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Updated on: 20 Feb 2026, 12:19
Originally posted by anish123ster on 08 May 2013, 12:18.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 12:19, edited 4 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 12:19, edited 4 times in total.
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C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
61% (02:35) correct
39%
(02:48)
wrong
based on 971
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Date
Time
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Not Attempted Yet
Because there are no habitable planets other than Earth in our solar system and because it is unlikely we will ever have the capability to reach other systems, the conclusion that humankind will never colonize outer space seems justified. Consider, however, that every planet lies at the bottom of a deep gravity well. It not only takes energy to lift people and material out of such wells; it also takes considerable energy to lower them to the bottom in good working condition. Human beings need air, water, and food, but we need not continue to supply ourselves with these necessities under such inefficient conditions. The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter contains billions of tons of the ices of water, ammonia, and carbon dioxide, everything needed to provide food, air, and water, as well as abundant metals from which to build shelter. And relatively little energy would be required to exploit those vast resources because the asteroids, having little mass individually, do not lie at the bottoms of deep gravity wells. Therefore, human beings do not need to live on planets.
Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn in the passage above?
(A) Most human beings are physically unable to withstand acceleration out of gravity wells.
(B) Minute amounts of trace elements available only on Earth are required for human subsistence.
(C) Human beings are physiologically unable to develop and function properly outside the confines of a strong gravity field.
(D) Given current technology, it would take more than eight years to complete a round trip from Earth to the asteroid belt and back.
(E) The resources of asteroids are more likely to be exploited by the descendants of colonists from Earth.
Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn in the passage above?
(A) Most human beings are physically unable to withstand acceleration out of gravity wells.
(B) Minute amounts of trace elements available only on Earth are required for human subsistence.
(C) Human beings are physiologically unable to develop and function properly outside the confines of a strong gravity field.
(D) Given current technology, it would take more than eight years to complete a round trip from Earth to the asteroid belt and back.
(E) The resources of asteroids are more likely to be exploited by the descendants of colonists from Earth.
08 May 2013, 13:46
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anish123ster
Dear Anish,
An request to you is, do post your questions along with OA's
In your question, Answer should be between A and C (A is my take)
Premise 1 :- Humans have basic needs to survive - Food, Air, Water
Premise 2 :- Relatively little energy would be required to exploit those vast resources because the asteroids, having little mass individually, do not lie at the bottoms of deep gravity wells
Conclusion :- human beings do not need to live on planets.
To weaken the conclusion we need to consider other side of the story. Apart from Food, water, and Air, is there any other condition that forcing humans to stay on the planet?
Counter Premise :- Planet takes considerable energy from gravity wells to lower People and Material to the bottom in good working condition.
Above Counter premise siting that condition. So The choice that would consistent with above premise would weaken the conclusion.
A) This is true and consistent with counter premise.
B) Shell Game Answer. Comparison is not between Earth and Asteroid Belts. It is between Planets (that are under gravity wells) and Asteroid belts (not under gravity wells).
C) Contender
D) Irrelevant
E) Irrelevant
Between A and C, C makes a general statement about limitations of Humans for living beyond gravitational fields, Whereas A provides a specific limitation i.e. Acceleration would be the factor prohibit Humans live on the Asteroid Belts
So i would go with A
Regards,
Narenn
08 May 2013, 21:47
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answer-C
Reason
It is important to first identify the conclusion drawn by the passage. Here, the author concludes that human beings may not need to live on planets. Thus, an answer that challenges this conclusion or an argument on which it is based would weaken the author’s finding. (C) is the credited response since it directly attacks the author’s conclusion by establishing that humans may need to live in an environment with strong gravitational fields (such as planets).
(A) is incorrect.
(A) is incorrect because it does not necessarily challenge the author’s premise since “most” individuals may be able to remain on Earth while others colonize asteroids or other planets.
(B) is incorrect.
(B) does not preclude colonization of other interstellar bodies, since the necessary elements may be capable of transportation with the colonists.
(D) is incorrect.
(D) is irrelevant to the passage, the conclusion, and the premises on which it is based.
(E) is incorrect.
(E) is incorrect, since whether asteroids are exploited by colonists or descendants of colonists is irrelevant to the author’s conclusion that humans may not need to live on planets.
Reason
It is important to first identify the conclusion drawn by the passage. Here, the author concludes that human beings may not need to live on planets. Thus, an answer that challenges this conclusion or an argument on which it is based would weaken the author’s finding. (C) is the credited response since it directly attacks the author’s conclusion by establishing that humans may need to live in an environment with strong gravitational fields (such as planets).
(A) is incorrect.
(A) is incorrect because it does not necessarily challenge the author’s premise since “most” individuals may be able to remain on Earth while others colonize asteroids or other planets.
(B) is incorrect.
(B) does not preclude colonization of other interstellar bodies, since the necessary elements may be capable of transportation with the colonists.
(D) is incorrect.
(D) is irrelevant to the passage, the conclusion, and the premises on which it is based.
(E) is incorrect.
(E) is incorrect, since whether asteroids are exploited by colonists or descendants of colonists is irrelevant to the author’s conclusion that humans may not need to live on planets.
