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AbdurRakib
Joined: 11 May 2014
Last visit: 03 Mar 2026
Posts: 464
Given Kudos: 220
Status:I don't stop when I'm Tired,I stop when I'm done
Location: Bangladesh
Concentration: Finance, Leadership
Schools: Wharton '20 Yale '20 Tepper '20
GPA: 2.81
WE:Business Development (Real Estate)
Updated on: 20 Feb 2026, 07:56
Originally posted by AbdurRakib on 29 Jul 2016, 03:13.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 07:56, edited 7 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 07:56, edited 7 times in total.
Formatted
Kudos
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Question 1
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
64% (03:14) correct
36%
(03:10) wrong
based on 6363
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
86% (01:06) correct 14%
(01:26) wrong
based on 6767
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
81% (00:52) correct 19%
(01:05) wrong
based on 6765
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
72% (01:10) correct 28%
(01:23) wrong
based on 6741
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 5
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
85% (01:17) correct 15%
(01:44) wrong
based on 6462
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 6
C
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:
24% (01:33) correct 76%
(01:33) wrong
based on 6468
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
In 1971 researchers hoping to predict earthquakes in the short term by identifying precursory phenomena (those that occur a few days before large quakes but not otherwise) turned their attention to changes in seismic waves that had been detected prior to earthquakes. An explanation for such changes was offered by “dilatancy theory,” based on a well-known phenomenon observed in rocks in the laboratory: as stress builds, microfractures in rock close, decreasing the rock’s volume. But as stress continues to increase, the rock begins to crack and expand in volume, allowing groundwater to seep in, weakening the rock. According to this theory, such effects could lead to several precursory phenomena in the field, including a change in the velocity of seismic waves, and an increase in small, nearby tremors.
Researchers initially reported success in identifying these possible precursors, but subsequent analyses of their data proved disheartening. Seismic waves with unusual velocities were recorded before some earthquakes, but while the historical record confirms that most large earthquakes are preceded by minor tremors, these foreshocks indicate nothing about the magnitude of an impending quake and are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes.
In the 1980s, some researchers turned their efforts from short-term to long-term prediction. Noting that earthquakes tend to occur repeatedly in certain regions, Lindh and Baker attempted to identify patterns of recurrence, or earthquake cycles, on which to base predictions. In a study of earthquake-prone sites along the San Andreas Fault, they determined that quakes occurred at intervals of approximately 22 years near one site and concluded that there was a 95 percent probability of an earthquake in that area by 1992. The earthquake did not occur within the time frame predicted, however.
Evidence against the kind of regular earthquake cycles that Lindh and Baker tried to establish has come from a relatively new field, paleoseismology. Paleoseismologists have unearthed and dated geological features such as fault scarps that were caused by earthquakes thousands of years ago. They have determined that the average interval between ten earthquakes that took place at one site along the San Andreas Fault in the past two millennia was 132 years, but individual intervals ranged greatly, from 44 to 332 years.
Researchers initially reported success in identifying these possible precursors, but subsequent analyses of their data proved disheartening. Seismic waves with unusual velocities were recorded before some earthquakes, but while the historical record confirms that most large earthquakes are preceded by minor tremors, these foreshocks indicate nothing about the magnitude of an impending quake and are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes.
In the 1980s, some researchers turned their efforts from short-term to long-term prediction. Noting that earthquakes tend to occur repeatedly in certain regions, Lindh and Baker attempted to identify patterns of recurrence, or earthquake cycles, on which to base predictions. In a study of earthquake-prone sites along the San Andreas Fault, they determined that quakes occurred at intervals of approximately 22 years near one site and concluded that there was a 95 percent probability of an earthquake in that area by 1992. The earthquake did not occur within the time frame predicted, however.
Evidence against the kind of regular earthquake cycles that Lindh and Baker tried to establish has come from a relatively new field, paleoseismology. Paleoseismologists have unearthed and dated geological features such as fault scarps that were caused by earthquakes thousands of years ago. They have determined that the average interval between ten earthquakes that took place at one site along the San Andreas Fault in the past two millennia was 132 years, but individual intervals ranged greatly, from 44 to 332 years.
(Book Question: 11)
1. The passage is primarily concerned with
A. explaining why one method of earthquake prediction has proven more practicable than an alternative method
B. suggesting that accurate earthquake forecasting must combine elements of long-term and short-term prediction
C. challenging the usefulness of dilatancy theory for explaining the occurrence of precursory phenomena
D. discussing the deficiency of two methods by which researchers have attempted to predict the occurrence of earthquakes
E. describing the development of methods for establishing patterns in the occurrence of past earthquakes
1. The passage is primarily concerned with
A. explaining why one method of earthquake prediction has proven more practicable than an alternative method
B. suggesting that accurate earthquake forecasting must combine elements of long-term and short-term prediction
C. challenging the usefulness of dilatancy theory for explaining the occurrence of precursory phenomena
D. discussing the deficiency of two methods by which researchers have attempted to predict the occurrence of earthquakes
E. describing the development of methods for establishing patterns in the occurrence of past earthquakes
(Book Question: 12)
2. According to the passage, laboratory evidence concerning the effects of stress on rocks might help account for
A. differences in magnitude among earthquakes
B. certain phenomena that occur prior to earthquakes
C. variations in the intervals between earthquakes in a particular area
D. differences in the frequency with which earthquakes occur in various areas
E. the unreliability of short-term earthquake predictions
2. According to the passage, laboratory evidence concerning the effects of stress on rocks might help account for
A. differences in magnitude among earthquakes
B. certain phenomena that occur prior to earthquakes
C. variations in the intervals between earthquakes in a particular area
D. differences in the frequency with which earthquakes occur in various areas
E. the unreliability of short-term earthquake predictions
(Book Question: 13)
3. It can be inferred from the passage that one problem with using precursory phenomena to predict earthquakes is that minor tremors
A. typically occur some distance from the sites of the large earthquakes that follow them
B. are directly linked to the mechanisms that cause earthquakes
C. are difficult to distinguish from major tremors
D. have proven difficult to measure accurately
E. are not always followed by large earthquakes
3. It can be inferred from the passage that one problem with using precursory phenomena to predict earthquakes is that minor tremors
A. typically occur some distance from the sites of the large earthquakes that follow them
B. are directly linked to the mechanisms that cause earthquakes
C. are difficult to distinguish from major tremors
D. have proven difficult to measure accurately
E. are not always followed by large earthquakes
(Book Question: 14)
4. According to the passage, some researchers based their research about long-term earthquake prediction on which of the following facts?
A. The historical record confirms that most earthquakes have been preceded by minor tremors.
B. The average interval between earthquakes in one region of the San Andreas Fault is 132 years.
C. Some regions tend to be the site of numerous earthquakes over the course of many years.
D. Changes in the volume of rock can occur as a result of building stress and can lead to the weakening of rock.
E. Paleoseismologists have been able to unearth and date geological features caused by past earthquakes.
4. According to the passage, some researchers based their research about long-term earthquake prediction on which of the following facts?
A. The historical record confirms that most earthquakes have been preceded by minor tremors.
B. The average interval between earthquakes in one region of the San Andreas Fault is 132 years.
C. Some regions tend to be the site of numerous earthquakes over the course of many years.
D. Changes in the volume of rock can occur as a result of building stress and can lead to the weakening of rock.
E. Paleoseismologists have been able to unearth and date geological features caused by past earthquakes.
(Book Question: 15)
5. The passage suggests which of the following about the paleoseismologists’ findings described in lines 42–50?
A. They suggest that the frequency with which earthquakes occurred at a particular site decreased significantly over the past two millennia.
B. They suggest that paleoseismologists may someday be able to make reasonably accurate long-term earthquake predictions.
C. They suggest that researchers may someday be able to determine which past occurrences of minor tremors were actually followed by large earthquakes.
D. They suggest that the recurrence of earthquakes in earthquake-prone sites is too irregular to serve as a basis for earthquake prediction.
E. They indicate that researchers attempting to develop long-term methods of earthquake prediction have overlooked important evidence concerning the causes of earthquakes.
5. The passage suggests which of the following about the paleoseismologists’ findings described in lines 42–50?
A. They suggest that the frequency with which earthquakes occurred at a particular site decreased significantly over the past two millennia.
B. They suggest that paleoseismologists may someday be able to make reasonably accurate long-term earthquake predictions.
C. They suggest that researchers may someday be able to determine which past occurrences of minor tremors were actually followed by large earthquakes.
D. They suggest that the recurrence of earthquakes in earthquake-prone sites is too irregular to serve as a basis for earthquake prediction.
E. They indicate that researchers attempting to develop long-term methods of earthquake prediction have overlooked important evidence concerning the causes of earthquakes.
(Book Question: 16)
6. The author implies which of the following about the ability of the researchers mentioned in line 18 to predict earthquakes?
A. They can identify when an earthquake is likely to occur but not how large it will be.
B. They can identify the regions where earthquakes are likely to occur but not when they will occur.
C. They are unable to determine either the time or the place that earthquakes are likely to occur.
D. They are likely to be more accurate at short-term earthquake prediction than at long-term earthquake prediction.
E. They can determine the regions where earthquakes have occurred in the past but not the regions where they are likely to occur in the future.
6. The author implies which of the following about the ability of the researchers mentioned in line 18 to predict earthquakes?
A. They can identify when an earthquake is likely to occur but not how large it will be.
B. They can identify the regions where earthquakes are likely to occur but not when they will occur.
C. They are unable to determine either the time or the place that earthquakes are likely to occur.
D. They are likely to be more accurate at short-term earthquake prediction than at long-term earthquake prediction.
E. They can determine the regions where earthquakes have occurred in the past but not the regions where they are likely to occur in the future.
11 Apr 2017, 19:16
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi stonecold, good question!
Imagine that the researchers recorded 100 large earthquakes of various magnitudes during their study and that nearly all of those large earthquakes were preceded by minor tremors. This might lead us to expect any minor tremor to be followed by a large earthquake, even though we might not know exactly how large that "large" earthquake will be. Thus, choice A is tempting.
Now consider the final fact given in line 23: "these foreshocks... are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes." If instead the passage stated, "these foreshocks are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur before small earthquakes", THEN choice A would be defensible... this would imply that after a minor tremor we can expect an earthquake, though we have no idea how small or large it will be. But the passage states that the tremors are "indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes." Therefore, the passage implies that a minor tremor could be followed by a large earthquake, a small earthquake, or no earthquake at all; for example, the researchers may have recorded HUNDREDS of minor tremors that were NOT followed by an earthquake.
This explanation is supported by the first sentence starting in line 17: "Researchers initially reported success in identifying these possible precursors, but subsequent analyses of their data proved disheartening." In other words, the researchers were initially successful in identifying earthquake precursors; subsequent analyses proved disheartening, implying that the researchers were not successful in identifying precursors that would predict earthquakes.
I hope that helps!
Quote:
Imagine that the researchers recorded 100 large earthquakes of various magnitudes during their study and that nearly all of those large earthquakes were preceded by minor tremors. This might lead us to expect any minor tremor to be followed by a large earthquake, even though we might not know exactly how large that "large" earthquake will be. Thus, choice A is tempting.
Now consider the final fact given in line 23: "these foreshocks... are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes." If instead the passage stated, "these foreshocks are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur before small earthquakes", THEN choice A would be defensible... this would imply that after a minor tremor we can expect an earthquake, though we have no idea how small or large it will be. But the passage states that the tremors are "indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur without large earthquakes." Therefore, the passage implies that a minor tremor could be followed by a large earthquake, a small earthquake, or no earthquake at all; for example, the researchers may have recorded HUNDREDS of minor tremors that were NOT followed by an earthquake.
This explanation is supported by the first sentence starting in line 17: "Researchers initially reported success in identifying these possible precursors, but subsequent analyses of their data proved disheartening." In other words, the researchers were initially successful in identifying earthquake precursors; subsequent analyses proved disheartening, implying that the researchers were not successful in identifying precursors that would predict earthquakes.
I hope that helps!
07 Apr 2017, 00:33
Kudos
Bookmarks
hannahkagalwala
Quote:
Hey hannahkagalwala,
It is indeed an inference question, albeit detail oriented, since the question stem clearly asks us to look for an implication of the information given in a particular section of the passage.
Now let's look at choice A:
A. They (1) can identify when an earthquake is likely to occur but (2) not how large it will be.
So, choice A talks about the two things:
1. can identify when an earthquake is likely to occur : Passage states, and I quote, " are indistinguishable from other minor tremors that occur
without large earthquakes. Basically, this information tells us that yes tremors do happen but the kind of tremors that are followed by earthquakes are not different from the kind of tremors that are NOT followed by earthquakes. Accordingly, if such tremors happen without a resulting earthquake, then the researchers cannot really tell us whether an earthquake is due.
2. not how large it will be. This can be directly understood from this section of the passage "nothing[/b] about the magnitude of an impending quake.
Therefore, since one part can be inferred and one cannot be, this choice is incorrect.
Now, let's take a look at Choice C.
C. They are unable to determine either the time or the place that earthquakes are likely to occur.
When I read this choice initially, the "place" aspect did throw me off a little-bit, but after reading the information one more time and looking at the other answer choices, I went along with Choice C. So, here are my cents on it:
Quote:
1. unable to determine either the time - This portion, as you agree to an extent, is correct for the reasons explained above (refer to point no. 1 under the explanation for choice A for more detail).
Quote:
2. place that earthquakes are likely to occur - Alright, so let's look at how the whole information about tremors observed "nearby" places is given to us. We are basically told that after stress increases beyond a particular point in the rocks, something happens, leading to tremors and other things in the areas nearby to these rocks. Right? But then we are also told that just because these tremors occur, we cannot predict that an earthquake will follow. So, when you combine these two pieces of information, it means that say at place xyz, the researchers observe tremors, but they can't really say that at this place, there will be an earthquake. This is why the whole "place" angle makes sense - even though one is not very comfortable with it in the beginning.
Hope the above explanation helps.
Cheers!
