Dark Matter and Dark Energy have both been Postulated by Astrophysicists GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

Dark matter and dark energy have both been postulated by astrophysicists to fill a gap in the fabric of the cosmos which is known as the puzzle of the missing mass. In doing so, astrophysicists sought to bring the characteristics of the universe better in line with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, which predicts that the density of the universe is about 25 times greater than has been heretofore observed. Only 4% of the universe is thought to be composed of conventional matter and energy; about 22% is thought to be composed of dark matter and the remaining 74% is thought to be dark energy. Dark matter does not interact with conventional matter or energy by electromagnetic forces and thus its presence cannot be detected directly. The presence of dark matter must be inferred through its indirect manifestations: anomalous gravitational effects, the rotational velocity data of stars in spiral galaxies and the unusual distribution of mass in a star system known as the Bullet Cluster. Although dark matter was conclusively detected through its gravitational lensing effect in August 2006, many aspects of dark matter remain speculative. It has been noted that the terms “dark matter” and “dark energy”serve mainly as expressions of human ignorance, much like the marking of early maps with “terra incognita.”

‘Dark matter and dark energy have both been postulated by astrophysicists’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions.

The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Questions and Solutions

1. Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage?

(A) Dark matter and dark energy can be directly identified.
(B) Astrophysicists are ignorant of many important details of the universe’s composition.
(C) Although not well understood, dark matter and dark energy help reconcile theory with observation.
(D) Despite a recent observation, the existence of dark matter and dark energy is still debated in the scientific community.
(E) Dark matter and dark energy were suggested by Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

2. According to the passage, each of the following is true of dark matter or dark energy EXCEPT:

(A) They explain why the universe maybe 25 times denser than has been observed.
(B) They are thought to account for 96% of the universe.
(C) They are not well understood by physicists.
(D) Their existence can be deduced from observations such as unexpected mass distributions.
(E) They may solve the puzzle of the missing mass.

3. The passage suggests which of the following about anomalous gravitational effects?

(A) The Theory of Relativity does not adequately account for them.
(B) Their appearance is not understood by physicists.
(C) They may explain the puzzle of the missing mass.
(D) Without the existence of dark matter, they cannot be satisfactorily explained.
(E) They are related to the distribution of mass in the Bullet Cluster.

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