Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2211:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence Excel in timed test environment- Nov 23
11:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease. 
Nov 2510:00 AM EST
-11:00 AM EST
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors.
14 Mar 2023, 06:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
Question 1
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
65% (03:33) correct
35%
(03:28) wrong
based on 210
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
80% (01:16) correct 20%
(01:33) wrong
based on 255
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
75%
(hard)
Question Stats:
50% (01:55) correct 50%
(01:46) wrong
based on 262
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
75%
(hard)
Question Stats:
44% (01:30) correct 56%
(01:36) wrong
based on 231
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 5
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
55% (01:03) correct 45%
(01:03) wrong
based on 234
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 6
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
65% (01:05) correct 35%
(01:22) wrong
based on 229
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
According to the generally accepted theory of plate tectonics, the earth's crust consists of a dozen or so plates of solid rock moving across the mantle—the slightly fluid layer of rock between crust and core. Most earthquakes can then be explained as a result of the grinding of these plates against one another as they collide. When two plates collide, one plate is forced under the other until it eventually merges with the underlying mantle. According to this explanation, this process, called subduction, causes an enormous build-up of energy that is abruptly released in the form of an earthquake. Most earthquakes take place in the earth's seismic "hot zones"—regions with very high levels of subduction. Contrary to expectations, however, global seismic data indicate that there are also regions with high levels of subduction that are nonetheless nearly free of earthquakes. Thus, until recently, there remained a crucial question for which the plate tectonics theory had no answer—how can often intense subduction take place at certain locations with little or no seismic effect?
One group of scientists now proposes that the relative quiet of these zones is tied to the nature of the collision between the plates. In many seismic hot zones the plates exhibit motion in opposite directions—that is, they collide because they are moving toward each other. And because the two plates are moving in opposite directions, the subduction zone is relatively motionless relative to the underlying mantle. In contrast, the plate collisions in the quiet subduction zones occur between two plates that are moving in the same general direction—the second plate's motion is simply faster than that of the first, and its leading edge therefore becomes subducted. But in this type of subduction, the collision zone moves with a comparatively high velocity relative to the mantle below. Thus, rather like an oar dipped into the water from a moving boat, the overtaking plate encounters great resistance from the mantle and is forced to descend steeply as it is absorbed into the mantle. The steep descent of the overtaking plate in this type of collision reduces the amount of contact between the two plates, and the earthquake-producing friction is thereby reduced as well. On the other hand, in collisions in which the plates move toward each other the subducted plate receives relatively little resistance from the mantle, and so its angle of descent is correspondingly shallow, allowing for a much larger plane of contact between the two plates. Like two sheets of sandpaper pressed together, these plates offer each other a great deal of resistance.
This proposal also provides a warning. It suggests that regions that were previously thought to be seismically innocuous—regions with low levels of subduction may in fact be at a significant risk of earthquakes, depending on the nature of the subduction taking place.
One group of scientists now proposes that the relative quiet of these zones is tied to the nature of the collision between the plates. In many seismic hot zones the plates exhibit motion in opposite directions—that is, they collide because they are moving toward each other. And because the two plates are moving in opposite directions, the subduction zone is relatively motionless relative to the underlying mantle. In contrast, the plate collisions in the quiet subduction zones occur between two plates that are moving in the same general direction—the second plate's motion is simply faster than that of the first, and its leading edge therefore becomes subducted. But in this type of subduction, the collision zone moves with a comparatively high velocity relative to the mantle below. Thus, rather like an oar dipped into the water from a moving boat, the overtaking plate encounters great resistance from the mantle and is forced to descend steeply as it is absorbed into the mantle. The steep descent of the overtaking plate in this type of collision reduces the amount of contact between the two plates, and the earthquake-producing friction is thereby reduced as well. On the other hand, in collisions in which the plates move toward each other the subducted plate receives relatively little resistance from the mantle, and so its angle of descent is correspondingly shallow, allowing for a much larger plane of contact between the two plates. Like two sheets of sandpaper pressed together, these plates offer each other a great deal of resistance.
This proposal also provides a warning. It suggests that regions that were previously thought to be seismically innocuous—regions with low levels of subduction may in fact be at a significant risk of earthquakes, depending on the nature of the subduction taking place.
1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?
(A) As a result of differences in resistance when colliding plates are moving in the same or in opposite directions, the amount of subduction in a region is strongly correlated with the number of earthquakes.
(B) The differences between how colliding plates interact when moving in the same or in opposite directions offer scientists a plausible explanation of the rarity of earthquakes in some regions of intense subduction.
(C) Some scientists theorize that seismic "quiet zones" with almost no earthquakes occur where plates are traveling in the same direction and, consequently, do not collide with each other.
(D) A new version of the theory of plate tectonics that abandons the generally accepted explanation of earthquakes as resulting from the process of subduction has been posited by some scientists.
(E) The generally accepted theory of plate tectonics is threatened by new evidence that there are regions of the earth with high levels of subduction but which, nevertheless, have relatively low levels of seismic activity.
(A) As a result of differences in resistance when colliding plates are moving in the same or in opposite directions, the amount of subduction in a region is strongly correlated with the number of earthquakes.
(B) The differences between how colliding plates interact when moving in the same or in opposite directions offer scientists a plausible explanation of the rarity of earthquakes in some regions of intense subduction.
(C) Some scientists theorize that seismic "quiet zones" with almost no earthquakes occur where plates are traveling in the same direction and, consequently, do not collide with each other.
(D) A new version of the theory of plate tectonics that abandons the generally accepted explanation of earthquakes as resulting from the process of subduction has been posited by some scientists.
(E) The generally accepted theory of plate tectonics is threatened by new evidence that there are regions of the earth with high levels of subduction but which, nevertheless, have relatively low levels of seismic activity.
2. According to the passage, what results when two plates moving in the same direction collide?
(A) The trailing edge of the slower-moving plate is subducted under the faster-moving plate.
(B) The leading edge of the slower-moving plate is subducted under the faster-moving plate.
(C) The trailing edge of the faster-moving plate is subducted under the slower-moving plate.
(D) The leading edge of the faster-moving plate is subducted under the slower-moving plate.
(E) The leading edge of the smaller plate is subducted under the larger plate.
(A) The trailing edge of the slower-moving plate is subducted under the faster-moving plate.
(B) The leading edge of the slower-moving plate is subducted under the faster-moving plate.
(C) The trailing edge of the faster-moving plate is subducted under the slower-moving plate.
(D) The leading edge of the faster-moving plate is subducted under the slower-moving plate.
(E) The leading edge of the smaller plate is subducted under the larger plate.
3. Which one of the following, if true, would present the greatest challenge to the new proposal relating the amount of seismic activity to the type of collision between tectonic plates?
(A) Some regions where seismic activity is infrequent but subduction regularly occurs are regions in which the colliding plates move across the mantle in the same direction.
(B) There are areas in which plates collide but in which there is little or no seismic activity.
(C) There are areas where a plate has descended at a shallow angle during subduction but where there have been few, if any, earthquakes.
(D) The size of the plane of contact between colliding plates is related only to the angle at which subduction occurs.
(E) There is an area where a plate descended at a steep angle during subduction but there has been little or no seismic activity.
(A) Some regions where seismic activity is infrequent but subduction regularly occurs are regions in which the colliding plates move across the mantle in the same direction.
(B) There are areas in which plates collide but in which there is little or no seismic activity.
(C) There are areas where a plate has descended at a shallow angle during subduction but where there have been few, if any, earthquakes.
(D) The size of the plane of contact between colliding plates is related only to the angle at which subduction occurs.
(E) There is an area where a plate descended at a steep angle during subduction but there has been little or no seismic activity.
4. Based on the information in the passage, which one of the following sentences would most logically complete the last paragraph?
(A) Depending on the relationship between plate velocity and mantle, there is always the possibility that plate velocity could increase.
(B) The lower the level of subduction in an area, the greater the probability that any subduction there is occurring at a shallow angle.
(C) Any region where subduction occurs could suffer an increase in the level of subduction and a consequent increase in seismic activity.
(D) Even at low levels, the process known as subduction inevitably results in a significant amount of seismic activity.
(E) Even in such a region, a plate descending at a shallow angle is likely to cause a great deal of earthquake-producing friction.
(A) Depending on the relationship between plate velocity and mantle, there is always the possibility that plate velocity could increase.
(B) The lower the level of subduction in an area, the greater the probability that any subduction there is occurring at a shallow angle.
(C) Any region where subduction occurs could suffer an increase in the level of subduction and a consequent increase in seismic activity.
(D) Even at low levels, the process known as subduction inevitably results in a significant amount of seismic activity.
(E) Even in such a region, a plate descending at a shallow angle is likely to cause a great deal of earthquake-producing friction.
5. According to the information in the passage, which one of the following kinds of regions experiences the most earthquakes?
(A) regions where the nature of the collision between plates is such that one plate descends sharply into the mantle
(B) regions where resistance from the mantle during subduction is greatest
(C) regions where subduction occurs at shallow angles
(D) regions where there is the greatest amount of subduction
(E) regions where plates are traveling in the same general direction
(A) regions where the nature of the collision between plates is such that one plate descends sharply into the mantle
(B) regions where resistance from the mantle during subduction is greatest
(C) regions where subduction occurs at shallow angles
(D) regions where there is the greatest amount of subduction
(E) regions where plates are traveling in the same general direction
6. Which one of the following statements regarding seismic activity can be inferred from the passage?
(A) Earthquakes are frequent in any zones where there is considerable motion of colliding plates in relation to the underlying mantle.
(B) Earthquakes are equally likely to occur at any point along the plane of contact between two colliding plates
(C) Seismic quiet zones are at particular risk due to the very gradual accumulation of energy, which gets released relatively infrequently.
(D) No region can be identified as a subduction zone unless earthquakes occur there.
(E) Earthquakes are more likely to result where there is a large plane of contact between plates during subduction.
(A) Earthquakes are frequent in any zones where there is considerable motion of colliding plates in relation to the underlying mantle.
(B) Earthquakes are equally likely to occur at any point along the plane of contact between two colliding plates
(C) Seismic quiet zones are at particular risk due to the very gradual accumulation of energy, which gets released relatively infrequently.
(D) No region can be identified as a subduction zone unless earthquakes occur there.
(E) Earthquakes are more likely to result where there is a large plane of contact between plates during subduction.
08 May 2023, 08:55
Kudos
Bookmarks
Explanation
4. Based on the information in the passage, which one of the following sentences would most logically complete the last paragraph?
Explanation
The passage discusses the relationship between plate tectonics, subduction, and earthquakes. The last paragraph warns that regions previously thought to be seismically innocuous may in fact be at risk of earthquakes depending on the nature of the subduction taking place.
Option (E) is the correct answer because it builds on this warning and suggests that even in regions with low levels of subduction, if a plate is descending at a shallow angle, it is likely to cause a great deal of earthquake-producing friction. This is because a shallow angle of descent allows for a much larger plane of contact between the two plates, which can result in a great deal of resistance and friction.
Option (A) is incorrect because it suggests that plate velocity could increase, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (B) is incorrect because it suggests that the lower the level of subduction in an area, the greater the probability that any subduction there is occurring at a shallow angle, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (C) is incorrect because it suggests that any region where subduction occurs could suffer an increase in the level of subduction and a consequent increase in seismic activity, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (D) is incorrect because it suggests that even at low levels, the process known as subduction inevitably results in a significant amount of seismic activity, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Answer: E
Explanation
The passage discusses the relationship between plate tectonics, subduction, and earthquakes. The last paragraph warns that regions previously thought to be seismically innocuous may in fact be at risk of earthquakes depending on the nature of the subduction taking place.
Option (E) is the correct answer because it builds on this warning and suggests that even in regions with low levels of subduction, if a plate is descending at a shallow angle, it is likely to cause a great deal of earthquake-producing friction. This is because a shallow angle of descent allows for a much larger plane of contact between the two plates, which can result in a great deal of resistance and friction.
Option (A) is incorrect because it suggests that plate velocity could increase, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (B) is incorrect because it suggests that the lower the level of subduction in an area, the greater the probability that any subduction there is occurring at a shallow angle, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (C) is incorrect because it suggests that any region where subduction occurs could suffer an increase in the level of subduction and a consequent increase in seismic activity, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Option (D) is incorrect because it suggests that even at low levels, the process known as subduction inevitably results in a significant amount of seismic activity, but this is not directly related to the warning in the last paragraph about the risk of earthquakes in regions with low levels of subduction.
Answer: E
02 Jan 2024, 08:11
Kudos
Bookmarks
Please explain question number 3
