knewton vr rc -15

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knewton vr rc -15

by pradeepkaushal9518 » Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:15 am
Aviation knits the United States together, improves the quality of Americans' lives, and helps to enhance national security. Yet the explosive growth of aviation over the last several decades has brought with it a set of pressing challenges, which include increasing congestion within the nation's airspace system and the increased negative impact of aviation on the environment.

The increasing congestion of the nation's airspace system is the product of concurrent forces; while the increasingly global economy creates enormous numbers of jobs that require frequent long-distance travel, the decreasing cost of air travel and the introduction of low-cost airlines increases the number of non-business flights. Improperly managed congested air spaces result in restricted flight paths, delayed takeoffs and landings, and even a moderately heightened risk of aircraft collisions. However, ongoing research into aircraft clustering, airspace complexity and improved pilot-controller communication will lead to the development of new technologies to mitigate risk and expand airspace capacities.

Greenhouse gas emissions constitute the primary negative impact of aviation on the environment. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigators are working to develop satellite-based navigation systems that would allow for more direct routing of aircraft, which would in turn improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide output from planes. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the full implementation of such technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft by up to 12 percent by 2025.

A decrease in government funding for research on airspace congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by aircraft, however, is making it increasingly difficult to maintain research programs. Bringing research to maturity requires a greater level of investment than legislators have been willing to make. This needs to change. If promising technologies and operational concepts are not developed to a point where they can be applied to actual situations, the nation will never receive the full benefit of the significant investment devoted to the research conducted thus far.

15
The primary purpose of the passage is to

A accuse legislators of being unconcerned about national security as it relates to aviation and the environment
B explain the causes behind the problems of airspace congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by planes
C evaluate and compare potential solutions to the problems of airspace congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by aircraft
D demonstrate that increasing congestion of the nation's airspace system and greenhouse gas emissions are the most significant challenges associated with aviation
E demonstrate the importance of substantial government funding for research on airspace congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by aircraft
A SMALL TOWN GUY

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by lilisanei » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:02 am
Maybe E.

IS it correct?

I have a question? what does neve means? Your Gmat Score, Is it never?

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by lokesh r » Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:21 pm
IMO B.

was stuck between b and e, but had to eliminate e because the passage in a whole does not talk about importance of government funding ..rather it is mentioned only in last para.

OA pls..?

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by rayapudisandeep » Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:34 am
IMO E
Please post OA

Reason being author's main idea is expressed in last para.

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by Alex_Knewton » Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:40 am
Hello!

The OA to this question is E, and here's why:

Choice B refers to a topic only mentioned in the second paragraph- the causes BEHIND the congestion of airspace (the "concurrent forces" mentioned in the first sentence). The second part of this answer choice- the causes behind the problem of greenhouse gases- are not addressed in the passage; greenhouse gases are only cited as a very negative impact of "aviation" in general, and their cause is not explored.

Choice E, on the other hand, refers to a topic mentioned throughout the passage, NOT only in the final paragraph- although certainly addressed most directly in the final paragraph. The passage's structure is as follows:

P1: Aviation is important, but there are challenges
P2: Airspace congestion is one challenge, but ongoing research will help
P3: Greenhouse gases are a challenge, but NASA is working on tech to help
P4: A decrease in funding is making it hard to do more research, and without it, current research will not do as much as it could

Overall, each point builds to the final conclusion of the passage: research is necessary!

This passage is a neat example of an important point about purpose questions: always think holistically. What is the entire passage attempting to accomplish? To avoid research cuts.
Alex Sarlin
Verbal Lead
Knewton