June 2007 PrepTest, Section 2, Question 18
By Brandon Beaver | Published October 29, 2024
Type: Most Supported
Difficulty:
Explanations
So basically, scientists are using modern science: Trying to show that the hypothesis (“global warming is real”) is wrong. If recognition is an incentive (which we can safely assume it is), and we infer that “widely accepted” means “conventional wisdom,” then scientists have incentive to disprove global warming. And yet, scientists haven’t disproven global warming. What does that tell you?
A
We don’t know if the skeptics are the ones testing the hypothesis or not.
B
“Most” might make you skeptical, but this answer choice isn’t as bad as you think. We could conceivably say “all” even. What scientist doesn’t want to receive recognition? “Most” is actually pretty safe, because it accounts for the tiny fraction of scientists who for whatever reason don’t want recognition for their hard work. Also, remember, there can be “motive” to discredit something, but also motive to not discredit it (think monetary motive vs. moral motive, for example).
C
No, there just isn’t evidence showing the opposite.
D
They probably have. But the passage doesn’t say either way.
E
We don’t know that scientists do it primarily to receive recognition. The prospect of receiving recognition is certainly a motive, though.
Passage
Modern science is built on the process of posing hypotheses
Question 18
The information above provides the most support for which on