Life on Mars

[akhpad]

Source: MGMAT RC Guide 4th Ed, Page: 119

Passage is in image



The author's stance on the possibility of life on Mars can best be described as

A: Optimistic
B: Disinterested
C: Skeptical
D: Simplistic
E: Cynical

OA: B

Author does not have -ve feeling. So, I can eliminate C and E.
I did not find much explanation on source. I could not understand OA.

[mrik]

Is the answer A?

[ballubalraj]

It can not be B, C and E as auther does not show negative attitude towards the possiblity of life on Mars.

Between A (optimistic) and D (Simplistic), D sounds logical. It is mentioned in the second para that some scientists believe that presence of water can be definitely answered by some theory. Other scientists oppose this view. Mars rovers opportunity and spirit have discovered geological evidence of past water activity.

The last sentence says that these findings (of presence of water on mars) substantially bolster claims that there was once life on mars. This is simplistic (overly simplified) veiw of author, which is not yet proven. In authror's opinion, presence of water means presence of life, which is overly simplified view (without considering other factors).

Hence, my take is 'D'.

[Shawshank]

Uninterested -- Not interested
Disinterested -- Impartial, unbiased.

Now think again regarding the OA.

[adi_800]

By saying person is simplistic, we mean that the person does not take into consideration complexities and various aspects of something while arriving at the conclusion...
But this is not what author has done...Author did consider many complexities and aspects...
So D is gone..
You eliminate C n E..
The author is neutral and not optimistic...
That makes the answer as B..
I too got this one wrong when i solved this passsage..

[neha.patni]

Source: MGMAT

Passage is in image



The author's stance on the possibility of life on Mars can best be described as

A: Optimistic
B: Disinterested
C: Skeptical
D: Simplistic
E: Cynical

OA: B

Author does not have -ve feeling. So, I can eliminate C and E.
I did not find much explanation on source. I could not understand OA.

IMO A. How can it be B as the author in the end tries to say that there is substantial evidence for possibility of life.

[lunarpower]

hi -- we have actually deactivated this question from our CATs, since one of our latest research project has revealed that no known OFFICIAL problem has ever asked explicitly for the tone of a passage.

there have been questions that have referred obliquely to the tone of a passage -- such as "the tone of the passage suggests that the author feels a certain way" -- but no question has ever asked for an adjective that describes the tone of the passage, as this one does.

so, for now, the short answer is "you don't have to worry about questions like this".

[Stacey Koprince]

Just FYI - this one is not from our CATs. It's printed in the RC strategy guide.

Questions will occasionally ask about the author's attitude toward some specific thing but, as Ron said, the more simplistic "tone" question with a single adjective as an answer is not a great representation of the GMAT at this point in time.

I do want to make sure, though, that people know the definition of the word "disinterested," as that word could possibly show up on the real test. Shawshank nailed it, up above. Disinterested and uninterested do not mean the same thing.