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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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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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Hi,

took me 17 minutes of which 6 minutes for reading, making paragraphs summaries and main point formulation. Got 7/7 correct.

P1:Proving W'theory was not easy
P2: present W'theory and critics from J
P3: K and R's theories in opposition to J's theory
P4: How W's theory was fully explained through seafloor spreading

MP: present W's theory along with opposing, supporting views and an explanation for the theory

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

prethinking: refer to the main point formulation above

(A) Confirmation of Wegener’s theory of continental drift came from unexpected sources. the seafloor spreading evidence is not unexpected. plus the confirmation of W's theory is only related to last paragraph
(B) Critics of Wegener’s theory of continental drift provided information that contributed to its final acceptance here the critics are represented by J who does not provide any evidence in support of W's theory
(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. it is not similar, hence incorrect
(D) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift is now generally accepted, Wegener himself was unable to provide any evidence of its accuracy. in P2it is written that W was puzzled about his theory but the passage is not only about this! Hence incorrect
(E) Though Wegener’s theory of continental drift had significant implications, many years and much effort were required to win its acceptance. yes. even tough it is not worded exactly as our MP there are some similarities.


2. Jeffreys’ approach to Wegener’s theory is most like the approach of which one of the following?

Pre-thinking: refer to P2. I would say that Jeffrey approach is superficial and not willing to evaluate other options

(A) a botanist who concludes that two species are unrelated based on superficial examination of their appearance Yes. In P2 it is written that just because he could not see a perfect match between south america and Africa he rejected the validity of W's theory
(B) a driver who attempts to find a street in an unfamiliar city without a map in this AC we lack of two elements of comparisons and the superficial behaviour
(C) a zoologist who studies animal behavior rather than anatomy this AC would suggest that J studied a different topic which is not true... hence incorrect
(D) a politician who bases the decision to run for office on the findings of a public opinion poll this behavior seems rational and based on a detailed research. this behavior just doesn't match with J's
(E) a psychiatrist who bases treatment decisions on patients’ past histories Jeffrey doesn't base his judgement on past proof. hence incorrect

3. According to the passage, evidence of seafloor spreading helped to explain which one of the following?

Prethinking: refer to the last paragraph here."seafloor spreading not only explained the long-standing puzzle of why the ocean basins are so much younger than the continents, but also provided evidence that the plates, and so the continents on them, move. Any Answer choice along the lines of the underlined portion of the passage should work

(A) the reason for the existence of the giant crustal plates on which the continents are found incorrect
(B) the reason basalts retain their magnetic field alignments incorrect
(C) the reason the earth’s poles have wandered incorrect
(D) the composition of the giant crustal plates on which the continents are found incorrect
(E) the disparity between the age of the continents and that of the ocean basins yes and in line with our prethinking

Please note that most of the other answer choices were either out of context or inconsistent here


4. Which one of the following phrases, as used in context, most clearly reveals the author’s opinion about Jeffreys?

Pre-thinking:For this question refer to the end of P2 and the beginning of P3. J is considered as extremely superficial and not willing to evaluate other options

(A) “virtually ignored” it was not ignored as for the beginning of P2
(B) “very poor” Not poor but superficial
(C) “obviously perfunctory” perfunctory is the same word used in P2
(D) “careful techniques” out of context here. careful techniques refer to C
(E) “consensus view” also out of context. consensus view refers to another theory


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


6. It can be inferred that Carey believed Jeffreys’ 1924 appraisal to be

Pre-thinking:refer to the beginning of P2: according to this portion C is disturbed by the extremely superficial behavior of J

(A) authoritative and supported by indirect evidence J's work is not authoritative and no indirect evidence is cited
(B) obvious but in need of interpretation obviously C believes that J'theory is wrong
(C) accurate but in need of validation quite opposite here
(D) unquestionably based on insufficient research yes as any superficial work might be. Correct
(E) so deficient as to be unworthy of investigation although J'theory s considered generally wrong it is never classified as deficient or unworthy of investigation. As a Matter o fact C is so disturbed that he works on his theory to disprove J's


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

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!