Question

Instruction: Identify the assumptions that must hold for the statement to be valid, then choose the correct option. Statement: The discovery of exoplanets in habitable zones around distant stars has provided exciting prospects for the search for extraterrestrial life, yet the vast distances and technological limitations pose significant obstacles to direct exploration. Assumptions: I. Exoplanets located in habitable zones may have the potential to support life. Il. Current technology is insufficient to directly explore exoplanets in habitable zones. IlI. Direct exploration of exoplanets will be unnecessary if we detect signs of life remotely.

• A. Only I and Il are implicit
• B. Only Il and Ill are implicit
• C. Only I is implicit
• D. All assumptions are implicit

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only I and Il are implicit

The statement says:

• Exoplanets in habitable zones create exciting possibilities for finding extraterrestrial life.

• But huge distances and technological limitations make direct exploration difficult.

Now check the assumptions:

I. Habitable Zone planets may support life.
This is assumed, because the excitement about searching for extraterrestrial life depends on this possibility.

II. Current technology is insufficient for direct exploration.
This is also assumed, since the statement mentions technological limitations as obstacles.

III. Direct exploration will be unnecessary if life is detected remotely.
This is not assumed anywhere in the statement.

Therefore, only Assumptions I and II are valid.