GMAT Reading Comprehension - Take a Very Commonplace, Often Discussed and Critical Topic

Reading Passage Question

Take a very commonplace, often discussed and critical topic: Are we detecting a greenhouse effect, and related to this, is it exacerbated by "homogenic factors," i.e., human actions? Most would be inclined to give a positive answer to both of these questions. But, if pushed, what would be the evidence, and how well grounded would it be for such affirmations?

Within scientific communities and associated scientifically informed circles, the answers have to be somewhat more ambiguous, particularly when rigorous questions concerning evidence are raised. Were scientific truth to be a matter of consensus, and some argue that scientific truth often turns out to be just that, then it is clear that there is beginning to be a kind of majority consensus among many earth science practitioners that the temperature of the Earth, particularly of the oceans, is indeed rising and that this is a crucial indicator for a possible greenhouse effect.

Most of these scientists admit that the mean oceanic temperature has risen globally in the last several decades. But this generalization depends upon how accurate measurements may be, not just for samples, but also for the whole Earth. Hot spots, for example the now four year old hot spot near New Guinea which is part of the El Niño cycle, does not count by itself because it might be balanced by cold spots elsewhere. And the fact of the matter is that "whole earth measurements" are still rare and primitive in the simple sense that we simply do not have enough thermometers out. Secondly, even if we had enough thermometers, a simple synchronic whole earth measurement over three decades is but a blip in the diachronic history of ice age cycles over the last tens of thousands of years. Thirdly, even if we know that the earth is now heating up, has an ever increasing ozone hole, and from this strange weather effects can be predicted, how much of this is due to homogenic factors, such as CFCs, CO2 increases, hydrocarbon burning, and the like? Is it really the case, as Science magazine claimed in l990, "24% of greenhouse encouraging gasses are of homogenic origin"?

“Take a very commonplace, often discussed and critical topic” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 comprehension questions. GMAT reading Comprehension passages take advantage when students encounter unfamiliar words. It can be a real blow to confidence, making them question whether they can complete the task at hand. Practice can help candidates learn some of the jargon associated with weaker areas. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. In this particular section of the text, the author is particularly concerned with

1. whether or not scientific facts may be reduced to a simple question of consensus
2. figuring out how firmly established the greenhouse effect is and to what degree, human activities are making it worse
3. The question is whether the hot point is El Ni. It is kept in check by cold patches in other places
4. evaluating whether or not the vast majority of scientists are likely to provide a favorable response to the issue of whether or not there is a greenhouse effect and whether or not it is made worse by human activity.
5. transforming a specific synchronic measurement of the whole globe into something more significant than a blip in the longer-term history of Ice Age cycles throughout the past tens of thousands of years.

2. Which of the following claims regarding the greenhouse effect do you think the author of the paragraph would most likely agree with?

1. The origin of homogenous greenhouse gasses is equal to 24 per cent of the total.
2. There is a greenhouse effect, and homogenous elements tend to make it worse.
3. Homogeneous variables like CFCs, rising CO2 levels, combustion of hydrocarbons, and other reasons contribute to the ozone hole's expansion.
4. It is only possible to ascertain whether or not the average temperatures of the world's oceans have increased during the last several decades if the temperatures of the oceans have been measured with sufficient accuracy.
5. Intensely heated regions, such as the El Ni? o cycle, should not be considered a contributor to the greenhouse effect.

3. From what is said in the paragraph, one might deduce that

1. We cannot confidently say that odd weather patterns result from the world becoming hotter and the ozone hole getting bigger.
2. The greenhouse effect is the issue that receives the greatest attention from those knowledgeable in the scientific community.
3. If the pace at which the sea's rising temperature has slowed down from an ever-increasing rate, then the rate at which the Earth is warming has accelerated.
4. It has been shown that increases in CFC are not to blame for the unusual weather impacts; rather, they are related to the diachronic effects of burning hydrocarbons.
5. A growth in the usage of CFCs, CO2, and other gasses like them may be traced to the occurrence of strange weather phenomena.

4. Who is the writer? 's contention that a simple synchronic measurement of the whole Earth taken over three decades is nothing more than a blip in the diachronic history of ice age cycles taken throughout the last tens of thousands of years would be strengthened if the author provided evidence to support their position.

1. specified the lowest number of thermometers required for a measurement of the whole Earth
2. outlined the conditions that led to the world's beginning of a new ice age.
3. When compared with diachronic whole earth measurements, synchronic whole earth measurements should be considered more accurate.
4. shown that a mean of more than thirty years is necessary to identify substantial shifts in weather patterns
5. stated the precise locations, as well as the number of thermometers that were installed by scientists all around the world.

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