them. There is no mention of geodetic equipment in this paragraph, so eliminate (D) as
well. Choice (C) is the answer.
D Think about the evidence in the passage that helped you answer the previous question: The
geologists are monitoring the caldera to try to predict a future eruption. Use POE to find the
best reference from the passage to the previous question. Eliminate (A) because that
sentence refers to eruptions from centuries ago. Choice (B) does not reference geologist
activity at all, so get rid of it. Eliminate (C) because it discusses the equipment, not the
geologists. Choice (D) works because it details studies from the USGS regarding forms of
evidence that often precede volcanic eruptions.
A The final sentence in the last paragraph states that geologists think that the chances of an
eruption in the area in any given year are quite small. This contradicts the information in
(B) and (C), so eliminate them. Earthquakes are only a small part of the overall passage, so
eliminate (D) because it is too limited. Choice (A) is correct.
C Use POE to find the answer choice that is best supported by the passage. Choice (A) is
incorrect since it was both the Inyo Craters and Mono Craters that erupted 600 years ago.
Choice (B) almost works, but the passage never suggests that Mammoth Mountain is
actually active, as opposed to the larger chain—the Long Valley Caldera—it’s part of.
Choice (C) is a good fit because the seventh paragraph states that symptoms of volcanic
unrest may persist for decades or centuries at large calderas, such as Long Valley
Caldera. The information in (D) is mentioned in the first paragraph, but there is no
evidence that refers to Mammoth Mountain, so eliminate it. Choice (C) is correct.
D Think about the evidence in the passage that helped you answer the previous question: The
seventh paragraph states that symptoms of volcanic unrest may persist for decades or
centuries at large calderas, such as Long Valley Caldera. This sentence is referenced by
(D), while the other choices do not relate to the correct answer to the previous question.
Therefore, (D) is the answer.
D The last few sentences of the seventh paragraph state that symptoms of volcanic unrest may
persist for decades or centuries at large calderas, such as Long Valley Caldera. Studies
indicate that only about one in six such episodes of unrest at large calderas worldwide
actually culminates in an eruption. The swelling of the Long Valley Caldera is part of
these symptoms, so this basically says that there is no definitive outcome that results from
them. Choice (D) is a good analogy for this information and therefore the correct answer.
A 2015 is at the far right end of the graph, at which point the line indicating the number of
cumulative earthquakes hits above the 1.2 line. However, each number on the right y-axis
needs to be multiplied by 10^5 , so the number of cumulative earthquakes is actually greater
than 120,000. Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. Choice (B) is incorrect for the same
reason; earthquakes per week are tracked on the right axis, not the left. Choice (C) is
incorrect because 1.2 needs to be multiplied by 10^5 . Choice (D) is incorrect because
cumulative earthquakes are tracked on the right y-axis, not the left.