Re: At a certain period in Earths history,
[#permalink]
06 Dec 2020, 05:40
If you can break down the pra in relevant parts, the solution would be a simple one..
At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen.---(Fact) As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface.--(A Hypothesis). Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate.---( A conclusion on the hypotheses). New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced.---(An evidence supporting the conclusion on hypothesis) Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.--( Main Conclusion)
So first boldface portion is Conclusion against the hypothesis, while second portion is evidence supporting the first part.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.
B. The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.
C. The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.
D. The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.
E. The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.
D is the answer
A collection from a GMAT club member chetan2u