PrepTest 159, Section 2, Question 17
Since 1929, cosmologists have known that the universe(446 more words not shown)
The primary function of the(4 more words not shown)
- Aargue that the(22 more words not shown)
- Bassert that any(21 more words not shown)
- Cdescribe one approach(24 more words not shown)
- Dsuggest that the(20 more words not shown)
- Emaintain that a(25 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The second paragraph introduces dark energy. The third asks how it might be produced: virtual particles generate vacuum energy, which some cosmologists identify with dark energy. But the predicted amount doesn't match what the expansion requires.
What we’re looking for
So our prediction has two parts: develop a possible version of the first explanation, then identify a problem with it.
Working the answers
- A
The paragraph challenges a proposed explanation of the acceleration, not the measurements showing that acceleration. A mismatch in an explanatory model doesn't by itself mean the original observations must be wrong.
- B
This makes particle physics necessary to every successful explanation. The final paragraph offers an alternative based on gravity that doesn't invoke dark energy. The third paragraph is developing one approach, not imposing a requirement on all approaches.
- CCorrect
Virtual particles supply the proposed source of dark energy, and the energy discrepancy is the significant problem. Both halves of the answer match the paragraph's work.
- D
The paragraph introduces a conflict between a prediction and the amount required; it doesn't promise to resolve a long-standing conflict between two sets of empirical data. D reverses the function of the difficulty described.
- E
The paragraph doesn't identify Einstein's concept as the most promising solution. It ends with a problem for the proposed account. The discussion of possible testability advantages comes afterward and concerns the other theory.
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