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Difficulty: MediumPart-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

Silbo Gomero is a whistled language used by inhabitants of the Canary Islands to communicate across deep ravines. Because whistles carry much further than spoken words, this phonetic system effectively replicates the Spanish language using varied pitches and durations. However, researchers have found that the brain processes Silbo Gomero not in the auditory cortex typical for non-linguistic sounds, but in the left temporal lobe, which is traditionally associated with spoken language. This neurological activity suggests that the human brain adapts its language centers to decode complex acoustic signals regardless of their physical medium. Consequently, whistled communication is processed as a true language rather than a simple signaling system.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

  1. A
    It outlines the physical limitations of whistled communication in comparison to spoken language.
  2. B
    It states the passage's primary conclusion that whistled languages are processed similarly to spoken languages.
  3. It introduces a specific research finding to establish the neurological basis for the subsequent conclusion about whistled speech.Answer
  4. D
    It suggests that whistled languages will eventually replace spoken languages in mountainous regions.

Answer

The choice that states the sentence introduces a specific research finding to establish the neurological basis for the subsequent conclusion about whistled speech.
The correct answer is correct because the underlined sentence introduces empirical evidence—specifically, that the brain processes Silbo Gomero in the left temporal lobe—which serves as the basis for the subsequent explanation of how the human brain adapts its language centers to decode whistled communication as a true language.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined sentence to identify its immediate function.
The sentence presents research showing that Silbo Gomero is processed in the left temporal lobe (associated with spoken language) rather than the auditory cortex.
To establish what direct evidence the sentence introduces.
2
Analyze the relationship between the underlined sentence and the sentences that follow.
The subsequent sentences explain that this neurological activity suggests adaptation of language centers and leads to the conclusion that whistled communication is processed as a true language.
To determine how this specific part contributes to the text as a whole.
3
Evaluate the answer choices based on the identified function.
The correct choice accurately describes the relationship by identifying the neurological research finding as the basis for the conclusion.
To select the option that best describes this rhetorical purpose.

Key Concept

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

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