English Language · English
Based on the texts, how would Putirka and Xu (Text 2) most likely characterize the conclusion presented in Text 1? Text 1 Astronomer Mark Holland and colleagues examined four white dwarfs—small, dense remnants of past stars—in order to determine the composition of exoplanets that used to orbit those stars. Studying wavelengths of light in the white dwarf atmospheres, the team reported that traces of elements such as lithium and sodium support the presence of exoplanets with continental crusts similar to Earth's. Text 2 Past studies of white dwarf atmospheres have concluded that certain exoplanets had continental crusts. Geologist Keith Putirka and astronomer Siyi Xu argue that those studies unduly emphasize atmospheric traces of lithium and other individual elements as signifiers of the types of rock found on Earth. The studies don't adequately account for different minerals made up of various ratios of those elements, and the possibility of rock types not found on Earth that contain those minerals.
- 1As unexpected, because it was widely believed at the time that white dwarf exoplanets lack continental crusts
- 2As premature, because researchers have only just begun trying to determine what kinds of crusts white dwarf exoplanets had
- 3As questionable, because it rests on an incomplete consideration of potential sources of the elements detected in white dwarf atmospheres✓
- 4As puzzling, because it's unusual to successfully detect lithium and sodium when analyzing wavelengths of light in white dwarf atmospheres
Correct answer
As questionable, because it rests on an incomplete consideration of potential sources of the elements detected in white dwarf atmospheres
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