PrepTest 131, Section 4, Question 3
Passage A Recent studies have shown that sophisticated(474 more words not shown)
Passage A(227 more words not shown)
Passage B(255 more words not shown)
It can be inferred that(22 more words not shown)
- AMassive, parallel computing(15 more words not shown)
- BComputer models are(15 more words not shown)
- CParallel computing systems(20 more words not shown)
- DCurrently available computers(14 more words not shown)
- EParallel computing systems(12 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Both authors like parallel computing. A applies it to the demanding job of modeling climate; B argues more broadly that it works well for naturally parallel problems. Our answer needs support from both, even if only one explicitly discusses the particular example.
Working the answers
- A
Dividing the calculations doesn't eliminate the brute force. A still requires checking the possible combinations; now many computers share that work. Imagine building a huge mound with shovels. A million people could finish faster than one person, but they would still be doing the digging.
- B
B uses an ant colony to illustrate the kind of complex system parallel computing suits. It doesn't say biological populations cannot be simulated, and A makes no such claim either.
- C
A identifies the need for public participation, not proof that the project is infeasible. B doesn't discuss participation at all.
- D
The problem in A is an enormous number of calculation-intensive runs. Neither author extends that criticism to relatively simple simulations.
- ECorrect
A presents connected computers as the solution to climate calculations that overwhelm an individual machine. B says a model resembling the parallel problem “will perform best.” Applied to A's climate problem, that principle supports using multiple computers working together.
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