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by ketkoag » Sun May 03, 2009 4:12 am
One of the more reliable methods of determining regional climatic conditions in prehistoric periods is to examine plant pollen trapped in glacial ice during ancient times. By comparing such pollen samples with spores taken from modern vegetation, scientists can figure out approximately what the weather was like at the time of pollen deposition. Furthermore, by submitting the prehistoric samples to radiocarbon dating techniques, we can also determine when certain climatic conditions were prevalent in that portion of the globe.

Which one of the following may be inferred from the information in the passage?
(A) The earth has undergone several glacial periods.
(B) Radiocarbon dating can be corroborated by glacial evidence.
(C) Similarities between prehistoric and contemporary climates do not exist.
(D) Pollen deposition is a fairly continuous process.
(E) Certain flora are reliably associated with particular climatic conditions.
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

Re: infer

by Vemuri » Sun May 03, 2009 5:54 am
In inference type of questions, we are expected to draw conclusions from the premises stated in the argument. The conclusion should be close to the statements provided in the agrument.

IMO D.

A. The premise stated does not draw us to this conclusion
B. Woah !!! this was never stated.
C. Again, we don't have information to conclude that there are no similarities in the climate
E. Too specific & cannot be based on to draw the conclusion.
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by mharv » Thu May 07, 2009 3:11 am
hey Vemuri,

Nice PoE done. A, C, E are wrong.

But B is mentioned in passage radiocarbon dating helps predict weather conditions, by examining pre-historic samples of pollen.

What is wrong about B is that it is not the technique that is corrobarated with evidence, it is the weather patterns that are corroborated by evidence.

Corroborated = supported by
Regards,
Arvind
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by 2010gmat » Sun May 10, 2009 9:55 am
I think the answer shud be E...

if we are comparing pollen to spores to see what kind of climatic conditions were prevalent in earlier times then we can infer that we can reliably relate certain flora type with certain climatic conditions....

D - Pollen deposition is continuous... i cant see any relation between d and the stimuli :shock:
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by mbadrew » Sun May 10, 2009 11:09 am
D--final answer. The passage mentions ancient plant pollen Vs. modern plant pollen, so we can safely assume that the process of pollen deposition is continuous.

E--states that certain types of pollen is used to determine climate. The passage does not state any certain types of pollen, rather it just states plant pollen.
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by thetrystero » Sun May 10, 2009 9:07 pm
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Re: infer

by Minheequang » Sat May 16, 2009 7:25 am
IMO E, using POE

One of the more reliable methods of determining regional climatic conditions in prehistoric periods is to examine plant pollen trapped in glacial ice during ancient times. By comparing such pollen samples with spores taken from modern vegetation, scientists can figure out approximately what the weather was like at the time of pollen deposition. Furthermore, by submitting the prehistoric samples to radiocarbon dating techniques, we can also determine when certain climatic conditions were prevalent in that portion of the globe.

Which one of the following may be inferred from the information in the passage?
(A) The earth has undergone several glacial periods. --> the passage just mentions about glacial ice containing plant pollen sample, but no info about glacial period, so wrong
(B) Radiocarbon dating can be corroborated by glacial evidence -->these 2 respects help solving 2 kinds of geological issue, but no connection linking them, so wrong
(C) Similarities between prehistoric and contemporary climates do not exist --> can't be true. scientists compare pollens samples with modern samples, so at least they must have something in common
(D) Pollen deposition is a fairly continuous process --> I find no info about this in the passage
(E) Certain flora are reliably associated with particular climatic conditions --> although not clearly understanding but I think it's the best choice because I can't find anything to deny in this choice
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by Brad.C » Sun May 15, 2016 6:49 am
I also think that the right answer is E.
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