Section: Science

160) Scientists have often debated the essential knowledge students should know regarding the profession by the time they graduate high school. Some believe it is important to know the Earth’s basic chemistry — facts like how the earth is about 71 percent covered in water. Others believe Earth’s history is vital to facing many of the challenges that await mankind (such as climate change, for instance).

While it may seem factoids such as dinosaurs and man never co-existing, Darwin’s theory of the origin of species, or why a year consists of 24 hours and 365 days, are superfluous, an understanding of these basic truths can help to tamp down some of the more damaging superstitions that come with non-scientific explanations of our world.

(Incidentally, dinosaurs were extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, 65 million years ago. Modern humans did not appear until around 200,000 years ago. Darwin's theory of the origin of species claims natural selection chooses organisms that possess variable and heritable traits and that are best suited for their environments. Also, 365 days is the time it takes for the Earth to travel around the Sun while a single day, 24 hours, is the time it takes for the Earth to spin around once on its axis.)

More practical knowledge, like what makes diseases caused by viruses and bacteria hard to treat, can help scientists of today and tomorrow to develop more effective approaches for staving off the harmful effects of these factors and advance the cause of medical science. In short, viruses continually change over time, usually by mutation. This change enables the virus to evade the immune system of its host so people are susceptible to infections throughout their lives. Bacteria mutate in the same way and can also become resistant if over-treated with antibiotics. By understanding how these mutations and immunities form, science can develop treatments and medicines that stay one step ahead.

Basically, science has yet to figure out all of life’s mysteries, but with a deeper understanding of the world as it is and how it has been over time, mankind will find itself more in control of its own destiny.

The passage can be best summarized as:

1. Endorsing the coexistence of science and religion.
2. Calling out the dangers of teaching evolution as theory.
3. Endorsing of a wide and comprehensive knowledge for the betterment of mankind.
4. Critical of Creationism.

Answer 3 is correct. While attacks on Creationism are implied, it is never called out specifically. Furthermore, the passage does not directly talk about the dangers of teaching evolution as theory, and it could hardly be considered an endorsement of religion as science, hence corrupting Answer 1.