Question 3
panwaryamini wrote:
GMATNinjaCould you please explain Q3?
Quote:
According to the passage, which of the following is a prediction that is based on the strength of the gravitational attraction of small asteroids?
The question asks about a prediction derived from the strength of the gravitational attraction of small asteroids. The passage talks about this gravitational attraction in the final sentence. It says:
Conversely, most small asteroids should be monolithic, because impact fragments easily escape their feeble gravity.
So, small asteroids have weak gravity. As a result, impact fragments easily escape, and most small asteroids should be monolithic. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the answer choices.
Quote:
(A) Small asteroids will be few in number.
Nowhere in the passage does the author suggest that small asteroids are few in number or that large asteroids are more common. Moreover, the relative scarcity of different sizes of asteroids is not connected to the gravitational pull of these asteroids. Eliminate (A).
Quote:
(B) Small asteroids will be monoliths.
As we identified above, the last sentence of the passage indicates that the weak gravitational pull of small asteroids will likely ensure that most small asteroids are monoliths. This is exactly what (B) says. Let’s keep (B).
Quote:
(C) Small asteroids will collide with other asteroids very rarely.
In the second to last sentence of the passage, the author notes that “collisions among asteroids are relatively frequent.” He/she never suggests that small asteroids rarely collide with other asteroids. Eliminate (C).
Quote:
(D) Most small asteroids will have very fast rotation rates.
(D) is tempting. The passage does seem to suggest that
five small asteroids rotate faster than other asteroids. Perhaps, we could infer that small asteroids have faster rotation rates. But even that is a leap, and it is definitely not connected to the gravitational pull of small asteroids. Eliminate (D).
Quote:
(E) Almost no small asteroids will have very slow rotation rates.
While the passage suggests that five small asteroids have very fast rotation rates, it does not indicate that only a few small asteroids have slow rotation rates. In fact, it’s possible that most other small asteroids have slow rotation rates. And the rotation rate of these asteroids is not connected to their gravitational pull. Eliminate (E).
(B) is the only answer choice remaining, and it is correct.
I hope that helps!