Reading passage question
Geologists Harris and Gass hypothesized that the Red Sea rift developed along the line of a suture (a splice in the Earth’s crust) formed during the late Proterozoic era, and that significant observable differences in the composition of the upper layers of rocks deposited on either side of the suture give clues to the different natures of the underlying igneous rocks.
Other geologists argued that neither the upper rock layer nor the underlying igneous rocks on the one side of the rift differ fundamentally from the corresponding layers on the other side. These geologists believe, therefore, that there is inadequate evidence to conclude that a suture underlies the rift.
In response, Harris and Gass asserted that the upper rock layers on the two sides of the rift had not been shown to be of similar age, structure, or geochemical content. Furthermore, they cited new evidence that the underlying igneous rocks on either side of the rift contain significantly different kinds of rare metals.
“Geologists Harris and Gass hypothesized that the Red Sea rift developed along the line of a suture GMAT Reading comprehension is a sample text regarding the test GMAT.
This text is regarding GMAT Reading Comprehension and for the students who will give the test GMAT.There are four questions from the text and these questions will help students know the pattern of the test and will help acknowledging their abilities and understandings, for more sample texts students can go through GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Questions and solutions
Q1. Part of the Harris and Gass hypothesis about the Red Sea rift would be weakened if it could be demonstrated that the composition of upper rock layers
(A) cannot cause a suture to develop
(B) has no effect on where a suture will occur
(C) cannot provide information about the nature of underlying rocks
(D) is similar on the two sides of a rift unless a suture divides the two sides
(E) is usually different from the composition of underlying rocks
Answer- C
Explanation- Harris and Gass have said that they can give clues about different natures of underlying rocks. Thus we cannot say that they cannot provide any information about the same. So the answer that weakens Harris and Gass hypothesis is C.
Q2. It can be inferred from the passage that the “Other geologists” (line 8) would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?
(A) Similar geological features along both sides of a possible suture imply the existence of that suture.
(B) Sutures can be discovered only where they are not obscured by superimposed geological features.
(C) The composition of igneous rocks permits prediction of the likelihood of a rift developing through them.
(D) It is possible to date igneous rocks by carefully studying the different kinds of rare metals contained in them and by observing their similarity to the layer of rock that lies above them.
(E) The existence of rock layers on one side of a rift that are similar in composition to rock layers on the other side suggests that no suture exists between the two sides.
Answer- E
Explanation- Other geologists have clearly said that both upper and lower rocks differ fundamentally from the corresponding one on the other side. So possibly the answer E is the strongest statement that is implied on the 8th line of the passage.
Q3. It can be inferred from the passage that Harris and Gass have done which of the following?
(A) Drawn detailed diagrams of the Red Sea rift.
(B) Based their conclusions on the way in which sutures develop in the Earth’s crust.
(C) Rejected other geologists objections to their hypothesis about the Red Sea rift.
(D) Suggested that the presence of rare metals in rocks indicates an underlying suture.
(E) Asserted that rifts usually occur along the lines of sutures.
Answer-C
Explanation- Geologists have argued that the upper or the lower igneous rocks do not differ fundamentally from the corresponding layers on the opposite side. Basically Harris and Gass have rejected their objection. So the answer C is correct.
Q4. According to the passage, Harris and Gass have mentioned all of the following properties of rocks along the Red Sea rift EXCEPT:
(A) age of the upper layers of rock
(B) structure of the upper layers of rocks
(C) geochemical content of the upper layers of rocks
(D) metallic content of the underlying igneous rocks
(E) age of the underlying igneous rocks
Answer-E
Explanation- Harris and Gass have never mentioned about age of lower igneous rocks. They have severally discussed the other options of the answer section. They have broadly discussed about age, structure, or geochemical content.So the clear and simple answer is E.
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