A recent ball-catching experiment conducted in space by
astronauts on board a space shuttle has led neuroscientists
to conclude that the brain contains an internal model of
gravity that is both powerful and persistent. At the same
time, the experiment provided evidence that the brain can
adapt to environments in which the force of downward
acceleration is less pronounced than it is on earth.
The experiment’s outcomes suggested that an individual’s
understanding of motion is hard-wired from an earth-
centric perspective. In the experiment, the astronauts were
asked to catch balls released from a spring-loaded cannon.
Analyzing data gathered from infrared tracking cameras
and electrodes placed on the astronauts’ arms, McIntyre,
the experiment’s principal designer, noticed that the
astronauts’ anticipation of the ball’s motion was slightly
off. Though they were able to catch the ball, the astronauts
expected the ball to move faster than it did. He theorized
that this over-anticipation is due to the fact that the brain
expects the force of the earth’s gravity to act on the ball.
The experiment also demonstrates the brain’s ability to
adjust to conditions that run counter to its pre-set wiring.
While the astronauts did not adapt to the conditions in
space for some time, by day 15 of the experiment, the
amplitude of the premature arm movements decreased
and a new well-timed arm movement immediately
preceded the catch. Upon returning to earth, the
astronauts again mis-anticipated the ball’s motion, though
this time the ball moved faster than anticipated. However,
the astronauts were able to adjust back to the earth’s
gravitational effect on the balls much more quickly than
they had been able to adapt to the conditions in space.
Many scientists view the findings as a first step in research
that could have serious practical benefits. The ability of
astronauts to safely explore space and investigate other
planets is dependent on understanding the differences
between our physical reactions on earth and elsewhere.
On another level, understanding timing processes in the
body might lead to the development of treatments for
coordination problems experienced by individuals with
certain types of brain damage.
1. It can be inferred from the passage that during the
first two weeks of the experiment the astronauts, in
attempting to catch the ball, tended to
· move their arms higher than necessary
· adjust their arms at the last possible second
· use fewer arm movements than they would have on
earth
· keep their arms stationary for the two seconds
preceding the catch
· adjust their arms sooner than necessary
2. Which of the following, if true, would support
McIntyre’s theory that the brain has built-in
knowledge of gravity?
· An individual’s hand-eye coordination tends to
diminish with age.
· Infants become fearful when placed on a glass
tabletop where they can see the floor, even though
they have never had the experience of falling.
· Astronauts initially feel disoriented during the first
several days after departing earth for space.
· Most children can learn to catch a ball at a very young
age.
· It is counter-intuitive to most individuals that if no air
resistance were present, a bowling ball and a feather
dropped at the same time from the same height will
reach the ground at the same time.
3. The passage implies which of the following about
gravity?
· Gravity does not exist in space.
· Humans do not experience any gravity in space.
· Humans experience less downward acceleration in
space than they do on earth.
· The force of gravity is essentially the same on earth
as it is in space.
· Humans feel weightless in space due to the lack of
gravity in space.
4. The function of the final paragraph is to
· provide an alternate point of view to contrast with
the analysis earlier in the passage
· summarize the main points of the previous paragraphs
· clarify an ambiguity raised in the second paragraph
· move beyond the detailed description of earlier
paragraphs to present broader implications
· pose an explicit challenge to specific researchers
mentioned earlier in the passage
5. The primary purpose of the passage is to:
· describe a recent space experiment and present its
conclusions
· detail the practical applications of recent research
findings
· correct a misunderstanding about how the brain
functions
· present a summary of how gravity works
· outline the benefits of conducting experiments in
space
6. According to the passage, research suggests that the
brain’s built-in understanding of gravity is
· space-centric
· adaptable
· fleeting
· weak
· evolving![]()
astronauts on board a space shuttle has led neuroscientists
to conclude that the brain contains an internal model of
gravity that is both powerful and persistent. At the same
time, the experiment provided evidence that the brain can
adapt to environments in which the force of downward
acceleration is less pronounced than it is on earth.
The experiment’s outcomes suggested that an individual’s
understanding of motion is hard-wired from an earth-
centric perspective. In the experiment, the astronauts were
asked to catch balls released from a spring-loaded cannon.
Analyzing data gathered from infrared tracking cameras
and electrodes placed on the astronauts’ arms, McIntyre,
the experiment’s principal designer, noticed that the
astronauts’ anticipation of the ball’s motion was slightly
off. Though they were able to catch the ball, the astronauts
expected the ball to move faster than it did. He theorized
that this over-anticipation is due to the fact that the brain
expects the force of the earth’s gravity to act on the ball.
The experiment also demonstrates the brain’s ability to
adjust to conditions that run counter to its pre-set wiring.
While the astronauts did not adapt to the conditions in
space for some time, by day 15 of the experiment, the
amplitude of the premature arm movements decreased
and a new well-timed arm movement immediately
preceded the catch. Upon returning to earth, the
astronauts again mis-anticipated the ball’s motion, though
this time the ball moved faster than anticipated. However,
the astronauts were able to adjust back to the earth’s
gravitational effect on the balls much more quickly than
they had been able to adapt to the conditions in space.
Many scientists view the findings as a first step in research
that could have serious practical benefits. The ability of
astronauts to safely explore space and investigate other
planets is dependent on understanding the differences
between our physical reactions on earth and elsewhere.
On another level, understanding timing processes in the
body might lead to the development of treatments for
coordination problems experienced by individuals with
certain types of brain damage.
1. It can be inferred from the passage that during the
first two weeks of the experiment the astronauts, in
attempting to catch the ball, tended to
· move their arms higher than necessary
· adjust their arms at the last possible second
· use fewer arm movements than they would have on
earth
· keep their arms stationary for the two seconds
preceding the catch
· adjust their arms sooner than necessary
2. Which of the following, if true, would support
McIntyre’s theory that the brain has built-in
knowledge of gravity?
· An individual’s hand-eye coordination tends to
diminish with age.
· Infants become fearful when placed on a glass
tabletop where they can see the floor, even though
they have never had the experience of falling.
· Astronauts initially feel disoriented during the first
several days after departing earth for space.
· Most children can learn to catch a ball at a very young
age.
· It is counter-intuitive to most individuals that if no air
resistance were present, a bowling ball and a feather
dropped at the same time from the same height will
reach the ground at the same time.
3. The passage implies which of the following about
gravity?
· Gravity does not exist in space.
· Humans do not experience any gravity in space.
· Humans experience less downward acceleration in
space than they do on earth.
· The force of gravity is essentially the same on earth
as it is in space.
· Humans feel weightless in space due to the lack of
gravity in space.
4. The function of the final paragraph is to
· provide an alternate point of view to contrast with
the analysis earlier in the passage
· summarize the main points of the previous paragraphs
· clarify an ambiguity raised in the second paragraph
· move beyond the detailed description of earlier
paragraphs to present broader implications
· pose an explicit challenge to specific researchers
mentioned earlier in the passage
5. The primary purpose of the passage is to:
· describe a recent space experiment and present its
conclusions
· detail the practical applications of recent research
findings
· correct a misunderstanding about how the brain
functions
· present a summary of how gravity works
· outline the benefits of conducting experiments in
space
6. According to the passage, research suggests that the
brain’s built-in understanding of gravity is
· space-centric
· adaptable
· fleeting
· weak
· evolving