- Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:00 pm
#35170
Complete Question Explanation
Justify the Conclusion. The correct answer choice is (C)
The astrophysicist argues that the descriptive labels used for gamma ray bursts (GRB), either “short”
or “long”, are no longer useful. In support of this conclusion, the astrophysicist points to the sighting
of an unusual GRB. This was a “long” GRB, meaning that it was an explosion of powerful radiation
from deep space that had a relatively long duration. However, “in every other respect it had the
properties of a ‘short’ GRB.” Based on this unusual GRB, the astrophysicist concludes that the GRB
labels “long” and “short” are no longer useful.
This is a Justify the Conclusion question, and the correct answer choice will prove the conclusion
is valid. In this case, the labels “long” and “short” are accurate as far as they go. The unusual GRB
was, in fact, relatively long. However, there apparently are other properties associated with these
bursts that the “long” and “short” labels fail to capture. And since the astrophysicist is saying
that the existing labels are no longer useful, it must be because the labels fail to capture this other
information, even though the labels accurately describe the GRB’s duration. Our prephrase is that the
correct answer choice will tell us that a label that does not capture these other GRB properties is no
longer useful.
Answer choice (A): The correct answer choice will prove that the existing labels are no longer
useful. If there has been just one unusual GRB sighting for which the current labels were inadequate,
then there does not appear to be a need to replace the labels. This answer choice does not justify the
conclusion, it weakens it.
Answer choice (B): The impact of this answer choice depends on what it means by “classification.”
If this phrase means that a useful classification can sometimes be made, that meaning would attack
the conclusion. However, if it simply refers to a partial classification, which according to the
stimulus would not be useful, then it would support, but not justify the conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The current labels only classify the duration
of each GRB. If the properties other than duration are more important when classifying GRBs, then
it is true that the labels are no longer useful.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice would prove that labels attempting to classify GRBs by the
types of cosmic events that create them are not a viable alternative, but it does not prove why the
current labels are no longer useful.
Answer choice (E): Here, the answer choice tells us that it would be easy to replace current labels,
but it does not prove that the current labels are no longer useful.
Justify the Conclusion. The correct answer choice is (C)
The astrophysicist argues that the descriptive labels used for gamma ray bursts (GRB), either “short”
or “long”, are no longer useful. In support of this conclusion, the astrophysicist points to the sighting
of an unusual GRB. This was a “long” GRB, meaning that it was an explosion of powerful radiation
from deep space that had a relatively long duration. However, “in every other respect it had the
properties of a ‘short’ GRB.” Based on this unusual GRB, the astrophysicist concludes that the GRB
labels “long” and “short” are no longer useful.
This is a Justify the Conclusion question, and the correct answer choice will prove the conclusion
is valid. In this case, the labels “long” and “short” are accurate as far as they go. The unusual GRB
was, in fact, relatively long. However, there apparently are other properties associated with these
bursts that the “long” and “short” labels fail to capture. And since the astrophysicist is saying
that the existing labels are no longer useful, it must be because the labels fail to capture this other
information, even though the labels accurately describe the GRB’s duration. Our prephrase is that the
correct answer choice will tell us that a label that does not capture these other GRB properties is no
longer useful.
Answer choice (A): The correct answer choice will prove that the existing labels are no longer
useful. If there has been just one unusual GRB sighting for which the current labels were inadequate,
then there does not appear to be a need to replace the labels. This answer choice does not justify the
conclusion, it weakens it.
Answer choice (B): The impact of this answer choice depends on what it means by “classification.”
If this phrase means that a useful classification can sometimes be made, that meaning would attack
the conclusion. However, if it simply refers to a partial classification, which according to the
stimulus would not be useful, then it would support, but not justify the conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The current labels only classify the duration
of each GRB. If the properties other than duration are more important when classifying GRBs, then
it is true that the labels are no longer useful.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice would prove that labels attempting to classify GRBs by the
types of cosmic events that create them are not a viable alternative, but it does not prove why the
current labels are no longer useful.
Answer choice (E): Here, the answer choice tells us that it would be easy to replace current labels,
but it does not prove that the current labels are no longer useful.
