17. Which one of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Although the new abiogenic theory about the origin of oil is derived from the conventional biogenic theory, it suggests new types of locations for oil drilling.

(B) The small number of drilling companies that have responded to the new abiogenic theory about the origin of oil reflects the minimal level of acceptance the theory has met with in the scientific community.

(C) Although the new abiogenic theory about the origin of oil fails to explain several enigmas about oil reservoirs, it is superior to the conventional biogenic theory.

(D) Although it has yet to receive either support or refutation by data gathered from a drilling project, the new abiogenic theory about the origin of oil offers a plausible alternative to the conventional biogenic theory.

(E) Having answered objections about higher pressures in the earth's core, proponents of the new abiogenic theory have gained broad acceptance for their theory in the scientific community.

18. Which one of the following best describes the function of the third paragraph?

(A) It presents a view opposed to a theory and points out an internal contradiction in that opposing view.

(B) It describes a criticism of a theory and provides countervailing evidence to the criticism.

(C) It identifies a conflict between two views of a theory and revises both views.

(D) It explains an argument against a theory and shows it to be a valid criticism.

(E) It points out the correspondence between an argument against one theory and arguments against similar theories.

19. The passage suggests that the opponents of the abiogenic theory mentioned in the third paragraph would most probably agree with which one of the following statements?

(A) The formation of oil does not involve the condensation of hydrocarbons released from the earth's mantle.

(B) Large oil reserves are often found in locations that contain small amounts of organic matter.

(C) The eruptive processes by which diamonds are brought to the earth's surface are similar to those that aid in the formation of oil.

(D) Motions of the crustal plates often create the pressure necessary to transform organic matter into oil.

(E) The largest known oil reserves may have resulted from organic matter combining with heavier hydrocarbons carried by methane gas.

20. Which one of the following is most analogous to the situation described in the final paragraph?

(A) A new theory about the annual cycles of breeding and migration of the monarch butterfly has led scientists to look for similar patterns in other butterfly species.

(B) A new theory about the stage at which a star collapses into a black hole has led astronomers to search for evidence of black holes in parts of the universe where they had not previously searched.

(C) A new theory about how the emission of sulfur dioxide during coal-burning can be reduced has led several companies to develop desulfurization systems.

(D) A new theory about photosynthesis has convinced a research team to explore in new ways the various functions of the cell membrane in plant cells.

(E) A new theory about the distribution of metals in rock formations has convinced a silver-mining company to keep different types of records of its operations.

21. According to the passage all of the following are true of the Siljan Ring EXCEPT:

(A) It was formed from magma.

(B) It does not contain organic sediments.

(C) Its ring shape existed 500 million years ago.

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