Each of the following is supported by one or both of the passages EXCEPT:

Batman January 26, 2014

Need your help

I understand the answer goes to the(E), but I can hardly understand there are some expressions referring or inferring "clay is an IMPORTANT constitution..." on the passage ( according to choice (a) ) Thanks

Replies

Create a free account to read and take part in forum discussions.

Already have an account? log in

Naz January 29, 2014

It seems like you're asking to point out where in the passage(s) answer choice (A) is supported. If that is not your question, please clarify and we will make sure to answer.

The following sentences all support answer choice (A): "Clay is an important constituent of many, if not all, drilling muds."

Passage A

"Drilling muds are made of bentonite and other clays and polymers," (lines 12-13). So we know drilling muds are made of bentonite and other clays. The author of Passage A using the adjective "other" for clay means that bentonite is also a clay. The author is saying that drilling muds are made of bentonite (a type of clay) and other clays.

Passage B

"One type of mud - water-based mud (WBM) - is a mixture of water, bentonite clay and chemical additives," (lines 38-40). Here the author of passage B is telling us that WBM is made up of three main ingredients, one of which is clay.

So, as you can see, both passage A and B support answer choice (A), whereas there is never any mention of drilling mud being continuously discharged into the sea during the drilling of an oil well. That is why answer choice (E) is the correct answer and answer choice (A) is not.

Hope that helped! Let us know if you need any clarifications.

Andrew January 20, 2021

How can we tell that clay is an important ingredient? The passage never explicitly mentioned that clay is an important ingredient, just that it is an ingredient.

Victoria January 28, 2021

Hi @Andrew,

Happy to help!

We learn from Passage B that bentonite is a type of clay (see line 39).

Passage A tells us that "drilling muds are made of bentonite and other clays and polymers" (lines 12-14). The muds contain both bentonite clay and other clays which are then mixed with fluid.

Therefore, we can conclude that clay must be an important constituent of drilling muds because they are a required component of the base that is then mixed with fluid to create the mud.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.