Discussion
The information above provides the most support for
which one of the following statements?
*This question is included in Sample Lesson Set 2: Moderate Questions, question #6
| (A) | Most scientists who are reluctant to accept the global warming hypothesis are not acting in accordance with the accepted standards of scientific debate. |
| (B) | ... |
| (C) | ... |
| (D) | ... |
| (E) | ... |
| (F) | ... |
The solution is
Posted: 03/18/2013 13:24
The excerpt says "some scientists" not "most". Also the excerpt doesn't state that scientists view "recognition" as "substantial motive"
Posted: 03/18/2013 16:56
Seth Garrett, regarding your concern about substantial motive, the key is the first two sentences. The first sentence says the foundation of modern science is proving hypotheses incorrect. The second sentence then extends the first sentence and says "nothing brings more recognition than ...", which is a very powerful statement, explicitly saying that in science, recognition for proving conventional wisdom wrong is a very -- if not the most -- powerful motivation.
As for your concern about "most scientists", the key is not the one that contains "some scientists", but the last sentence, which states that it is "remarkable" that "very few find evidence that global warming is unlikely". A useful technique in encountering double negatives like this is to turn them into a positive form, e.g., it is remarkable that "many / most find evidence that global warming is likely".
The beginning and the end sentences of the paragraph are very supportive of (B).
As for your concern about "most scientists", the key is not the one that contains "some scientists", but the last sentence, which states that it is "remarkable" that "very few find evidence that global warming is unlikely". A useful technique in encountering double negatives like this is to turn them into a positive form, e.g., it is remarkable that "many / most find evidence that global warming is likely".
The beginning and the end sentences of the paragraph are very supportive of (B).