New problem and solution ·Properly dividing parallel tasks is hard; solution was to design computer network like tree branches
Tree branches follow very efficient patterns for collecting and moving resources; computer networks that follow the same underlying patterns are very efficient at generating and transmitting data
Emeagwali's perspective ·Nature will become a more important source of inspiration for technical solutions
Passage Style
Single position
Spotlight
8.
Which one of the following ████ ██████████ █████████ ███ ████ █████ ██ ███ ████████
Question Type
Main point
In a Spotlight passage, the main point typically captures what the author finds significant, interesting, or distinctive about the subject. Here, the author focuses on describing Emeagwali’s achievements in the design of parallel computer systems. Let’s look for an answer that captures the idea that Emeagwali has designed parallel computing systems.
The author doesn’t indicate that Emeagwali has helped solve a “wide array of real-world problems that supercomputers cannot solve.” Rather, the passage discusses Emeagwali’s successful modeling of oil field flow. It also discusses Emeagwali’s predictions for future problems that can be solved. But we don’t get evidence Emeagwali has helped solve a “wide array” of problems.
This doesn’t capture the passage’s focus on Emeagwali’s design of a parallel computing system. The main point isn’t about how Emeagwali shows us a broader point about paradigms and solutions. The main point is about Emeagwali and his achievements.
The passage never suggests that Emeagwali discovered the basic math principles underlying natural systems. His designs are based off of natural systems, but this doesn’t imply that he discovered basic math principles.
This best captures the main point, which is that Emeagwali has designed parallel computing systems. In addition Emeagwali’s parallel systems are modeled on natural systems and try to solve real-world computations problems that are difficult to solve with more traditional designs.
The main point is about Emeagwali’s achievements, not on what other scientists are more likely to do in the future. Although the passage does note that Emeagwali believes that scientists will increasingly look to nature for solutions to technological problems, Emeagwali’s belief isn’t the overall point of the passage.
Difficulty
81% of people who answer get this correct
This is a moderately difficult question.
It is similar in difficulty to other questions in this passage.
CURVE
Score of students with a 50% chance of getting this right
25%129
143
75%158
Analysis
Main point
Science
Single position
Spotlight
Answer Popularity
PopularityAvg. score
a
4%
160
b
0%
155
c
5%
158
d
81%
165
e
10%
159
Question history
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