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Difficulty: MediumPrimary Purpose of the Whole Text

Edward Forbes proposed the azoic hypothesis in 1843, asserting that marine life could not exist below 300 fathoms (about 550 meters) due to extreme pressure and lack of light. This hypothesis became a dominant paradigm, guiding oceanographic expectations for decades. However, subsequent deep-sea dredging expeditions, most notably the HMS Challenger expedition in the 1870s, consistently recovered diverse organisms from depths far exceeding Forbes's limit. While Forbes's specific hypothesis was ultimately disproved, its formulation was crucial; by establishing a falsifiable limit, it galvanized systematic deep-sea exploration and prompted researchers to investigate the physiological adaptations that enable organisms to survive in seemingly hostile benthic environments.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

  1. A
    To trace how technological advancements have changed oceanographers' understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.
  2. To show how a scientific hypothesis, despite being incorrect, ultimately promoted the development of deep-sea exploration.Answer
  3. C
    To detail the specific marine organisms recovered by the HMS Challenger expedition.
  4. D
    To critique Forbes for failing to account for physiological adaptations in benthic organisms.

Answer

To show how a scientific hypothesis, despite being incorrect, ultimately promoted the development of deep-sea exploration.
The correct answer accurately captures the main purpose of the entire passage. The text outlines the rise and fall of Forbes's azoic hypothesis, but emphasizes in the final sentence that the hypothesis was 'crucial' because it 'galvanized systematic deep-sea exploration.' Therefore, the text's primary purpose is to show how this incorrect hypothesis nonetheless advanced the field.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure and development of the text.
The text begins by introducing Edward Forbes's azoic hypothesis (that life cannot exist below 300 fathoms) and notes its historical dominance. It then describes how the hypothesis was disproved by expeditions like the HMS Challenger. Finally, it concludes that although the hypothesis was false, its formulation was crucial because it stimulated systematic exploration and inquiry into deep-sea life.
Understanding the function of each sentence helps determine the overall message the author is trying to convey.
2
Synthesize the main purpose based on the passage's concluding focus.
The author's primary objective is to demonstrate that the azoic hypothesis, despite its factual inaccuracy, was a valuable catalyst for scientific progress in oceanography.
The main purpose of a text must encompass the entire passage, especially its main conclusion, rather than focusing on secondary points or supporting details.

Key Concept

Primary Purpose of the Whole Text
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Primary Purpose of the Whole Text

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