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18 Jun 2025, 01:47
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Difficulty:
95%
(hard)
Question Stats:
48% (02:34) correct
52%
(02:38)
wrong
based on 84
sessions
History
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The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event has been a subject of intense debate. Gradualists, led by geologist Dr. Sampson, maintain that climate changes over millennia explain fossil patterns. Dr. Alvarez challenges this, citing global iridium layers and shocked quartz as evidence for an asteroid impact hypothesis. He contends these findings contradict purely gradual mechanisms. Like other impact proponents, Alvarez casts his interpretive methodology as an extension of Hutton's uniformitarianism, arguing that catastrophic events exist within this framework. He urges critics to 'evaluate evidence without paradigm bias,' asserting that the abrupt fossil discontinuity necessitates reconsidering catastrophic causes despite prevailing gradualism.
Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred about Alvarez's view of the asteroid impact hypothesis?
A) It has gained mainstream acceptance due to irrefutable physical evidence contradicting gradualism.
B) It requires paleontologists to dismiss gradualism entirely as invalid scientific methodology.
C) It strategically positions the hypothesis within historically respected geological principles for credibility.
D) It fundamentally reconciles uniformitarianism with catastrophism by establishing their complementary roles.
E) It independently verifies Hutton's original principles through novel quartz analysis techniques.
A) The passage describes evidence Alvarez presents, but doesn't suggest it has gained mainstream acceptance. This overstates the text.
B) Alvarez argues evidence necessitates reconsidering catastrophic causes but never demands dismissing gradualism - his appeal is for unbiased evaluation.
C) Correct. Alvarez 'casts his interpretive methodology as an extension of Hutton's uniformitarianism' - indicating intentional framing within established principles to bolster credibility with skeptics.
D) Alvarez presents catastrophes as existing within uniformitarianism but doesn't claim they are complementary. This distorts his narrow positioning strategy.
E) The focus is on reinterpreting uniformitarianism to fit new evidence, not verifying original principles through specific techniques. This misrepresents the passage.
The passage emphasizes how Alvarez frames his hypothesis ('casts...as') to align with historically respected geology. This shows he strategically presents it to enhance legitimacy among gradualist critics, though the text doesn't state this intent outright.
Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred about Alvarez's view of the asteroid impact hypothesis?
A) It has gained mainstream acceptance due to irrefutable physical evidence contradicting gradualism.
B) It requires paleontologists to dismiss gradualism entirely as invalid scientific methodology.
C) It strategically positions the hypothesis within historically respected geological principles for credibility.
D) It fundamentally reconciles uniformitarianism with catastrophism by establishing their complementary roles.
E) It independently verifies Hutton's original principles through novel quartz analysis techniques.
Show SpoilerHints
Focus on how Alvarez positions his methodology relative to established geological principles. What action does the verb 'casts' imply about his approach?
Show SpoilerExplanations
A) The passage describes evidence Alvarez presents, but doesn't suggest it has gained mainstream acceptance. This overstates the text.
B) Alvarez argues evidence necessitates reconsidering catastrophic causes but never demands dismissing gradualism - his appeal is for unbiased evaluation.
C) Correct. Alvarez 'casts his interpretive methodology as an extension of Hutton's uniformitarianism' - indicating intentional framing within established principles to bolster credibility with skeptics.
D) Alvarez presents catastrophes as existing within uniformitarianism but doesn't claim they are complementary. This distorts his narrow positioning strategy.
E) The focus is on reinterpreting uniformitarianism to fit new evidence, not verifying original principles through specific techniques. This misrepresents the passage.
The passage emphasizes how Alvarez frames his hypothesis ('casts...as') to align with historically respected geology. This shows he strategically presents it to enhance legitimacy among gradualist critics, though the text doesn't state this intent outright.
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21 Jun 2025, 22:01
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Premise 1: Gradualist: fossils show that Climate Change is the major reason and not Millennia
Premise 2: Alvarez: Global Iridium Levels and Quant show that the major reason is Asteroid Impact
Conclusion: Need to analyze properly without Paradigm Bias
Options
A. Doesn't mention Alvarez's theory has gained mainstream acceptance or irrefutable physical evidence. INCORRECT
B. Doesn't say Gradualism to be invalid. INCORRECT.
C. Keep it. It is good.
D. Complementary role is of catastrophism with gradualism, not with uniformitarianism. INCORRECT
E. It is extension of Hutton's principle, not verification. INCORRECT
IMO Answer C
Premise 2: Alvarez: Global Iridium Levels and Quant show that the major reason is Asteroid Impact
Conclusion: Need to analyze properly without Paradigm Bias
Options
A. Doesn't mention Alvarez's theory has gained mainstream acceptance or irrefutable physical evidence. INCORRECT
B. Doesn't say Gradualism to be invalid. INCORRECT.
C. Keep it. It is good.
D. Complementary role is of catastrophism with gradualism, not with uniformitarianism. INCORRECT
E. It is extension of Hutton's principle, not verification. INCORRECT
IMO Answer C
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Critical Reasoning (CR) Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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