Q8

[keonheecho]

Hi,

isn't the main argument that Curie should not be blamed for her shortcomings because of the lack of adequate evidence during her time? The part in (B) that mentions the eventual explanation of radioactivity seems to be more of a curved tail than part of the actual argument.

Is this one of the instances where we would have to settle for one of the answer choices as the best answer, or am I missing something in terms of how the eventual explanation of radioactivity plays into the main point? Thank you

[ohthatpatrick]

Yeah, the correct answer is frequently imperfect.

Your prephrase is solid and sufficient: Curie shouldn't be blamed for the shortcomings of her research (given the context). Line 56-60 fills it out even more, saying "not only should we find the shortcomings understandable, we should be mainly concerned with PRAISING her for what she DID discover!"

(A) Was quantum mechanics the main topic of this passage? No, Marie Curie was. But wait, did Marie Curie give us the gift of quantum mechanics? No, it doesn't say that anywhere. In fact, the only time quantum mechanics is discussed, it is mentioned in order to say that quantum mechanics provides a DIFFERENT explanation from that which Marie Curie offered.

(B) Although blemished, MC's word was a significant advance. This sounds like line 56-60. It sounds like it's defending MC, as you pre-phrased.

(C) Her career is blemished? That's the opposite of your pre-phrase.

(D) MC's investigations into radioactivity weren't fruitful? That sounds negative, like (C). That's the opposite of your pre-phrase (and contradicted by 56-60).

(E) This has the same "although imperfect, MC's work was crucial" feel of (B). However this makes the erroneous claim that MC's research helped REFUTE the chemist's model of the atom. That's not said anywhere.

(B) is the correct answer.

Focus on reasons why everything else is disqualified. The correct answer may have slightly different wording / emphasis than you may have pre-phrased, but if it's at least accurate in what it says (and everything else is not), then there's really no reason to fret about how they worded it.

Hope this helps.

[keonheecho]

Great, this helps a lot. Thank you!