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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.
At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen. As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface. Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate. New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced. Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.
Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following
roles?
  • a)
    The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.
  • b)
    The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.
  • c)
    The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.
  • d)
    The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.
  • e)
    The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.A...
The passage presents an argument and the question asks you to identify the role the portions highlighted in boldface play in that argument. The first step in responding is to read through the passage quickly to get an understanding of what is being said. Then it is possible to go back and assess how the parts of the passage fit together into an argument.
In this passage the first sentence presents two pieces of information that seem to be in conflict—the atmosphere contained almost no oxygen even though plants were producing so much of it. The second sentence presents a hypothetical explanation that has been proposed for reconciling the discrepancy — that oxygen was absorbed by iron. The next sentence calls this hypothetical explanation inadequate and the following sentence gives a reason for that judgment — that there was insufficient iron for the proposed explanation to work. Finally, the last sentence draws the conclusion that there must have been something in addition to iron to absorb the oxygen.
Since the highlighted portions in the passage represent the main content of the third and fourth sentences, the task in this question is to find the answer choice whose two parts fit those sentences’ roles. It can be seen that answer Choice D fits the requirement: the third sentence does sum up the argument’s position about a hypothesis, and the fourth sentence gives grounds for the third. Therefore Choice D is the correct answer.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.A...
Understanding the Argument Structure
The argument presented discusses the relationship between oxygen production by plants and the absorption capability of iron on Earth’s surface. The boldface portions highlight critical components of the argument's reasoning.
The Role of the First Boldface Portion
- The first boldface portion states, "the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced."
- This statement serves as a summary of the argument's position regarding the inadequacy of the initial hypothesis that iron alone accounted for the oxygen absorption.
The Role of the Second Boldface Portion
- The second boldface portion asserts, "something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life."
- This portion presents the modified position of the argument, suggesting that there are other factors at play in the absorption of oxygen, beyond just the iron available on Earth’s surface.
Conclusion: Why Option D is Correct
- Option D accurately encapsulates the relationship between the two boldface portions: the first summarizes the argument's position regarding the inadequacy of the initial explanation, while the second proposes a revised stance that includes additional factors responsible for oxygen absorption.
- In contrast, other options do not effectively describe the dynamic between the two portions, as they misinterpret the nature of the claims and judgments being made.
Thus, option D is the most fitting choice as it captures the essence of the argument's progression from an initial hypothesis to a revised understanding of the situation.
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Community Answer
Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.A...
The passage presents an argument and the question asks you to identify the role the portions highlighted in boldface play in that argument. The first step in responding is to read through the passage quickly to get an understanding of what is being said. Then it is possible to go back and assess how the parts of the passage fit together into an argument.
In this passage the first sentence presents two pieces of information that seem to be in conflict—the atmosphere contained almost no oxygen even though plants were producing so much of it. The second sentence presents a hypothetical explanation that has been proposed for reconciling the discrepancy — that oxygen was absorbed by iron. The next sentence calls this hypothetical explanation inadequate and the following sentence gives a reason for that judgment — that there was insufficient iron for the proposed explanation to work. Finally, the last sentence draws the conclusion that there must have been something in addition to iron to absorb the oxygen.
Since the highlighted portions in the passage represent the main content of the third and fourth sentences, the task in this question is to find the answer choice whose two parts fit those sentences’ roles. It can be seen that answer Choice D fits the requirement: the third sentence does sum up the argument’s position about a hypothesis, and the fourth sentence gives grounds for the third. Therefore Choice D is the correct answer.
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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen. As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface. Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate. New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced. Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for GRE 2025 is part of GRE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GRE exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen. As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface. Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate. New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced. Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GRE 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen. As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface. Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate. New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced. Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. 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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.At a certain period in Earth’s history, its atmosphere contained almost no oxygen, although plants were producing vast quantities of oxygen. As a way of reconciling these two facts, scientists have hypothesized that nearly all of the oxygen being produced was taken up by iron on Earth’s surface. Clearly, however, this explanation is inadequate. New studies show that the amount of iron on Earth’s surface was not sufficient to absorb anywhere near as much oxygen as was being produced. Therefore, something in addition to the iron on Earth’s surface must have absorbed much of the oxygen produced by plant life.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the followingroles?a)The first is a claim made by the argument in support of a certain position; the second is that position.b)The first is a judgment made by the argument about a certain explanation; the second is that explanation.c)The first expresses the argument’s dismissal of an objection to the position it seeks to establish; the second is that position.d)The first sums up the argument’s position with regard to a certain hypothesis; the second provides grounds for that position.e)The first is a concession by the argument that its initial formulation of the position it seeks to establish requires modification; the second presents that position in a modified form.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GRE tests.
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