On the basis of extensive calculations and models, astronomers in the 1990s predicted that the collision of two neutron stars...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
On the basis of extensive calculations and models, astronomers in the 1990s predicted that the collision of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole could release a massive burst of gamma rays in an event called a kilonova. This ______ was confirmed with observations in 2017.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "On the basis of extensive calculations and models, astronomers in the 1990s predicted that the collision of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole could release a massive burst of gamma rays in an event called a kilonova." |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| "was confirmed with observations in 2017." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: SCIENTIFIC PREDICTION 1990s followed by MISSING CONNECTOR followed by CONFIRMATION 2017
Main Point: A scientific prediction about neutron star collisions made in the 1990s was later confirmed by observations in 2017.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a scientific prediction from the 1990s about kilonova events, then states this prediction was confirmed by later observations. The missing word needs to connect these two related ideas.
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 blank needs to refer back to what the astronomers created in the 1990s - their scientific prediction based on calculations and models
- The word should capture the nature of this prediction and make logical sense when we say it was confirmed with observations in 2017
- Key elements the correct answer must have: Must refer to something that can be confirmed by observations, Should capture the scientific prediction/hypothesis nature of what astronomers did, Must fit grammatically
- So the right answer should be a word that describes a scientific prediction or hypothesis that can later be confirmed by evidence
- A theory is a scientific explanation or prediction, which perfectly describes what the astronomers created based on their calculations and models
- Theories are exactly the type of thing that get confirmed by later observations
- Fits the logical flow: prediction made then theory confirmed
- Evidence is what confirms theories, not what gets confirmed
- The 2017 observations ARE the evidence - they do not confirm evidence
- Creates illogical meaning: evidence does not get confirmed by more evidence
- A constant is a fixed numerical value in science
- Constants are not predicted based on models, nor are they confirmed by observations
- Does not match the context of making predictions about events
- An experiment is an active test or procedure
- The astronomers did not conduct an experiment in the 1990s - they made calculations and predictions
- This represents a trap where students might think scientific work always involves experiments, but this passage describes theoretical predictions