bySayantani Barman Experta en el extranjero
Reading Passage Question
A supernova is a brief stellar explosion so luminous that it can briefly outshine an entire galaxy. While the explosion itself takes less than fifteen seconds, supernovae take weeks or months to fade from view; during that time, a supernova can emit an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of energy the Sun is expected to radiate over its entire lifespan. Supernovae generate enough heat to create heavy elements, such as mercury, gold, and silver. Although supernovae explode frequently, few of them are visible (from Earth) to the naked eye.
In 1604 in Padua, Italy, a supernova became visible, appearing as a star so bright that it was visible in daylight for more than a year. Galileo, who lectured at the university, gave several lectures widely attended by the public. The lectures not only sought to explain the origin of the "star" (some posited that perhaps it was merely "vapour near the Earth"), but seriously undermined the views of many philosophers that the heavens were unchangeable. This idea was foundational to a worldview underpinned by a central and all-important Earth, with celestial bodies merely rotating around it.
“A supernova is a brief stellar explosion so luminous that it can briefly outshine an entire galaxy” is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 6 comprehension questions.
The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solution and Explanation
- The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) give the history of supernovae.
(B) describe a shift in thought as a result of a natural event.
(C) juxtapose two opposing views about supernovae.
(D) corroborate the view that the Earth is not central to the universe.
(E) explain how science and philosophy interrelate.
Answer: B
Explanation: The passage describes a “shift in thought”. It was thought to be unchangeable heavens before, but now the thought has moved to a more scientific view. And this shift (at least among intellectuals in Padua) was followed by the supernova which is mentioned as a “natural event”.
- Which of the following can be inferred by the passage:
- Supernovae can take over a year to fade from view.
- Prior to 1604, no one had even seen a supernova.
- Galileo convinced philosophers of the incorrectness of their views.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II
(D) II and III
(E) I, II, and III
Answer: A
Explanation: Statement 1 is proved in the first line of para 2. Statement II cannot be proven. If it is said that a supernova in 1604 caused a stir doesn’t mean no one else had ever seen one before. Statement III also cannot be proven. You know that Galileo disagreed with the philosophers. We have no idea whether those particular philosophers changed their minds later or not.
- The author mentions which of the following as a result of the supernova of 1604?
(A) The supernova created and dispersed the heavy elements out of which the Earth and everything on it are made.
(B) Galileo explained the origin of the supernova.
(C) The public was interested in hearing lectures about the phenomenon.
(D) Galileo's lectures were opposed by philosophers.
(E) Those who thought the supernova was "vapor" were proved wrong.
Answer: C
Explanation: It is given in the paragraph that the lectures were “widely attended by the public.” This shows that the public was excited to learn more about the supernova event.
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