Comparative Reading Mini-Passages Passage Set #1 Question #1

[Mark83]

Pg. 70 in workbook.

Question 1 says: "Each of the passages contains information sufficient to answer which of the following questions?"

-The book says the answer is (C) "Are harmful pathogens sometimes present in the human body."

-Now, Passage B says "there are disease causing bacteria in each of us." But there's nothing in passage A that says anything similar. Perhaps I approached this wrongly, looking for something supported by both passages, rather than something partially supported by each?

Is the role of Passage A to connect the concept of harmful pathogens with bacteria; thus allowing the bacteria mentioned in Passage B to fall into that category. Also, the reference in Passage A to diarrheal bacteria killing 1.8 million, are we to understand that as an example of harmful pathogens sometimes being present in the body, as the answer choice states?

[Jonathan Evans]

Hey Mark,

Great question! Let's pay close attention to exactly what this answer says.

• Are harmful pathogens sometimes present in the human body?

You've found the evidence for this answer in Passage B. Good job! However, do we have evidence in Passage A to suggest that harmful pathogens are sometimes present in the human body? In fact we have! In lines 8 through 14, Passage A discusses bacterial infections caused by disease-causing pathogens. In other words, we have direct evidence in Passage A that at least sometimes harmful pathogens are present in the human body, i.e. when people get sick as a result of their presence.

I hope this helps!

[Mark83]

Hey Mark,

Great question! Let's pay close attention to exactly what this answer says.

• Are harmful pathogens sometimes present in the human body?

You've found the evidence for this answer in Passage B. Good job! However, do we have evidence in Passage A to suggest that harmful pathogens are sometimes present in the human body? In fact we have! In lines 8 through 14, Passage A discusses bacterial infections caused by disease-causing pathogens. In other words, we have direct evidence in Passage A that at least sometimes harmful pathogens are present in the human body, i.e. when people get sick as a result of their presence.

I hope this helps!

Thank Jonathan. I suspected that was the explanation. I guess I overlooked it because Passage B seems to indicate that these harmful bacteria are in the body but dormant, I was looking for similarly harmful bacteria in the body not yet actively harming the individual. Read too much into it.