While many different influences determine local air movements, the lar

Question

While many different influences determine local air movements, the largescale motion of winds over the earth’s surface depends on two factors. The first is differential heating. Equatorial air absorbs more solar energy than air at higher latitudes. Thus it rises, and cool air from higher latitudes flows under it, while the equatorial air flows toward the poles. Eventually it cools and sinks, continuing as surface wind. Hence, surface winds move toward the equator at low latitudes and toward the poles at higher latitudes.

Global wind motions are also affected by the Coriolis effect, which influences objects moving within a rotating system such as the earth. Objects on the earth’s surface move eastward at the same speed as the earth’s rotation—about 1,000 miles per hour at the equator, basically zero at the poles. An air mass that has moved north or south from the equator retains this inertial velocity, but the earth it passes over is moving more slowly. Hence, the air is deflected to the east. Winds from the poles toward the equator, on the other hand, have a low velocity compared to the areas they pass over; they are deflected toward the west.    1 
 1. The author is primarily concerned with

A. summarizing evidence
B. explaining phenomena
C. outlining opposing views
D. offering hypotheses
E. recording scientific observations

2 
 2. According to the passage, winds near the equator usually do which of the following?

I. Absorb solar energy at an unvarying rate
II. Flow toward the equator near the earth’s Surface and away from it at higher altitudes
III. Rush toward the east faster than the earth’s rotation

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III

3 
 3. The passage suggests that if the Coriolis effect did not exist, high-altitude wind near the equator would do which of the following?

A. It would not appear to move, because it would flow east at the same speed as the earth.
B. It would flow west faster than the earth’s rotation.
C. It would flow directly north or south from the equator.
D. It would remain stationary and mix with the warmer air from higher latitudes.
E. It would be deflected more toward the east than air near the poles.

4 
 4. The author would describe global air movements, in comparison with local winds, as

A. less regular
B. less well understood
C. less interesting
D. more predictable
E. basically similar

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 221 Date: 05-Jul-2023
 This question is part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

Kaplan GRE Verbal Workbook 2007

Ruchi007 · Answer

Sajjad1994  Please give explanation for #4

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. The author would describe global air movements, in comparison with local winds, as

Difficulty Level:   650-700

Explanation

This is an inference question. The first sentence specifies that  “many”  influences determine local winds, while only two determine global air movements. Logically, the interaction of  “many”  factors would be harder to predict.

Choice (A)  is wrong—the drift of the whole passage is that global air movements are highly regular.

Choice (B)  is beyond the scope of the passage; global winds seem to be quite well understood, and we have no basis for a comparison with local winds on this point.

Choice (C)  would depend on what one is interested in, wouldn’t it? There is no basis for this choice.

Choice (D)  is false: We’re not told about local air movements, but the first sentence (and common sense) suggests that they’re quite different from the big, regular movements of the global winds.

Answer: D

Kapil1650 · Answer

Can anyone explain C for Q3

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. The passage suggests that if the Coriolis effect did not exist, high-altitude wind near the equator would do which of the following?

Explanation

Here’s a difficult inference question, because the Coriolis effect itself is hard to understand if you’re not familiar with it. Reread the passage that describes the Coriolis effect, that is, the second paragraph.

In  paragraph 2 , we’re told that the Coriolis effect  deflects  the winds. So, if there were no Coriolis effect, they would simply rise and flow away from the equator—either north or south, since the equator has two sides (choice (C)). The other answer choices can be eliminated.

Choice (A)  is tricky; the wind’s speed would match that of the earth, initially, but it leaves out differential heating, which causes the wind to move away from the equator.

Choices (B) and (D)  are clearly contrary to the passage: Winds flowing away from the equator are deflected east, not west, and the wind would not remain stationary, because of differential heating.

Choice (E)  is again a little confusing, but nothing in the passage supports it; if you think about it, the air’s eastward motion would diverge least from the earth’s at the equator, so this choice is false.

Answer: C

KalleAbhi · Answer

Hi all,

Little finding from my side on options given for question 1

Here’s a detailed explanation of each term along with examples:

A. Summarizing Evidence
**Definition**: Summarizing evidence involves condensing and presenting key findings or data from existing research or observations in a clear and concise manner.

**Example**: In a research paper on the effects of climate change on polar bear populations, a summary of evidence might include: "A study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund found that polar bear populations in the Arctic have declined by 40% over the past two decades due to melting sea ice, which is critical for their hunting and breeding."

B. Explaining Phenomena
**Definition**: Explaining phenomena means providing an understanding of why or how something occurs, often by detailing the mechanisms, processes, or factors involved.

**Example**: To explain the phenomenon of photosynthesis, one might say: "Photosynthesis occurs in plants when chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is essential for plant growth and provides energy for nearly all life on Earth."

C. Outlining Opposing Views
**Definition**: Outlining opposing views involves presenting different perspectives or arguments on a particular issue, highlighting the diversity of opinions and the rationale behind them.

**Example**: In a debate about renewable energy, one might outline opposing views by stating: "Proponents of renewable energy argue that it is essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. Conversely, critics argue that the transition to renewable sources can be costly and may lead to job losses in traditional energy sectors."

D. Offering Hypotheses
**Definition**: Offering hypotheses refers to proposing a testable statement or prediction about the relationship between variables or the outcome of a specific situation.

**Example**: A researcher studying the impact of sleep on academic performance might offer the hypothesis: "Students who sleep for at least eight hours per night will perform better on math tests than those who sleep for less than six hours." This hypothesis can be tested through experimentation.

E. Recording Scientific Observations
**Definition**: Recording scientific observations involves documenting empirical data or phenomena as they occur, often in a systematic manner, to gather information for analysis.

**Example**: A biologist studying the behavior of a specific bird species might record observations such as: "On March 15, 2023, at 8:00 AM, I observed five male sparrows engaging in courtship displays in the oak tree near the pond. The temperature was 15°C, and the sky was clear." These observations can later be analyzed to draw conclusions about the species' mating behavior.

Summary
Each of these processes plays a crucial role in scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Summarizing evidence helps synthesize existing knowledge, explaining phenomena provides understanding, outlining opposing views fosters critical discussion, offering hypotheses generates new research questions, and recording scientific observations ensures accurate data collection for analysis.

KalleAbhi · Answer

For Question 2

The correct answer to the question is B. II only. Here’s the reasoning for why this option is the best fit and why the others are not:

Statement I: Absorb solar energy at an  unvarying  rate.
This statement is incorrect. The passage indicates that equatorial air absorbs more solar energy than air at higher latitudes, but it does not state that this absorption occurs at an unvarying rate. The rate of absorption can vary based on factors such as time of day and seasonal changes.

Statement II: Flow toward the equator near the earth’s surface and away from it at higher altitudes.
This statement is correct. The passage explains that equatorial air rises and cools, while cool air from higher latitudes flows under it, indicating that surface winds move toward the equator at low latitudes and that air at higher altitudes flows away from the equator.

Statement III: Rush toward the east  faster than  the earth’s rotation.
This statement is incorrect. The passage describes how air masses retain their inertial velocity and are deflected to the east due to the Coriolis effect, but it does not state that they rush toward the east faster than the earth’s rotation. In fact, the air at the equator moves eastward at the same speed as the earth's rotation.

Given this analysis, only statement II is accurate based on the information provided in the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is B. II only.

12yes · Answer

Explanation for 2 ND and 3rd

APram · Answer

Both questions explanations are given in discussion thread...

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. According to the passage, winds near the equator usually do which of the following?

Explanation

Go to the points in the passage at which the behavior of winds near the equator is described (namely, at the end of each paragraph).

Statement II  is easy to verify; it rephrases material in the fourth and sixth sentences of paragraph 1.

Statements I  and  III  are easy to rule out because they contain exaggerated or absurd ideas. Watch for these—the GRE will often make a potentially tricky choice clearly wrong by using one plainly foolish word. In  statement I , the word is unvarying—why would the rate be unvarying? It should at least vary between night and day, and perhaps at different times of the year; in any case, the idea of  “unvarying”  never appears in the passage. In III,  “rush”  should stand out; whatever the winds do, it isn’t this.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question #3 is discussed  here

Good Luck!

While many different influences determine local air movements, the lar

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While many different influences determine local air movements, the lar

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