If you want to see flowers of Tragopogen pratensis in bloom, you will

Question

If you want to see flowers of Tragopogen pratensis in bloom, you will need to look for them before lunch because it lives up to one of its common names Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon. Whatever the weather, flowers of this common member of the dandelion family close by midday. It's one of a number of species whose floral movements can be used as a primitive clock. Scarlet pimpernel opens and closes depending on temperature and humidity change, but finally closes for the day at about 3 pm, rain or shine. The gardening writer JC Londou in 1872, planned floral clocks constructed from species with this kind of behaviour, claiming floral opening and closing times to an accuracy of minutes. Though they have fairly predictable opening and closing times, their time keeping ability would have been constantly disrupted by variable weather. And so it is not surprising _______.

A. that Londou's clock was popular in the 19th century

B. that Londou's clock can be seen only in horticulture gardens

C. that Londou's erratic botonical time piece never caught on

D. that Londou's clocks are among the most accurate of primitive clocks

E. that Londou is highly respected by botanists

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Official Answer

C

A. that Londou's clock was popular in the 19th century

B. that Londou's clock can be seen only in horticulture gardens

C. that Londou's erratic botonical time piece never caught on

D. that Londou's clocks are among the most accurate of primitive clocks

E. that Londou is highly respected by botanists

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jack5397 · Answer

IMO - C

Passage starts with the description of floral qualities and then describes one of the botanist who used it for time determination BUT in the end passage changes the direction from positive to negative tone and ends with the blank we need to find the answer which can justify the negative tone and it's impact.

A - that Londou's clock was popular in the 19th century // Goes in the positive direction by suggesting it was popular in the 19th century  - Eliminate

B - that Londou's clock can be seen only in horticulture gardens // Goes in the positive direction by suggesting the use of those clocks  - Eliminate

C - that Londou's erratic botonical time piece never caught on  - Correct

D - that Londou's clocks are among the most accurate of primitive clocks //Goes in the positive direction  - Eliminate

E - that Londou is highly respected by botanists //Goes in the positive direction  - Eliminate

LamboWalker · Answer

The author starts by introducing the botanical clock, but also introduces some of its shortcomings. Usage of 'though' and the following statement leads me to think that the botanical clock might not have lived up to its name.

A. that Londou's clock was popular in the 19th century 
Does not align with the argument.

B. that Londou's clock can be seen only in horticulture gardens 
Does not align with the argument

C. that Londou's erratic botonical time piece never caught on 
Correctly aligns with my thought process

D. that Londou's clocks are among the most accurate of primitive clocks 
Does not align with the argument

E. that Londou is highly respected by botanists 
Does not aligh with the argument

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The argument talks of flowers that open or close at specific times and the plan of Loudon to construct a floral clock using this lime keeping ability of plants. But however
accurate plants may be. their ability is affected by weather, So it follows that the planned clock could not have functioned reliably in practice.

So C is the apt concluding clause.

Choice (C) is the correct answer

If you want to see flowers of Tragopogen pratensis in bloom, you will

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If you want to see flowers of Tragopogen pratensis in bloom, you will

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