There is only one answer choice here that sums up the contents of both paragraphs. (G) is just a detail. (F) cannot be correct because
Galileo’s telescope is not even mentioned. (J) is only mentioned in the first paragraph and is a distortion of the author’s point. (K) is
too broad in scope.
Only (H) summarizes the entire passage. The passage deals with scientific knowledge about Jupiter’s four brightest moons. The four
moons are the first thing mentioned in the first paragraph, and the rest of the first paragraph discusses the role they played for
Galileo. The second paragraph discusses how the moons were perceived by scientists throughout history. In sum, both paragraphs
are concerned with scientific knowledge about these moons.
Researching
Researching is essentially about knowing where to look for the details. Generally, if you take brief margin notes on paragraph
topics, you should be in pretty good shape to figure out where to find the details. Once you know where to look, just scan the
passage for key phrases found in the question.
Breathing = critical bodily function
Respiration—large animals = complex process
Take a look at the passage and paragraph notes. You should see that the margin notes are very brief and general. They note only the
gist of the paragraphs. If you saw the following questions, would you know where to go find the answers?
The first paragraph deals with bodily functions.^ Lines 2–3 note that food is most
expendable.A human body can survive without water for
several days and without food for as many as several
weeks. If breathing stops for as little as three to six
Minutes, however, death is likely. All animals require
( 5 ) a constant supply of oxygen to the body tissues, and
especially to the heart or brain. In the human body,
the respiratory system performs this function by
delivering air containing oxygen to the blood.
But respiration in large animals possessing lungs
( 10 )involves more than just breathing. It is a complex
process that delivers oxygen to internal tissues while
eliminating waste carbon dioxide produced by cells.
More specifically, respiration involves two processes
known as bulk flow and diffusion. Oxygen and carbon
( 15 )dioxide are moved in bulk through the respiratory
and circulatory systems; gaseous diffusion occurs at
different points across thin tissue membranes.Which bodily function, according to the passage, is least essential to the
survival of the average human being?3.