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Official Explanation
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
Difficulty Level: 650
Explanation
The subject of the question is the passage as a whole and the task of the question is indicated by the phrase primary purpose, so this is a primary purpose question. The passage introduces a mysterious new material that is surprising scientists with its ability to conduct electricity without resistance…at close to room temperature. The passage then compares this substance with other superconductors and then states that the material demonstrates the possibility of zero resistance materials that are functional at normal temperatures. The remainder of the passage discusses the different aspects of the new material and how they may impact the use of superconductors.
Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects the primary purpose of the passage.
Choice (A) is a no-such comparison answer as the passage does not compare technologies in one field to those in another field. Eliminate (A).
Choice (B) is a memory trap as the passage does mention temperature in multiple places. But temperature is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (B).
Choice (C) is a good paraphrase of the primary purpose of the passage, so keep it.
Choice (D) is a reversal of the information in the passage. The passage states that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. If scientists cannot yet explain how the material functions at the temperatures at which it is found, then they cannot yet discuss applications of the material. Eliminate (D).
Choice (E) is a memory trap. The passage does speculate about potential impacts of the material’s discovery, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (E).
The correct answer is (C).
Difficulty Level: 650
Explanation
The subject of the question is the passage as a whole and the task of the question is indicated by the phrase primary purpose, so this is a primary purpose question. The passage introduces a mysterious new material that is surprising scientists with its ability to conduct electricity without resistance…at close to room temperature. The passage then compares this substance with other superconductors and then states that the material demonstrates the possibility of zero resistance materials that are functional at normal temperatures. The remainder of the passage discusses the different aspects of the new material and how they may impact the use of superconductors.
Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects the primary purpose of the passage.
Choice (A) is a no-such comparison answer as the passage does not compare technologies in one field to those in another field. Eliminate (A).
Choice (B) is a memory trap as the passage does mention temperature in multiple places. But temperature is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (B).
Choice (C) is a good paraphrase of the primary purpose of the passage, so keep it.
Choice (D) is a reversal of the information in the passage. The passage states that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. If scientists cannot yet explain how the material functions at the temperatures at which it is found, then they cannot yet discuss applications of the material. Eliminate (D).
Choice (E) is a memory trap. The passage does speculate about potential impacts of the material’s discovery, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (E).
The correct answer is (C).
2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to
Difficulty Level: 650-700
Explanation
The subject of the question is the phrase “atmospheric pressures” and the task of the question is referenced by the phrase most likely in order to, so this is a purpose question. Determine why the author uses the phrase atmospheric pressures. The sentence in question is While known superconductors typically function only in extremely frigid temperatures, though at atmospheric pressures, the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. In this sentence, the conditions in which known superconductors typically function are compared to the conditions in which the new material only survives. One of the conditions in which known superconductors function is at atmospheric pressures, while the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. Therefore, the passage mentions atmospheric pressures to compare the conditions for the function of known superconductors and the conditions for the survival of the new material. Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects this idea.
Choice (A) is a memory trap as the passage does mention different regions of the Earth but this is not the purpose of discussing atmospheric pressures. Eliminate (A).
Choice (B) is a reversal of the information in the passage as functioning at atmospheric pressures is one of the reasons common superconductors are used. Eliminate (B).
Keep (C) because it is a good paraphrase of the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures.
Choice (D) is a memory trap. Atmospheric pressures is listed as one of the conditions in which common superconductors function, but the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures is not to describe the primary location. Eliminate (D).
Choice (E) is another memory trap. The passage does mention extremely frigid temperatures and atmospheric pressures as conditions for common superconductors. The passage also mentions the need for temperatures below –140 degrees Celsius for common superconductors to function as an issue. But atmospheric pressures is not mentioned to emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures. Eliminate (E).
The correct answer is (C).
Difficulty Level: 650-700
Explanation
The subject of the question is the phrase “atmospheric pressures” and the task of the question is referenced by the phrase most likely in order to, so this is a purpose question. Determine why the author uses the phrase atmospheric pressures. The sentence in question is While known superconductors typically function only in extremely frigid temperatures, though at atmospheric pressures, the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. In this sentence, the conditions in which known superconductors typically function are compared to the conditions in which the new material only survives. One of the conditions in which known superconductors function is at atmospheric pressures, while the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. Therefore, the passage mentions atmospheric pressures to compare the conditions for the function of known superconductors and the conditions for the survival of the new material. Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects this idea.
Choice (A) is a memory trap as the passage does mention different regions of the Earth but this is not the purpose of discussing atmospheric pressures. Eliminate (A).
Choice (B) is a reversal of the information in the passage as functioning at atmospheric pressures is one of the reasons common superconductors are used. Eliminate (B).
Keep (C) because it is a good paraphrase of the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures.
Choice (D) is a memory trap. Atmospheric pressures is listed as one of the conditions in which common superconductors function, but the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures is not to describe the primary location. Eliminate (D).
Choice (E) is another memory trap. The passage does mention extremely frigid temperatures and atmospheric pressures as conditions for common superconductors. The passage also mentions the need for temperatures below –140 degrees Celsius for common superconductors to function as an issue. But atmospheric pressures is not mentioned to emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures. Eliminate (E).
The correct answer is (C).
3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT
Difficulty Level: 500
Explanation
The subject of the question is characteristic(s) of the new material and the task is referenced by the phrase mentioned in the passage, so this is a retrieval question. Determine what the passage says about the characteristics of the new material. The passage says the new material has the ability to conduct electricity without resistance…at close to room temperature and survives under very high pressures. The material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen and has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research despite that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. This is an EXCEPT question, so evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for the one not mentioned in the passage.
Eliminate (A) because the passage says the material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen.
Eliminate (B) because the passages says the material can function at close to room temperature.
Eliminate (C) because the material survives under very high pressures.
Choice (D) can also be eliminated as the material has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research.
Choice (E) is a reversal of the information in the passage that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures.
The correct answer is (E)
Difficulty Level: 500
Explanation
The subject of the question is characteristic(s) of the new material and the task is referenced by the phrase mentioned in the passage, so this is a retrieval question. Determine what the passage says about the characteristics of the new material. The passage says the new material has the ability to conduct electricity without resistance…at close to room temperature and survives under very high pressures. The material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen and has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research despite that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. This is an EXCEPT question, so evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for the one not mentioned in the passage.
Eliminate (A) because the passage says the material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen.
Eliminate (B) because the passages says the material can function at close to room temperature.
Eliminate (C) because the material survives under very high pressures.
Choice (D) can also be eliminated as the material has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research.
Choice (E) is a reversal of the information in the passage that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures.
The correct answer is (E)
08 Feb 2025, 12:05
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