The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regu

Question

The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regular intervals can be traced back not to a study of volcanism or plate tectonics but to an investigation of marine extinctions. In the early 1980’s, scientists began to look closely at the question of how these extinctions occur. Two paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a master list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and noted that there were brief periods during which many species disappeared at once. These mass extinctions occurred at surprisingly regular intervals.

Later studies revealed that extinctions of terrestrial reptiles and mammals also occurred periodically. These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring  force  powerful enough to affect living things profoundly. Speculation that so powerful a  force  might affect geologic events as well led geologists to search for evidence of periodicity in episodes of volcanism, seafloor spreading, and plate movement.   1 
 C 
 Q1. According to the passage, Raup and Sepkoski’s research was concerned with

(A) learning more about the habitats of marine species
(B) studying plate tectonics and the occurrence of volcanism over the past 268 million years
(C) examining extinctions of marine species over the past 268 million years
(D) finding out whether a rhythmically recurring geologic force exists
(E) confirming previous evidence suggesting that extinction of terrestrial species occurred regularly

2 
 B 
 Q2. The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as

(A) plausible, because the findings supported the theories of previous researchers
(B) significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research
(C) controversial, because the findings contradicted the theories of previous researchers
(D) questionable, because the authors were not working in their field of expertise
(E) definitive, because the findings confirmed the existence of a rhythmically recurring force

3 
 E 
 Q3. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) determining the dates of various geologic events
(B) defending the conclusions reached by Raup and Sepkoski
(C) establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology
(D) proving that mass extinctions of marine animals occur periodically
(E) explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated

4 
 D 
 Q4. The passage suggests which of the following about the “force” mentioned in lines 16 and 18?

(A) It is responsible for most of the major geologic events that have occurred.
(B) It is responsible for most of the marine extinctions that have occurred.
(C) Its recurrence is unlikely to be able to be predicted by scientists.
(D) Its existence was not seriously considered by scientists before Raup and Sepkoski did their research.
(E) Its existence was confirmed by the research of Raup and Sepkoski.

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 240 Date: 17-Jun-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

NdGoyal · Answer

I am confused between 2 options in the below questions. Can some one explain how to eliminate wrong choice definitively?

Q2. The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as
(B) significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research
(E) definitive, because the findings confirmed the existence of a rhythmically recurring force

Q3. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
(C) establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology
(E) explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated

Also if someone could recommend a strategy to handle such R.C questions? Such as in CR we have to choose the best choice in line with the conclusion of the argument. But I am struggling with this in R.C.

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bM22 · Answer

Hi  NdGoyal ,

B can be inferred from the lines :"These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski,  led scientists to hypothesize  the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force powerful enough to affect living things profoundly. ". These lines imply that the findings of Raup and Sepkoski led scientists to form a powerful hypothesis.
E is incorrect, as it describes the findings as definitive, because the finding confirmed the existence of a rhythmically recurring force, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the passage that the findings confirmed any such existence. What's mentioned is that they provided a strong basis of further research.
Thus B is a clear winner.

The passage starts with : " The origin of the theory that major geologic events  may occur at regular intervals can be traced back not to a study of volcanism or plate tectonics  but to an investigation of marine extinctions.  ", and then the author goes on to explain how paleontologists Raup and Sepkoski investigated these extinctions and that their findings led scientists to form a speculation about the existence of a rhythmically recurring force that might be affecting geologic events and led geologists to search for evidence of periodicity in episodes of volcanism.
The author is nowhere trying to establish any link between paleontology and geology, he is simply explaining how the theory of existence of recurring force that might be affecting geologic events was formulated.
Thus E is the correct answer.

I would recommend you to look for answers inside the passage, sometimes the answers can be directly inferred, but sometimes, a more careful reading and understanding of the passage is required. I would suggest you go through the below link, it might help you:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/experts-topic-of-the-week-5-22-17-ultimate-rc-guide-for-beginners-241004.html

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

pokhrelb · Answer

Hi all,

Could you please provide me the reason behind selecting the ans choice D(it is nowhere mentioned or suggested in the passage according to me, the ans should be A).

Q4. The passage suggests which of the following about the “force” mentioned in lines 16 and 18?

(A) It is responsible for most of the major geologic events that have occurred.
(B) It is responsible for most of the marine extinctions that have occurred.
(C) Its recurrence is unlikely to be able to be predicted by scientists.
(D) Its existence was not seriously considered by scientists before Raup and Sepkoski did their research.
(E) Its existence was confirmed by the research of Raup and Sepkoski.

bM22 · Answer

Hi  pokhrelb ,

D for Question 4 can be inferred from : "These findings,  combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force powerful  enough to affect living things profoundly."
Paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and observed that these mass extinctions occurred at surprisingly regular intervals, which was also confirmed by later studies. It was only after these findings by the paleontologists that the scientists took this seriously and started formulating a hypothesis of existence of a cyclically recurring force.

A is incorrect as its not mentioned anywhere in the passage as a fact. It's only a theory researched upon by paleontologists and the later on by scientists and geologists.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

LaveenaPanchal · Answer

Q1. According to the passage, Raup and Sepkoski’s research was concerned with

(A) learning more about the habitats of marine species.  Incorrect habitats is not discussed in the passage. 
(B) studying plate tectonics and the occurrence of volcanism over the past 268 million years.  Incorrect R & S studied marine species. 
(C) examining extinctions of marine species over the past 268 million years.   Correct. R & S were examining the extinctions of marine species to examine whether these extinctions occurred at regular intervals.  
(D) finding out whether a rhythmically recurring geologic force exists.  Incorrect R & S studied marine species. 
(E) confirming previous evidence suggesting that extinction of terrestrial species occurred regularly.  Incorrect R & S studied marine species.

Q2. The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as

(A) plausible, because the findings supported the theories of previous researchers.  Incorrect. Previous research is not discussed in the passage. 
(B) significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research.   Correct As per second para, the findings of R & S gave impetus to subsequent research on hypothesis of regularity of geological events . 
(C) controversial, because the findings contradicted the theories of previous researchers.  Incorrect. The findings of R & S were not controversial. 
(D) questionable, because the authors were not working in their field of expertise.  Incorrect. The findings of R & S were not questionable. 
(E) definitive, because the findings confirmed the existence of a rhythmically recurring force.  Incorrect. It can be said definitive, the findings only made scientists hypothesize for further research.

Q3. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) determining the dates of various geologic events.  Incorrect. The dates are not mentioned in the passage but regularity/cycle of events is discussed. 
(B) defending the conclusions reached by Raup and Sepkoski.  Incorrect. The author does not defend any conclusions. 
(C) establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology.  Incorrect No link is established. The observations of both the disciplines are used to hypothesize a theory. 
(D) proving that mass extinctions of marine animals occur periodically.  Incorrect. It is mentioned in the passage but is not the main idea of the passage. 
(E) explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated.   Correct The author wants to determine the origin of a theory.

Q4. The passage suggests which of the following about the “force” mentioned in lines 16 and 18?

(A) It is responsible for most of the major geologic events that have occurred..  Incorrect. It is hypothesized and not held responsible. 
(B) It is responsible for most of the marine extinctions that have occurred..  Incorrect It is hypothesized and not held responsible. 
(C) Its recurrence is unlikely to be able to be predicted by scientists.  Incorrect. Its is recurrence is likely to be predicted.  
(D) Its existence was not seriously considered by scientists before Raup and Sepkoski did their research.   Correct. It is suggested by this statement. "These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force"   
(E) Its existence was confirmed by the research of Raup and Sepkoski.  Incorrect It is hypothesized and no confirmation of force.

Parthkulkarni · Answer

Any ballpark numbers on the difficulty level of the last question (Question 4) ?

Parthkulkarni · Answer

Any ballpark numbers on the difficulty level of the last question (Question 4) ?

Rohan788 · Answer

please give me video solution

The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regu

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The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regu

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