Superstring theory is a controversial

Answer choices

1. A

   Unsupported17% picked this

   Superstring theory would be more successful if superstring theorists attempted to explain why the force of gravity is not stronger

   The stimulus says superstring theory has had "no success" in explaining gravity's strength. This does not imply that theorists have not attempted to explain it -- they may have tried and failed. "No success" describes an outcome, not a lack of effort. This answer assumes the problem is one of neglect rather than inability, which the stimulus does not support.

   17%
2. B

   Unsupported11% picked this

   Physical theories that are better established than superstring theory provide better explanations of physical phenomena

   The stimulus says superstring theory purports to explain gravity, unlike more established theories. It mentions two problems with superstring theory. But it does not compare the quality of explanations between superstring theory and established theories for physical phenomena generally. We do not know whether established theories explain other phenomena better, worse, or the same as superstring theory does. The stimulus only contrasts them on the specific point of claiming to explain gravity.

   11%
3. C

   Contradicted19% picked this

   Some physical theory more established than superstring theory has had at least some success in explaining why the force of gravity is not

   The stimulus says superstring theory "purports, unlike more established physical theories, to explain the nature and existence of gravity." The phrase "unlike more established physical theories" indicates that established theories do not claim to explain gravity. If they do not even purport to explain gravity, it is unlikely they have had success explaining gravity's strength. This answer is undermined rather than supported by the stimulus.

   19%
4. D

   Too Strong3% picked this

   A physical theory cannot be true if testing that theory would require us to build a particle accelerator

   The inability to test superstring theory is described as a "problem," but the stimulus does not say that untestable theories cannot be true. A theory might be true even if we lack the means to verify it. The stimulus identifies practical obstacles to testing, not a logical impossibility of truth. This answer makes a much stronger claim than the stimulus supports -- it equates untestability with impossibility of truth, which is a philosophical leap the stimulus does not take.

   3%
5. E

   Correct50% picked this

   A theory that purports to explain the nature of a force is deficient if it cannot account for

   Why this is right

   The stimulus says superstring theory purports to explain the nature and existence of gravity. It also says a problem with the theory is that it cannot adequately explain why gravity has its particular strength. The fact that this failure is characterized as a "problem" supports the general principle that a theory claiming to explain the nature of a force is deficient if it cannot account for that force's strength. The specific case of superstring theory illustrates this principle: it claims to explain gravity but cannot explain gravity's strength, and this is identified as a deficiency.

   Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   50%