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Quote:
1) Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Confirmation of Wegener’s theory of continental drift came from unexpected sources.
(B) Critics of Wegener’s theory of continental drift provided information that contributed to its final acceptance
(C) The history of the theory of continental drift is similar in a number of ways to the history of Darwin’s most important theory.
(D) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift is now generally accepted, Wegener himself was unable to provide any evidence of its accuracy.
(E) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift had significant implications, many years and much effort were required to win its acceptance.

RusskiyLev
Please could you explain, why in the question 1 answer B is wrong?

Thanks.
RusskiyLev , sure.

The passage mentions only one critic of Wegener's theory, Harold Jeffreys.

He does not provide evidence that supports Wegener's theory.
In fact, in addition to providing zero evidence in support of the theory, Jeffrey's dismisses Wegener's theory—twice.

The first time that Jeffreys dismissed the theory, he took a careless look at a map and decided that South America and Africa did not appear to fit very well together (as puzzle pieces might).

The second time that Jeffreys dismissed the theory, a supporter of Wegener, Keith Runcorn, had discovered compelling evidence of continental drift:
True to form, Jeffreys brusquely rejected Runcorn’s studies. His casual disdain for such observational data led some field geologists to suggest that his classic should be retitled An Earth. (Para 3)

The critic, Jeffreys, did not provide any information that led to the acceptance of Wegener's theory.

If I am missing something, please tag me and let me know.

Hope that helps.
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Quote:
1) Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Confirmation of Wegener’s theory of continental drift came from unexpected sources.
(B) Critics of Wegener’s theory of continental drift provided information that contributed to its final acceptance
(C) The history of the theory of continental drift is similar in a number of ways to the history of Darwin’s most important theory.
(D) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift is now generally accepted, Wegener himself was unable to provide any evidence of its accuracy.
(E) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift had significant implications, many years and much effort were required to win its acceptance.

RusskiyLev
Please could you explain, why in the question 1 answer B is wrong?

Thanks.
RusskiyLev , sure.

The passage mentions only one critic of Wegener's theory, Harold Jeffreys.

He does not provide evidence that supports Wegener's theory.
In fact, in addition to providing zero evidence in support of the theory, Jeffrey's dismisses Wegener's theory—twice.

The first time that Jeffreys dismissed the theory, he took a careless look at a map and decided that South America and Africa did not appear to fit very well together (as puzzle pieces might).

The second time that Jeffreys dismissed the theory, a supporter of Wegener, Keith Runcorn, had discovered compelling evidence of continental drift:
True to form, Jeffreys brusquely rejected Runcorn’s studies. His casual disdain for such observational data led some field geologists to suggest that his classic should be retitled An Earth. (Para 3)

The critic, Jeffreys, did not provide any information that led to the acceptance of Wegener's theory.

If I am missing something, please tag me and let me know.

Hope that helps.

generis,

Thank you for the explanation. My main problem was the wrong interpretation of the word "critic". I thought that it is not only the person who gives a back feedback about the work of another author, but also people who justify it and bring some positive feedback on the work. So, I was thinking that it was not only Jeffries, but also Carey and Runcorn.
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RusskiyLev

generis,

Thank you for the explanation. My main problem was the wrong interpretation of the word "critic". I thought that it is not only the person who gives a back feedback about the work of another author, but also people who justify it and bring some positive feedback on the work. So, I was thinking that it was not only Jeffries, but also Carey and Runcorn.
RusskiyLev , now I understand: you were thinking of the second meaning of the word "critic."

In North America and the UK, that second meaning is used routinely only in one area, namely, the arts, especially the fine arts and film.
"Art critic" and "film critic" are neutral, with connotations that match the way you understood the word.

Reviewer of any kind, in any area, is neutral.

On the GMAT, as far as I recall, when we see "critic" in a passage about science, especially when scientists or scholars have opposing views of a person's work, a critic is someone who disagrees with or is hostile towards the person's work.

[Interesting sidebar: I just looked at a few major sources for antonyms of "critic."
Three major dictionaries do not list antonyms that help in this case.
But this source does so: supporter, adherent, devotee, praiser, enthusiast, and apologist are antonyms of critic that we might see on the GMAT. I don't know much about that source. In this case, it's accurate.]
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generis
RusskiyLev

generis,

Thank you for the explanation. My main problem was the wrong interpretation of the word "critic". I thought that it is not only the person who gives a back feedback about the work of another author, but also people who justify it and bring some positive feedback on the work. So, I was thinking that it was not only Jeffries, but also Carey and Runcorn.
RusskiyLev , now I understand: you were thinking of the second meaning of the word "critic."

In North America and the UK, that second meaning is used routinely only in one area, namely, the arts, especially the fine arts and film.
"Art critic" and "film critic" are neutral, with connotations that match the way you understood the word.

Reviewer of any kind, in any area, is neutral.

On the GMAT, as far as I recall, when we see "critic" in a passage about science, especially when scientists or scholars have opposing views of a person's work, a critic is someone who disagrees with or is hostile towards the person's work.

[Interesting sidebar: I just looked at a few major sources for antonyms of "critic."
Three major dictionaries do not list antonyms that help in this case.
But this source does so: supporter, adherent, devotee, praiser, enthusiast, and apologist are antonyms of critic that we might see on the GMAT. I don't know much about that source. In this case, it's accurate.]

Hi,
Why is D wrong and what are the implications mentioned in (E)?

hi,
D-incorrect as nowehere it is mentioned in passage about the wegner's effort to prove his theory so we don't know if he did or didn't have any proof
E- Correct as it is clear from the last line of first para. Implications are the effects it had directly or indirectly on other studies and researches.
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auradediligodo
5. The author’s mention of the fact that some field geologists suggested calling Jeffreys’ work An Earth serves to

Pre-thinking:An earth is used to denote: "His casual disdain for such observational data.". It seems that other scientists see his work as something describing another planet and as something based on some interpretations that don't seem really convincing

(A) contrast two of Jeffreys’ ideas the title itself does not contrast with J's ideas. Incorrect
(B) justify criticisms of Jeffreys’ work again the title itself can't justify anything of the sort. Incorrect
(C) emphasize an opinion of Jeffreys’ work this is very close because the scientists who refer to J's work think that his work is based on observations that are not really well researched. So according to them J's work is no more than an opinion, IE not based on sure proofs. Also pay attention to the use of the article "an": it implies that there could be other earths (=opinion)
(D) explain the reasons for Jeffreys’ conflict with Wegener the title can not really convey this idea just by itslef
(E) support an assertion about Jeffreys’ crticis again not in line with the scientists view on J

I cannot get this quesiton, anyone can help ?

Quote:
His casual disdain for such observational data led some field geologists to suggest that his classic should be retitled An Earth.
as the sentence from passage,i did not figure that It seems that other scientists see his work as something describing another planet and as something based on some interpretations that don't seem really convincing[/b]
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auradediligodo
5. The author’s mention of the fact that some field geologists suggested calling Jeffreys’ work An Earth serves to

Pre-thinking:An earth is used to denote: "His casual disdain for such observational data.". It seems that other scientists see his work as something describing another planet and as something based on some interpretations that don't seem really convincing

(A) contrast two of Jeffreys’ ideas the title itself does not contrast with J's ideas. Incorrect
(B) justify criticisms of Jeffreys’ work again the title itself can't justify anything of the sort. Incorrect
(C) emphasize an opinion of Jeffreys’ work this is very close because the scientists who refer to J's work think that his work is based on observations that are not really well researched. So according to them J's work is no more than an opinion, IE not based on sure proofs. Also pay attention to the use of the article "an": it implies that there could be other earths (=opinion)
(D) explain the reasons for Jeffreys’ conflict with Wegener the title can not really convey this idea just by itslef
(E) support an assertion about Jeffreys’ crticis again not in line with the scientists view on J

I cannot get this quesiton, anyone can help ?

Quote:
His casual disdain for such observational data led some field geologists to suggest that his classic should be retitled An Earth.
as the sentence from passage,i did not figure that It seems that other scientists see his work as something describing another planet and as something based on some interpretations that don't seem really convincing[/b]

I'm happy to help here ;)
Scientists in general think about Jeffrey as a superficial person that even when presented with good and reasonable evidence doesn't change his ideas and sticks with his beliefs. So when scientists look at his work they don't believe it is credible and based on concrete facts because they believe in facts, proofs and evidence. Hence it is reasonable to say that they believe Jeffrey's work to be much of an opinion rather than something supported by proof, evidence and facts.

Hope this helps!
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auradediligodo
Hi,

7. The information in the passage suggests that which one of the following findings would most clearly undermine evidence for the theory of continental drift?

Pre-Thinking: In order to undermine a theory it is important to know what is the evidence that confirms the theory. So refer to the last paragraph and to the outcomes of the research of seafloor spreading. Two results come out of it: #1:ocean basins are so much younger than the continents. #2:the plates, and so the continents on them, move. Now try to weaken these two facts

(A) It is discovered that the ocean basins are actually older than the continents in line with our prethinking and hence correct
(B) New techniques of geometric projection are discovered that make much more accurate mapping possible this would not undermine the theory as for the fact that mapping is insufficient evidence anyhow
(C) It is determined that the magnetic fields of some basalts magnetized in Europe and North America during the twentieth century have the same magnetic field alignment I'd say wrong here because it talks about sediments which are contemporary whether the analysis in the passage talks about older sediments
(D) It is found that the magnetic fields of some contemporaneous basalts in Africa and South America have different magnetic fields again the contemporary issue here
(E) It is determined that Jeffreys had performed careful observational studies of geological phenomena J made his conclusions just by observing maps so whether he made accurate geological studies is not of our concern



Hey auradediligodo hope you are doing great.

I think "C" is incorrect because of the presence of some. without "some" it would be a strong contender.


Refer the correct passage area here

Quote:
Although one would expect that the magnetic fields of rocks of the same age from any continent would all be aligned the same way the earth’s magnetic field was aligned at that time, the magnetic fields of basalts in North America are now aligned quite differently from rocks formed in the same epoch in Europe. Thus, the rocks provided clear evidence that the continents had drifted
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Can someone explain answer 5

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Can someone explain answer 5

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Explanation

5. The author’s mention of the fact that some field geologists suggested calling Jeffreys’ work An Earth serves to

Difficulty Level: Vary Hard

Explanation

The author's mention of the fact that some field geologists suggested calling Jeffreys' work "An Earth" serves to emphasize an opinion of Jeffreys' work. The phrase "An Earth" is likely intended as a sarcastic play on words, suggesting that Jeffreys' work was more focused on theoretical ideas about the Earth rather than being grounded in observational data. This sarcastic suggestion highlights the author's perspective that Jeffreys was dismissive of observational data, as indicated by his casual disdain for evidence such as Runcorn's studies on the alignment of magnetic fields in rocks.

Option (A) is incorrect because the passage does not contrast two of Jeffreys' ideas; rather, it discusses Jeffreys' dismissal of Wegener's theory and Runcorn's studies.

Option (B) is not the primary purpose of mentioning the suggestion to rename Jeffreys' work. The mention serves to emphasize an opinion but not necessarily to justify criticisms of Jeffreys' work.

Option (D) is incorrect because the passage does not provide information about Jeffreys' conflict with Wegener. It mainly focuses on Jeffreys' dismissal of Wegener's theory and Runcorn's studies.

Option (E) is not the primary purpose of mentioning the suggestion to rename Jeffreys' work. The mention serves to emphasize an opinion but not specifically to support an assertion about Jeffreys' criticisms.

Answer: C
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Summary:

[Puzzle-like fit of continents]

[S.W. Carey used accurate mapping → Close fit]

[Supports idea they were once joined]

-------------------------------------

[Magnetic alignment in rocks]

[Rocks of same age on different continents had different magnetic directions]

[Implies continents were in different places when those rocks formed]

-------------------------------------

[Seafloor spreading discovery in 1966]

[Molten rock comes up → pushes ocean floor apart]

[New ocean floor forms → proves plates (and continents) move]

[Also explains: Why ocean floors are YOUNGER than continents]
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