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Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.
In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.
In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.
The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.
Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."
The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.
In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.
Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.
Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.
Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.
Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?
  • a)
    It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for life
  • b)
    It is one of the most remote locations on earth.
  • c)
    It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.
  • d)
    It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Most Upvoted Answer
Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the quest...
The word 'afar' means far off. Since the author says that the place has been aptly named so, we can infer that the area must be one of the most remote locations, which would also explain why the area, as mentioned in the passage is one of the least studied. A and C are incorrect, as although A is mentioned directly, it is not necessarily a reason for the name given, and C is too far-fetched of a conclusion to make. D is a close option, but does not explain a reason for the name given. B is the right answer.
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Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the scientists' findings about the Danakil Depression that

Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred that the 'vibrant colours' referred to by the author in the fourth paragraph are of the

Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred that the passage is most likely to be an excerpt from

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Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow it: Elevation has always existed but has just moved out of the realm of philosophy and religion and been recognized as a distinct emotional state and a subject for psychological study. Psychology has long focused on what goes wrong, but in the past decade there has been an explosion of interest in “positive psychology”—what makes us feel good and why. University of Virginia moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who coined the term elevation, writes, “Powerful moments of elevation sometimes seem to push a mental ‘reset button,’ wiping out feelings of cynicism and replacing them with feelings of hope, love, and optimism, and a sense of moral inspiration.”Haidt quotes first-century Greek philosopher Longinus on great oratory: “The effect of elevated language upon an audience is not persuasion but transport.” Such feelings were once a part of our public discourse. After hearing Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, former slave Frederick Douglass said it was a “sacred effort.” But uplifting rhetoric came to sound anachronistic, except as practiced by the occasional master like Martin Luther King Jr.It was while looking through the letters of Thomas Jefferson that Haidt first found a description of elevation. Jefferson wrote of the physical sensation that comes from witnessing goodness in others: It is to “dilate [the] breast and elevate [the] sentiments … and privately covenant to copy the fair example.” Haidt took this description as a mandate.Elevation can so often give us chills or a tingling feeling in the chest. This noticeable, physiological response is important. In fact, this physical reaction is what can tell us most surely that we have been moved. This reaction, and the prosocial inclinations it seems to inspire, has been linked with a specific hormone, oxytocin, emitted from the Vagus nerve which works with oxytocin, the hormone of connection. The nerve’s activities can only be studied indirectly.Elevation is part of a family of self-transcending emotions. Some others are awe, that sense of the vastness of the universe and smallness of self that is often invoked by nature; another is admiration, that goose-bump-making thrill that comes from seeing exceptional skill in action. While there is very little lab work on the elevating emotions, there is quite a bit on its counterpart, disgust. It started as a survival strategy: Early humans needed to figure out when food was spoiled by contact with bacteria or parasites. From there disgust expanded to the social realm—people became repelled by the idea of contact with the defiled or by behaviors that seemed to belong to lower people. “Disgust is probably the most powerful emotion that separates your group from other groups.” Haidt says disgust is the bottom floor of a vertical continuum of emotion; hit the up button, and you arrive at elevation. Another response to something extraordinary in another person can be envy, with all its downsides. Envy is unlikely, however, when the extraordinary aspect of another person is a moral virtue (such as acting in a just way, bravery and self-sacrifice, and caring for others).Q. Which of the options below is false according to the passage?

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Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2025 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for CAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for CAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Direction: Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow.In a surreal landscape of colours, dominated by luminescent ponds of yellows and greens, boiling hot water bubbles up like a cauldron, whilst poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases choke the air. Known as the "gateway to hell", the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is scorchingly hot and one of the most alien places on Earth. Yet a recent expedition to the region has found it is teeming with life.In the heart of the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable and least-studied locations in the world. It lies over 330ft (100m) below sea level in a volcanic area in north-west Ethiopia, close to the border with Eritrea, aptly named "Afar". It is part of the East African Rift System, a place where the Earth's internal forces are currently tearing apart three continental plates, creating new land.The violent landscape is arguably the hottest place on the planet, and one of the driest. The temperature regularly reaches 45C (113F). It rarely rains, but seas of molten magma ooze just beneath the crust's surface. There are two highly active volcanoes: one of them, Erta Ale, is one of only a handful of volcanoes to have an active, bubbling lava lake at its core. The area is also littered with acid ponds and geysers, and features a deep crater called Dallol. The vibrant colours are a result of rain and seawater from the nearby coast being heated by magma and rising up. The salt from the seawater reacts with the volcanic minerals creating dazzling colours. Sulphur and salt react to form bright yellow chimneys, while copper salts create bright turquoise.Since 2013, a team of scientists has begun studying the region. Barbara Cavalazzi from the University of Bologna in Italy is part of the team and has been conducting expeditions in Danakil since 2013. "The environment is very extreme," she says. "On average, the temperature over there around lunchtime can reach 48C (118F). One time we measured 55C (131F)."The first few expeditions in 2013 were simply focused on figuring out how to work in Danakil. "You can't bring a fridge or chemicals to store samples in, so you need to think very hard and plan what you are going to do," says Cavalazzi. In spring 2016, the researchers finally began collecting samples from the hot springs and pools, hoping they would contain life. They also measured the temperatures and pH of the pools. They returned in January 2017 to collect more samples.In March 2017, Cavalazzi's lab and their colleagues found life in Danakil, after they managed to isolate and extract DNA from bacteria. They found that the bacteria are "polyextremophiles", which means they are adapted to extreme acidity, high temperatures and high salinity all at once. It is the first absolute confirmation of microbial life in the Danakil acidic pools. In as-yet-unpublished research, the team found two separate forms of bacterial life in two separate areas of the site: the salt springs and pools inside the Dallol crater, which are characterised by bright colours, acidity and boiling temperatures; and in a small lake outside the Dallol crater.Microbes discovered in Yellowstone and other hydrothermal environments have evolved adaptations to help them survive. These include having proteins and enzymes that are more chemically stable at higher temperatures. This can be achieved by having more bonds and connections between amino acids, the building blocks that make up proteins. It may be that the bacteria in the Danakil Depression hot springs have acquired similar adaptations.Whatever the case, the scientists' findings may help us understand how life could have arisen on other planets and moons. "On Mars, you have mineral deposits and sulphate deposits similar to those seen in the Danakil Depression. You also have active brine flowing periodically," says Cavalazzi.Cavalazzi suspects we have not exhausted life's ability to endure extremes. She points to "the diversity and versatility of microbial metabolisms" and "the extraordinary physiological capacities of many microorganisms to colonise any habitat". Quite possibly, there are extreme ecosystems on Earth that we have not yet found.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that the Danakil Depression has been aptly named 'Afar' for which of the following reasons?a)It is one of the least hospitable places on earth for lifeb)It is one of the most remote locations on earth.c)It is situated on the borders of countries that are not much visited.d)It is one of those locations on earth of which we know least about.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice CAT tests.
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