The hypothesis of an expanding Earth has never attracted notable support, and if it were not for the historical example of continental drift, such indifference might be a legitimate response to an apparently improbable concept. It should be remembered, however, that drift too was once regarded as illusory, but the idea was kept alive until evidence from physicists compelled geologists to reinterpret their date.
Of course, it would be as dangerous to overreact to history by concluding that the majority must now be wrong about expansion as it would be to reenact the response that greeted the suggestion that the continents had drifted. The cases are not precisely analogous. There were serious problems with the pre-drift world view that a drift theory could help to resolve, whereas Earth expansion appears to offer no comparable advantages. If, however, physicists could show that the Earth's gravitational force has decreased with time, expansion would have to be reconsidered and accommodated.
24. The passage indicates that one reason why the expansion hypothesis has attracted little support is that it will not
(A) overcome deficiencies in current geologic hypotheses
(B) clarify theories concerning the Earth's gravitational forces
(C) complement the theory of continental drift
(D) accommodate relevant theories from the field of physics
(E) withstand criticism from scientists outside the field of geology
25. The final acceptance of a drift theory could best be used to support the argument that
(A) physicists are reluctant to communicate with other scientists
(B) improbable hypotheses usually turn out to be valid
(C) there should be cooperation between different fields of science
(D) there is a need for governmental control of scientific research
(E) scientific theories are often proved by accident
26. In developing his argument, the author warns against
(A) relying on incomplete measurements
(B) introducing irrelevant information
(C) rejecting corroborative evidence
(D) accepting uninformed opinions
(E) making unwarranted comparisons
27. It can be deduced from the passage that the gravitation force at a point on the Earth's surface is
(A) representative of the geologic age of the Earth
(B) analogous to the movement of land masses
(C) similar to optical phenomena such as mirages
(D) proportional to the size of the Earth
(E) dependent on the speed of the Earth's rotation
28. BARRICADE:
(A) join forces
(B) assure safety
(C) permit passage
(D) renew promises
(E) remain stationary
29. TAUT:
(A) loose or unfirm
(B) rough or unformed
(C) transparent or lucid
(D) pliant or malleable
(E) open or accommodating
30. OPPORTUNE:
(A) trivial
(B) practical
(C) inconvenient
(D) unavailable
(E) inconsistent
31. DISMAY:
(A) sympathize
(B) hearten
(C) absolve
(D) legitimize
(E) scrutinize
32. FESTER:
(A) depreciate
(B) heal
(C) animate
(D) liquefy
(E) soften
33. DISCERNMENT:
(A) weakness of will
(B) loss of authority
(C) lack of insight
(D) decrease in adornment
(E) reduction in strength
34. DEPLOY:
(A) relinquish
(B) convert
(C) insulate
(D) concentrate
(E) deceive
35. MOLIFICATION:
(A) inflammation
(B) resuscitation
(C) infiltration
(D) stabilization
(E) precipitation
36. INFELICTTY:
(A) manifestation
(B) nervousness
(C) restoration
(D) gratuitousness
(E) appropriateness
37. ASPERITY:
(A) depth
(B) mildness
(C) imprecision
(D) leisure
(E) indifference
38. DESULTORY:
(A) impetuous
(B) pitiful
(C) assiduous
(D) lavish
(E) healthful |
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