It May be Interesting to Indicate, as Briefly as Possible, the Chief

Reading Passage Question

It may be interesting to indicate, as briefly as possible, the chief geological problem upon which the publication of Darwin's "Volcanic Islands" threw new and important light. The merit of the work consisted in supplying interesting observations, which in some cases have proved to be of crucial value in exploding prevalent fallacies; in calling attention to phenomena and considerations that had been quite overlooked by geologists, but have since exercised an important influence in molding geological speculation; and lastly in showing the importance of small and seemingly insignificant causes, some of which afford a key to the explanation of very curious geological problems.

Visiting as he did the districts in which Von Buch and others had found what they thought to be evidence of the truth of "Elevation-craters," Darwin was able to show that the facts were capable of a totally different interpretation. The views originally put forward by the old German geologist and traveler, and almost universally accepted by his countrymen, had met with much support from Elie de Beaumont and Dufrenoy, the leaders of geological thought in France. They were, however, stoutly opposed by Scrope and Lyell in this country, and by Constant Prevost and Virlet on the other side of the channel. Darwin, in the work before us, shows how little ground there is for the assumption that the great ring-craters of the Atlantic islands have originated in gigantic blisters of the earth's surface which, opening at the top, have given origin to the craters. Admitting the influence of the injection of lava into the structure of the volcanic cones, in increasing their bulk and elevation, he shows that, in the main, the volcanoes are built up by repeated ejections causing an accumulation of materials around the vent.

While, however, agreeing on the whole with Scrope and Lyell, as to the explosive origin of ordinary volcanic craters, Darwin clearly saw that, in some cases, great craters might be formed or enlarged, by the subsidence of the floors after eruptions. The importance of this agency, to which geologists have directed too little attention, has recently been shown by Professor Dana, in his admirable work on Kilauea and the other great volcanoes of the Hawaiian Archipelago.

“It may be interesting to indicate, as briefly as possible, the chief” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. According to the passage, the author mentions and suggests all of the following as merits of Darwin's work, EXCEPT:

1. Providing observations, which were crucial in negating prevalent fallacies.
2. Pointing out phenomena which geologists had overlooked but have since then caused a lot of speculation among geologists.
3. ringing to light the importance of seemingly minor causes, some of which provide keys to very curious geological problems.
4. Influencing geological speculation by bringing into focus phenomena and consideration that were overlooked by geologists.
5. Bringing to light many phenomena, observations and details that added significantly, both directly and indirectly, to new geological thought and explanations.

2. According to the passage, which of the following can be inferred to be the outcome of Darwin's visit to the districts visited by Von Buch and other geologists?

1. New evidence that negated the of 'Elevation-Craters', which Von Buch and others believed in.
2. Negation of the truth of 'Elevation-Craters' because the evidence found by Von Buch and others was meager and unconvincing.
3. Showing that the evidence need not lend itself solely to the interpretation strengthening the truth of 'Elevation-Craters' but also to a totally different hypothesis.
4. Demystifying the theory of 'Elevation-Craters' which had acquired an iconic status universally.
5. Both (B) and ©

3. According to the passage, Darwin's work showed which of the following?

1. That volcanic craters originated because of the opening up at the top of gigantic blisters on the earth's surface
2. That the bulk of volcanic craters is built up primarily by the injection of lava into the structure of volcanic cones.
3. Major volcanic eruptions are the primary cause of the formation and building up of craters.
4. The assumption that the origin of the great ring-craters was primarily due to the opening up of blisters on the earth's surface, cannot be strongly supported.
5. There is little geological evidence to draw any conclusions about the origin of the great ring-craters.

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