GS-1 Verbal Reasoning Question 19

[kdpalli226078]

19. The passage indicates that all of the following fields are important for the proper functioning of the WWW EXCEPT:

1. telecommunications. [x]
2. computer technology. [x]
3. chemistry. [x]
4. space technology.



The passage clearly mentions (explicitly) computer technology and space technology, however, neither 1 nor 3 are mentioned explicitly. The wording of the question is misleading. The question asks, "the passage INDICATES..." etc. When using the word indicate, isn't that supposed to mean that whatever is "indicated" is explicitly mentioned in the passage? Now, I understand that if the word, "suggests" was used in place of "indicates" then we'd be making an inference, in which case I could totally understand how the passage does not pertain to chemistry.

Sorry for this technical question, but will the MCAT actually phrase a question like this where they are asking us to clearly make an inference yet use the word "indicate" and mislead us into thinking we're looking for strict detail? Perhaps my idea of "indicating" something is wrong? Is indicating something synonymous to "suggesting" something? I hope you could clarify this for me. Thanks in advance!

[admin]

Most definitions of the word "indicate" includes both "to state briefly" and "to suggest." Putting it in terms of the real MCAT, it's rare to see anything word for word both in the question and in the passage. In other words, the difference between "indicates" and "suggests" tends to be degrees of inference. "Indicates" is usually, relatively, more apparent.

The other point to throw into the mix is that the AAMC goes out of the way in their directions to make statements like "eliminate the answers you know to be incorrect and choose amoung the remaining alternatives" or simply "choose the best response" which are not as black and white as some might expect.

On to Q19: it seems that you correctly determined B and D but what is at issue is answer choice A (telecommunications).

The passage states:

"All nations participate actively in the system both by receiving and by transmitting weather information." (P4)

I believe that indicates the importance of "communications." There are "suggestions" elsewhere that reinforce this indication.

Now you can argue that the "tele" part is not explicitly stated; however, "chemistry" is not even alluded to anywhere in the passage. So answer choice A must be chosen as one of the 3 fields important to the WWW, as indicated by the passage. Or, put another way, nothing in the passage comes close to indicating answer choice C, chemistry.

[admin]

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