Self-study
Hi there, I would like to call help for a quesiton finds me really confused. this is a RRE question:
"Recent investigations of earthquakes have turned up a previously unknown type of seismic shock, known as a displacement pulse, which is believed to be present in all earthquakes. Alarmingly, high-rise buildings are especially vulnerable to displacement pulses, according to computer models. Yet examination of high-rises within cities damaged by recent powerful earthquakes indicates little significant damage to these structures."
The correct answer is (B), which states that "Scientific predictions based on computer models often fail when tested in the field." My question is, isn't it attacking the truth of the phenomenon? If I change the answer choice to "It is very difficult to predict the impact of earthquake by computal model precisely.", would it still be the right answer choice?
One possible explanaiton I thought of is that B is denying the plausibility of the estimation instead of "the existence of the estimation". comparatively, D or other answer choices require more assumptions. Therefore B is the best answer. But this question is still perplexing. #help
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2 comments
For RRE, you have to assume that all of the answer choices are true. You're trying to identify an explanation for a paradox presented in the stimulus. The answer choices are giving you new information to consider.
"Which one of the following, if true, contributes to a resolution of the apparent paradox?"
In this case, you're trying to explain why high-rises in cities with recent earthquakes have little damage if scientists currently believe that displacement pulses (to which high-rises are especially vulnerable) are present in all earthquakes according to computer models.
Yes, B casting doubt on the prediction that high-rise buildings are especially vulnerable to displacement pulses because it attacks the accuracy of the computer models which helped to make this prediction.
@icedshakenespresso thanks a lot! This is very helpful. B is casting doubt on the “estimation result” instead of “denying the fact, which makes B the acceptable explanation.