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Question 1
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
95%
(hard)
Question Stats:
31% (02:38) correct
69%
(03:02) wrong
based on 143
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
75%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (01:22) correct 57%
(01:20) wrong
based on 182
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
66% (01:00) correct 34%
(01:10) wrong
based on 175
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
66% (00:57) correct 34%
(01:05) wrong
based on 166
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Many stars are born in clusters of hundreds or thousands crowded within a diameter of a few light-years. These clusters usually disperse over a period of billions of years. New evidence suggests that our sun also originated in a cluster, and thus has many sibling stars that have scattered, leaving our sun relatively isolated.
In 2003 scientists analyzed two meteorites dating from the formation of the solar system. They detected nickel 60, the product of radioactive decay of iron 60, in chemical compounds where iron would normally be found. This indicates that the compounds originally formed from iron, which then metamorphosed into nickel. The iron had to form, reach the solar system, and be incorporated into the meteorites fairly quickly, before it turned into nickel. Therefore the iron must have originated nearby, probably from a supernova explosion within five light-years of the sun when the sun was about 1.8 million years old. If the sun had been as secluded as it is today, a supernova so close by would have been extremely unlikely. However, it would have been far more probable if the exploding star and the newborn sun were packed close together as part of a cluster.
This hypothesis could explain the puzzling levels of heavy elements in the sun. Generally, the farther a star's birthplace is from the galactic center, the poorer the star is in heavy elements. However, a nearby supernova that seeded the meteorites with iron 60 could also have enriched the sun with these elements.
The odd, skewed orbits of many comets also suggest that the sun once belonged to a cluster. The internal dynamics of the solar system cannot account for these orbits, since the comets are beyond the gravitational influence of the major planets. These comets were most likely stirred up by a star passing nearby, which would have been improbable unless the sun had many neighbors.
As further evidence, astronomers are looking for stars similar to the sun in an arc along which the hypothetical cluster would have dispersed. These stars should have a composition much like the sun's, since they would have been enriched by the same supernova that enriched the early solar system.
In 2003 scientists analyzed two meteorites dating from the formation of the solar system. They detected nickel 60, the product of radioactive decay of iron 60, in chemical compounds where iron would normally be found. This indicates that the compounds originally formed from iron, which then metamorphosed into nickel. The iron had to form, reach the solar system, and be incorporated into the meteorites fairly quickly, before it turned into nickel. Therefore the iron must have originated nearby, probably from a supernova explosion within five light-years of the sun when the sun was about 1.8 million years old. If the sun had been as secluded as it is today, a supernova so close by would have been extremely unlikely. However, it would have been far more probable if the exploding star and the newborn sun were packed close together as part of a cluster.
This hypothesis could explain the puzzling levels of heavy elements in the sun. Generally, the farther a star's birthplace is from the galactic center, the poorer the star is in heavy elements. However, a nearby supernova that seeded the meteorites with iron 60 could also have enriched the sun with these elements.
The odd, skewed orbits of many comets also suggest that the sun once belonged to a cluster. The internal dynamics of the solar system cannot account for these orbits, since the comets are beyond the gravitational influence of the major planets. These comets were most likely stirred up by a star passing nearby, which would have been improbable unless the sun had many neighbors.
As further evidence, astronomers are looking for stars similar to the sun in an arc along which the hypothetical cluster would have dispersed. These stars should have a composition much like the sun's, since they would have been enriched by the same supernova that enriched the early solar system.
1. If astronomers found evidence that the sun was born far closer to the galactic center than the author of the passage assumes, then the author's argument for which of the following statements would be most weakened?
A. The comets in the solar system have odd, skewed orbits because they were stirred up by a star passing nearby.
B. Generally, the farther a star is from the galactic center, the poorer it is in heavy elements.
C. If a cluster of stars has dispersed, it would likely have dispersed along an arc.
D. The two meteorites must have been seeded with iron 60 that then decayed into nickel 60.
E. The sun was born as part of a cluster of stars.
A. The comets in the solar system have odd, skewed orbits because they were stirred up by a star passing nearby.
B. Generally, the farther a star is from the galactic center, the poorer it is in heavy elements.
C. If a cluster of stars has dispersed, it would likely have dispersed along an arc.
D. The two meteorites must have been seeded with iron 60 that then decayed into nickel 60.
E. The sun was born as part of a cluster of stars.
2. According to the passage, the two meteorites analyzed by scientists in 2003
A. formerly orbited a star that exploded in a supernova
B. formed roughly five light-years from the sun
C. once contained iron that originated outside the solar system
D. consist primarily of nickel 60 compounds that have radioactively decayed
E. include many of the same heavy elements found in the sun
A. formerly orbited a star that exploded in a supernova
B. formed roughly five light-years from the sun
C. once contained iron that originated outside the solar system
D. consist primarily of nickel 60 compounds that have radioactively decayed
E. include many of the same heavy elements found in the sun
3. The passage most clearly states that many comets in the solar system
A. may once have been gravitationally influenced by the major planets
B. contain heavy elements that originated in a nearby supernova
C. could have had their orbits skewed by a star other than the sun
D. once orbited a cluster of stars that has since dispersed
E. formed at the same time as the newborn sun
A. may once have been gravitationally influenced by the major planets
B. contain heavy elements that originated in a nearby supernova
C. could have had their orbits skewed by a star other than the sun
D. once orbited a cluster of stars that has since dispersed
E. formed at the same time as the newborn sun
4. In the context of the passage, the main function of the final paragraph is to
A. present evidence that supports one or more conclusions presented earlier in the passage
B. state the main hypothesis that the passage as a whole is intended to support
C. explain how a hypothetical scenario discussed throughout the passage could have plausibly occurred
D. resolve a possible conflict between certain astronomical observations and the main thesis of the passage
E. indicate various phenomena astronomers are seeking that would bolster the hypothesis discussed earlier in the passage
A. present evidence that supports one or more conclusions presented earlier in the passage
B. state the main hypothesis that the passage as a whole is intended to support
C. explain how a hypothetical scenario discussed throughout the passage could have plausibly occurred
D. resolve a possible conflict between certain astronomical observations and the main thesis of the passage
E. indicate various phenomena astronomers are seeking that would bolster the hypothesis discussed earlier in the passage
Another set of question on the same passage is HERE.
27 Sep 2025, 03:40
Kudos
Bookmarks
Please Explanations for all questions in this RC
29 Sep 2025, 00:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
madhavbajaj9
madhavbajaj9 Please find all the explanations here. These are brief; if you'd like me to clarify anything for any explanation, feel free to ask.
Question 1
Key Insight: The passage uses the sun's "puzzling levels of heavy elements" as evidence for the cluster hypothesis.
The author argues:
- Stars farther from galactic center = fewer heavy elements (general rule)
- Sun has unexpectedly high heavy elements for its current location
- This puzzle is explained by a nearby supernova (which requires a cluster)
If the sun was born closer to the galactic center:
- It would naturally have more heavy elements
- No puzzle to solve = no need for supernova explanation
- This weakens the cluster hypothesis (Answer E)
Options A, C, D remain valid regardless of birth location. Option B is a general principle, not an argument being made.
Question 2
Critical Detail: The passage traces a chain: supernova → iron \(60\) → solar system → meteorites → nickel \(60\)
The text states: "The iron had to form, reach the solar system, and be incorporated into the meteorites... Therefore the iron must have originated nearby, probably from a supernova explosion."
This means the meteorites contained iron that originated outside the solar system (Answer C).
Why not other options?
- A: They formed in our solar system, not around another star
- B: No specific formation distance mentioned
- D: They contain nickel \(60\), not primarily consist of it
- E: Heavy element composition not compared
Question 3
Direct Statement: "These comets were most likely stirred up by a star passing nearby"
The passage explicitly states comets could have had their orbits skewed by a star other than the sun (Answer C).
Elimination:
- A contradicts: "comets are beyond the gravitational influence of the major planets"
- B, D, E: Not mentioned in the passage
Question 4
The last paragraph begins: "As further evidence, astronomers are looking for stars similar to the sun..."
Key Words: "looking for" = seeking future evidence, not presenting current evidence
This paragraph indicates phenomena astronomers are seeking that would bolster the hypothesis (Answer E).
Strategic Framework for Science RC:
When you see cause-and-effect chains in science passages:
1. Map the evidence → conclusion relationships
2. For "weaken" questions, identify which link breaks
3. For detail questions, stick to explicit statements
4. For function questions, focus on transitional phrases ("As further evidence," "However," etc.)
You can practice similar questions here- select Reading Comprehension and choose Medium level questions based on your current understanding. You can choose the topics of passages as well for further filteration.
