GMAT Reading Comprehension- What is the Relationship Between Science and Magic?

Reading Passage Question

What is the relationship between science and magic? The two were once closely linked: eminent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler dabbled in astrology and other mystical activities alongside their more orthodox scientific pursuits. The late 16th century was a time of upheaval—cosmology was being redefined, the new world was colonized, new stars and comets appeared in the sky, and the search for knowledge took many forms. The mystical activities of John Dee— a mathematician, philosopher, and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I—could be seen from late 16th century, argues Benjamin Woolley. Dee's seances with angels and spirits were one of the many ways he tried to fathom the secrets of the universe.

Dee's thirst for knowledge drove him to assemble one of the finest libraries in Europe and what would today be termed a research institute. His wide-ranging expertise meant he was regarded as an authority on matters ranging from calendar reform to navigation and cartography. He was also learned in cryptography, astronomy, and optics' nascent science. Dee was stalked by the accusation that he was meddling with diabolical forces from his undergraduate days at Cambridge. Which, indeed, he was. For much of his life, Dee conducted seances or "actions" in which he communicated with the spirit world through a medium, or "skryer," who spoke on their behalf. Dee's most gifted skryer was a mysterious young man called Edward Kelley, through whom Dee variously attempted to discover the location of buried treasure.

His fortunes rose and fell precipitously during his career; he went from being penniless to being a valued royal counselor and back again several times, was imprisoned, and denounced. It is a shame that Dee was not born a century later, as he would have thrived in the scientific revolution. After all, Mr. Woolley argues, Dee's main interest was magic, traditionally divided into natural magic (obeying natural laws) and supernatural magic (involving supernatural forces). The word "magic," in other words, is a term that includes understanding the world and exploiting that understanding. The modern term for this is science.

“What is the relationship between science and magic?”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The author mentioned the age of the late 16th century, most probably to

1. Highlight that late 16th century was a time of great disturbance
2. Point out the time in which science and magic were closely related
3. Highlight, the era of some prominent researchers
4. Call attention to events that might lead John Dee to his interest in magic
5. Identify the age at which new stars and comets start appearing in the sky along with some other events

2. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

1. Prominent researchers such as Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler were more interested in mystical activities than orthodox scientific pursuits
2. Although John Dee tried multiple times, but he failed to connect with the spirits
3. Dee has expert authority in the fields such as navigation, cartography, and cryptography.
4. Dee was wrongly accused of interfering with the devilish forces.
5. Dee spent the majority of his life in attempts and experiments to contact with the mystical forces.

3. The passage answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT

1. How science and magic are related
2. Why the time of late 16th century was disrupting
3. How Dee flourished the magic and scientific methods
4. Why John Dee established a library
5. Why Dee used Edward Kelley for his mysterious purpose

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. Science and Magic were once closely related but are not anymore
2. Dee started conducting magic experiments in his youth
3. Tycho Brahe and Nicolaus Copernicus were the prominent researchers of 16th century
4. Because of his aptitude, Dee was appointed as a valued royal counselor
5. The methods used in magic are more sophisticated than are methods of scientific experiments

5. The primary purpose of the passage is:

1. Identify the relationship between science and magic with the help of a 16th-century case study of John Dee
2. Highlight the impact of dwindling 16th century on science and magic, with the help of a case study of John Dee
3. Summarize the mystical activities of John Dee in the late 16th century
4. Compile the events related to the 16th-century science and magic
5. Construct a comprehensive understanding of the difference between science and magic

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