Since humans live on the earth, many people would think that scientist

Question

Since humans live on the earth, many people would think that scientists would have figured out the planet’s basic facts a long time ago, but the truth is that scientists split the atom, unraveled the genetic code, and invented plastic before they put forth a workable big-picture theory for the basic dynamics of the earth sciences. Up until the 1960’s, the majority of geologists, paleontologists, and oceanographers believed that, aside from some volcanoes and effects of erosion, the earth is essentially static—that is, that the earth has always had essentially the same continents and oceans, in essentially the same places, as we see them today.

There was, however, all sorts of evidence that there were problems with this view: fossils appeared in wildly inappropriate places, such as tropical plants on Antarctica and oceanic fish on mountains; magnetic rocks called magnetite suggested that the earth’s magnetic pole had moved around in the past in ways that geologists knew to be impossible; volcanic and seismic activity appeared to be centered along certain geographic locations for no apparent reason; rock formations on opposite sides of oceans (e.g. Scotland and New England) displayed startling similarities; likewise, continents such as South America and Africa looked suspiciously like they had fit together at some time in the past.

The meteorologist Alfred Wegener first suggested in 1915 that the continents were moving around, a concept now termed continental drift, but traditional geologists refused to take the idea seriously. Several other scientists echoed Wegener’s ideas in the following decades, but the theory did not take serious traction until it was taken up by the geologist Harry Hess in the 1960s. In 1962 Hess published a paper that combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading to produce an argument for the theory of plate tectonics. Put simply, plate tectonics is the theory that the surface of the earth is composed of rigid plates that “float” on a liquid layer underneath. Sometimes these plates grind against each other at transform boundaries, sometimes they move away from each other at divergent boundaries (this is the cause of seafloor spreading), and sometimes they press into each other at convergent boundaries, in which case one plate is subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process.

The plate tectonics theory was at first resisted by traditional geologists, who had invested too much of their own careers in the static earth model to accept an entirely new picture. The ability of plate tectonics to explain geological phenomena, however, was too powerful to be denied. Over the course of the 1960’s and 1970’s the majority of earth science professionals came to accept plate tectonics as the fundamental explanation for the state of the continents today.    1 
 1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction
B. Subduction and continental drift
C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift
D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift
E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading

2 
 2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core
B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field
C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences
D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory
E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology

3 
 3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

A. strong disagreement
B. lingering doubt
C. ambivalent
D. supportive, but reserved
E. strong agreement

4 
 4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

5 
 5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

A. The shape and location of some continents 
B. The apparently anomalous location of some fossils
C. The curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations
D. The clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic Locations
E. The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans

GMAT Club's Reading Comprehension (RC) Quiz-I 2023   
   10 Days | 20 Passages | Win Prizes | Get Better at GMAT   
 Passage # 10  |  Date: 05 March 2023 
 Click here for more details and master thread

Oppenheimer1945 · Answer

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction
B. Subduction and continental drift
 C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift (True) 
D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift
E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading

In 1962 Hess published a paper that combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading to produce an argument for the theory of plate tectonics.

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core (composition of core is out of scope)
B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field (Magnetic Field is out of scope)
 C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences (Yes, the passage talks about revolution/evolution of Earth) 
D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory (This is only a part of passage)
E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology (Heuristics means trial and error, Nowhere in passage any trial and error method was used by scentists)

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

A. strong disagreement (it's agreement)
B. lingering doubt (no doubts raised by author)
C. ambivalent (no mixed signals)
D. supportive, but reserved (it is not reserved)
 E. strong agreement (The ability of plate tectonics to explain geological phenomena, however, was too powerful to be denied. )

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

A. Convergent boundary (sometimes they press into each other at convergent boundaries, in which case one plate is subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process.) 
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

A. The shape and location of some continents (covered under geological phenomena)
B. The apparently anomalous location of some fossils (covered under geological phenomena)
 C. The curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations (magnetic orientation is out of scope) 
D. The clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic Locations (covered under geological phenomena)
E. The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans (covered under geological phenomena)

The ability of plate tectonics to explain geological phenomena, however, was too powerful to be denied. Over the course of the 1960’s and 1970’s the majority of earth science professionals came to accept plate tectonics as the fundamental explanation for the state of the continents today.

$!vakumar.m · Answer

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

The geologist Harry Hess published a paper that combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading to produce an argument for the theory of plate tectonics. Put simply, plate tectonics is the theory that the surface of the earth is composed of rigid plates that “float” on a liquid layer underneath. Sometimes these plates grind against each other at transform boundaries, sometimes they move away from each other at divergent boundaries (this is the cause of seafloor spreading), and sometimes they press into each other at convergent boundaries, in which case one plate is subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process.

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction  
Incorrect. The geologist Harry Hess produced an argument for the theory of plate tectonics using two geological concepts namely – seafloor spreading and continental drift.

B. Subduction and continental drift  
Option B is incorrect because the geologist HH used two geological concepts (seafloor spreading and subduction) in his theory of plate tectonics.

C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift  
Option C is correct because the geologist HH published a paper that combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading to propose his theory of plate tectonics.

D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift  
Option D is incorrect as explained for option B.

E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading  
Option E is incorrect as explained for option B.

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage? 
The passage is primarily concerned with an explanation for - how the views of the majority of earth science professionals on earth’s dynamics changed from “the earth is essentially static - that is, that the earth has always had essentially the same continents and oceans, in essentially the same places, as we see them today ” to “the earth is not static – that is, the continents are moving around, a concept now termed continental drift ”. And this change in view was made possible essentially by the works of the geologist Harry Hess, who produced an argument for the theory of plate tectonics, which could explain all the geological phenomena given in the second passage. The theory of plate tectonics was too powerful to be denied by the majority of the earth science professionals. Therefore the most appropriate title for this passage is  Option C – “Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences” 
 
  A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core  
Option A is incorrect because determining the composition of the Earth’s core has not been discussed in the passage.

B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field   
Option B is incorrect because the focus of the passage is not the earth’s magnetic field. It is mentioned as one of the geological phenomena in the second paragraph.

C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences – correct.

D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory   
Although Harry Hess produced the theory of plate tectonics and provided explanation to all the geological phenomena, he is not the focus of the passage. It is his work that is in focus. Option D is incorrect.

E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology  
Option E is incorrect because no such heuristic models have been discussed in the passage.

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as 
From the last two lines of the last paragraph – use of “the plate tectonics theory was too powerful to be denied” and “the majority of earth science professionals came to accept plate tectonics as the fundamental explanation for the state of the continents today” - it is evident that the author strongly supports the theory.  Option E is correct.

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a. 
From the third paragraph it is evident that the rigid plates sometimes press into each other at convergent boundaries and results in one plate getting subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process.
Therefore, the Andes mountain chain was created due to collision of the oceanic plate with the continental plate at the convergent boundary.  Option A is correct .

B. Transform boundary   
Option B is incorrect because the transform boundary may be a divergent boundary or a convergent boundary depending upon several factors.

C. Subduction boundary  
Option C is incorrect because no such boundary is used in the passage.

D. Divergent boundary  
Option D is incorrect because at the divergent boundary the plates move away from each other (this is the cause of seafloor spreading).

E. Tectonic boundary  
Option E is incorrect because no such boundary is used in the passage.

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT. 
The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans has not been discussed in the paragraph so we are not sure if the theory of plate tectonics could provide an explanation for this phenomena. Thus,  option E is correct.  Also, the balance geological phenomena have been mentioned and it is specified in the last paragraph that the theory of plate tectonics provides an explanation to all of them.

Catman · Answer

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

B. Subduction and continental drift  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift  ~ Correct, Refer to the line "In 1962 Hess published a paper that combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading to produce an argument for the theory".

D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.
 
E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core  ~ Incorrect, passage is to finding out a a workable big-picture theory for the basic dynamics of the earth sciences

B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field  ~ Incorrect, magnetic field is not discussed in detail.
 
C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences  ~ Correct, author begins the passage that scientist were unable to put forth a workable big-picture theory for the basic dynamics of the earth sciences. One earlier theory of earth as static was refuted due to flaw and later Plate tectonic theory was produced which was at first resisted by traditional geologists, but since the ability of plate tectonics theory to explain geological phenomena was too powerful it cannot be denied.

D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory  ~ Incorrect, passage is about the theory of plate tectonics theory of Harry Hess and not about him as an individual.
 
E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology  ~ Incorrect the heuristic models are not explained.

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

A. strong disagreement  ~ Incorrect, Author is supporting the theory.

B. lingering doubt  ~ Author is supporting the theory and not doubting it.

C. ambivalent  ~ Author is not showing mixed feeling, he/she strongly agrees that the theory is correct.

D. supportive, but reserved  ~ Author is not reserved about the theory.
 
E. strong agreement  ~ Correct, refer to the line "The ability of plate tectonics to explain geological phenomena, however, was too powerful to be denied."

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

A. Convergent boundary  ~ Correct, refer to the line "sometimes they press into each other at convergent boundaries, in which case one plate is subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process."

B. Transform boundary  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

C. Subduction boundary ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

D. Divergent boundary  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

E. Tectonic boundary  ~ Incorrect not mentioned.

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

A. The shape and location of some continents  ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "continents such as South America and Africa looked suspiciously like they had fit together at some time in the past."

B. The apparently anomalous location of some fossils  ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "fossils appeared in wildly inappropriate places"
 
C. The curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations  ~ Incorrect , refer to the line "magnetic rocks called magnetite suggested that the earth’s magnetic pole had moved around in the past in ways that geologists knew to be impossible"
 
D. The clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic Locations  ~ Incorrect, refer to the line "volcanic and seismic activity appeared to be centered along certain geographic locations for no apparent reason;"

E. The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans  ~ Correct, this phenomenon not mentioned in the passage, so we can't say that this has been answered by the theory.

Elite097 · Answer

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction-  As we can see directly from the passage, these two were not used 
B. Subduction and continental drift-  As we can see directly from the passage, these two were not used 
C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift-- "combined the evidence for continental drift with his own work on seafloor spreading " explains this 
D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift-  As we can see directly from the passage, these two were not used 
E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading-  As we can see directly from the passage, these two were not used

Ans C

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core-  We are not trying to determine the earth's core but about the positions of continents etc on Earth

B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field-  Magnetic field has not been discussed, leave alone perplexing
 
C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences-  Yes the passage sets some context about old beliefs in the first para and then provides evidence against it in the second and provides plate tectonic theory in third/ fourth 
 
D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory-  The whole passage is not just concerned with Harry Hess

E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology- We dont know how this transformation took place across each of these segments specifically
 
Ans C

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

A. strong disagreement--  Opposite 
B. lingering doubt-  he does not have a lingering doubt 
C. ambivalent-  he is not confused about the theory 
D. supportive, but reserved-  we cannot say it is reserved as it was being accepted more even in 1960s and 1960s 
E. strong agreement-  "however, was too powerful to be denied" indicates this along with evidence to support other people's acceptance for this
 
Ans E

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

A. Convergent boundary-  "sometimes they press into each other at convergent boundaries, in which case one plate is subducted under the other, generally creating mountains in the process"- mountains are created with convergent boundary
 
B. Transform boundary-  Not mentioned in passage
 
C. Subduction boundary-  Not mentioned in passage

D. Divergent boundary-  This causes seafloor spreadng

E. Tectonic boundary-  Not mentioned in passage

Ans A

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

A. The shape and location of some continents--  This can be explained as stated "continents were moving around" and a theory was made to explain this
 
B. The apparently anomalous location of some fossils-  Due to continental drift this could be explained and earlier the passage mentioned "however, all sorts of evidence that there were problems with this view" regarding old thories before new theories were made
 
C. The curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations-  Due to continental drift this could be explained and earlier the passage mentioned "however, all sorts of evidence that there were problems with this view" regarding old thories before new theories were made
 
D. The clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic Locations-  Due to continental drift this could be explained and earlier the passage mentioned "however, all sorts of evidence that there were problems with this view" regarding old thories before new theories were made
 
E. The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans-  This cannot be explained by tectonic shift which is repated to movements of plates on earth

Ans E

pintukr · Answer

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

A. Seafloor spreading and subduction
  divergent boundaries (cause for seafloor spreading) , and covergent boundaries (subduction) ---refer Paragraph 3..CORRECT answer

B. Subduction and continental drift
 continental drift was Alfred Wegener's concept; hence, incorrect

C. Seafloor spreading and continental drift
 continental drift was Alfred Wegener's concept; hence, incorrect

D. Magnetic resonance and continental drift
 continental drift was Alfred Wegener's concept; hence, incorrect

E. Mantle theory and seafloor spreading
 Out of scope, since Mantle theory has not been mentioned in the passage

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

A. At the Heart of the Matter: The Quest to Determine the Composition of the Earth’s Core
 The whole passage deals with the phenomenon of continental drift, supported by Plate Tectonics theory,,Composition of earth's core not deliberated upon in good measure in the passage

B. World’s Turning: The Perplexing Story of the Earth’s Magnetic Field
 Only a portion of the passage deals with this aspect

C. Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences
  CORRECT answer, since the whole passage deals with the phenomenon of continental drift, supported by Plate Tectonics theory

D. Harry Hess: A Man, a Planet, a Theory
 Harry Hess's theory was just one view supporting the overall Plate Tectonics theory

E. The Transformation of Heuristic Models in Geology, Oceanography, and Paleontology
 Out of scope stimulus

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

A. strong disagreement
 author has supported Continental theory and Plate Tectonics concepts.

B. lingering doubt
 Incorrect, since author has supported Continental theory and Plate Tectonics concepts.

C. ambivalent
 Except for Paragraph 1, the author has supported Continental theory and Plate Tectonics concepts.

D. supportive, but reserved
  Through presenting relevant evidence in the form of several scientists, the author has supported Continental theory and Plate Tectonics concepts..However, doesn't side fully since he has not cited his personal opinion anywhere in the passage..CORRECT answer

E. strong agreement
 The author has 'reserved' support by citing evidence in the form of several scientists' theories

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

A. Convergent boundary
  creation of mountain chain ---- last three lines of paragraph 3 support this option..CORRECT answer

B. Transform boundary
 plates' grinding is the example, NOT the mountain chain

C. Subduction boundary
 Subduction is phenomenon , not listed as boundary type

D. Divergent boundary
 seafloor spreading is the example, NOT the mountain chain

E. Tectonic boundary
 No such boundary type listed

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

A. The shape and location of some continents
 listed in paragraph 2 (line 10)

B. The apparently anomalous location of some fossils
 listed in paragraph 2 (line 3)

C. The curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations
 listed in paragraph 2 (line 5)

D. The clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic Locations
 listed in paragraph 2 (lines 7 and 8)

E. The phenomenon of regular tides in seas and oceans
  NOT listed as a phenomenon explaining the Plate Tectonics theory..CORRECT answer

Thus, the Correct sequence of answers is ACDAE for Q. 1,2,3,4,5

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello Everyone!

OAs are revealed

CCEAE

Competition mode is off now

Good explanation by  Catman   Elite097  and  sivakumarm786

Explanation will be posted shortly.

Good luck with Day 6 questions.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The passage suggests that which two geological concepts were crucial to the development of Harry Hess’s formulation of the plate tectonics theory?

Explanation

The correct answer is  C)  Seafloor spreading and continental drift. The passage clearly states that Harry Hess combined his work on seafloor spreading with the evidence for continental drift to formulate his theory of plate tectonics.

Option A)  includes subduction, which is mentioned in the explanation of convergent boundaries, but it is not explicitly stated as crucial to the development of Hess's theory.

Option B)  includes subduction and continental drift, but the question specifically asks for the two concepts crucial to the development of Hess's theory.

Option D)  includes magnetic resonance, which is mentioned in the passage as evidence for problems with the traditional view of a static earth, but it is not explicitly stated as crucial to the development of Hess's theory.

Option E)  includes mantle theory, which is not mentioned at all in the passage.

Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for this passage?

Explanation

The most appropriate title for this passage would be "Tectonic Shift: The Plate Tectonics Revolution in the Earth Sciences." The passage is primarily about the development and acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics, which revolutionized the field of earth sciences. While the passage does mention other topics, such as the earth's magnetic field and the composition of the earth's core, these are not the main focus of the passage.

Option A  and  B  are too specific to a certain aspect,  Option D  is focused on Harry Hess alone, and  Option E  is too broad and technical.

Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. The author’s attitude toward the plate tectonics theory can best be characterized as

Explanation

The correct answer is E. strong agreement. The author presents a historical account of the development of the theory of plate tectonics, from its initial proposal by Alfred Wegener in 1915 to its eventual acceptance by the majority of earth science professionals in the 1960s and 1970s. The author notes that plate tectonics was initially resisted by traditional geologists but eventually became the fundamental explanation for the state of the continents today. The author's tone throughout the passage is objective and informative, without expressing any doubt or disagreement with the theory of plate tectonics.

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. Geologists believe that the Andes mountain chain along the Pacific coast of South America was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate; this type of plate boundary is known as a.

A. Convergent boundary
B. Transform boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Divergent boundary
E. Tectonic boundary

Explanation

Option A , convergent boundary, is correct because the passage states that the Andes mountain chain was created by the collision of the oceanic Nazca plate with the continental South American plate. This type of collision between two plates is characteristic of a convergent boundary.

Option B , transform boundary, is incorrect because a transform boundary is where two plates slide past each other, such as the San Andreas fault in California.

Option C , subduction boundary, is also incorrect because subduction occurs when one plate is forced under another plate, which is not the case with the Andes mountain chain.

Option D , divergent boundary, is also incorrect because a divergent boundary is where two plates move away from each other, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Option E , tectonic boundary, is a general term that could refer to any type of boundary between tectonic plates and is not specific enough to be the correct answer.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. The passage suggests that the plate tectonics theory can help explain all of the following phenomena, EXCEPT.

Explanation

The correct answer is E. The passage discusses how plate tectonics can help explain the movement of continents, the anomalous location of fossils, the curious magnetic orientation of magnetite rock formations, and the clustering of volcanic and seismic activity in certain geographic locations. However, the passage does not mention anything about regular tides in seas and oceans being explained by plate tectonics. Therefore, option E is incorrect.

Answer: E

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Since humans live on the earth, many people would think that scientist

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Since humans live on the earth, many people would think that scientist

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards