Let's start by summarizing the paragraphs:


"Hydrothermal vent" is the term that scientists use to describe a crack in a planet's surface from which geothermally heated water emerges. Because these vents are common in places that are volcanically active, they are plentiful on Earth. While the most famous hydrothermal vent is probably the geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States, there are several different types of vents, existing both on land and underwater. Black Smokers, for instance, are a common type of submarine vent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first discovered these in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands in 1977. Underwater vents such as these form when water that has been heated by magma beneath the earth's crust exits through cracks in the ocean floor. Scientists are interested in these vents primarily for their ability to host biologically dense communities in areas that are otherwise hostile to life. Studies show that Chemosynthetic archaea, a life-form similar to bacteria, allows these areas to support such diverse organisms as clams and shrimp. Black Smokers are also visually striking. Minerals in the water that emerge from the earth's crust crystallize around each vent to create their distinctive black chimney-like formations.

We are introduced to hydrothermal vents and we are told about a kind of hydrothermal vent called a "black smoker."

While on a vessel exploring the Atlantis Massif in the mid-Atlantic Ridge, scientists recently discovered a completely new kind of hydrothermal system, which they dubbed "Lost City." Here, a "forest" of white limestone pillars rises 180 feet above the seafloor. There are several important differences that distinguish the hydrothermal vents in Lost City from the more familiar Black Smokers. The heat and fluid flow at Lost City is driven by the intermingling of seawater and mantle rocks on the seafloor, rather than by hot magma. As these fluids mix with magnesium-rich seawater, they deposit calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, thereby creating the stunning white structures of Lost City. The fluids here are also much cooler (less than 100 degrees Celsius) and are composed of substances and gases that are different from those of Black Smokers. For instance, the fluids here have high pH content and contain significant amounts of hydrogen and methane gas.

There is this new kind of hydrothermal vent that differs from the "black smokers" mentioned in the paragraph above.

The discovery of Lost City is still a fairly recent one. and scientists currently have more questions than answers. However, they hope that the insights they gain from this study will provide information that will lead to a better understanding of some of the earliest hydrothermal systems on earth and the life they supported.

There is still a lot to learn about hydrothermal vents.

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Now let's answer the questions:


1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. refute a well-established theory ----->No theory is mentioned.
B. describe a newly discovered natural phenomenon and compare it to another -----> Yes, the passage presents the discover of Lost City and compares it to Black Smokers.
C. explain how the study of a certain natural phenomenon has changed over time ----> How hydrothermal vents changed is not mentioned.
D. evaluate opposing theories ---->No theories are mentioned
E. reconsider a natural phenomenon in light of new discoveries ----> The passage introduces and compares, it does not reconsider or reevaluate.

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2. Select the sentence that explains why Black Smokers have piqued the curiosity of biologists.

Ok, let's search the first paragraph where Black Smokers are introduced.

Black Smokers, for instance, are a common type of submarine vent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first discovered these in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands in 1977. Underwater vents such as these form when water that has been heated by magma beneath the earth's crust exits through cracks in the ocean floor. Scientists are interested in these vents primarily for their ability to host biologically dense communities in areas that are otherwise hostile to life. Studies show that Chemosynthetic archaea, a life-form similar to bacteria, allows these areas to support such diverse organisms as clams and shrimp. Black Smokers are also visually striking. Minerals in the water that emerge from the earth's crust crystallize around each vent to create their distinctive black chimney-like formations.

We can infer that the scientists they mention are biologists because they are studying biological communities.

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3. Consider each of the following answer choices separately and select all that apply.

The passage suggests that the hydrothermal vents that constitute Lost City are different from Black Smokers in which of the following ways?

A. Magma propels the heat and water of Black Smokers, whereas the vents at LostCity are driven by the merging of seawater and mantle rocks.
Yes, this is mentioned in the second paragraph.

B. Black Smoker vents release water that is much cooler than the water released at LostCity.
Black Smokers are hotter, not cooler than Lost City.

C. Chemosynthetic archaea fosters many different life forms around Black Smokers but is not present at Lost City.
It is only said that Chemosynthetic archaea fosters life around Black Smokers. As Chemosynthetic archaea is not mentioned in relation to Lost City vents, can really only speculate if it lives near this type of geothermic vent.

Location in the passage:

"Hydrothermal vent" is the term that scientists use to describe a crack in a planet's surface from which geothermally heated water emerges. Because these vents are common in places that are volcanically active, they are plentiful on Earth. While the most famous hydrothermal vent is probably the geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States, there are several different types of vents, existing both on land and underwater. Black Smokers, for instance, are a common type of submarine vent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first discovered these in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands in 1977. Underwater vents such as these form when water that has been heated by magma beneath the earth's crust exits through cracks in the ocean floor. Scientists are interested in these vents primarily for their ability to host biologically dense communities in areas that are otherwise hostile to life. Studies show that Chemosynthetic archaea, a life-form similar to bacteria, allows these areas to support such diverse organisms as clams and shrimp.(B) Black Smokers are also visually striking. Minerals in the water that emerge from the earth's crust crystallize around each vent to create their distinctive black chimney-like formations.

While on a vessel exploring the Atlantis Massif in the mid-Atlantic Ridge, scientists recently discovered a completely new kind of hydrothermal system, which they dubbed "Lost City." Here, a "forest" of white limestone pillars rises 180 feet above the seafloor. There are several important differences that distinguish the hydrothermal vents in Lost City from the more familiar Black Smokers. The heat and fluid flow at Lost City is driven by the intermingling of seawater and mantle rocks on the seafloor, rather than by hot magma. (A) As these fluids mix with magnesium-rich seawater, they deposit calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, thereby creating the stunning white structures of Lost City. The fluids here are also much cooler (less than 100 degrees Celsius) and are composed of substances and gases that are different from those of Black Smokers. (C) For instance, the fluids here have high pH content and contain significant amounts of hydrogen and methane gas.

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4. Consider each of the following answer choices separately and select all that apply.

According to the passage, which of the following statements are true about Black Smokers?

A. As water emerges from the vents it deposits calcium carbonate.
"There are several important differences that distinguish the hydrothermal vents in Lost City from the more familiar Black Smokers. The heat and fluid flow at Lost City is driven by the intermingling of seawater and mantle rocks on the seafloor, rather than by hot magma. As these fluids mix with magnesium-rich seawater, they deposit calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, thereby creating the stunning white structures of Lost City."

B. Black chimney-like structures form around each vent.
"Black Smokers are also visually striking. Minerals in the water that emerge from the earth's crust crystallize around each vent to create their distinctive black chimney-like formations."

C. Black Smokers host biologically dense communities.
"Scientists are interested in these vents primarily for their ability to host biologically dense communities in areas that are otherwise hostile to life."