GATE CS 2014 Set 3 — Question 7
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General Aptitude → Verbal Aptitude → Reading Comprehension
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Question
By the beginning of the century, several hypotheses were being proposed, suggesting a paradigm shift in our understanding of the universe. However, the clinching evidence was provided by experimental measurements of the position of a star which was directly behind our sun.Which of the following inference(s) may be drawn from the above passage?(i) Our understanding of the universe changes based on the positions of stars
(ii) Paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries
(iii) Stars are important objects in the universe
(iv) Experimental evidence was important in confirming this paradigm shift
(ii) Paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries
(iii) Stars are important objects in the universe
(iv) Experimental evidence was important in confirming this paradigm shift
Correct answer
(D) (iv) only
Solution
To determine the correct inference(s) that can be logically drawn from the passage, we analyze each statement individually based only on the provided text:
- Statement (i): "Our understanding of the universe changes based on the positions of stars"
- Analysis: The passage states that the position of a specific star behind the sun provided the "clinching evidence" for a particular paradigm shift. It does not state or imply a general rule that our understanding of the universe changes based on the positions of stars. This is an overgeneralization. Thus, (i) cannot be inferred.
- Statement (ii): "Paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries"
- Analysis: The passage mentions that several hypotheses were proposed "by the beginning of the century." This is a specific historical observation about one event and does not support the general claim that paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries. Thus, (ii) cannot be inferred.
- Statement (iii): "Stars are important objects in the universe"
- Analysis: While this statement is a generally accepted fact in astronomy, it is not an inference that can be drawn directly from the logical structure of the passage. The passage uses a star's position merely as a tool for experimental measurement in a specific instance. Thus, (iii) cannot be inferred.
- Statement (iv): "Experimental evidence was important in confirming this paradigm shift"
- Analysis: The passage explicitly states that "the clinching evidence was provided by experimental measurements of the position of a star...". The word "clinching" means decisive or confirming. Therefore, experimental evidence was indeed crucial in confirming this paradigm shift. Thus, (iv) is a valid inference.
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