The Encounter Hypothesis is one of the earliest theories about the

Question

The Encounter Hypothesis is one of the earliest theories about the formation of the solar system. According to this hypothesis, a rogue star passed close to the Sun about 5 billion years ago. Material, in the form of hot gas, was tidally stripped from the Sun and fragmented into smaller lumps that became the planets. Although this hypothesis explains why all planets revolve in the same direction,  it ignores that encounters between stars are so rare as to be improbable in the lifetime of the Universe, which is generally accepted to be around 14 billion years ; before any theory about the formation of the solar system is accepted, scientists must take into consideration, this shortcoming.

Select Passage for the statement that best describes the purpose of the passage as a whole, and select Portion in Boldface for the statement that best describes the purpose of the portion in boldface. Make only two selections, one in each column.

sayan640 · Answer

For the first column :-

The following four options are close.

1. To suggest that the mathematical probability of a hypothesis needs to be considered before accepting the hypothesis  :-  Narrows down the scope of the passage.  The passage says - before  any theory  about the formation of the solar system is accepted, scientists must take into consideration, this shortcoming. It does not talk about only mathematical ones .

2.  To discourage scientists from accepting the earliest theories about a certain astronomical event : - Wrong because of  the earliest theories

3.  To criticize a piece of evidence for lack of specific detail  :- No lack of detail can be observed.

4.  To discourage acceptance of a hypothesis about a particular astronomical event without critical analysis  :- Our answer for the first column.

For the second column :-

Notice this part -

it ignores that encounters between stars are so rare as to be improbable in the lifetime of the Universe, which is generally accepted to be around 14 billion years; before any theory about the formation of the solar system is accepted, scientists must take into consideration, this shortcoming.

​​​​​​​This shortcoming is being highlighted by the bold face.

Gemmie · Answer

Passage Purpose:

- What it does:  The entire passage discusses the Encounter Hypothesis, a theory about the solar system's formation. It first explains the core idea: a rogue star passing by the Sun and pulling away material that formed planets.

- What it emphasizes:  However, the passage then shifts focus to a critical weakness: the extremely low chance of such a stellar encounter happening.

- What it's not about:  The passage doesn't offer alternative explanations, criticize specific evidence, or solely focus on mathematical probability. It also doesn't completely dismiss the theory or discourage considering early ideas altogether.

Bolded Portion Purpose:   - What it focuses on:  The bolded part specifically talks about the improbability of the encounter event described in the Encounter Hypothesis.

-  What it highlights:  This highlights a shortcoming in the explanation. The theory might explain the planets' same direction of revolution, but it doesn't adequately address the rarity of the event it proposes.

-  What it's not about:  The bolded part isn't about discouraging critical analysis in general. It specifically targets the uncritical acceptance of the Encounter Hypothesis without considering this significant limitation.

Overall:

- The passage aims to make scientists  think critically  about the Encounter Hypothesis.
- The bolded portion is a key point within the passage, highlighting the  weakness  that necessitates critical analysis.

Passage:  To discourage acceptance of a hypothesis about a particular astronomical event without critical analysis
 Portion in Boldface:  To highlight a shortcoming in an explanation for a certain astronomical event

abdatta · Answer

I don't agree with F being the purpose of the passage. The passage specifically ends with mentioning that scientists must take into consideration "this shortcoming". The passage is not talking about general critical analysis, but rather particularly this shortcoming.

So it makes more sense to me that C should be the purpose which is more specific to this particular shortcoming mentioned in the passage.

Posted from my mobile device

cheshire · Answer

This focuses solely on the probability angle. It captures the specific shortcoming (that stellar encounters are too rare) but it doesn’t by itself convey the author’s broader intent, which is to warn scientists against adopting the Encounter Hypothesis at all before they’ve thought through its flaw.

This both (a) flags the need for critical scrutiny and (b) actively advises against unthinking acceptance of the Encounter Hypothesis. It covers the full thrust of the passage: introduce the theory, show why it’s fatally unlikely, and urge scientists not to accept it uncritically.

Usernamevisible · Answer

I have a doubt

I chose Option C for Passage (Blank 1) because the passage specifically criticizes the Encounter Hypothesis on the grounds that encounters between stars are extremely improbable.

I eliminated Option F because the passage never explicitly says that scientists should be discouraged from accepting the hypothesis; it only says that they should take this shortcoming into consideration before accepting it.

Also, the phrase critical analysis in Option F felt broader than what the passage discusses, since the criticism appears to focus on one particular issue namely, the improbability of stellar encounters rather than on a general need for critical analysis.

Why is F still considered a better description of the passage's overall purpose than C?

WildSnow · Answer

(C) says:  To suggest that the  mathematical probability of a hypothesis needs to be considered  before accepting the hypothesis.
Pay attention because the passage says: e  ncounters between stars are so rare as to be improbable.

The passage talks about the improbability of the encounter, NOT the hypothesis itself.

The Encounter Hypothesis is one of the earliest theories about the

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Passage	Portion in Boldface
		To offer an alternative explanation for a certain astronomical event
		To highlight a shortcoming in an explanation for a certain astronomical event
		To suggest that the mathematical probability of a hypothesis needs to be considered before accepting the hypothesis
		To discourage scientists from accepting the earliest theories about a certain astronomical event
		To criticize a piece of evidence for lack of specific detail
		To discourage acceptance of a hypothesis about a particular astronomical event without critical analysis

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions

The Encounter Hypothesis is one of the earliest theories about the

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