A mysterious new material is surprising scientists with its ability to

Question

A mysterious new material is surprising scientists with its ability to conduct electricity without resistance (a measure of an object’s opposition to the flow of electric current) at close to room temperature, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While known superconductors typically function only in extremely frigid temperatures, though at  atmospheric pressures , the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. Still, while the compound composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen isn’t immediately feasible for use, it demonstrates the possibility of zeroresistance materials that are functional at normal temperatures. Known technological uses for superconductors abound and include generators for wind turbines as well as magnetic resonance imaging machines. But the need for temperatures below −140 degrees Celsius for these common superconductors currently poses a significant limitation to their usage. Previously tested materials that demonstrated superconductivity comprised only two elements, and the copious research on such compounds means that they are well-understood. This three-component compound has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research. Since such a combination is unique in its superconductivity, scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures.    1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. compare technologies in one field to those in another field 
B. determine the ideal temperature for a material 
C. evaluate the implications of a scientific discovery
D. enumerate potential applications of a new technology
E. speculate about potential future scientific developments

2 
 2. The author mentions the  highlighted phrase  most likely in order to

A. explain how pressures vary in different regions of the Earth
B. highlight a drawback of common superconductors
C. compare the requirements of different superconductors
D. describe the primary location in which superconductors function
E. emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures

3 
 3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

A. It is composed of three elements.
B. It can function at temperatures above freezing.
C. It requires high amounts of pressure.
D. It could lead to new and useful technologies.
E. It is well-understood.

Archit3110 · Answer

1. C
2. missing highlighted text
3. E

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. compare technologies in one field to those in another field   not discussed
 B. determine the ideal temperature for a material   its mentioned 60 degrees Fahrenheit 
 C. evaluate the implications of a scientific discovery  correct 
 D. enumerate potential applications of a new technology  no new technology discussed 
 E. speculate about potential future scientific developments  not discussed

2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to

A. explain how pressures vary in different regions of the Earth ;  this is not what the highlighted text refers to
 B. highlight a drawback of common superconductors ; correct option  ; though at atmospheric pressures ; emphasises on contrast
 C. compare the requirements of different superconductors ;  does not refer to any requirements
 D. describe the primary location in which superconductors function ;  irrelevant
 E. emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures ;  not discussed in the passage
correct option B

3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

A. It is composed of three elements.  carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen
 B. It can function at temperatures above freezing.  60 degrees Fahrenheit 
 C. It requires high amounts of pressure.  new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth
 D. It could lead to new and useful technologies.  irrelevant as application is same as existing MRI machine etc
 E. It is well-understood.  scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures

zyt · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. compare technologies in one field to those in another field
No, it does not compare different fields

B. determine the ideal temperature for a material
No, the purpose is to present a new type of superconductor which works in normal temperature

C. evaluate the implications of a scientific discovery
CORRECT ANSWER, the passage evaluates the new superconductor

D. enumerate potential applications of a new technology
Not really, it describes not enumerate

E. speculate about potential future scientific developments
no speculation in the passage

2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to

A. explain how pressures vary in different regions of the Earth
not really

B. highlight a drawback of common superconductors
working at atmospheric pressure is a positive property of common superconductors

C. compare the requirements of different superconductors
CORRECT, it helps emphasize that common superconductors function in atmospheric pressure and the new one at high pressures

D. describe the primary location in which superconductors function
false it says about requirement of common superconductors

E. emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures
not really it mentions pressure not temperature

3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

A. It is composed of three elements.
mentioned in the last part of the passage

B. It can function at temperatures above freezing.
yes, it functions at room temperature

C. It requires high amounts of pressure.
mentioned in the beginning

D. It could lead to new and useful technologies.
mentioned in last part

E. It is well-understood.  
CORRECT ANSWER, it is not well understood as mentioned in last line

PAB2019 · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. compare technologies in one field to those in another field
 The passage does not compare different technologies but instead present a new evolution that could lead to new implementations

B. determine the ideal temperature for a material
 While the passage presents different information about optimal temperatures this is not the main concern of the passage as a whole

C. evaluate the implications of a scientific discovery
Yes the passage present a discovery and how this could affect the evolution of various potential fields of application the technology

D. enumerate potential applications of a new technology
 The passage does not put the focus on enumerating various applications of a new technology it does more than that

E. speculate about potential future scientific developments
 This answer is to wide an miss the real point of the passage

2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to

A. explain how pressures vary in different regions of the Earth
 This part of the passage is not concerned with a comparison of different regions of the earth

B. highlight a drawback of common superconductors
 The expression does not present a drawback of superconductors but just a behavior of those

C. compare the requirements of different superconductors
This expression compares the pressure conditions under which the existing superconductors works compare with the new superconducteur which will require high pressurized environments

D. describe the primary location in which superconductors function
 The passage talks about environmental conditions not some specific places

E. emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures
 Here the passage doesn’t describe how to achieve or create specific environment with specific temperatures

3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

A. It is composed of three elements.
 The passage says that the material is a three-component compound

B. It can function at temperatures above freezing.
 The new material according to the passage can conduct electricity at close to room temperature, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit

C. It requires high amounts of pressure.
 The passage says that the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth.

D. It could lead to new and useful technologies.
 The passage clearly cite some areas that could benefit from the application of these technologies

E. It is well-understood.
What is well understood is the previously used (two-component) material not the new one

Elite097 · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. compare technologies in one field to those in another field-- there are no two fields. Only 1 field is there
B. determine the ideal temperature for a material-- this is not the primary purpose of whole passage. too narrow
C. evaluate the implications of a scientific discovery-- yes the whole passage is discussing about implications of this discovery- future prospects, development, further research, how this tech will work 
D. enumerate potential applications of a new technology-- this is only mentioned in one part of the passage
E. speculate about potential future scientific developments-- only one part mentions it when it says it will help reduce temp requirements
Ans C

2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to

A. explain how pressures vary in different regions of the Earth-- no that was mentioned in a different context but not for atmospheric pressure
B. highlight a drawback of common superconductors-- it is not a drawback
C. compare the requirements of different superconductors--- yes because the line contains a contrast with the new material s requirements
D. describe the primary location in which superconductors function-- no way
E. emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures--does not show how it is related to low temp
Ans C

3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

A. It is composed of three elements.- Mentioned in the passage
B. It can function at temperatures above freezing.--Mentioned in the passage
C. It requires high amounts of pressure.--- Mentioned in the passage
D. It could lead to new and useful technologies.---Mentioned in the passage
E. It is well-understood.-- This is mentioned for the old comound but not the new one Ans E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

Explanation

The subject of the question is the passage as a whole and the task of the question is indicated by the phrase primary purpose, so this is a primary purpose question. The passage introduces a mysterious new material that is surprising scientists with its ability to conduct electricity without resistance...at close to room temperature. The passage then compares this substance with other superconductors and then states that the material demonstrates the possibility of zero resistance materials that are functional at normal temperatures. The remainder of the passage discusses the different aspects of the new material and how they may impact the use of superconductors.

Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects the primary purpose of the passage.

Choice (A)  is a no-such comparison answer as the passage does not compare technologies in one field to those in another field. Eliminate (A).

Choice (B)  is a memory trap as the passage does mention temperature in multiple places. But temperature is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (B).

Choice (C)  is a good paraphrase of the primary purpose of the passage, so keep it.

Choice (D)  is a reversal of the information in the passage. The passage states that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. If scientists cannot yet explain how the material functions at the temperatures at which it is found, then they cannot yet discuss applications of the material. Eliminate (D).

Choice (E)  is a memory trap. The passage does speculate about potential impacts of the material’s discovery, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate (E).

The correct answer is (C).

2. The author mentions the highlighted phrase most likely in order to

Explanation

The subject of the question is the phrase  “atmospheric pressures”  and the task of the question is referenced by the phrase most likely in order to, so this is a purpose question. Determine why the author uses the phrase atmospheric pressures. The sentence in question is While known superconductors typically function only in extremely frigid temperatures, though at atmospheric pressures, the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. In this sentence, the conditions in which known superconductors typically function are compared to the conditions in which the new material only survives. One of the conditions in which known superconductors function is at atmospheric pressures, while the new material only survives under very high pressures, such as those near the center of the Earth. Therefore, the passage mentions atmospheric pressures to compare the conditions for the function of known superconductors and the conditions for the survival of the new material. Evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for one that reflects this idea.

Choice (A)  is a memory trap as the passage does mention different regions of the Earth but this is not the purpose of discussing atmospheric pressures. Eliminate (A).

Choice (B)  is a reversal of the information in the passage as functioning at atmospheric pressures is one of the reasons common superconductors are used. Eliminate (B).

Keep (C)  because it is a good paraphrase of the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures.

Choice (D)  is a memory trap. Atmospheric pressures is listed as one of the conditions in which common superconductors function, but the purpose of mentioning atmospheric pressures is not to describe the primary location. Eliminate (D).

Choice (E)  is another memory trap. The passage does mention extremely frigid temperatures and atmospheric pressures as conditions for common superconductors. The passage also mentions the need for temperatures below –140 degrees Celsius for common superconductors to function as an issue. But atmospheric pressures is not mentioned to emphasize the difficulty of achieving extremely low temperatures. Eliminate (E).

The correct answer is (C).

3. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the new material EXCEPT

Explanation

The subject of the question is characteristic(s) of the new material and the task is referenced by the phrase mentioned in the passage, so this is a retrieval question. Determine what the passage says about the characteristics of the new material. The passage says the new material has the ability to conduct electricity without resistance...at close to room temperature and survives under very high pressures. The material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen and has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research despite that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures. This is an EXCEPT question, so evaluate the answer choices individually, looking for the one not mentioned in the passage.

Eliminate (A)  because the passage says the material is composed of carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen.

Eliminate (B)  because the passages says the material can function at close to room temperature.

Eliminate (C)  because the material survives under very high pressures.

Choice (D)  can also be eliminated as the material has expanded the possibilities for future superconductor research.

Choice (E)  is a reversal of the information in the passage that scientists cannot yet explain this material’s properties or how it can function at such unusually high temperatures.

The correct answer is (E)

A mysterious new material is surprising scientists with its ability to

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

A mysterious new material is surprising scientists with its ability to

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