GMAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Set 8

The toxin levels in Merriam Lake have risen so much that many fish have been dangerously contaminated. According to an article in Merriam Lake Times, “Further policies are needed to investigate the fishing and distribution of fish caught at Merriam Lake.”

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument?

Children can begin taking gymnastics classes when they are as young as eighteen months. Many people within the sport believe that it is vital to the future success of a young child to enroll in gymnastics classes as soon as possible. These people believe early muscle development and early coordination practice help gymnasts excel at the sport faster. However, early training does not bypass the natural timeline a child’s body develops. Many outside factors, including nutrition and DNA, determine how a child’s body develops and at what rate. Therefore, it is more probable that talent determines a gymnast’s success instead of early training.

Identify the roles that the bold text plays within the argument.

Humans have always been fascinated with the rush of cheating death. However, it seems there is one specie that has found the secret to immortality. The Turritopsis dohrnii was first discovered in the 1880s in the Mediterranean Sea. The Turritopsis dohrnii is developed from a fertilized egg and begins life as a larva called a planula. Initially, the planula swims and then settles onto a hard oceanic surface to fertilize. Matured larvae become polyps that bud off and evolve into young jellyfish. Within only a few short weeks, these young jellyfish advance to adulthood and become medusae. Originally it was believed that this process was standard for the lifecycle of all jellyfish types. It was not discovered until the late 1900s that, unlike most jellyfish, the species Turritopsis dohrnii is “immortal.”

The immortal jellyfish has the ability to reverse its lifecycle. When the medusa of immortal jellyfish is physically damaged or stressed, it does not die, but alternatively reabsorbs its tentacles and settles back onto a hard surface. The cells then regenerate themselves into polyps that once again mature into jellyfish.

This rare process is known as transdifferentiation. The discovery of transdifferentiation was a phenomenon for two reasons. The first reason is that this process was mindblowing to the world of science, as this concept was completely unheard of. The second reason this cellular mechanism was a phenomenon is because of its potential applications in human medicine. The transdifferentiation process transforms a specialized cell for a particular tissue type into a completely different type of specialized cell for a different tissue type. Transdifferentiation is an effective method of recycling cells that scientists may be able to replicate in stem cell research with the hope of replacing damaged cells with healthy cells.

The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage?

Humans have always been fascinated with the rush of cheating death. However, it seems there is one specie that has found the secret to immortality. The Turritopsis dohrnii was first discovered in the 1880s in the Mediterranean Sea. The Turritopsis dohrnii is developed from a fertilized egg and begins life as a larva called a planula. Initially, the planula swims and then settles onto a hard oceanic surface to fertilize. Matured larvae become polyps that bud off and evolve into young jellyfish. Within only a few short weeks, these young jellyfish advance to adulthood and become medusae. Originally it was believed that this process was standard for the lifecycle of all jellyfish types. It was not discovered until the late 1900s that, unlike most jellyfish, the species Turritopsis dohrnii is “immortal.”

The immortal jellyfish has the ability to reverse its lifecycle. When the medusa of immortal jellyfish is physically damaged or stressed, it does not die, but alternatively reabsorbs its tentacles and settles back onto a hard surface. The cells then regenerate themselves into polyps that once again mature into jellyfish.

This rare process is known as transdifferentiation. The discovery of transdifferentiation was a phenomenon for two reasons. The first reason is that this process was mindblowing to the world of science, as this concept was completely unheard of. The second reason this cellular mechanism was a phenomenon is because of its potential applications in human medicine. The transdifferentiation process transforms a specialized cell for a particular tissue type into a completely different type of specialized cell for a different tissue type. Transdifferentiation is an effective method of recycling cells that scientists may be able to replicate in stem cell research with the hope of replacing damaged cells with healthy cells.

It can be inferred the reason that the author of  the passage mentioned that transdifferentiation has potential medical benefits was most likely to

Humans have always been fascinated with the rush of cheating death. However, it seems there is one specie that has found the secret to immortality. The Turritopsis dohrnii was first discovered in the 1880s in the Mediterranean Sea. The Turritopsis dohrnii is developed from a fertilized egg and begins life as a larva called a planula. Initially, the planula swims and then settles onto a hard oceanic surface to fertilize. Matured larvae become polyps that bud off and evolve into young jellyfish. Within only a few short weeks, these young jellyfish advance to adulthood and become medusae. Originally it was believed that this process was standard for the lifecycle of all jellyfish types. It was not discovered until the late 1900s that, unlike most jellyfish, the species Turritopsis dohrnii is “immortal.”

The immortal jellyfish has the ability to reverse its lifecycle. When the medusa of immortal jellyfish is physically damaged or stressed, it does not die, but alternatively reabsorbs its tentacles and settles back onto a hard surface. The cells then regenerate themselves into polyps that once again mature into jellyfish.

This rare process is known as transdifferentiation. The discovery of transdifferentiation was a phenomenon for two reasons. The first reason is that this process was mindblowing to the world of science, as this concept was completely unheard of. The second reason this cellular mechanism was a phenomenon is because of its potential applications in human medicine. The transdifferentiation process transforms a specialized cell for a particular tissue type into a completely different type of specialized cell for a different tissue type. Transdifferentiation is an effective method of recycling cells that scientists may be able to replicate in stem cell research with the hope of replacing damaged cells with healthy cells.

According to the passage, Turritopsis dohrnii differs from other jellyfish in which way?

There are many websites that offer the opportunity to buy a new car online instead of the hassle of going to a dealership. Regardless, a true car aficionado would never advise a potential car buyer to purchase a car online. While the basic information for each car is written clearly and described the decision to purchase a new car should be based on more than schematics. To determine if a new car is a strong fit for a buyer, it is necessary to see the potential new car in person and test drive it.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

Because of a power failure in a leading pharmaceutical factory, there is a shortage of influenza vaccines this winter. This will lead to more workers calling out of work due to becoming sick with the flu and, in turn, will result in a loss of productivity across many workplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Temper foam is now a well-known and popular material, but it was originally created for the exclusive use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The purpose of the invention was to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA had observed that gravitational pull created rough takeoffs and landings that were extremely uncomfortable for the astronauts. This led NASA to contract with the Ames Research Center to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA’s 1962 moon command modules design team, and specifically aeronautical engineer, Charles Yost, is credited with the development of temper form in 1966. Yost and his team created soft, malleable, and energy-absorbent foam, also known as T-Foam, in 1966. The cells of the foam conformed to individual body shapes and pressures which allowed for each astronaut to have a more personalized seat cushion.

After Yost’s contract with NASA finished in 1967, he formed his own company named Dynamic Systems, Inc. Under the umbrella of Dynamic Systems, Inc., Yost continued to improve the design of memory foam. The foam’s first generation often cracked or broke down after two years. In addition to seeking a formula that would be long-lasting, Yost sought new ways to use his T–foam outside of aeronautics including uses in the fields of medicine, automotive, and military.

T-Foam is more commonly known today as memory foam and the formula for this extraordinary material continues to evolve and improve with the growth of science.

What is the passage’s primary purpose?

Temper foam is now a well-known and popular material, but it was originally created for the exclusive use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The purpose of the invention was to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA had observed that gravitational pull created rough takeoffs and landings that were extremely uncomfortable for the astronauts. This led NASA to contract with the Ames Research Center to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA’s 1962 moon command modules design team, and specifically aeronautical engineer, Charles Yost, is credited with the development of temper form in 1966. Yost and his team created soft, malleable, and energy-absorbent foam, also known as T-Foam, in 1966. The cells of the foam conformed to individual body shapes and pressures which allowed for each astronaut to have a more personalized seat cushion.

After Yost’s contract with NASA finished in 1967, he formed his own company named Dynamic Systems, Inc. Under the umbrella of Dynamic Systems, Inc., Yost continued to improve the design of memory foam. The foam’s first generation often cracked or broke down after two years. In addition to seeking a formula that would be long-lasting, Yost sought new ways to use his T–foam outside of aeronautics including uses in the fields of medicine, automotive, and military.

T-Foam is more commonly known today as memory foam and the formula for this extraordinary material continues to evolve and improve with the growth of science.

According to the passage, what was the relationship between Charles Yost and NASA?

Temper foam is now a well-known and popular material, but it was originally created for the exclusive use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The purpose of the invention was to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA had observed that gravitational pull created rough takeoffs and landings that were extremely uncomfortable for the astronauts. This led NASA to contract with the Ames Research Center to construct safe aircraft cushions. NASA’s 1962 moon command modules design team, and specifically aeronautical engineer, Charles Yost, is credited with the development of temper form in 1966. Yost and his team created soft, malleable, and energy-absorbent foam, also known as T-Foam, in 1966. The cells of the foam conformed to individual body shapes and pressures which allowed for each astronaut to have a more personalized seat cushion.

After Yost’s contract with NASA finished in 1967, he formed his own company named Dynamic Systems, Inc. Under the umbrella of Dynamic Systems, Inc., Yost continued to improve the design of memory foam. The foam’s first generation often cracked or broke down after two years. In addition to seeking a formula that would be long-lasting, Yost sought new ways to use his T–foam outside of aeronautics including uses in the fields of medicine, automotive, and military.

T-Foam is more commonly known today as memory foam and the formula for this extraordinary material continues to evolve and improve with the growth of science.

What can be inferred about rough takeoffs and landings for astronauts after temper foam was incorporated into spacecraft?