Hi everyone,
Took 15 minutes including 5 minutes to read, write down paragraphs summaries and main point formulation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------P1This paragraphs describes how the practice of dowsing works. Plus we have an example explaining how this practice can determine the location of underground water, the distance to the water from the surface and the potential well's flow rate.
P2This paragraph talks about the skeptics.
Their point of view:
-crude method
-dowsing=subconscious of the dowser
-only few cases of success, lots of cases of inconsistency and failure
-dowsing successful only when lots of water
P3This paragraph talks about the proponents of dowsing.
-Dowsing studies did not take into consideration a significant sample.
-Dowsers may be sensitive to electromagnetic field
-higher success rates than geologists and hydrologists to locate underground water
P4Paragraphs 4 intends to support the last 2 claims made in paragraph 3 :
#1 successful dowsers may be sensitive to minute changes in Earth's electromagnetic field associated with variations in subsurface conditions
#2 these dowsers have higher success rates than geologists and hydrologists who use scientific tools such as electromagnetic sensors or seismic readings to locate groundwater.
So Dowsers, geologists and hydrologists are put together in an unfamiliar area where no clues on the surface are indicative of the presence of underground water. Dowsers are the best.
MP
Describe the practice of dowsing and support the proponents of this practice rather than those skeptical of it
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Which one of the following most accurately describes the primary purpose of the second paragraph?
Pre-thinking:
Refer to the paragraph map above.(A) to add detail to the description presented in the first paragraph
P2 talks about the skeptics. Hence incorrect(B) to offer two perspectives that are synthesized into a new perspective presented in the final paragraph
P2 talks about the skeptics. Plus last paragraph is i support of the proponents. Hence incorrect(C) to present arguments against which the third paragraph presents counterarguments
Wordy put but correct. Hence correct(D) to explore in detail the ramifications of one claim made in the first paragraph
P2 talks about the skeptics. Hence incorrect(E) to clarify the issues on both sides in a dispute that the third paragraph attempts to resolve
P2 talks about the skeptics. Hence incorrect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. According to the passage, dowsing's skeptics acknowledge which one of the following?
Pre-thinking:
My guess is that there are some cases of success in the practice of dowsing acc to skeptics(A) A few dowsers have shown considerable and consistent success.
In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct(B) Dowsing techniques are generally rejected by scientists.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect(C) Successful dowsers are not well represented in the typical study of dowsing's efficacy.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect(D) Successful dowsers may be sensitive to minute changes in Earth's electromagnetic field.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Plus out of context. Hence incorrect(E) Each dowsing technique should be evaluated separately.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The reasoning in which one of the following is most analogous to an argument explicitly attributed to dowsing's skeptics in the passage?
Pre-thinking:
Let's analyze the answer choices(A) Some weather analysts claim that no one can forecast the weather a week ahead with better than 40 percent accuracy, but some computer models have been known to perform with more accuracy than that.
Out of scope. Hence incorrect(B) Some people claim to have seen ghosts, but very few of these people can adduce even the smallest piece of credible evidence to support their claims.
Out of scope. Hence incorrect(C) Some musicians perform so well that their performances have been said to express a pure, innate talent, but such performances are in fact due to years of very intense practice.
Out of scope. Hence incorrect(D) Some people claim to be able to sense where the area's good fishing spots are, but the lakes in the area are so loaded with fish it would be difficult not to pick a good spot.
Along the lines of the last sentence in P2. Hence correct(E) Some people have memories of participating in historical events in which they did not actually participate, but this does not prove that they have been reincarnated.
Out of scope. Hence incorrect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. The author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements about the results of the groundwater-locating study discussed in the final paragraph?
Pre-thinking:
Last P supports two claims made by the proponents. Any statement along with the lines of those claims will be our answer.
#1 successful dowsers may be sensitive to minute changes in Earth's electromagnetic field associated with variations in subsurface conditions
#2 these dowsers have higher success rates than geologists and hydrologists who use scientific tools such as electromagnetic sensors or seismic readings to locate groundwater.(A) The results suggest that geologists and hydrologists would likely be of little service to any groundwater-locating effort.
Opposite. Hence incorrect(B) The results leave open the possibility that dowsers can sense minute changes in Earth's electromagnetic field.
In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct(C) The results prove conclusively that dowsing is the most dependable technique for finding water in arid countries.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect(D) The results demonstrate that dowsers are most successful in their efforts to locate groundwater when they use tools that are typically employed by geologists and hydrologists.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect(E) The results do not help to refute skeptics' arguments, because the results provide evidence for dowsing's efficacy in only one type of terrain.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. The passage provides information most helpful in answering which one of the following questions?
Pre-thinking:
Let's evaluate the answer choices(A) When was dowsing first employed as a means of locating groundwater?
The passage toes not help on this one. Hence incorrect(B) Is the success of dowsers affected by rainstorms that may have saturated the ground in the area being dowsed?
The passage toes not help on this one. Hence incorrect(C) What proportion of successful dowsers use forked sticks in locating groundwater?
The passage toes not help on this one. Hence incorrect(D) Is dowsing ever utilized to try to locate anything other than water?
Dowser can locate objects according to the first lines of P1. Hence correct(E) What are some of the specific surface clues that can indicate the presence of groundwater?
The passage toes not help on this one. Hence incorrect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. The passage provides the most support for inferring which one of the following statements?
Pre-thinking:
Let's analyze the answer choices(A) Narrow, tilted fracture zones in underlying bedrock are more likely to be found in arid regions than in other regions.
Cannot be inferred from the given information. Hence incorrect(B) There are no reliable studies indicating that dowsers are consistently able to locate subsurface resources other than groundwater.
Cannot be inferred from the given information. Hence incorrect(C) A dowser attempting to locate a dry fracture zone would not use the same tools as a dowser attempting to locate groundwater.
Cannot be inferred from the given information. Hence incorrect(D) Geologists and hydrologists participating in the groundwater-locating study described in the final paragraph could not locate a dry fracture zone upon request.
Cannot be inferred from the given information. Hence incorrect(E) The groundwater-locating study described in the final paragraph was not a typical dowsing study.
Study talks about successful dowsers and successful dowsers are just a few. Plus the study is conducted in arid regions with no surface clue Hence correct----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It's a good day to be alive, cheers!