Reading Comprehension

PT131 · S4 · P1 · Q2 Problem Solving with Parallel Computing

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Reading Comprehension question.

  • Save & drill this skill build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Passage A Recent studies have shown that sophisticated computer models of the oceans and atmosphere are capable of simulating large-scale climate trends with remarkable accuracy.

Main Point (Passage A)

The continuing increase in computing capacity of the average desktop computer means that climate simulations can now be run on privately owned desktop machines connected to one another via the Internet (Third Paragraph of Passage A).

Passage Map (Passage A)

P1 - The use of computer models to predict large-scale climate trends. P2 - The computations are so intense that individual computers are inadequate. P3 - Individual computers can be linked together via the Internet to run simultaneous calculations and conduct complex modeling when the public’s interest has been captured.

Main Point (Passage B)

We are now living through a great paradigm shift in the field of computing, a shift from sequential computing to massive parallel computing (Third Paragraph of Passage B).

Passage Map (Passage B)

P1 - Many problems are naturally parallel. P2 - An example—ants. P3 - Since many problems are naturally parallel, it makes sense to use parallel computing to solve them.

2.

The large-scale climate trends discussed in passage A are most analogous to which one of the following elements in passage B?

  1. the thousands of computers working

    Wrong Role

    The computers in passage B are analogous to the computers in passage A—they both represent the solution used to solve the problem of complex systems.

    17% picked this

  2. the simple rules that shape

    Too Narrow

    The large-scale climate trends are analogous to thousands of ants acting together.

    2% picked this

  3. Correct

    the highly complex behavior of

    Why this is right

    The large-scale climate trends discussed in passage A are an example of a complex system that require computers to model (second paragraph). This is the same for the example of ants in passage B (fifth paragraph).

    Skill tested: Analogy · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    72% picked this

  4. the paradigm shift from sequential

    Wrong Role

    The paradigm shift in passage B represents a change in the solution, while the large-scale climate trends in passage A are the problem the solution is directed at.

    6% picked this

  5. the speed limits imposed by

    Wrong Role

    The speed limits imposed by sequential computing are the limits to the inferior solution, while the climate trends in passage A are the problem the solution is directed at.

    3% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free