Comprehension

Study the Following passage to answer these questions.
Nothing is sure but death and taxes, and of course that north is north and south is south, and thus it has always been, so they say. But they'd be wrong. You can perhaps be sure about death and taxes, but you might want to reconsider the rest of it. In fact, at many times in our planet's history, north has become south and south has become north, in a process called magnetic reversal.
Paleogeologists have discovered the existence of these mysterious phenomena (in a field study known as paleomagnetism) by investigating rocks. When rocks are being formed from magmas, atoms within their crystals respond to the earth's magnetic field by "pointing" towards the magnetic north people. By age dating the rocks and nothing their magnetic alignment, scientists can determine where on earth the north pole was located at that time because as the rocks solidified, they trapped that information within them. The study of ancient lava flows has revealed that at certain periods in the earth's history magnetic north was directly opposite its present location. In fact, it has been determined that the north/south reversal has occurred on average every 500,000 years and that the last reversal took place about 700,000 years ago. Scientists call those periods of "normal" polarity (the magnetic orientation of our modern era) and "reversed" polarity (the magnetic orientation of reverse situation) by the name "magnetic chrons."
Although the fact of such reversals is clear, why and how they happen and their effects on the planet are subjects of considerable debate. Because no one knows precisely how the earth's magnetic field is produced, it becomes difficult to say how it might be reversed. Among explanations proposed are a reversal of the direction of convection currents in the liquid outer core of the earth and a collision between the earth and a meteorite or comet. And while the precise effects of a reversal are not known, there can be little doubt that the earth would receive during the process a great deal more damaging ultraviolet radiation than it now does and that such occurrences have been correlated with the extinction of certain species in the geologic past.

Question: 1

The main purpose of the passage is to

Updated On: Sep 25, 2024
  • Present opposing hypotheses concerncing the earth's magnetic field and argue that one of them is adequate
  • Explain what is meant by 'normal' polarity
  • Set forth a time table for magnetic reversal
  • Explain the process of magnetic reversal and how it was discovered
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Explain the process of magnetic reversal and how it was discovered
The correct option is (D)
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Question: 2

'Magnetic reversal' refers to

Updated On: Sep 25, 2024
  • The reversal of direction in ancient lava flows
  • A reversal of the direction of convection currents in the outer core of the earth
  • North becoming south and south becoming north
  • The atoms in rock crystal pointing towards the magnetic north pole
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

North becoming south and south becoming north
The correct option is (C)
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Question: 3

According to the passage, which of the following was crucial to the discovery of magnetic reversal?

Updated On: Sep 25, 2024
  • The rapid change from 'normal' to 'reversal' polarity
  • Lava flows 'pointing' to magnetic north
  • Solidification of rocks formed from magmas
  • The extinction of certain species 700,000 years ago
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Solidification of rocks formed from magmas
The correct option is (C)
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Question: 4

One can infer from the passage that

Updated On: Sep 25, 2024
  • If the earth collides wiih a meteorite, the magnetic field will be reversed
  • A magnetic reversal could present a damage to humans
  • The earth's magnetic field was produced about 700,000 years ago
  • In spite of past reversals, 'normal' polarity is now firmly established
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

A magnetic reversal could present a damage to humans
The correct option is (B)
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