PrepTest 128, Section 1, Question 25
One of the foundations of scientific research is(458 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(13 more words not shown)
- Askeptical of the(25 more words not shown)
- Bconvinced of the(23 more words not shown)
- Cconvinced of the(23 more words not shown)
- Dpersuaded of the(25 more words not shown)
- Epersuaded of the(25 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The writer seems open to Sommerer and Ott's idea, not dismissive of it. But how certain is the writer? The last paragraph says there are “presumably” other systems and then considers what follows if they exist. That's more cautious than announcing that their existence has been proved.
Working the answers
- A
“Skeptical” doesn't fit the reason the writer gives for expecting other systems: the first equation already produced one. The writer takes the possibility seriously.
- B
“Convinced of the existence” is too strong. The conditional discussion leaves their existence open. The second half also understates the writer's view of what would follow if they exist.
- C
This gets the consequence right but overstates certainty about existence. Believing that more systems probably exist isn't the same as being convinced that they do.
- D
The first half fits. The problem is “unsure” about the consequence. The writer says scientists “would be forced to question” a basic principle if these other systems exist.
- ECorrect
Separate the two levels of certainty. The writer is persuaded that more unstable systems may exist. The writer is confident about the conditional implication: if they do exist, they would challenge replication as a necessary test of scientific credibility. Being cautious about the condition doesn't require being equally cautious about its consequence.
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