First identified in 1969, komatiites are Earth’s oldest known

Question

First identified in 1969, komatiites are Earth’s oldest known volcanic rocks and contain three times as much magnesium as do most volcanic rocks. This chemical composition suggests that komatiites formed from the hottest lava known ever to have erupted: a high concentration of magnesium changes the physical properties of lava so that unusually high temperatures would be required for the lava to exist as a liquid.

Komatiites’ discovery was surprising in light of then-current geological theories about magmas, moltenrock that forms in the Earth’s mantle (the layer beneath the crust) and composes volcanic lava eruptions. Prior to 1960, geologists Bowen and Hess disagreed over whether or not the very high temperatures needed to produce magmas rich in magnesium could have existed on Earth. Hess suggested that the presence of water, probably released from minerals decomposing in the Earth’s mantle, might have meant that a high-magnesium magma could have existed at a lower temperature. But Bowen showed experimentally that the high temperatures were indeed necessary. By 1960, it was generally accepted that volcanic rocks with such high levels of magnesium could not exist, and thus the discovery of komatiites changed geologists’ assumptions about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle around the time of the formation of komatiites, between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.   1 
 1. Which of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?

(A) Two divergent views of a scientific phenomenon are reconciled.
(B) A phenomenon is described and its scientific significance is discussed.
(C) The discovery of a scientific phenomenon is traced and its implications for further research are suggested.
(D) A long-standing scientific theory is examined and recently discovered evidence is shown to support it.
(E) The ways in which a particular geological phenomenon is exceptional are detailed and classified.

B 
 2 
 2. Information in the passage suggests which of the following concerning the Earth’s mantle 2.5 to 4 billion years ago?

(A) It contained magmas that were more significantly affected by the decomposition of minerals than are current-day magmas.
(B) It contained a lower proportion of water that it contains today.
(C) Its characteristics were accurately described by both Bowen and Hess.
(D) Its temperature was sufficiently high to produce magmas with high magnesium content.
(E) Its total magnesium content then was roughly equivalent to its magnesium content today.

D 
 3 
 3. Which of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) Komatiites provide information about rates of volcanic eruption between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.
(B) Komatiites provide information about how the physical properties of lava in the Earth’s past compare with those of current-day lava.
(C) Komatiites provide evidence that undermines Bowen’s experimental conclusions regarding the temperatures at which lava exists as a liquid.
(D) Komatiites provide evidence that has changed geologists’ ideas about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.
(E) Komatiites provide evidence that water in the Earth’s mantle may have reduced the temperature required for lava to exist as a liquid.

D

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13918834-200/

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

The direct answer to your question is no, the passage is not saying that temperatures this high cannot exist (quite the opposite, in fact). But what's more important is that we weren't asked "what does the passage say?" Let's take a closer look at the question:

"Organization" is another word for "structure," and this passage is structured into two paragraphs. So why does the author write each of these two paragraphs?

Paragraph 1 introduces komatiites and presents a hypothesis for how they formed (i.e., from the hottest lava ever known). 
  Paragraph 2 presents the work of two geologists who had previously tried to explain how volcanic rocks like komatiites could be created. The author uses their research to support the statement that  "the discovery of komatiites changed geologists’ assumptions about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle around the time of the formation of komatiites, between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago."

To recap: P1 tells us about komatiites, and P2 explains why the discovery of komatiites mattered. Let's see which answer choice matches our understanding of how the passage is organized.

This choice only describes paragraph 2, which is enough reason to eliminate it. But if we take this further, the choice falls apart because the author never  reconciles  the views of Bowen and Hess. Ultimately, Bowen is shown to be right and Hess is shown to be wrong.

This is a pretty good match! The "phenomenon" is komatiites (more specifically, the way in which komatiites are formed). The first paragraph certainly was written to describe komatiites, and the second paragraph discusses how and why komatiites were scientifically significant. Let's keep (B) around and see if we find anything that's even better.

Which portion of the passage  traces the discovery  of komatiites? Paragraph 1 mentions the discovery, and paragraph 2 walks through research that took place prior to the discovery of komatiites. But neither paragraph traces how komatiites were discovered.

Futhermore, paragraph 2 focuses on research that was done  before  komatiites were discovered, and nothing in the passage discusses implications for  further  research. Choice (C) looks good at first, but falls apart completely once you start reading it closely. Let's eliminate it.

Komatiites are the only things we might call "recently discovered" in this passage. But the author begins paragraph 2 by telling us that the discovery of komatiites "was surprising in light of then-current geological theories." This directly contradicts choice (D), so we'll eliminate (D) as well.

This passage only details one way in which komatiites are exceptional: their high magnesium content. And the author is focused on explaining how high magnesium content became part of the komatiites, not classifying various exceptional details. This choice doesn't line up with the structure of the passage, and doesn't accurately describe what the author is doing. Eliminate (E).

(B) is the only answer choice that lines up with what we've actually read, so we're sticking with it. I hope this helps!

Marcab · Answer

Hii GMATRANT.
The passage discusses the discovery of Komatites or whatever, which is rich in Mg.
Then the passage goes on to tell that two scientists Hess and Bowen examined the formation of molten rocks with high Mg, at certain temperatures.
Hess suggested in favour i.e. rocks rich in Mg can be formed at lower temperature whereas Bowen countered by saying that high temperature is necessary.
Later it was proved that such volcanic rocks with high Mg could not exist.

D suggests "A long-standing scientific theory is examined and recently discovered evidence is shown to support it". We can't say whether a theory if persists for 9 years can be proclaimed as long standing theory. Moreover The discovery of Komatites did not support the view but rather changed the previous perception and proved that such rocks, which have high Mg content can exist.

B is correct since it is the best among the choices. However, I am not very convinced about the first part of B; second part looks perfect.
 
Please mention the source of the question while posting the questions.

TGC · Answer

(B) it is.

Discovery of "K" - in 1969 => Require hottest LAVA(which can be formed only in high temperatures).
k = 3(Mg than general Lava) and High MG requires High Temperatures.

So "K" was discovered => there existed LAVA rich in MG and HIGH Temp.

1960 - view was molten magma and blah blah.Two scientist checked for the existence of high MG with low temperature and thereby one of the SCI testified that HIGH Temp is req => HIGH MG.

So the Discovery of "k" changed assumptions of many scientists .(Significance of the discovery).

WaterFlowsUp · Answer

Information in the passage suggests which of the following concerning the Earth’s mantle 2.5 to 4
billion years ago?
A. It contained magmas that were more significantly affected by the decomposition of minerals than
are current-day magmas.
B. It contained a lower proportion of water that it contains today.
C. Its characteristics were accurately described by both Bowen and Hess.
D. Its temperature was sufficiently high to produce magmas with high magnesium content.
E. Its total magnesium content then was roughly equivalent to its magnesium content today.

Which of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?
A. Komatiites provide information about rates of volcanic eruption between 2.5 and 4 billion years
ago.
B. Komatiites provide information about how the physical properties of lava in the Earth’s past
compare with those of current-day lava.
C. Komatiites provide evidence that undermines Bowen’s experimental conclusions regarding the
temperatures at which lava exists as a liquid.
D. Komatiites provide evidence that has changed geologists’ ideas about the characteristics of the
Earth’s mantle between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.
E. Komatiites provide evidence that water in the Earth’s mantle may have reduced the temperature
required for lava to exist as a liquid.

JarvisR · Answer

Time Taken 6:24. All Correct.

Information in the passage suggests which of the following concerning the Earth’s mantle 2.5 to 4 billion years ago?
A. It contained magmas that were more significantly affected by the decomposition of minerals than are current-day magmas.
B. It contained a lower proportion of water that it contains today.
C. Its characteristics were accurately described by both Bowen and Hess.

D. Its temperature was sufficiently high to produce magmas with high magnesium content.
 
ButBowen showed experimentally that the hightemperatures were indeed necessary. By 1960, it was generally accepted that volcanic rocks with such high levels of magnesium could not exist, and thus the discovery of komatiites changed geologists’ assumptions about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle around the time of the formation of komatiites,between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.

E. Its total magnesium content then was roughly equivalent to its magnesium content today.

Which of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?
A. Komatiites provide information about rates of volcanic eruption between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.
B. Komatiites provide information about how the physical properties of lava in the Earth’s past compare with those of current-day lava.
C. Komatiites provide evidence that undermines Bowen’s experimental conclusions regarding the temperatures at which lava exists as a liquid.
 D. Komatiites provide evidence that has changed geologists’ ideas about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago.
  Thats is pretty much covered in the starting and end of second para.
E. Komatiites provide evidence that water in the Earth’s mantle may have reduced the temperature required for lava to exist as a liquid.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Interesting passage . Took 7 mins 30 seconds :roll:

, including 2 mins 30 seconds to read . -The author describes a certain phenomenon that was first identified in 1969 -The author then discusses the significance of that phenomenon 1. B 2.“By 1960, it was generally accepted that volcanic rocks with such high levels of magnesium could not exist, and thus the discovery of komatiites changed geologists’ assumptions about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle around the time of the formation of komatiites, between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago." Since geologists assumed that temperatures weren’t high enough to produce magmas with sufficient magnesium content, the information in the passage changed those assumptions leading to option (D) as the right answer choice. 3. “By 1960, it was generally accepted that volcanic rocks with such high levels of magnesium could not exist, and thus the discovery of komatiites changed geologists’ assumptions about the characteristics of the Earth’s mantle around the time of the formation of komatiites, between 2.5 and 4 billion years ago." Option (D) is a clear word justification of the above and is hence correct.

KaulMeAnkit · Answer

GMATNinja

Hi,

Can you please help me with Q1 of the passage?
Isn't the passage saying that the discovery is surprising and that the temperature this high cannot exist?

Regards

Agarwal2003 · Answer

Can you please share the official explanation for question 1

egmat · Answer

Question 1:

Here's how to approach this step-by-step:

Step 1: Map the overall flow 
Notice how the passage moves from introducing komatiites → explaining why their chemistry matters → telling us why scientists were shocked → giving us the backstory → concluding with the impact. This isn't randomly organized - there's a clear purpose.

Step 2: Identify what gets the most attention 
Ask yourself: what does the author spend most time explaining? It's komatiites themselves (what they are, their unique properties) and why this discovery matters to science. The Bowen-Hess debate? That's just context to help us understand why the discovery was so significant.

Step 3: Watch out for the detail trap 
The historical timeline and scientific debate might make you think this is about "tracing a discovery process" or "reconciling different views." But those elements are supporting players, not the main show. The passage is fundamentally about describing komatiites and discussing their scientific importance.

Step 4: Apply the big picture test 
If you had to summarize this passage in one sentence, you'd say: "Komatiites are special volcanic rocks whose discovery changed what scientists believed about ancient Earth." That's description + significance, which points directly to answer choice  B .

The key insight here is learning to distinguish between the main organizational purpose and the supporting elements that provide context. Don't let the fascinating scientific backstory distract you from seeing that this passage is primarily about  what  komatiites are and  why  they matter.

You can check out the  detailed solution on Neuron by e-GMAT  to master the systematic framework for tackling all passage organization questions efficiently. You can also explore comprehensive solutions for  other official RC questions on Neuron  to build consistent accuracy across all question types.

First identified in 1969, komatiites are Earth’s oldest known

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First identified in 1969, komatiites are Earth’s oldest known

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