LSAT 159 | Section 2 | Reading Comprehension: Q17

RC Question 17 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The primary function of the third paragraph is to …

DISCUSSION: The third paragraph expands a version of the dark energy theory introduced in paragraph 2. This version says that vacuum energy from virtual particles could explain the universe’s acceleration.

The paragraph also highlights an issue with this theory: the mismatch between predicted vacuum energy and what observations require.

___________

1. The paragraph never questions the supernova data. It critiques a theoretical model, not the empirical findings.
2. It describes one approach using particle physics, not a requirement that all explanations do so.
3. CORRECT. It explains vacuum dark energy models and highlights a flaw.
4. No conflict between data sets is discussed, and no resolution is claimed.
5. Einstein is discussed in paragraph 2.