Years before the advent of plate

tectonics―the widely accepted theory,

developed in the mid-1960’s, the holds

Line that the major features of Earth’s surface

(5) are created by the horizontal motions

of Earth’s outer shell, or lithosphere―

a similar theory was rejected by the

geological community. In 1912, Alfred

Wegener proposed, in a widely debated

(10) theory that came to be called continental

drift, that Earth’s continents were mobile.

The origin of Continents and Oceans

appears an impressive and prescient

(15) document, containing several of the

essential presumptions underlying plate

tectonics theory: the horizontal mobility

of pieces of Earth’s crust; the essential

difference between oceanic and conti-

(20) nental crust; and a causal connection

between horizontal displacements and

the formation of mountain chains. Yet

despite the considerable overlap

between Wegener’s concepts and the

(25) later widely embraced plate tectonics

theory, and despite the fact that conti-

nental drift theory presented a possible

solution to the problem of the origin of

mountains at a time when existing expla-

(30) nations were seriously in doubt, in its

day Wegener’s theory was rejected

by the vast majority of geologists.

Most geologists and many historians

today believe that Wegener’s theory

(35) was rejected because of its lack of an

adequate mechanical basis. Stephen

Jay Gould, for example, argues that

continental drift theory was rejected

because it did not explain how continents

(40) could move through an apparently solid

oceanic floor. However, as Anthony

Hallam has pointed out, many scientific

phenomena, such as the ice ages, have

been accepted before they could be fully

(45) explained. The most likely cause for the

rejection of continental drift―a cause

that has been largely ignored because

we consider Wegener’s theory to have

been validated by the theory of plate

(50) tectonics―is the nature of the evidence

that was put forward to support it. Most

of Wegener’s evidence consisted of

homologies—similarities of patterns and

forms based on direct observations of

(55) rocks in the field, supported by the use

of hammers, hand lenses, and field note-

books. In contrast, the data supporting

plate tectonics were impressively

geophysical—instrumental determinations

(60) of the physical properties of Earth gar-

nered through the use of seismographs,

magnetometers, and computers.

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Q25:

The author of the passage refers to the “considerable overlap” (line 23) between continental drift theory and plate tectonics theory most probably in order to

suggest that plate tectonics theory is derived from Wegener’s work introduce a discussion comparing the elements of the two theories examine the question of whether continental drift theory was innovative in its time provide a reason why it might seem surprising that continental drift theory was not more widely embraced by geologists cite an explanation that has been frequently offered for Wegener’s high standing among geologists today

Answer: D

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Q26:

The author of the passage suggests that the most likely explanation for the geological community’s response to continental drift theory in its day was that the theory

Answer: E

【Q25】

Yet despite the considerable overlap

between Wegener’s concepts and the

(25) later widely embraced plate tectonics

theory, and despite the fact that conti-

nental drift theory presented a possible

solution to the problem of the origin of

mountains at a time when existing expla-

(30) nations were seriously in doubt, in its

day Wegener’s theory was rejected

by the vast majority of geologists.

We can tell from the above statement that the continental drift theory might be a good theory, but it was not convinced people. In short, it is suprising that this theory was not accepted by geologist in his time.

【Q26】

Wegener’s theory to have

been validated by the theory of plate

(50) tectonics―is the nature of the evidence

that was put forward to support it.

I think choice E is the best.