analyzing in greater detail well then that's just very confusing because the question stem refers to lines 9-11 and if they wanted to refer to the latter they should have given us line reference 9-15.

Either way, perhaps i'm reading too much into this but this question gave me considerable difficulty. Would appreciate any further comments and feedback.

Thanks!

[ohthatpatrick]

Great breakdown and bonus points for using 'bifurcate' correctly.

I think, in part, your confusion comes from reading to much into "a particular explanation is worthy of consideration". This is not a comparative statement, so we can agree that the author's thinks that outward displacement is worthy of consideration without committing to the idea that the author thinks ONLY outward displacement is worthy or that outward displacement is MORE worthy than other explanations.

I think the real foil to this language is "mind-reading" mentioned in the previous clause. The author is saying, "aside from the crazy idea they tested, there are two legit ideas ...".

So the "worthy of consideration" is really a contrast with mind-reading not a victory over map sense.

Good POE.

Hope this helps.

[agersh144]

Ooo good call, I didn't think of that -- mind-reading is the foil for the comparison -- great explanation patrick & much appreciated