Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, discussion about the possibil

Question

Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, discussion about the possibility of life on Mars developed in earnest. From his research, English scientist William Whewell observed that Mars might have a geophysical landscape similar to that of Earth, complete with bodies of water, land masses, and possibly even intelligent life forms similar to humans. Scientists had already determined that Mars experienced days that spanned virtually the same length of hours as on Earth but with seasons that were approximately double the length due to Mars’s axial tilt in combination with its highly elongated orbit. In the late nineteenth century, scientists noticed what appeared to be canals on Mars’s landscape, and some even suggested that these canals were created by earlier civilizations. It took the research of American astronomer William Wallace Campbell in 1894 and the work of scientists with more powerful telescopes in the early twentieth century to debunk the canal-theory with the discovery that the atmosphere of Mars is entirely devoid of water and oxygen.

Which of the following may be inferred from statements made in the passage above?

(A) Although the presence of life forms on Mars has not been proven, scientists still hold out for the possibility that life does or can exist there.

(B) After the work of William Wallace Campbell and other astronomers in the early twentieth century, it has been shown conclusively that life has never existed on Mars.

(C) With limited telescopic equipment, early scientists made too many assumptions about the similarities between Mars and Earth.

(D) Due to the similarity in the length of a day in Mars and on Earth, Mars experiences a year similar in length to Earth.

(E) Because Mars is lacking in water and oxygen, it is also lacking in many other essential elements for the survival of life forms.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

Questions 20 reference a passage that discusses the early research about the possibility of life on Mars. The passage begins by explaining that scientists have been considering this topic “in earnest” since the middle of the nineteenth century. The English scientist William Whewell claimed that Mars might have a similar landscape to Earth. Additionally, scientists discovered that Mars has days just over 24-hours long, although the seasons are twice as long as seasons on Earth given the axial tilt in combination with the elongation of the orbit of Mars. Late nineteenth-century scientists observed that there appeared to be canals on the planet, and there was argument about previous civilizations. But the later work of scientists with more powerful telescopes discovered that Mars has no water or oxygen in its atmosphere. Question asks for a simple inference, so the student must read closely to determine which answer choice has clear implication in the passage.

The Correct Answer:

C By showing the gradual development of an understanding of Mars, its atmosphere, and landscape since the middle of the nineteenth century, the author of the passage hints strongly that early scientists argued for and relied on incorrect information due to equipment that was not strong enough to be fully accurate. As a result, the student may definitely infer the statement made in answer choice (C), so it is correct.

The Incorrect Answers:

A Answer choice (A) might very well be true: there are probably scientists who continue to hold out for the possibility of life forms being discovered on Mars. But that information in itself cannot necessarily be derived from the information in the passage. Answer choice (A) infers too much, so it is incorrect.

B The author of the passage focuses only on the canal-theory and the research that debunked belief in intelligent (human or human-like) life forms developing earlier civilizations on Mars. The author does not argue, however, that this research  showed conclusively  that life had never existed on Mars. Answer choice (B) also infers too much, so it cannot be correct.

D Far from implying the information in answer choice (D), the author implies something entirely different. The passage notes, “Mars experienced days that spanned virtually the same length of hours as on Earth but with seasons that were approximately double the length due to Mars’s axial tilt in combination with its highly elongated orbit..” If the seasons are twice the length of those on earth, then so are the years. In other words, one year on Mars is equivalent to two years on Earth. Answer choice (D) cannot be correct.

E The author of the passage mentions water and oxygen as missing in the atmosphere of Mars. If water is missing, it may safely be assumed that hydrogen is lacking to some degree, but beyond this it is impossible to say that  many other essential elements  are lacking in the atmosphere of Mars. Answer choice (E) assumes far more than the passage implies, so it must be incorrect.

unraveled · Answer

Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, discussion about the possibility of life on Mars developed in earnest. From his research, English scientist William Whewell observed that Mars might have a geophysical landscape similar to that of Earth, complete with bodies of water, land masses, and possibly even intelligent life forms similar to humans. Scientists had already determined that Mars experienced days that spanned virtually the same length of hours as on Earth but with seasons that were approximately double the length due to Mars’s axial tilt in combination with its highly elongated orbit. In the late nineteenth century, scientists noticed what appeared to be canals on Mars’s landscape, and some even suggested that these canals were created by earlier civilizations. It took the research of American astronomer William Wallace Campbell in 1894 and the work of scientists with more powerful telescopes in the early twentieth century to debunk the canal-theory with the discovery that the atmosphere of Mars is entirely devoid of water and oxygen.

Which of the following may be inferred from statements made in the passage above?

(A) Although the presence of life forms on Mars has not been proven,  scientists still hold out for the possibility that life does or can exist there . - WRONG. From the passage it is not conclusive.

(B) After the work of William Wallace Campbell and other astronomers in the early twentieth century, it has been  shown conclusively that life has never existed  on Mars. - WRONG. That it being said in a conclusive manner, it is an exaggeration to make such a claim.

(C) With limited telescopic equipment,  early scientists made too many assumptions  about the similarities between Mars and Earth. - CORRECT. If they had not made assumptions there would not have been any debunking of such theories.

(D)  Due to the similarity in the length of a day  in Mars and on Earth,  Mars experiences a year similar in length  to Earth. - WRONG. No correlation as such is inferable.

(E) Because Mars is lacking in water and oxygen, it is  also lacking in many other essential elements  for the survival of life forms. - WRONG. No further developments could be ascertained from the passage, so this is likely not to be true.

Answer C.

Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, discussion about the possibil

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Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, discussion about the possibil

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