The orbit of the dwarf planet Pluto is so distant from the sun that ha

Question

The orbit of the dwarf planet Pluto is so distant from the sun that had it begun orbiting the sun in this orbit, it would have long since drifted out into the Oort Cloud. The fact that it has not suggests that it entered its current orbital path relatively recently. The Neptunian moon Triton may be the key to explaining this phenomenon. Triton is unique in that its orbit around its planet runs counter to that of its planet around the sun. Pluto may have originally been another moon of Neptune, and a close encounter with Triton could have reversed Triton’s orbit and displaced Pluto from the Neptunian system. Displaced, Pluto eventually settled into its loose orbit around the sun.    1 
 1. Which of the following, if true, would challenge the hypothesis presented in the passage regarding Pluto and Triton?

Consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

A. Triton’s unusual orbit is not the result of a close encounter.
B. Triton has always orbited Neptune in the same direction it does now.
C. Neptune has moons other than Triton.

2  
 2. Select the sentence that points out the importance of the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud.  
 Second Sentence

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ribbons · Answer

Q1. A and C
Q2. Cant see answer choices

Syntaxnomad · Answer

Q1 - A , B
Q2 - Pluto may have originally been another moon of Neptune, and a close encounter with Triton could have reversed Triton’s orbit and displaced Pluto from the Neptunian system.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. Which of the following, if true, would challenge the hypothesis presented in the passage regarding Pluto and Triton?

Mind-map

An observation concerning the orbit of Pluto is introduced 
 A potential explanation for this observation is elaborated upon

The hypothesis presented in the passage regarding Pluto and Triton is that Pluto was originally, like Triton, a moon of Neptune, and a close encounter with Triton displaced it from its
orbit around Neptune.

A. Correct.   The passage states that  “...a close encounter with Triton could have reversed Triton’s orbit and displaced Pluto from the Neptunian system...” ; hence, if Triton’s orbit is not the result of a close encounter, it is likely that Triton did not have a close encounter with Pluto; thus, this answer choice challenges the hypothesis that Pluto is a moon of Neptune that was displaced by a close encounter with Triton.

B. Correct.   The passage states that  “...a close encounter with Triton could have reversed Triton’s orbit and displaced Pluto from the Neptunian system...” ; hence, if the direction of Triton’s orbit was always the same and never reversed, it is likely that Triton did not have a close encounter with Pluto; thus, this answer choice challenges the hypothesis that Pluto is a moon of Neptune that was displaced by a close encounter with Triton.

C. Trap.   The fact that Triton is not Neptune’s only moon is irrelevant to whether Pluto is a moon of Neptune that was displaced by a close encounter with Triton. Incorrect.
Thus, A and B are the correct answer choices.

Answer: A,B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. Select the sentence that points out the importance of the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud.

Mind-map 
'
 
 An observation concerning the orbit of Pluto is introduced 
 A potential explanation for this observation is elaborated upon

First Sentence (“The orbit...Oort Cloud.”):  Big Trap. Although this sentence implies that Pluto’s current orbit will eventually take it to the Oort Cloud, it does not reference the importance of this fact. Incorrect.

Second Sentence (“The fact...relatively recently.”):  Correct. Referring to Pluto, the first sentence uses the phrase  “...had it begun orbiting the sun in this orbit...” in conjunction with the statement “...it would have long since drifted out into the Oort Cloud...” , and the second sentence states  “The fact that it has not suggests that...”;  hence, this sentence points out the importance of the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud.

Third Sentence (“The Neptunian...this question.”):  This sentence does not reference the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud. Incorrect.

Fourth Sentence (“Triton is...the sun.”):  This sentence does not reference the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud. Incorrect.

Fifth Sentence (“Pluto may...Neptunian system.”):  This sentence does not reference the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud. Incorrect.

Sixth Sentence (“Displaced, Pluto...the sun.”):  This sentence does not reference the fact that Pluto’s orbit is causing it to drift into the Oort Cloud; rather, it references how Pluto may have settled into its current orbit. Incorrect.

Thus, the second sentence is the correct answer choice.

The orbit of the dwarf planet Pluto is so distant from the sun that ha

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