Question
Read the passage.
For many centuries, our understanding of atoms didn't change very much from that of the ancient Greeks. In 530 BC, the Greek philosopher
Democritus wrote that atoms moved around in a void, bouncing off each other or attaching to each other. The word "atom" comes from the Greek
a-tomos, which means "cannot be divided." Atoms were considered the smallest things in existence. It wasn't until the 19th century that these ideas
began to be challenged by scientists such as J.J. Thomson, John Dalton, and Ernest Rutherford. Thanks to these scientists and others, our
understanding of the atom is more complex than it ever was, and it continues to evolve and change. For example, we now know that atoms are not
the smallest things in the universe, and that atoms are made up of even smaller elements such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Which best describes the author's attitude in the passage?
• 1. frustrated, because our understanding of the atom is so limited
2. smug, because our understanding of the atom has progressed significantly
3. hopeful, because our understanding of the atom is advancing
4. satisfied, because our understanding of the atom is complete
J RESET vara Bassem Adel Hassoun, ID#***02
Growth: Reading 2-5 CCSS 2010 V4
Question # 24
Answer
The best description of the author's attitude in the passage is hopeful, because the author emphasizes that our understanding of the atom continues to evolve and change.