Note: Suggested answers are provided here for the comprehension questions and the discussion questions that follow each of the seventeen reading selections. Numbers of relevant paragraphs from the selection follow reading comprehension answers and are shown in parentheses in the discussion answers.
Suggested Answers for “Three Passions”—Bertrand Russell
Note: The numbers in parentheses refer to relevant paragraphs in the selection.
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. d 2. a 3. d Answer a is too narrow; answer b is unsupported; answer c is too broad. 4. a Paragraph 1 5. b. Paragraph 2 6. False Paragraph 3 7. c 8. d 9. a 10. d. Answers a, b, and c are unsupported.
Structure and Technique
1. It does follow the traditional pattern, although it is unusually brief. Introduction: paragraph 1 Support: paragraphs 2-4 Conclusion: paragraph 5
2. In his essay, Russell explores how three causes—his search for love, his search for knowledge, and his pity for humankind—have affected how he’s lived his life. Examples Russell provides of his first passion, love, are that it brings ecstasy; it relieves loneliness; it provides a glimpse of heaven. Examples of the power of knowledge are that it provides insight into the hearts of men; it reveals why the stars shine; it allows us to understand the universe in terms of mathematics. And Russell’s examples of situations that evoke pity include children suffering famine; victims of oppression; elderly people abused by their children.
3. Russell employs the addition signals first, next, finally, at last.
4. Other metaphors that Russell employs include: • his passions have blown him about like “great winds” (figures of speech using like or as are known as similes) • “one