Reading Comprehension

PT131 · S4 · P1 · Q4 Problem Solving with Parallel Computing

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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.

4.

The author of passage A mentions public participation (final sentence of passage A) primarily in order to

  1. encourage public engagement in the

    Wrong Role

    The author does not encourage the public to participate, but rather identifies the public as a critical factor to the computing model’s success.

    5% picked this

  2. Correct

    identify a factor affecting the

    Why this is right

    Capturing the public interest is identified as a necessary condition of the computing model based on connected desktop machines (third paragraph).

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

    90% picked this

  3. indicate that government support of

    Out of Scope

    Government support is not discussed in passage A.

    1% picked this

  4. demonstrate that adequate support for

    Unsupported Relationship

    Adequate support for some similar public resource computing projects has existed, but whether it exists for modeling large-scale climate trends is not stated in passage A.

    3% picked this

  5. suggest that a computing model

    Contradiction

    The author suggests the computing model is feasible under certain conditions.

    1% picked this

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