Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

In a world bound to the wheel of change, the humanities stress the persistence of unchanging issues. They do not offer the prospect of progress in knowledge as the sciences do, nor do they even offer, as do the social sciences, the promise of such progress. They raise questions about meaning, purpose, and values that a hurried world, enamored of technique, finds uncomfortable.

The author implies that the social sciences:

Rationale

May someday add to the world's knowledge.

The author suggests a hopeful outlook on the potential contributions of the social sciences, indicating that they have the capacity to enhance our understanding of the world in the future.

A (Are valued for their techniques) YOUR ANSWER

While techniques in the social sciences can be valuable, the passage does not emphasize the importance of these methods. Instead, it focuses on the broader impact and potential contributions to knowledge, rather than the specific techniques used within the field.

B (Can make no contribution to progress) YOUR ANSWER

This choice misinterprets the author's tone, which is optimistic about future contributions rather than dismissive. The passage implies that there is still potential for the social sciences to evolve and provide valuable insights, contradicting the notion of being incapable of contributing to progress.

C (Cannot deal with long-term issues) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not assert that the social sciences are incapable of addressing long-term issues. Instead, it hints at the idea that their potential contributions are still unfolding, which could encompass long-term social developments and insights.

D (May someday add to the world's knowledge) CORRECT

This choice aligns with the author's implication of future potential, suggesting that while the social sciences may not have fully realized their contributions yet, there is a possibility that they will play a significant role in enhancing our understanding of various societal phenomena.

Conclusion

The author's implication regarding the social sciences is one of cautious optimism, highlighting their potential to contribute to knowledge in the future. While the other options misinterpret or overlook this hopeful perspective, the notion that the social sciences "may someday add to the world's knowledge" reinforces the idea of ongoing growth and the possibility of impactful insights.

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