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Theory Of Continental Drift

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Theory Of Continental Drift

by komal » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:53 am
According to the theory of continental drift, in prehistoric times, many of today's separate continents were part of a single huge landmass. As the plates on which this landmass rested began to move, the mass broke apart, and ocean water filled the newly created chasms. It is hypothesized, for example, that South America was once joined on its east coast with what is now the west coast of Africa.

Which one of the following discoveries, if it were made, would most support the above hypothesis about South America and Africa?

(A) A large band of ancient rock of a rare type along the east coast of South America is of the same type as a band on the west coast of Africa.

(B) Many people today living in Brazil are genetically quite similar to many western Africans.

(C) The climates of western Africa and of the east coast of South America resemble each other.

(D) Some of the oldest tribes of people living in eastern South America speak languages linguistically similar to various languages spoken by certain western African peoples.

(E) Several species of plants found in western Africa closely resemble plants growing in South America.

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Last edited by komal on Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by kstv » Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:00 am
(B) Many people today living in Brazil are genetically quite similar to many western Africans.
- They may have migrated across the sea much after the separation. Not conclusive.
(C) The climates of western Africa and of the east coast of South America resemble each other. -
- If they have drifted apart over considerable distance (ocean is not a small water body) the climate will differ. Antipodal points if along the equator will have similar climate. I cannot totally elimate this option even if conclusion from this option seems absurd.
(D) Some of the oldest tribes of people living in eastern South America speak languages linguistically similar to various languages spoken by certain western African peoples.
- Prehistoric times preludes civilisation of mankind. The event responsible happened later. (B)and (D) may be interrelated.
(E) Several species of plants found in western Africa closely resemble plants growing in South America.
- Dispersion of seeds eg. coconut happens over a great distance. This leads to similar fauna.
(A) A large band of ancient rock of a rare type along the east coast of South America is of the same type as a band on the west coast of Africa.
- The large band of rare rock may have been once a single land mass.
A is the most conclusive evidence.
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by reply2spg » Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:10 pm
A is the most convincing answer. Nowhere in passage it has been specified about the living organism. Rather I would say we are not aware whether life exists on earth when continents part apart. Therefore, B, D and E are out. About C it might be coincidence. May month is hot in India as well as in North America. Does that mean India was a Part of NA or vice versa? Nope. Therefore, C is also out. Only A remains. A talks about the rare ancient rock, which strengthen the argument.
komal wrote:According to the theory of continental drift, in prehistoric times, many of today's separate continents were part of a single huge landmass. As the plates on which this landmass rested began to move, the mass broke apart, and ocean water filled the newly created chasms. It is hypothesized, for example, that South America was once joined on its east coast with what is now the west coast of Africa.

Which one of the following discoveries, if it were made, would most support the above hypothesis about South America and Africa?

(A) A large band of ancient rock of a rare type along the east coast of South America is of the same type as a band on the west coast of Africa.

(B) Many people today living in Brazil are genetically quite similar to many western Africans.

(C) The climates of western Africa and of the east coast of South America resemble each other.

(D) Some of the oldest tribes of people living in eastern South America speak languages linguistically similar to various languages spoken by certain western African peoples.

(E) Several species of plants found in western Africa closely resemble plants growing in South America.

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by mohit11 » Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:09 am
komal wrote:According to the theory of continental drift, in prehistoric times, many of today's separate continents were part of a single huge landmass. As the plates on which this landmass rested began to move, the mass broke apart, and ocean water filled the newly created chasms. It is hypothesized, for example, that South America was once joined on its east coast with what is now the west coast of Africa.

Which one of the following discoveries, if it were made, would most support the above hypothesis about South America and Africa?

(A) A large band of ancient rock of a rare type along the east coast of South America is of the same type as a band on the west coast of Africa. - Only A supports the conclusion. Here's a another example. I broke a piece of bread into 2 pieces what is the proof that both these pieces at one formed one single piece? Well if i prove that matter with which both pieces of bread are similar, then my conclusion is strengthened.

(B) Many people today living in Brazil are genetically quite similar to many western Africans. - OUT OF SCOPE

(C) The climates of western Africa and of the east coast of South America resemble each other. - OUT OF SCOPE

(D) Some of the oldest tribes of people living in eastern South America speak languages linguistically similar to various languages spoken by certain western African peoples. - OUT OF SCOPE

(E) Several species of plants found in western Africa closely resemble plants growing in South America. - TRAP ANSWER, OUT OF SCOPE

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by fibbonnaci » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:11 am
(A) A large band of ancient rock of a rare type along the east coast of South America is of the same type as a band on the west coast of Africa. [This proves that the matter(remember- large band of ancient rock is used to imply that this cannot be shifted using man made resources. kust as we cannot bring rocky mountains to India at will) is the same at both places. Therefore at some point in the history they must be conjoined. My answer)

(B) Many people today living in Brazil are genetically quite similar to many western Africans. [being genetically similiar does not prove anything. They could be immigrants. Eliminated!]

(C) The climates of western Africa and of the east coast of South America resemble each other. [Climate is dependent on latitude and longitude of the place. If two places have similiar ones then, climate may resemble. Eliminated!]

(D) Some of the oldest tribes of people living in eastern South America speak languages linguistically similar to various languages spoken by certain western African peoples. [What is spoken by certain western tribes does not prove anything. people learn languages by doing trade too. It could be that these tribes had good trading skills and acquired the language as a means to promote business. Too many stories can be concoted around this choice. Eliminated!]

(E) Several species of plants found in western Africa closely resemble plants growing in South America. [Plants resembling some other plants does not add value. It could have been cultivated plant some explorer tried in a new place. Eliminated!]

Hope this helps!
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by paddle_sweep » Fri Apr 23, 2010 4:05 am
Good Question.
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