‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Neuroaesthetics’ which is from the Cambridge 11 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘Yes/No/Not Given’, ‘Summary Blanks and ‘MCQs’. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 3: Neuroaesthetics
| Question | Answer |
| 27 | C |
| 28 | D |
| 29 | B |
| 30 | A |
| 31 | C |
| 32 | B |
| 33 | H |
| 34 | NOT GIVEN |
| 35 | YES |
| 36 | NO |
| 37 | NO |
| 38 | YES |
| 39 | NOT GIVEN |
| 40 | A |
Questions 27-30
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 27-30 on your answer sheet.
27. In the second paragraph, the writer refers to a shape-matching test in order to illustrate
A the subjective nature of art appreciation.
B the reliance of modern art on abstract forms.
C our tendency to be influenced by the opinions of others.
D a common problem encountered when processing visual data.
Location: 2nd paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘shape-matching test’ and its reference is there in the third line of the paragraph. ‘We certainly do have an inclination to follow the crowd… perceptual decisions such as matching a shape to its rotated image, for example, people often choose a definitively wrong answer if they see others doing the same.’ Here, ‘choose a definitively wrong answer’ clarifies that we are influenced by the opinions of others.
Answer: C
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
28. Angelina Hawley-Dolan’s findings indicate that people
A mostly favour works of art which they know well.
B hold fixed ideas about what makes a good work of art.
C are often misled by their initial expectations of a work of art.
D have the ability to perceive the intention behind works of art
Location: 3rd paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘Hawley-Dolan’ helps to locate an answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘volunteers generally preferred the work of renowned artists, even when they believed it was by an animal or a child. It seems that the viewer can sense the artist’s vision in paintings, even if they can’t explain why…’Here, ‘viewer can sense the artistic vision’ means they can perceive intention behind work. Here, ‘sense’ and ‘perceive’ are synonyms. Thus, the answer is D.
Answer: D
29. Results of studies involving Robert Pepperell’s pieces suggest that people
A can appreciate a painting without fully understanding it.
B find it satisfying to work out what a painting represents.
C vary widely in the time they spend looking at paintings.
D generally prefer representational art to abstract art.
Location: 4th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘It would seem that the brain sees these images as puzzles, and the harder it is to decipher the meaning, the more rewarding is the moment of recognition.’ Here, ‘decipher’ means ‘work out’. Moreover, ‘satisfying’ refers to the ‘rewarding work’
Answer: B
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
30. What do the experiments described in the fifth paragraph suggest about the paintings of Mondrian?
A They are more carefully put together than they appear.
B They can be interpreted in a number of different ways.
C They challenge our assumptions about shape and colour.
D They are easier to appreciate than many other abstract works.
Location: 5th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘Mondrian’ helps to locate an answer in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘but eye-tracking studies confirm that they are meticulously composed, and that simply rotating a piece radically changes the way we view it…’This means Mondrian are more carefully designed than they seem to be. Here, ‘appear’ and ‘view’ means the same. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: A
Questions 31- 33
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.
Write the correct letters, A-H, in boxes 31-33 on your answer sheet.
Art and the Brain
The discipline of neuroaesthetics aims to bring scientific objectivity to the study of art. Neurological studies of the brain, for example, demonstrate the impact which Impressionist paintings have on our 31…………
Location: 1st paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘impressionist paintings’ helps to locate an answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘Since the amygdala plays a crucial role in our feelings, that finding might explain why many people find these pieces so moving’. Here, ‘feelings’ are ‘emotions’ are synonyms. Thus, the statement clarifies that answer is C.
Answer: C
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
Alex Forsythe of the University of Liverpool believes many artists give their works the precise degree of 32………. which most appeals to the viewer’s brain.
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The main keywords ‘Alex Forsythe’ and ‘Liverpool’ helps to locate an answer in the first line of the paragraph. ‘In another experiment, Alex Forsythe of the University of Liverpool analysed the visual intricacy of different pieces of art and her results suggest that many artists use a key level of detail to please the brain. …’Here, ‘please’ and ‘appeal’ means the same. Moreover, ‘intricacy’ and ‘complexity’ are synonyms.
Answer: B
She also observes that pleasing works of art often contain certain repeated 33………which occur frequently in the natural world.
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘show signs of ‘fractals’ – repeated motifs recurring in different scales, fractals are common throughout nature, for example in the shapes of mountain peaks or the branches of trees…’Here, ‘common throughout’ and ‘occur frequently’ means the same. Moreover, ‘fractals’ refers to ‘images’.
Answer: H
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
| A. | interpretation | B. | complexity | C. | Emotions |
| D. | Movements | E. | Skill | F. | Layout |
| G. | Concern | H. | Images |
Questions 34-39
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage?
In boxes 34-39 on your answer sheet,write
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
34. Forsythe’s findings contradicted previous beliefs on the function of ‘fractals’ in art.
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: There is information regarding Alex Forsythe’ in the 7th paragraph. But there is no information regarding any contradiction of previous beliefs in the passage. Thus, no information available.
Answer: Not Given
35. Certain ideas regarding the link between ‘mirror neurons’ and art appreciation require further verification.
Location:8th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘mirror neurons’ help to locate an answer in the third line of the paragraph. ‘. This may be down to our brain’s ‘mirror neurons’, which are known to mimic others’ actions. The hypothesis will need to be thoroughly tested…’Here, ‘thoroughly tested’ and ‘further verification’ means the same.
Answer: Yes
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
36. People’s taste in paintings depends entirely on the current artistic trends of the period.
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘While the fashions of the time might shape what is currently popular, works that are best adapted to our visual system may be the most likely to linger once the trends of previous generations have been forgotten…’ It is most likely to stay as long as people remember the previous trends. Hence, the question statement contradicts the passage statement.
Answer: No
37 Scientists should seek to define the precise rules which govern people’s reactions to works of art.
Location: Last paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘It would, however, be foolish to reduce art appreciation to a set of scientific laws…’The question statement is opposite to passage statement. ‘It would be foolish to reduce…’ is opposite to ‘scientists should seek to define’. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: No
‘Neuroaesthetics’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
38 Art appreciation should always involve taking into consideration the cultural context in which an artist worked.
Location: Last paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the style of a particular artist, their place in history and the artistic environment of their time…’ Here, ‘we should not underestimate’ and ‘taking into consideration’ means the same. Hence, the answer is Yes.
Answer: Yes
39. It is easier to find meaning in the field of science than in that of art.
Location: Last paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘In some ways, it’s not so different to science, where we are constantly looking for systems and decoding meaning so that we can view and appreciate the world in a new way…’ Here, there is no comparison in terms of which is easier to find.Thus, no information available.
Answer: Not Given
Questions 40
Choose the correct letter; A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in box 40 on your answer sheet.
40. What would be the most appropriate subtitle for the article?
A Some scientific insights into how the brain responds to abstract art
B Recent studies focusing on the neural activity of abstract artists
C A comparison of the neurological bases of abstract and representational art
D How brain research has altered public opinion about abstract art
Explanation: This question can be answered after reading the whole paragraph. The writer clearly states about the study of art in the first paragraph. Moreover, there is mention of abstract art in the second paragraph.
Answer: A
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