If my colleagues and I are right, we may soon be saying good-bye to

Question

If my colleagues and I are right, we may soon be saying good-bye to the idea that our universe was a single fireball created in the big bang. We Line are exploring a new theory based on a 15-year-old notion that the universe went through a stage of inflation. During that time, the theory holds, the cosmos became exponentially large within an infinitesimal fraction of a second. At the end of this period, the universe continued its evolution according to the big bang model. As workers refined this inflationary scenario, they uncovered some surprising consequences. One of them constitutes a fundamental change in how the cosmos is seen. Recent versions of inflationary theory assert that instead of being an expanding ball of fire the universe is a huge, growing fractal. It consists of many inflating balls that produce more balls, which in turn produce more balls, ad infinitum.

Cosmologists did not arbitrarily invent this rather peculiar vision of the universe. Several workers, first in Russia and later in the U.S., proposed the inflationary hypothesis that is the basis of its foundation. We did so to solve some of the complications left by the old big bang theory. In its standard form, the big bang theory pm maintains that the universe was born about 15 billion years ago from a cosmological singularity—a state in which the temperature and density are infinitely high. Of course, one cannot really speak in physical terms about these quantities as being infinite. One usually assumes pm that the current laws of physics did not apply then. They took hold only after the density of the universe dropped below the so-called Planck density, which equals about 1094 grams per cubic centimeter.

As the universe expanded, it gradually cooled. Remnants of the primordial cosmic fire still surround us in the form of the microwave background radiation. This radiation indicates that the temperature of the universe has dropped to 2.7 kelvins. The 1965 discovery of this background radiation proved to be the crucial evidence in establishing the big bang theory as the preeminent theory of cosmology. The big bang theory also explained the abundances of hydrogen, helium, and other elements in the universe.

As investigators developed the theory, they uncovered complications. For example, the standard big bang theory, coupled with the modern theory of elementary particles, predicts the existence of many super-heavy particles carrying magnetic charge—that is, objects that have only one magnetic pole. These magnetic monopoles would have a typical mass 1016 times that of the proton, or about 0.00001 milligram. According to the standard big bang theory, monopoles should have emerged very early in the evolution of the universe and should now be as (551 abundant as protons. In that case, the mean density of matter in the universe would be about 15 orders of magnitude greater than its present value, which is about 10-29 grams per cubic centimeter.    1

1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

A. Scientists have proven the big bang theory to be inaccurate and replaced it with the concept that the universe inflated over time. 
B. Because the big bang theory cannot account for the actual state of the universe, it is possible that the universe actually evolved through inflation. 
C. The big bang theory cannot be discounted completely, but the inflationary theory is also plagued by inconsistencies. 
D. The big bang theory is incorrect because of the absence of magnetic monopoles in the universe. 
E. Cosmologists have combined the big bang theory with the inflationary theory to produce a new picture of the universe's evolution.

2

2. The tone of the passage can best be described as

A. largely nostalgic but also critical 
B. largely concerned but also amused 
C. largely indifferent but also cautious 
D. largely informative but also hopeful 
E. largely appreciative but also modest

3

3. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the passage as a whole?

A. A new theory is introduced, a reason for the proposal of that theory is generally described, and certain shortcomings of an older theory are discussed. 
B. A new theory is introduced, a reason for the proposal of that theory is generally described, and an older theory is discarded. 
C. A new theory is introduced, and the reasons for the discarding of an old theory are described.
D. A new theory is introduced; the evidence supporting that theory is described. 
E. A new theory is introduced, criticism of that theory is considered, and the new theory is further refined.

carcass · Answer

QUESTION #1

B  To find the main idea, here’s all you need to read: 
• “If my colleagues and I are right, we may soon be saying good-bye to the idea that our universe was a single fireball created in the big bang. We are exploring a new theory based on a 15-year-old notion that the universe went through a stage of inflation.” 
• “Cosmologists did not arbitrarily invent this rather peculiar vision of the universe.” 
• “As the universe expanded, it gradually cooled.” 
• “As investigators developed the theory, they uncovered complications.” 
• “In that case, the mean density of matter in the universe would be about 15 orders of magnitude greater than its present value, which is about 10-29 grams per cubic centimeter.” Given these sentences, how might you paraphrase the main idea? That the big bang theory may be wrong and that the inflationary theory may be right? Now you can go to the answer choices. Eliminate (A) because it’s too extreme. Scientists haven’t proven the big bang theory wrong. Leave (B) in because it’s a good match for your paraphrase. Also, note how moderate (B) is. Eliminate (C) because it says the inflationary theory is bad. Remember, it’s the big bang theory that’s problematic, not the inflationary theory. Eliminate (D) because it mentions stuff (magnetic monopoles) you didn’t read about. Eliminate (E) because it suggests the big bang theory is okay. The best answer, then, is (B).

carcass · Answer

QUESTION #2

D  Most of the passage provides information about the big bang and complications that arise from the theory. However, in the beginning of the first two paragraphs, the authors express hope that their new theory will resolve these complications. Thus, (D) is correct. Choices (A) and (C) are wrong because the authors are not nostalgic or indifferent. While the authors may be concerned about the problems associated with the big bang, the overall tone of the passage is not one of concern. In any event, the authors are not amused, eliminating (B). While the authors do appear to appreciate their new theory of inflation, (E) is too strong: The passage as a whole is not largely appreciative, but, rather, mostly informative.

carcass · Answer

QUESTION #3

A  Rather than dealing with one answer at a time, start by looking at the first statement of each answer. They are all the same, and they are accurate: The first paragraph introduces the recent theory of inflation. Next, look at the second statement of each answer. Choices (A) and (B) work best: The beginning of the second paragraph explains that the inflation theory was developed to address complications arising from the big bang theory. Choice (C) is wrong because the authors did not say that the big bang theory was discarded, (D) is wrong because no supporting evidence is provided, and (E) is wrong because the authors do not discuss criticism of the inflation theory. Finally, look at the last statement in (A) and (B). Choice (A) is correct because the remainder of the passage describes the big bang theory and shortcomings of that theory. Choice (B) is too strong; the authors seek to supplement, not discard, the big bang theory.

ducchi1301 · Answer

1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?  
 A. Scientists have proven the big bang theory to be inaccurate and replaced it with the concept that the universe inflated over time.  (Too conclusive, eliminated.)  
 B. Because the big bang theory cannot account for the actual state of the universe, it is possible that the universe actually evolved through inflation.   (This is right, cause the expression is not definitive and comprise enough information.)   
 C. The big bang theory cannot be discounted completely, but the inflationary theory is also plagued by inconsistencies. ( No weakness of the inflationary theory is discussed in the passage.)  
 D. The big bang theory is incorrect because of the absence of magnetic monopoles in the universe.  (It's just a portion of the passage, not all.)  
 E. Cosmologists have combined the big bang theory with the inflationary theory to produce a new picture of the universe's evolution. 
 (It's not combined, if you read carefully, especially the last paragraph.)

wasario · Answer

Question 1 by itself took me almost 5 minutes to wrack my brain to get the answer, so I'm leaving my explanations for these questions here:

1. This is a main idea question, i.e. what is the thesis and main takeaway from this passage? Let's go choice by choice.

A) Incorrect, scientists aren't necessarily replacing the big bang theory, but rather tweaking it to solve for inconsistencies.
 B)  Correct, this passage's primary purpose is to propose the theory that the big bang is not 1 fire ball of evolution, but rather than inflation of small evolutions before then diving into how and why this theory came about, in this case being unable to address the state of the universe.
C) Incorrect, the new theory is seen as SOLVING the big bang theory's consistencies, not adding to them
D) Incorrect, this is a trick answer because it's actually true; HOWEVER, this is just a point to support the main idea, it's not the actual primary purpose of the passage
E) Incorrect, very tricky answer! While it's true that cosmetologists derived the inflation theory from the old school big bang theory, they did NOT combine the 2. Rather, inflation theory was made as a solution to the problems with the original big bang theory, and evolved from it.

B  is the correct answer.

2) The tone of the passage. Let's go through 1 by 1

A) Incorrect, while it's true the author is talking about the history of the big bang theory, there's nothing nostalgic about their tone, they're simply explaining the history, not reminiscing. 
B) Incorrect, no sign of concern anywhere.
C) Incorrect, the author is actually quite interested in the subject.
 D)  Correct, the author takes a mostly informative stance to inform the reader on the inflation theory and where it came from. However, the author approaches this theory with hope that they found a way to explain the inconsistencies of the old big bang theory with this new one.
E) Incorrect, no sign of thankfulness anywhere.

D  is the correct answer.

3) Organization of the passage. For these types of questions, I usually like to come up with my own answer, and then compare to the answer choices. The first paragraph sets the stage for introducing to us what exactly the inflation theory is. It then goes on to describe where it came from by first discussing the history of the big bang theory in the second and third paragraphs, and then by exposing the flaws with it in the fourth theory in order to explain what started the rise of the inflation theory. A  is the only answer that matches this.

A  is the correct answer.

If my colleagues and I are right, we may soon be saying good-bye to

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