Volcanic rock that forms as fluid lava chills rapidly is called pillow

Question

Volcanic rock that forms as fluid lava chills rapidly is called pillow lava. This rapid chilling occurs when lava erupts directly into water (or beneath ice) or when it flows across a shoreline and into a body of water. While the term "pillow lava" suggests a definite shape, in fact geologists disagree.  Some geologists  argue that pillow lava is characterized by discrete, ellipsoidal masses. Others describe pillow lava as a tangled mass of cylindrical, interconnected flow lobes. Much of this  controversy  probably results from unwarranted extrapolations of the original configuration of pillow flows from two-dimensional cross-sections of eroded pillows in land outcroppings. Virtually any cross section cut through a tangled mass of interconnected flow lobes would give the appearance of a pile of discrete ellipsoidal masses. Adequate three-dimensional images of intact pillows are essential for defining the true geometry of pillowed flows and thus ascertaining their mode of origin. Indeed, the term "pillow," itself suggestive of discrete masses, is probably a misnomer.   1 
 C 
 1. Which of the following is a fact presented in the passage?

(A) The shape of the connections between the separate, sacklike masses in pillow lava is unknown. 
(B) More accurate cross sections of pillow lava would reveal the mode of origin. 
(C) Water or ice is necessary for the formation of pillow lava. 
(D) No three-dimensional examples of intact pillows currently exist. 
(E) The origin of pillow lava is not yet known.

2 
 A 
 2. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in

(A) analyzing the source of a scientific controversy 
(B) criticizing some geologists' methodology 
(C) pointing out the flaws in a geological study 
(D) proposing a new theory to explain existing scientific evidence 
(E) describing a physical phenomenon

3 
 A 
 3. The author of the passage would most probably agree that the geologists mentioned (" Some geologists ") have made which of the following errors in reasoning?

I. Generalized unjustifiably from available evidence. 
II. Deliberately ignored existing counterevidence. 
III. Repeatedly failed to take new evidence into account.

(A) I only 
(B) II only 
(C) III only 
(D) I and II only 
(E) II and III only

4 
 B 
 4. The author implies that the " controversy " might be resolved if

(A) geologists did not persist in using the term "pillow" 
(B) geologists did not rely on potentially misleading information 
(C) geologists were more willing to confer directly with one another 
(D) two-dimensional cross-sections of eroded pillows were available 
(E) existing pillows in land outcroppings were not so badly eroded

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 54 Date: 08-Feb-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

AdityaHongunti · Answer

SUmmary :
1.PL ..how it is formed!!
2. A disagreement over the shape of PL
POVs for shape of PL
3. Author's take : controversy based on UNWARRANTED extrapolation of bla bla
Supporting his view as to why such thinking existed
Giving his take on what is necessary for conclusive decision

Main point : The controversy over te hape of PL is based on unwarranted extraps and what is necessary to resolve such disagreement !!
Primary purpsoe : evaluating the source of controversy (why the controversy existed)

Which of the following is a fact presented in the passage?

Approach : POE

(A) The  shape of the connections  between the separate, sacklike masses in pillow lava is unknown. 
- no idea about sahpe of "connections"

(B) More accurate cross sections of pillow lava would reveal the mode of origin. 
- Keep
(C) Water or ice is necessary for the formation of pillow lava. 
- leep
(D) No three-dimensional examples of intact pillows currently exist. 
- AItor says " adeqaute number of images are needed "..adequate does not mean no images at all

(E) The  origin of pillow lava  is not yet known. 
- actually we know ..how PL are formed ..so their origins have to be from the VOLCANO rigt??

B vs C
B says "more accurate cross sections " would reveal...we do not know this for sure..AUthor says adequate 3D intact pillow images are essential...but he does not say anything aboyt "MORE ACCUARATE corss sectiosn"

C - POE

mikemcgarry   DmitryFarber   TommyWallach   ScottTargetTestPrep   chetan2u   generis

please provode your reasoning for OPTION C... the passsage does not say anything that the ONLY WAY FOR PLs to form is cooling from WATER... i mean there can be other ways right??/ then how can we safely state that water is in FACT needed for PL's to form...??
How can we be sure about that???

AdityaHongunti · Answer

In the passage, the author is primarily interested in

SUmmary :
1.PL ..how it is formed!!
2. A disagreement over the shape of PL
POVs for shape of PL
3. Author's take : controversy based on UNWARRANTED extrapolation of bla bla
Supporting his view as to why such thinking existed
Giving his take on what is necessary for conclusive decision

Main point : The controversy over te hape of PL is based on unwarranted extraps and what is necessary to resolve such disagreement !!
Primary purpsoe : giving his taken on the source of controversy (why the controversy existed)

(B) criticizing some geologists'  methodology 
- only the basis for the geos's claims are mentioned..NO METHODLOY
 
(C) pointing out the  flaws  in a geological  study  
- author is not just POINTING OUT, he is even presenting his OWN view.

(D)  proposing a new theory  to explain existing  scientific evidence  
- author his presneting his POV over the controversy about PL shape... He is NOT proposing something new to explain. He just says we need some things. he does not give us a NEW THEORY

(E)  describing  a physical phenomenon
- author is not just describing. He is presenting his analysis too

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Here’s the relevant part of the passage:

Volcanic rock that forms as fluid lava chills rapidly is called pillow lava. This rapid chilling occurs when lava erupts directly into water (or beneath ice) or when it flows across a shoreline and into a body of water.

The passage says two things about the formation of pillow lava:

“forms as fluid lava chills rapidly”

“This rapid chilling occurs when lava erupts directly into water (or beneath ice) or when it flows across a shoreline and into a body of water.”

Neither one of those statements indicates that lava’s coming into contact with water or ice is the only way in which pillow lava can form. Nor can one properly arrive at that inference by considering the statements in combination.

In fact, given what the statements say, it seems likely that pillow lava can form in any circumstance in which lava cools quickly, regardless of whether ice or water is present.

Therefore, choice (C) is not fully supported by what the passage says and, thus, is not “a fact presented by the passage.”

Question 1 is broken.

kunalc20 · Answer

Can you please explain que 4

I selected D

robu1 · Answer

the answer to this question can be deduce from  Much of this controversy probably  results from unwarranted extrapolations of  the original configuration of pillow flows  .

Anshuman0902 · Answer

explanation for Question no.3 ?

bM22 · Answer

Hi  Anshuman0902

Answer to Question 3 can be inferred from: "Some geologists argue that pillow lava is characterized by discrete, ellipsoidal masses. Others describe pillow lava as a tangled mass of cylindrical, interconnected flow lobes.  Much of this controversy probably results from unwarranted extrapolations of the original configuration  of pillow flows from two-dimensional cross-sections of eroded pillows in land outcroppings."

Its mentioned that the most of the errors in the reasoning is because of the generalizations based on little evidence available. Now this is point I of the 3 points mentioned. We cannot infer II and III. Thus, A is the correct answer.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

shubhamrai249 · Answer

Please explain question 4

kntombat · Answer

Hey  shubhamrai249 ,

Let me give it a shot.
So question 4, talks about how can the "controversy" regarding the structure of pillow lava be resolved ?

If you go through the passage, it says that some geologists think that the structure of the pillow lava is ellipsoidal is shape based on "unwarranted extrapolations of the original configuration of pillow flows from two-dimensional cross-sections of eroded pillows in land outcroppings." Now I would like to bring your attention to the phrase "eroded pillows in land outcroppings", if something has eroded that means the structure of the commodity has degraded, so for geologists to base their conclusions about the structure of pillows based on eroded pillows is fallacious. This sentence leaves the conclusion of those particular geologists incomplete.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

kadamhari825 · Answer

Hey  kntombat ,

you answer was really helpful to come at ans B, But i could not eliminate option E because passage states "Adequate three-dimensional images of intact pillows are essential for defining the true geometry of pillowed flows and thus ascertaining their mode of origin."the same idea option E states.

Thanks.

kntombat · Answer

kadamhari825 , I did not choose E because the option says "not so badly eroded", so it is possible that there could be a little erosion and the structure of the pillow changes or it could remain the same, so due to this ambiguity I chose B.

amolborgaonkar · Answer

I have a query about this question. I reached to the same answer but my approach was a little different. From the sentence "Virtually any cross section cut through a tangled mass of interconnected flow lobes would give
the appearance of a pile of discrete ellipsoidal masses." can't we infer that the premise of the geologists' argument was flawed? Please correct me if there is some flaw in my understanding.

kavyaa_porwal · Answer

can someone please explain in que 2 why we had not chosen option 3 because eventually the author is concluding that geologist misinterpreted or missed the infprmatiom

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The passage discusses a geological phenomenon called "pillow lava," which forms when fluid lava chills rapidly. The process of rapid chilling occurs when lava erupts directly into water (or beneath ice) or when it flows across a shoreline and into a body of water. However, the term "pillow lava" is not as straightforward as it may seem, and geologists disagree on its characterization.

The main point of the passage is to address the controversy surrounding the definition and appearance of pillow lava. Some geologists describe it as discrete, ellipsoidal masses, while others see it as a tangled mass of cylindrical, interconnected flow lobes. The author suggests that this disagreement is likely due to unwarranted extrapolations made from two-dimensional cross-sections of eroded pillows in land outcroppings. The passage explains that any cross-section cut through a tangled mass of interconnected flow lobes would appear as discrete ellipsoidal masses, which can lead to confusion in defining the true geometry of pillowed flows and understanding their mode of origin.

The author emphasizes the need for adequate three-dimensional images of intact pillows to properly define the true geometry of pillow lava and clarify its mode of formation. The term "pillow" itself, which implies discrete masses, is questioned as a possible misnomer.

To summarize:

(A) Analyzing the source of a scientific controversy: 
The author discusses the differing views among geologists regarding the nature of pillow lava and attributes the controversy to unwarranted extrapolations from two-dimensional cross-sections.

(B) Criticizing some geologists' methodology: 
While the passage points out disagreements among geologists, it does not explicitly criticize their methodology.

(C) Pointing out the flaws in a geological study: 
The passage does point out the limitations of relying on two-dimensional cross-sections to interpret the nature of pillow lava, but it does not focus on a specific geological study's flaws.

(D) Proposing a new theory to explain existing scientific evidence: 
The passage does not propose a new theory but rather discusses the need for better three-dimensional images to accurately understand pillow lava.

(E) Describing a physical phenomenon: 
While the passage does describe the physical phenomenon of pillow lava, its primary focus is on the controversy surrounding its definition and appearance, not merely describing the phenomenon itself.

Therefore, the correct answer is  (A)  analyzing the source of a scientific controversy.

Answer: A

Akhil5495 · Answer

For Q4, can someone explain why B 'resolves' the controversy?

Volcanic rock that forms as fluid lava chills rapidly is called pillow

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Volcanic rock that forms as fluid lava chills rapidly is called pillow

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