UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES
& INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for the Humanities
CRITICAL THINKING SAMPLE ENTRANCE TEST
Instructions
 The test is comprised of one text followed by a number of questions.
 You should answer as many questions as possible. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers.
 The test is in 1 hour.
 You must complete the test in blue or black INK (no pencil).
 You may use a dictionary to help you complete the test.
* You may not use the help of any other person or refer to any other book, manual or online resource to complete
the test.
Read the following passage and answer
the questions using your own words as far
as possible.
1
Over a decade ago most researchers already agreed that nanotechnology, or device
manufacture at the molecular level, was “a multidisciplinary scientific field undergoing
explosive development”. It initially benefitted of advances across medicine,
communications and robotics, and then was proved to provide cost effective and rapidly
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functioning components. Today, there is no doubt one of the greatest values of
nanotechnology is the development of new and effective medical treatments to enhance the
quality of human life. A complete list of the potential applications would be so vast it is
hard to consider but it is clear we will soon witness the first real ‘supermen’, superheroes
like Superman, Spiderman and Ironman which have been popularised in comic books and
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movies. In the past we could only turn to myths and legends to find such men and women
with superhuman strength, speed or intelligence, and even immortality. In this time of
unprecedented scientific inventions and increased accessibility to scientific progress, we
might have to reconsider accepted ideas regarding human mortality, and human nature
itself.
15
The latest attempt at creating an artificial plastic heart is now a proven success. For twenty
years, replacing people’s kidneys with a machine the dialysis machine has been a common
procedure, and we will soon be able to miniaturise and internalise it. We can replace hips,
bones and joints and even complex body parts, such as hands. There are further
technologies ahead for replacing other organs with mechanical devices and new digital
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1
implants being designed and tested for brain and nervous system augmentation . In other
words, the idea of the human self as a singular body with inborn or genetically determined
strengths and weaknesses may no longer be valid; and the mythological notion of a
‘superman’ may become more and more possible.
This raises questions about what defines a human being: what makes us who we are? Are
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we still us if our bodies are partly made of other material? Even in antiquity, nobody took
myths for a perfectly exact description of things: they were just stories, although they were
important ones. Tomorrow, they may turn out to become reality.
1
Brain or nervous system augmentation refers to the use of technology to improve, amplify or
enhance the human being.
Questions
1
(a) What is the theme of the passage? (1 mark)
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b) What is the main conclusion of the passage? (2 marks)
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2.
According to the author of the passage, why did nanotechnology develop in such an
“explosive” way? Explain in your own words. (2 marks)
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3.
Who in your view wrote this text? Give examples from the text to support your answer.
(2 marks)
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4.
Explain the following phrases in the context of the passage: (1 mark each)
“unprecedented scientific inventions” (line 12):
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“increased accessibility to scientific progress” (line 12):
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“There are further technologies a head for replacing other organs” (lines 18–19)
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5.
In the second paragraph, the author illustrates his argument with many examples.
5a) Find one example and explain how it supports the conclusion. (2 marks)
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5b) What in your view is the best example used? Justify how this is the strongest
example to support the conclusion). (2 marks)
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6.
Paraphrase:
-“We might have to reconsider accepted ideas regarding human mortality”. (lines 12-13)
(2 marks)
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-“Tomorrow, they may turn out to become reality.” (line 27) (2 marks)
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7.
The author assumes that transforming the human body would only have positive
consequences. Do you agree with this assumption? Explain why or why not using at
least two different arguments . (3 marks)
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8.
In the passage the author refers to myths and legends about men and women with
superpowers and to superheroes of comic books and movies. Do you think science’s
role is to make science-fiction real? Explain your position in a well-developed
paragraph. (3 marks)
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9.
Whilst many people believe that we should not alter the human body, scientists argue
that we can and should do this to save lives and cure diseases. Some even argue that
ultimately, if we wanted to, we should be able to decide whether or not we want to age,
grow old and die. What is your view on this matter? Explain your position using specific
examples. (3 marks)
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10.
At the end of the passage, the author mentions that the question of our identity (“what
makes us who we are”, line 24) is raised by new scientific possibilities. Do you think
this is indeed the case or do you disagree with this statement? Explain why. (3 marks)
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END OF TEST