For The First Time, An Earth-Like Planet Has Been Discovered GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question:For the first time, an earth-like planet has been discovered. This planet is orbiting another star. Since we can now say with confidence that at least some of the 100 billion other stars like our sun may have planets like earth, the greatest chance for extraterrestrial life to exist is outside our solar system.

The argument above assumes which of the following?

  1. Extraterrestrial organisms are likely to appear in forms similar to terrestrial ones.
  2. Life cannot exist on the other planets of our solar system.
  3. Life will always occur wherever earth-like planets exist.
  4. Life is most likely to arise under earth-like conditions.
  5. Life from other kinds of planets is too difficult to detect.

Answer: D
Explanation
:

Given that An earth-like planet was discovered for the first time. This planet orbits another star. Since scientists now know that at least some of the 100 billion stars like our sun may host planets like Earth, extraterrestrial life is most likely outside our solar system.

Let's approach the answer choices.

A: Incorrect
This option makes an assumption about the appearance of extraterrestrial organisms, which is not directly supported by the argument. The argument focuses on the existence of Earth-like planets and their potential to host extraterrestrial life, but it doesn't specifically address the form or appearance of such life.

B: Incorrect
The argument does not discuss the potential for life on other planets within our solar system. It is specifically focused on the discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting another star, and it doesn't make any claims or assumptions about the potential for life on planets within our own solar system.

C: Incorrect
This option overgeneralizes the potential for life on Earth-like planets. The argument does not claim that life will always occur on such planets, but rather it suggests that the chances for extraterrestrial life increase due to the discovery of an Earth-like planet.

D: Correct
The argument is based on the discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting another star and suggests that the existence of such a planet increases the chances of extraterrestrial life. This assumption implies that life is more likely to arise under conditions similar to those found on Earth, which is why the discovery of an Earth-like planet is considered significant for the potential existence of extraterrestrial life.

E: Incorrect
The argument doesn't touch upon the difficulty of detecting life on other kinds of planets. It focuses on the increased likelihood of extraterrestrial life due to the discovery of an Earth-like planet and doesn't address the detectability of life from different types of planets.

“For the first time, an earth-like planet has been discovered”– is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

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