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Updated on: 24 Mar 2026, 12:43
Originally posted by Sajjad1994 on 04 Dec 2018, 22:01.
Last edited by Bunuel on 24 Mar 2026, 12:43, edited 2 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 24 Mar 2026, 12:43, edited 2 times in total.
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Question 1
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
61% (02:24) correct
39%
(02:19) wrong
based on 718
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
69% (00:56) correct 31%
(01:10) wrong
based on 668
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
50% (01:15) correct 50%
(01:16) wrong
based on 701
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
A supernova is a brief stellar explosion so luminous that it can briefly outshine an entire galaxy. While the explosion itself takes less than fifteen seconds, supernovae take weeks or months to fade from view; during that time, a supernova can emit an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of energy the Sun is expected to radiate over its entire lifespan. Supernovae generate enough heat to create heavy elements, such as mercury, gold, and silver. Although supernovae explode frequently, few of them are visible (from Earth) to the naked eye.
In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year. Galileo, who lectured at the university, gave several lectures widely attended by the public. The lectures not only sought to explain the origin of the "star" (some posited that perhaps it was merely "vapour near the Earth"), but seriously undermined the views of many philosophers that the heavens were unchangeable. This idea was foundational to a worldview underpinned by a central and all-important Earth, with celestial bodies merely rotating around it.
In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year. Galileo, who lectured at the university, gave several lectures widely attended by the public. The lectures not only sought to explain the origin of the "star" (some posited that perhaps it was merely "vapour near the Earth"), but seriously undermined the views of many philosophers that the heavens were unchangeable. This idea was foundational to a worldview underpinned by a central and all-important Earth, with celestial bodies merely rotating around it.
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) give the history of supernovae.
(B) describe a shift in thought as a result of a natural event.
(C) juxtapose two opposing views about supernovae.
(D) corroborate the view that the Earth is not central to the universe.
(E) explain how science and philosophy interrelate.
(A) give the history of supernovae.
(B) describe a shift in thought as a result of a natural event.
(C) juxtapose two opposing views about supernovae.
(D) corroborate the view that the Earth is not central to the universe.
(E) explain how science and philosophy interrelate.
2. Which of the following can be inferred by the passage:
I. Supernovae can take over a year to fade from view.
II. Prior to 1604, no one had even seen a supernova.
III. Galileo convinced philosophers of the incorrectness of their views.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II
(D) II and III
(E) I, II, and III
I. Supernovae can take over a year to fade from view.
II. Prior to 1604, no one had even seen a supernova.
III. Galileo convinced philosophers of the incorrectness of their views.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II
(D) II and III
(E) I, II, and III
3. The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?
(A) The supernova created and dispersed the heavy elements out of which the Earth and everything on it is made.
(B) Galileo explained the origin of the supernova.
(C) The public was interested in hearing lectures about the phenomenon.
(D) Galileo's lectures were opposed by philosophers.
(E) Those who thought the supernova was "vapour" were proved wrong.
(A) The supernova created and dispersed the heavy elements out of which the Earth and everything on it is made.
(B) Galileo explained the origin of the supernova.
(C) The public was interested in hearing lectures about the phenomenon.
(D) Galileo's lectures were opposed by philosophers.
(E) Those who thought the supernova was "vapour" were proved wrong.
21 Apr 2019, 18:14
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Official Explanation
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
Explanation
Choice (A) is wrong because it does not mention the main content of paragraph 2, the ideas and assumptions that became controversial. It is also much too broad— giving a history of supernovae would take a lot more than two paragraphs.
Choice (B) is correct— the passage does describe a “shift in thought” (from an unchangeable “heavens” to a more scientific view), and this shift (at least among intellectuals in Padua) was prompted by a “natural event” (the supernova).
Choice (C) is attractive (“juxtapose” means to put next to one another or to compare), but does not describe the main idea. While Galileo and the philosophers certainly had different views about the bright light they saw in the sky, it’s not clear that you can say that the philosophers had “views about supernovae” in general. It is also clear from the historical aspect of the passage (Galileo clearly “won”) that the purpose is to give a history of a breakthrough in thinking about a topic in astronomy.
Choice (D) can be stricken simply due to “corroborate” (to prove true or support with evidence). The passage is describing, not making an argument.
Finally, choice (E) is much too broad! You could spend an entire career discussing “how science and philosophy interrelate.” This passage covers a much more narrow topic.
Explanation
Choice (A) is wrong because it does not mention the main content of paragraph 2, the ideas and assumptions that became controversial. It is also much too broad— giving a history of supernovae would take a lot more than two paragraphs.
Choice (B) is correct— the passage does describe a “shift in thought” (from an unchangeable “heavens” to a more scientific view), and this shift (at least among intellectuals in Padua) was prompted by a “natural event” (the supernova).
Choice (C) is attractive (“juxtapose” means to put next to one another or to compare), but does not describe the main idea. While Galileo and the philosophers certainly had different views about the bright light they saw in the sky, it’s not clear that you can say that the philosophers had “views about supernovae” in general. It is also clear from the historical aspect of the passage (Galileo clearly “won”) that the purpose is to give a history of a breakthrough in thinking about a topic in astronomy.
Choice (D) can be stricken simply due to “corroborate” (to prove true or support with evidence). The passage is describing, not making an argument.
Finally, choice (E) is much too broad! You could spend an entire career discussing “how science and philosophy interrelate.” This passage covers a much more narrow topic.
2. Which of the following can be inferred by the passage:
Explanation
Remember that Inference questions are not asking you to think for yourself. You must not make any assumptions or go beyond the information in the passage.
Statement I is true because you can prove it with the first sentence of paragraph 2: “In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year.” Since this supernova was visible for more than a year, it is possible for supernovae to “take more than a year to fade from view.” Note that paragraph 1 says “supernovae take weeks or months to fade from view” — apparently, according to paragraph 2, the number of months can be more than twelve. (Note that if Statement I said “Supernovae always take more than a year to fade from view,” it would be wrong.)
Statement II cannot be proven. Just because you are told that a supernova in 1604 caused a stir doesn’t mean no one else had ever seen one before.
Statement III also cannot be proven. You know that Galileo disagreed with the philosophers; you don’t know that those particular philosophers ever changed their minds.
Explanation
Remember that Inference questions are not asking you to think for yourself. You must not make any assumptions or go beyond the information in the passage.
Statement I is true because you can prove it with the first sentence of paragraph 2: “In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year.” Since this supernova was visible for more than a year, it is possible for supernovae to “take more than a year to fade from view.” Note that paragraph 1 says “supernovae take weeks or months to fade from view” — apparently, according to paragraph 2, the number of months can be more than twelve. (Note that if Statement I said “Supernovae always take more than a year to fade from view,” it would be wrong.)
Statement II cannot be proven. Just because you are told that a supernova in 1604 caused a stir doesn’t mean no one else had ever seen one before.
Statement III also cannot be proven. You know that Galileo disagreed with the philosophers; you don’t know that those particular philosophers ever changed their minds.
3. The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?
Explanation
Try to answer questions like this in your head before reading the choices. What happened as a result of the supernova in 1604? Galileo gave popular lectures in which he “sought to explain” the origin of the “star” and which “undermined the views” of some philosophers. That’s all you know.
Choice (A) is a bit silly— was the Earth created after 1604? This choice took some wording from the paragraph and twisted it around to trick us.
Choice (B) is too extreme— you know that Galileo “sought to explain” the origin of the supernova, but you don’t know that he succeeded.
Choice (C) is true— you are told that the lectures were “widely attended by the public.” (A very picky person might point out that just because people go to a lecture doesn’t mean they are interested, but all of the other answers are definitely Wrong, so that confirms that this is a reasonable— that is, very
tiny— leap.)
Choice (D) is attractive, but is a trap answer. You know that Galileo, in his lectures, “undermined” (weakened) the views o f the philosophers. But you don’t know what the philosophers’ response was, and you certainly don’t know whether the philosophers were opposed to the lectures themselves (a person could be opposed to the ideas in a lecture but still think the lecturer should be allowed to lecture).
Choice (E) is also attractive because you, as a modern reader, know this to be true in real life. However, the question does not ask, “What really happened?” It asks, “The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?” The author does not mention that the philosophers were “proved wrong.” (Their views were “undermined, which is much less extreme.) You cannot validate this answer choice with evidence from the passage.
Explanation
Try to answer questions like this in your head before reading the choices. What happened as a result of the supernova in 1604? Galileo gave popular lectures in which he “sought to explain” the origin of the “star” and which “undermined the views” of some philosophers. That’s all you know.
Choice (A) is a bit silly— was the Earth created after 1604? This choice took some wording from the paragraph and twisted it around to trick us.
Choice (B) is too extreme— you know that Galileo “sought to explain” the origin of the supernova, but you don’t know that he succeeded.
Choice (C) is true— you are told that the lectures were “widely attended by the public.” (A very picky person might point out that just because people go to a lecture doesn’t mean they are interested, but all of the other answers are definitely Wrong, so that confirms that this is a reasonable— that is, very
tiny— leap.)
Choice (D) is attractive, but is a trap answer. You know that Galileo, in his lectures, “undermined” (weakened) the views o f the philosophers. But you don’t know what the philosophers’ response was, and you certainly don’t know whether the philosophers were opposed to the lectures themselves (a person could be opposed to the ideas in a lecture but still think the lecturer should be allowed to lecture).
Choice (E) is also attractive because you, as a modern reader, know this to be true in real life. However, the question does not ask, “What really happened?” It asks, “The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?” The author does not mention that the philosophers were “proved wrong.” (Their views were “undermined, which is much less extreme.) You cannot validate this answer choice with evidence from the passage.
Hope It helps
General Discussion
SairamRamo
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Concentration: Technology, General Management
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Schools: Simon '23 (WL) Sauder '23 (D) ISB'22 (D) Merage (A$) BU Questrom '23 (WL) Schulich Sept '23 (I)
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Posts: 72
10 Aug 2020, 23:14
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Took 4minutes 8 sec to read and solve all the 3 questions
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
Although 1st para and half of the 2nd para talk's about a supernova, The last sentence of the passage "This idea was foundational to a worldview underpinned by a central and all-important Earth, with celestial bodies merely rotating around it" brings out the actual intent of the passage conveying that interest and study towards supernovas has brought a change in point of view about earth being central to the universe
(A) give the history of supernovae.
>Confined to part of 1st para
(B) describe a shift in thought as a result of a natural event.
>Fits the bill
(C) juxtapose two opposing views about supernovae.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
(D) corroborate the view that the Earth is not central to the universe.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
(E) explain how science and philosophy interrelate.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
2. Which of the following can be inferred by the passage:
I. Supernovae can take over a year to fade from view.
>Can be supported from the 1st sentence of 2nd para "In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year"
II. Prior to 1604, no one had even seen a supernova.
>Although the passage didn't mention any example prior to 1604 incident, we cannot assume that supernova didn't occur prior to this period
III. Galileo convinced philosophers of the incorrectness of their views.
>The passages said that galileo undermined the philosopher view's, but it didn't mention whether he was able to convince or not
So correct choice is I alone
3. The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?
(A) The supernova created and dispersed the heavy elements out of which the Earth and everything on it is made.
>Above cannot be inferred. Refer last but one statement of 1st para "Supernovae generate enough heat to create heavy elements, such as mercury, gold, and silver. "
(B) Galileo explained the origin of the supernova.
>Above cannot be inferred. Refer last but 4th line of 2nd para "The lectures not only sought to explain the origin of the "star""
(D) Galileo's lectures were opposed by philosophers.
>The passage only told galileo's theory undermined philosophers view, we don't the philosophers reaction
(E) Those who thought the supernova was "vapour" were proved wrong.
(C) The public was interested in hearing lectures about the phenomenon.
Between E and C, I went with C because, in E a strong -ve word proved wrong was used, but the in the passage as soft word undermined is used
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
Although 1st para and half of the 2nd para talk's about a supernova, The last sentence of the passage "This idea was foundational to a worldview underpinned by a central and all-important Earth, with celestial bodies merely rotating around it" brings out the actual intent of the passage conveying that interest and study towards supernovas has brought a change in point of view about earth being central to the universe
(A) give the history of supernovae.
>Confined to part of 1st para
(B) describe a shift in thought as a result of a natural event.
>Fits the bill
(C) juxtapose two opposing views about supernovae.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
(D) corroborate the view that the Earth is not central to the universe.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
(E) explain how science and philosophy interrelate.
>Confined to part of 2nd para
2. Which of the following can be inferred by the passage:
I. Supernovae can take over a year to fade from view.
>Can be supported from the 1st sentence of 2nd para "In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year"
II. Prior to 1604, no one had even seen a supernova.
>Although the passage didn't mention any example prior to 1604 incident, we cannot assume that supernova didn't occur prior to this period
III. Galileo convinced philosophers of the incorrectness of their views.
>The passages said that galileo undermined the philosopher view's, but it didn't mention whether he was able to convince or not
So correct choice is I alone
3. The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?
(A) The supernova created and dispersed the heavy elements out of which the Earth and everything on it is made.
>Above cannot be inferred. Refer last but one statement of 1st para "Supernovae generate enough heat to create heavy elements, such as mercury, gold, and silver. "
(B) Galileo explained the origin of the supernova.
>Above cannot be inferred. Refer last but 4th line of 2nd para "The lectures not only sought to explain the origin of the "star""
(D) Galileo's lectures were opposed by philosophers.
>The passage only told galileo's theory undermined philosophers view, we don't the philosophers reaction
(E) Those who thought the supernova was "vapour" were proved wrong.
(C) The public was interested in hearing lectures about the phenomenon.
Between E and C, I went with C because, in E a strong -ve word proved wrong was used, but the in the passage as soft word undermined is used
