prasannajeet wrote:
1.D 2.D 3.A 4.B
Expert please advice and explain where I have gone wrong
The author cites Hallam on the ice ages primarily in order to
A. provide an example of a geologic phenomenon whose precise causes are not fully understood by geologists today
B. criticize the geological community for an apparent lack of consistency in its responses to new theories
C. offer evidence held to undermine a common view of why Wegener’s theory was not accepted in its day
D. give an example of a modern scientist who believes that Wegener’s theory was rejected because it failed to adequately explain the mechanical basis of continental drift
E. support Gould’s rationale for why Wegener’s theory was rejected by most geologists in the early twentieth century.
D here is a trap. D is obviously in the passage but not associated with ice age. The author uses ice age to explain that some phenomenons have been accepted without being proved 100% scientifically. So the theory that Wegner's theory was not accepted because of a lack of 100% proof is unfounded. And hence C.
Q3:The author of the passage suggests that the most likely explanation for the geological community’s response to continental drift theory in its day was that the theory
A. was in conflict with certain aspects of plate tectonics theory
B. failed to account for how mountains were formed
C. did not adequately explain how continents moved through the ocean floor
D. was contradicted by the geophysical data of the time
E. was based on a kind of evidence that was considered insufficiently convincing
From the last passage;
Wagner's theory was based on observations in contrast to tectonic plate theory which was based on scientific models and tectonic research. We can infer that the theory was rejected because the nature of evidence Wagner used was not very convincing.
Q4:It can be inferred from the passage that geologists today would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about Wegener’s The Origin of Continents and Oceans?
A. It was a worthy scientific effort that was ahead of its time.
B. It was based on evidence that was later disproved.
C. It was directly responsible for the acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics.
D. It has been disproved by continental drift theory.
E. It misrepresented how horizontal displacements cause the formation of mountain chains.
Here the best way to go would be elimination :
A: Hmmm, yeah, it was proved to be true later, lets just hold on to it for a second.
B: Nien, it was proved to be true later. So B out.
C: Nien, the reverse is true. plate tectonics made scientists realise the veracity of Wagner
D: Straightforward nien
E: Scientists believed it then. (CLASSIC GMAT trap) Not NOW!
So from here, 4. A