Given that the conditions in binary star systems should make planetary formation nearly impossible, it's not surprising that the existence...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Given that the conditions in binary star systems should make planetary formation nearly impossible, it's not surprising that the existence of planets in such systems has lacked ______ explanation. Roman Rafikov and Kedron Silsbee shed light on the subject when they used modeling to determine a complex set of factors that could support planets' development.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Given that the conditions in binary star systems should make planetary formation nearly impossible, |
|
| it's not surprising that the existence of planets in such systems has lacked explanation. |
|
| Roman Rafikov and Kedron Silsbee shed light on the subject when they used modeling to determine a complex set of factors that could support planets' development. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite binary star systems making planetary formation nearly impossible, scientists have found complex factors that could explain how planets develop in these challenging environments.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a scientific puzzle by noting that binary star conditions should make planetary formation nearly impossible. It then logically follows that planets existing in such systems would lack a certain type of explanation. Finally, it presents the research breakthrough where scientists provided clarity through complex modeling.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage tells us that binary star conditions make planet formation nearly impossible
- Given this extreme difficulty, any explanation for how planets could exist in such systems would naturally be complex and hard to understand
- The blank describes what type of explanation was lacking before the scientists did their research
- The key clue comes from the contrast: before the research, there was a lack of some type of explanation, but then the scientists shed light on the subject - meaning they provided clarity where there was confusion before
- So the right answer should describe an explanation that would be easy to understand or clear - something that was missing due to the complexity of the problem
- Discernible means able to be perceived or detected
- This does not fit the logical flow - the issue is not that explanations could not be detected, but that clear explanations were hard to develop given the complexity
- Straightforward means simple and easy to understand
- This perfectly matches our prethinking - binary star systems are so complex that planets existing there lacked a simple, clear explanation
- Creates the right contrast: complex problem leads to lack of straightforward explanation, then scientists provide clarity through detailed modeling
- Inconclusive means not leading to a firm conclusion
- This creates the wrong meaning - it would suggest there were explanations but they were uncertain, rather than explanations being difficult to formulate
- Unbiased means not prejudiced or neutral
- This does not connect to the logical flow about complexity and clarity
- Students might choose this thinking scientific explanations should be objective, but bias is not the issue discussed in the passage