PrepTest 128, Section 4, Question 19
In the early 1900s, most astronomers mistakenly believed(458 more words not shown)
It can be inferred from(34 more words not shown)
- AIt is impossible(6 more words not shown)
- BThe inside of(12 more words not shown)
- CThe sun contained(10 more words not shown)
- DPayne's preconceptions about(9 more words not shown)
- ESpectroscopy will not(21 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Suppose Payne's data describe only the sun's surface. Why would that matter? It would undermine her conclusion about the whole sun only if the interior had a different composition. If the inside and outside were made of the same things in the same proportions, limiting the data to the surface wouldn't explain away her result.
Working the answers
- A
Lacking a generally accepted explanation of fusion is different from assuming that fusion cannot generate heat.
- BCorrect
The objection depends on a compositional difference between the interior and the outer surface. Without that difference, the surface finding would still support the larger conclusion they want to reject.
- C
These scientists aren't making a stated calculation about how much hydrogen would be needed over billions of years. Their specific objection concerns which part of the sun the data describe.
- D
Payne suspected that other astronomers' preconceptions had skewed their readings. The surface objection doesn't accuse her of being biased by the iron hypothesis.
- E
Earlier spectroscopic readings were taken to show iron in the sun, and Payne's reading also allowed iron. The objection isn't that distance prevents spectroscopy from detecting it.
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