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Difficulty: EasyImplicit and Inferred Relationships

In the mid-twentieth century, geologist Marie Tharp set out to map the ocean floor using sonar soundings collected by her colleague, Bruce Heezen. At the time, the scientific establishment held a firm belief that the seabed was a flat, featureless plain. As Tharp meticulously plotted the depth measurements on paper, a distinct pattern emerged: a massive, continuous valley running down the center of the Atlantic Ridge. When she pointed out this rift valley to Heezen, suggesting it was evidence of continental drift, he dismissed her observation as 'girl talk' and ordered her to recalculate the data. Undetered, Tharp spent months drafting and verifying new profiles. When Heezen plotted his own seismic data of undersea earthquakes, the epicenters aligned perfectly with Tharp's sketched valley. Realizing the geological implications, Heezen finally accepted her maps, and the two collaborated to publish the first comprehensive map of the North Atlantic floor in 1957, fundamentally altering our understanding of plate tectonics.

Based on the passage, what is the implicit relationship between Bruce Heezen's plotting of the seismic data and his acceptance of Marie Tharp's mapping work?

  1. The alignment between his earthquake data and her sketched valley served as the evidence that overcame his skepticism of her work.Answer
  2. B
    His initial acceptance of her maps prompted him to seek out seismic data that would confirm her theories.
  3. C
    The creation of the first comprehensive map in 1957 was the primary reason he chose to plot the seismic data.
  4. D
    His collaborative partnership with Tharp forced him to ignore his own findings in favor of her ocean floor profile.

Answer

The alignment between his earthquake data and her sketched valley served as the evidence that overcame his skepticism of her work.
The correct answer is correct because the passage shows Heezen starting with skepticism ('girl talk') and ending with acceptance ('finally accepted her maps') only after his own seismic data aligned with her sketched valley. The alignment of these independent datasets represents the implicit cause of his change in perspective.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Heezen's initial attitude toward Tharp's mapping work.
Heezen was highly skeptical of her work, dismissing her discovery of the rift valley as 'girl talk.'
Establishing the starting point of Heezen's attitude is necessary to understand how his perspective shifted.
2
Analyze the event that changed Heezen's mind.
Heezen plotted seismic data of undersea earthquakes and found that the epicenters aligned perfectly with Tharp's sketched valley.
This event provides the evidence that directly led to his change of heart.
3
Determine the implicit relationship between these events.
The alignment of the seismic data with the sketched valley acted as the proof that convinced Heezen to accept her maps.
This matches the option stating that the alignment served as the evidence that overcame his skepticism.

Key Concept

Inferring implicit cause-and-effect relationships and character motivations based on chronological cues and contextual evidence in a passage.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Implicit and Inferred Relationships

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