main idea

In the philosophy of John Dewey, a sharp distinction is made between "intelligence" and "reasoning." According to Dewey, intelligence is the only absolute way to achieve a balance between realism and idealism, between practicality and wisdom of life. Intelligence involves "interacting with other things and knowing them," while reasoning is merely the act of an observer, ". . . a mind that beholds or grasps objects outside the world of things. . . ." With reasoning, a level of mental certainty can be achieved, but it is through intelligence that control is taken of events that shape one's life.

What is the topic of this passage?

• The intelligence of John Dewey

• Distinctions made by John Dewey

• Dewey's ideas on the ability to reason

• How intelligence differs from reasoning in Dewey's works

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

• The Process of Nitrogen Fixation

• Two Nitrogen Processes

• The Return of Nitrogen to the Air

• The Effect of Nitrogen on Plant Life

(Pargraph.1) John James Audubon, nineteenth-century artist and naturalist, is known as one of the foremost authorities on North American birds. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, in 1785, Audubon was raised in France and studied art under French artist Jacques-Louis David. After settling on his father's Line Pennsylvania estate at the age of eighteen, he first began to study and paint birds.

(Pargraph.2) In his young adulthood, Audubon undertook numerous enterprises, generally without a tremendous amount of success; at various times during his life he was involved in a mercantile business, a lumber and grist mill, a taxidermy business, and a school. His general mode of operating a business was to leave it either unattended or in the hands of a partner and take off on excursions through the wilds to paint the natural life that he saw. His business career came to an end in 1819 when he was jailed for debt and forced to file for bankruptcy.

(pargraph. 3) It was at that time that Audubon began to seriously pursue the dream of publishing a collection of his paintings of birds. For the next six years he painted birds in their natural habitats while his wife worked as a teacher to support the family. His Birds of America, which included engravings of 435 of his colorful and lifelike watercolors, was published in parts during the period from 1826 to 1838 in England. After the success of the English editions, American editions of his work were published in 1839, and his fame and fortune were ensured.

In the second paragraph, the author mainly discusses?

• How Audubon developed his painting style

• Audubon's involvement in a mercantile business

• Where Audubon went on his excursions

• Audubon's unsuccessful business practices