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NextstopISB
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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed Updated on: 15 Mar 2025, 10:31
Originally posted by NextstopISB on 15 Mar 2025, 09:51.
Last edited by NextstopISB on 15 Mar 2025, 10:31, edited 1 time in total.
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17% (00:35) correct 83% (01:41) wrong based on 6 sessions

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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed that atmospheric distortions occur precisely 24 hours before the emergence of massive energy surges from the planet’s core. Scientists from the Galactic Observatory concluded that these distortions must be a form of predictive signaling emitted by the planet itself, indicating an unknown form of planetary intelligence.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the scientists’ conclusion?

(A) The atmospheric distortions have only been observed in certain regions of the planet, while energy surges occur globally.

(B) The energy surges from the planet’s core have been increasing in magnitude over the past century, while atmospheric distortions have remained constant.

(C) A recently discovered subterranean species on Vextrion-9 has been found to release a unique type of electromagnetic pulse that could be responsible for the observed distortions.

(D) Similar atmospheric distortions have been detected on lifeless planets with no recorded energy surges.

(E) The energy surges from the planet’s core contain complex patterns that resemble known forms of coded communication.

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Bunuel
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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed 15 Mar 2025, 10:28
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GMATharvard
On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed that atmospheric distortions occur precisely 24 hours before the emergence of massive energy surges from the planet’s core. Scientists from the Galactic Observatory concluded that these distortions must be a form of predictive signaling emitted by the planet itself, indicating an unknown form of planetary intelligence.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the scientists’ conclusion?

(A) The atmospheric distortions have only been observed in certain regions of the planet, while energy surges occur globally.

(B) The energy surges from the planet’s core have been increasing in magnitude over the past century, while atmospheric distortions have remained constant.

(C) A recently discovered subterranean species on Vextrion-9 has been found to release a unique type of electromagnetic pulse that could be responsible for the observed distortions.

(D) Similar atmospheric distortions have been detected on lifeless planets with no recorded energy surges.

(E) The energy surges from the planet’s core contain complex patterns that resemble known forms of coded communication.
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GMATharvard please share the exact source of the question. Thank you!
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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed 15 Mar 2025, 10:31
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C for me.
LOR involves creating of causation relationship between two things (Distortions preceding energy surges). Such, arguments can be weakened generally by either showing correlation & not causation, reverse causation, third factor responsible for the effect rather than said one. Weaken question attacks line of reasoning & not the premise.
A. So what? Adds more info to premise rather than do anything to arguement
B. Okay great but it doesnt still attacks argument's causation
C. Intersting & keep. Another reason to explain the distortions rather than "planetary intelligence"
D. Trap choice?
E. Strengthens instead
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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed 15 Mar 2025, 10:33
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I created this question myself based on science fiction themes and common logical reasoning structures used in GMAT and LSAT Critical Reasoning (CR) questions. It is not from any official source but is designed to be a challenging weakening question in the science fiction domain.
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GMATharvard
On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed that atmospheric distortions occur precisely 24 hours before the emergence of massive energy surges from the planet’s core. Scientists from the Galactic Observatory concluded that these distortions must be a form of predictive signaling emitted by the planet itself, indicating an unknown form of planetary intelligence.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the scientists’ conclusion?

(A) The atmospheric distortions have only been observed in certain regions of the planet, while energy surges occur globally.

(B) The energy surges from the planet’s core have been increasing in magnitude over the past century, while atmospheric distortions have remained constant.

(C) A recently discovered subterranean species on Vextrion-9 has been found to release a unique type of electromagnetic pulse that could be responsible for the observed distortions.

(D) Similar atmospheric distortions have been detected on lifeless planets with no recorded energy surges.

(E) The energy surges from the planet’s core contain complex patterns that resemble known forms of coded communication.
GMATharvard please share the exact source of the question. Thank you!
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On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed 15 Mar 2025, 10:43
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GMATharvard
I created this question myself based on science fiction themes and common logical reasoning structures used in GMAT and LSAT Critical Reasoning (CR) questions. It is not from any official source but is designed to be a challenging weakening question in the science fiction domain.
Bunuel
GMATharvard
On the planet Vextrion-9, researchers have observed that atmospheric distortions occur precisely 24 hours before the emergence of massive energy surges from the planet’s core. Scientists from the Galactic Observatory concluded that these distortions must be a form of predictive signaling emitted by the planet itself, indicating an unknown form of planetary intelligence.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the scientists’ conclusion?

(A) The atmospheric distortions have only been observed in certain regions of the planet, while energy surges occur globally.

(B) The energy surges from the planet’s core have been increasing in magnitude over the past century, while atmospheric distortions have remained constant.

(C) A recently discovered subterranean species on Vextrion-9 has been found to release a unique type of electromagnetic pulse that could be responsible for the observed distortions.

(D) Similar atmospheric distortions have been detected on lifeless planets with no recorded energy surges.

(E) The energy surges from the planet’s core contain complex patterns that resemble known forms of coded communication.
GMATharvard please share the exact source of the question. Thank you!
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We appreciate your enthusiasm for GMAT-style questions! However, we only allow questions from reputable GMAT sources to maintain accuracy and reliability. Please do not post self-created questions in the future. Thanks for understanding!

Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Critical Reasoning (CR) Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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