Does this answer make sense?

[jasonlulu_2000]

https://www.dezeen.com/2019/11/22/brain-neural-implant-smartphone/

The following comprehension question is based on the first two paragraphs of the article above.

How does the device work?
A. It locates a certain position in neurons.
B. It directly cures the damaged neurons.
C. It delivers drugs through a human hair.
D. It directly controls coloured lights.

The answer given is A.

But I don't think it is what the article means.

I think that "To locate" means finding some unknown position but the article says the device "delivers drugs or lights to targeted neurons".

Is "locate" correctly used here in the answer?

Thanks!

Jason

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I agree with you.

But none of the choices are quite right.

In A, you're right, the positions have already been located.

In B, it doesn't say it actually cures anything. It just studies neurons.

In C, it's not a human hair. It's thinner.

In D, it uses, shines, transmits, or deploys lights, but it doesn't control them. We don't have lights in our skulls.​

In a multiple-choice question, if there's no right answer, just give the best answer.

But it's a lousy question.

Now I'm going to read again to see if I missed something.

Okay. Just reread it. The tester is probably equating locates with arrives at. I wouldn't, but that might be why A is the "right" answer.

 

[jutfrank]

I agree that it's poorly written.

The writer was struggling to paraphrase the key part: delivers drugs or lights to targeted neurons.

The phrase in neurons is also awkward.

 

[jasonlulu_2000]

I agree that it's poorly written. The phrase in neurons is also awkward.

Then what should be a natural collocation in the case of "in neurons"? Thank you!

 

[jutfrank]

The writer means 'in the brain'. Neurons are in the brain. The device targets specific neurons.