TOO CLEVER TOO FAST TOO HAPPY

Published: The Guardian guardian.co.uk

Level of difficulty:*****

1. Achieving his goal in the race described in the text would get the writer into the Boston marathon. However, this isn’t the main reason why the race was so important to him. Explain what the main reason was.

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2. What is the function of paragraph 4? Do you think it would have been better if the writer had altered the paragraph slightly and put it right at the start of the text with paragraphs one through three to follow?

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3. Various examples of how athletes’ performance can currently be enhanced are presented in paragraph 5. What conclusion can we draw from them?

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4. How exactly does sport manage” to stay real”?

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5. At the end of paragraph 8, the writer says “Will anyone be impressed with your dedication? More to the point will you be impressed?” Why shouldn’t anyone be impressed? Answer in your own words.

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6. Read from the beginning of paragraph nine to the end of paragraph 14 and complete the notes below.

GENE THERAPY

Type of Therapy
Recipient
Purpose
Method

7. In paragraph 15, what mammal does the word “one” imply in the phrase “except one”?

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8. According to Michael West, what is the ultimate goal of scientists?

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9. The writer lists various obstacles researchers have run up against in the section you have just read. State briefly what they are.

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10. How does the writer reach the conclusion that “cloning a human being poses no enormous technical hurdle”?

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11. What does “it” refer to in the phrase” it may already have happened” and what is the reason?

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12. In paragraph 30, the writer says “This wasn’t germline modification in the precise sense” Do you agree? Justify your answer.

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13. At the end of paragraph 31, the writer says “It promises to transform gene therapy….”What does “it” refer to?

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14. What is the function of paragraph 33? Discuss.

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15. Read through the various types of physical improvements that could be made to people’s minds and bodies. Now state clearly what assumption or view makes them all possible?

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16. Read the dilemma expressed at the end of paragraph 37. What are your views?

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17. Read through paragraph 38 and 39 with your teacher and discuss your views.

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18. What is the function of paragraph 40 in your opinion? Why do we have such a paragraph?

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19. At the end of paragraph 41, the writer says “It could seem like child abuse” What does it refer to in this phrase?

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20. Explain in your own words what the writer means when he says your child could be like a nearly useless copy of Windows 95.

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21. What does” this injustice” underlined in the text refer to?

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22. How does the writer feel this injustice would alter the class structure of society? What will the roles of these new classes be?

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23. The case of pig 6707 is important in that it offers a warning. What exactly is this warning?

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24. Read the last four paragraphs of the text. What is the writer’s major objection to germline genetic engineering?

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