The following text discusses the placebo effect.
Placebos—inactive treatments—sometimes produce measurable health improvements. Patients given sugar pills for pain often report genuine relief. Brain imaging reveals that placebo responses involve the same neurological pathways as actual medications. Researchers are exploring how to harness these effects ethically, potentially reducing medication dosages while maintaining therapeutic benefits.
What is the primary purpose of the text?
To argue that medication is unnecessary for most patients
To explain the placebo effect and potential applications
To compare different types of inactive substances
To provide guidelines for prescribing placebos
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The text explains the placebo effect (improvements from inactive treatments) and potential applications (ethical harnessing, reduced dosages).
- Evidence: The text defines the effect: "inactive treatments... produce measurable health improvements." It discusses applications: "exploring how to harness these effects... reducing medication dosages."
- Reasoning: The passage moves from definition to practical future use.
- Conclusion: The purpose is to explain the effect and applications.
💡 Strategy: Summarize: What is it? (Placebo) + What can we do with it? (Applications).
Choice A is incorrect because medication isn't deemed unnecessary. Choice C is incorrect because substances aren't compared. Choice D is incorrect because no prescription guidelines are given.