Which of the following are distinctions between the two passages? Select all that apply.
Both passages agree that about 65 million years ago, most dinosaurs became extinct.
Passage 1 examines the implications of evidence of iridium on Earth, while Passage 2 does not mention iridium.
Both passages agree that an asteroid or comet struck the earth 65 million years ago, launching dust into the atmosphere and blocking sunlight.
Passage 1 contends that an asteroid or comet impact 65 million years ago was overwhelmingly responsible for the mass extinction at that time, while Passage 2 contends that a variety of factors were responsible.
What, can readers infer from Passage 1, is the reason that large carnivores became extinct after many plants and herbivores became extinct?
Large carnivores relied on herbivores as a food source, so when herbivores became extinct, large carnivores began to starve.
Large carnivores relied on plants and herbivores as food sources, so when plants and herbivores became extinct, large carnivores began to starve.
The dust launched into the air by the asteroid that hit Mexico 65 million years ago, which choked plants and herbivores, eventually choked large carnivores as well.
Iridium is poisonous, so when an asteroid hit Mexico 65 million years ago, it was only a matter of time before large carnivores ingested it and became extinct.
Which of the following statements best characterizes the relationship between Passage 1 and Passage 2?
Passage 1 introduces a claim which Passage 2 proves to be false.
Passage 1 provides evidence proving the principle claim in Passage 2 to be false.
By analyzing an element like iridium, Passage 1 provides a scientific explanation for the mass extinction 65 million years ago, while Passage 2 ignores the implications of scientific evidence.
Passage 1 introduces a claim and supports it with evidence, but Passage 2 calls this claim into question by presenting other evidence.
The author of Passage 1 could potentially agree with all of the following statements except:
Volcanic eruptions could have contributed, at least to a minor extent, to the mass extinction 65 million years ago.
Dropping sea levels, decreased marine activity, and drastic climate change would be detrimental to animals living on land.
Sunlight is not essential to plants’ ability to produce energy.
There is a small possibility that other major geological occurrences in addition to the asteroid which hit Mexico 65 million years ago were largely responsible for the mass extinction of dinosaurs.
Which of the following best describes the authors’ similar attitudes toward facts in the passages?
fickle—often the authors provide facts which support their arguments and ignore facts which don’t
scrupulous—the authors include as many facts as space will reasonably allow, no matter how these facts affect their arguments
dishonest—none of the "facts" cited by the authors can be validated whatsoever
thoughtful—the authors painstakingly consider the implications of each fact they present
