Comprehension
What causes a helix in nature to appear with either a dextral (”right-handed,” or clockwise) twist or a sinistral (”left-handed,” or counterclockwise) twist is one of the most intriguing ques-
tions in the science of form. Most scientists have maintained that the preferential handedness
of objects such as DNA molecules, protein amino acids, and the shells of snails is due to chance.
For example, Jacques Monod, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, attributed
the twist (or ”chirality”) in molecules to the chance selection between two structurally equal
molecules, one dextral and one sinistral. He proposed that the choice of twist occurred when
the first molecule was formed and that this initial choice set the precedent for all subsequent
molecules of that type. However, a new theory challenges the notion that chance is responsible
for the predominance of one type of twist. According to this theory, the chirality found in
molecules, crystals, and shells has its origins in the fundamental chirality of elementary par-
ticles of matter. This theory holds that the universe is fundamentally asymmetric, or chiral,
in that the weak force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature, has a handedness of its
own. The effects of this force are normally observable only at the subatomic level, but they
can be amplified in molecules, crystals, and shells. While the connection between the chirality
of elementary particles and that of macroscopic structures, such as snail shells, is not yet fully
understood, the new theory provides a potential explanation for the prevalence of specific twists
in nature.
Question: 1
The passage is primarily concerned with
The passage is primarily concerned with
Show Hint
When a passage introduces a long-held scientific view and then presents a "new theory" with the word "However," its primary purpose is often to compare, contrast, or discuss these two competing ideas.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- summarizing the history of a scientific debate
- discussing two competing explanations for a natural phenomenon
- describing the evidence in favor of a new scientific theory
- casting doubt on the accuracy of a long-held scientific assumption
- explaining the relationship between two types of natural phenomena
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the primary purpose of the passage, which means we need to identify the main topic and the author's overall goal.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage introduces a natural phenomenon: the "handedness" or chirality of helices in nature. It then presents two different explanations for this phenomenon. The first is the long-held view that it is due to "chance." The second is a "new theory" that challenges this view, attributing the handedness to a fundamental property of the weak force. The structure of the passage is a presentation and contrast of these two competing ideas.
Option (B) perfectly captures this structure. The passage discusses two rival explanations (chance vs. weak force) for a natural phenomenon (chirality).
Option (A) is too general; the passage focuses on the content of the explanations, not just the history of the debate.
Option (C) is too narrow; describing the new theory is only half of the passage's purpose. The other half is describing the theory it competes with.
Option (D) is part of what the passage does, but (B) is a more complete description of the overall content.
Option (E) is incorrect; it discusses two explanations for one phenomenon, not a relationship between two phenomena.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage's main objective is to outline two competing scientific explanations, making option (B) the correct choice.
This question asks for the primary purpose of the passage, which means we need to identify the main topic and the author's overall goal.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage introduces a natural phenomenon: the "handedness" or chirality of helices in nature. It then presents two different explanations for this phenomenon. The first is the long-held view that it is due to "chance." The second is a "new theory" that challenges this view, attributing the handedness to a fundamental property of the weak force. The structure of the passage is a presentation and contrast of these two competing ideas.
Option (B) perfectly captures this structure. The passage discusses two rival explanations (chance vs. weak force) for a natural phenomenon (chirality).
Option (A) is too general; the passage focuses on the content of the explanations, not just the history of the debate.
Option (C) is too narrow; describing the new theory is only half of the passage's purpose. The other half is describing the theory it competes with.
Option (D) is part of what the passage does, but (B) is a more complete description of the overall content.
Option (E) is incorrect; it discusses two explanations for one phenomenon, not a relationship between two phenomena.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage's main objective is to outline two competing scientific explanations, making option (B) the correct choice.
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Question: 2
It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about the "new theory"?
It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about the "new theory"?
Show Hint
Pay close attention to the author's choice of adjectives and qualifying phrases. Words like "potential," "suggests," or "plausible" indicate a cautious and balanced tone, while words like "proves," "best," or "correctly" indicate a much stronger, more certain stance.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- It provides the best explanation for the observed chirality of molecules, crystals, and shells.
- It correctly identifies the weak force as the single influence responsible for the chirality found in nature.
- It provides a plausible explanation for the chirality found in nature.
- It provides a useful model for understanding the relationship between elementary particles and macroscopic structures.
- It requires further testing before it can be accepted by the scientific community.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is an inference question about the author's attitude towards the "new theory." We need to analyze the language the author uses to describe it.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author presents the new theory as a challenger to the established "chance" theory. The author's tone is balanced and objective. The final sentence is key: "While the connection...is not yet fully understood, the new theory provides a potential explanation..." The use of "potential explanation" indicates that the author views the theory as a viable and reasonable possibility, but not as definitively proven. The word "plausible" means reasonable or probable, which aligns perfectly with "potential."
Let's analyze the options:
(A) "best explanation" is too strong. The author does not make this judgment.
(B) "correctly identifies" and "single influence" are too strong and absolute. The author does not claim it is proven correct.
(C) "plausible explanation" accurately reflects the author's cautious but positive presentation of the theory as a "potential explanation."
(D) The passage states the relationship is "not yet fully understood," so it cannot be a "useful model" for understanding it yet.
(E) While it is true that a theory that is "not yet fully understood" would require further testing, option (C) is a more direct description of the theory's current intellectual contribution as described by the author. The author's main point is that it's a "potential explanation," which is synonymous with "plausible explanation."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's description of the new theory as a "potential explanation" best supports the inference that it is considered a "plausible explanation," making option (C) correct.
This is an inference question about the author's attitude towards the "new theory." We need to analyze the language the author uses to describe it.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author presents the new theory as a challenger to the established "chance" theory. The author's tone is balanced and objective. The final sentence is key: "While the connection...is not yet fully understood, the new theory provides a potential explanation..." The use of "potential explanation" indicates that the author views the theory as a viable and reasonable possibility, but not as definitively proven. The word "plausible" means reasonable or probable, which aligns perfectly with "potential."
Let's analyze the options:
(A) "best explanation" is too strong. The author does not make this judgment.
(B) "correctly identifies" and "single influence" are too strong and absolute. The author does not claim it is proven correct.
(C) "plausible explanation" accurately reflects the author's cautious but positive presentation of the theory as a "potential explanation."
(D) The passage states the relationship is "not yet fully understood," so it cannot be a "useful model" for understanding it yet.
(E) While it is true that a theory that is "not yet fully understood" would require further testing, option (C) is a more direct description of the theory's current intellectual contribution as described by the author. The author's main point is that it's a "potential explanation," which is synonymous with "plausible explanation."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's description of the new theory as a "potential explanation" best supports the inference that it is considered a "plausible explanation," making option (C) correct.
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Question: 3
According to the "new theory" described in the passage, the handedness of the weak force normally affects the material world in which of the following ways?
According to the "new theory" described in the passage, the handedness of the weak force normally affects the material world in which of the following ways?
Show Hint
Be vigilant for qualifying words in both the passage and the question. The word "normally" in the question is crucial for distinguishing the correct answer from the distractors, which describe the "amplified" effects.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- It influences the configuration of elementary particles at the subatomic level.
- It determines the direction in which molecules twist.
- It affects the formation of crystals.
- It is responsible for the structure of snail shells.
- It is the single most important factor determining the structure of DNA molecules.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a detail question asking what the new theory claims about the *normal* effect of the weak force. The keyword here is "normally."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage states: "The effects of this force are normally observable only at the subatomic level, but they can be amplified in molecules, crystals, and shells." This sentence draws a clear distinction between the normal effect and the amplified effects. The normal effect is confined to the subatomic level.
Let's review the options:
(A) This option describes an effect at the subatomic level, involving elementary particles, which is exactly where the passage says the force's effects are "normally observable."
(B), (C), and (D) These are all listed as examples of *amplified* effects on macroscopic or molecular structures, not the *normal* effects.
(E) This is too strong ("single most important factor") and describes an amplified effect, not the normal one.
Step 3: Final Answer:
According to the new theory, the weak force's normal sphere of influence is at the subatomic level. Option (A) is the only choice that reflects this.
This is a detail question asking what the new theory claims about the *normal* effect of the weak force. The keyword here is "normally."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage states: "The effects of this force are normally observable only at the subatomic level, but they can be amplified in molecules, crystals, and shells." This sentence draws a clear distinction between the normal effect and the amplified effects. The normal effect is confined to the subatomic level.
Let's review the options:
(A) This option describes an effect at the subatomic level, involving elementary particles, which is exactly where the passage says the force's effects are "normally observable."
(B), (C), and (D) These are all listed as examples of *amplified* effects on macroscopic or molecular structures, not the *normal* effects.
(E) This is too strong ("single most important factor") and describes an amplified effect, not the normal one.
Step 3: Final Answer:
According to the new theory, the weak force's normal sphere of influence is at the subatomic level. Option (A) is the only choice that reflects this.
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