Para 1 Summary – Author refers to three galaxies named M31, M32 and M33 as part of local group, which has 54 galaxies. M31 and M33 are spiral in shape and M32 a dwarf s elliptical. M31 is largest among the three to which M32 is a satellite. Finally, M33 might have collided with M31 in the past.
Para 2 Summary – In the para author presents how the three galaxies might have had interacted in the past. Astronomers suspect M32’s shape to have transformed from spiral to elliptical by M31’s tidal field. M31 and M33 are connected by a stream of hydrogen and stars. Lastly, author mentions that M31 M33 and Milky as pairs might collide in one or the other way.
Summary – Author talks about four galaxies and discussed about their size weight and much believed past and finally puts down astronomers’ suspicion about three galaxies’ future collision.
1. According to the passage, the difference in shape between M32 and the other galaxies discussed can be explained with reference to which of the following factors?
A. Mass – WRONG.
B. Speed of rotation – WRONG.
C. A stream of hydrogen and stars – WRONG.
D. Collision with another galaxy – WRONG.
E. The tidal field of a nearby galaxy – CORRECT. Only this option is right. Refer para 1.
2. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the second paragraph of the passage?
A. To suggest a relationship between the characteristics of the galaxies in question and the events of their past and future – CORRECT. Exactly that’s how para 2 is constructed after initial introduction in para 1.
B. To compare how M31, M32, M33, and the Milky Way were formed – WRONG. Formation is not discussed anywhere in the passage.
C. To provide a comprehensive theory of the differences of the four members of the Local Group – WRONG. Differences are presented but no comprehensive theory is presented.
D. To contrast the characteristics of the four galaxies discussed with the characteristics of other galaxies that are members of the Local Group – WRONG. Irrelevant.
E. To introduce facts that contradict popular assumptions about M31, M32, M33, and the Milky Way – WRONG. No contradiction is mentioned by author.
3. The author's reference in the highlighted text to the stream of hydrogen and stars serves primarily to
A. provide support for the idea that galaxies' structures reflect past interactions – CORRECT. The stream of hydrogen and stars is presented in the context of any possible past relationship between the two galaxies M31 and M33.
B. suggest that Triangulum and Andromeda will collide in the future – WRONG. Its a different context not this one.
C. provide an explanation for the variations in shape of the galaxies discussed – WRONG. Shape variations is of M32 not the M31 and M33.
D. emphasize how poorly understood Triangulum's future course is – WRONG. Irrelevant.
E. illustrate the functional equivalence of the Triangulum and Andromeda – WRONG. Irrelevant.
Got all correct in 6:22 minutes.