GMAT Verbal Test Prep

Category - GMAT Verbal Practice Test Questions

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for “white gold” jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world’s palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.

Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth’s surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth’s crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana’s Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.

Which is a valid comparison supported by this passage?
  1. Gold is more expensive than platinum.
  2. Silver, gold, platinum, and palladium are very similar.
  3. Gold is softer than palladium.
  4. Platinum is softer than palladium.
Explanation
Answer [D]: Since palladium is described as being harder than platinum, a valid comparison is that platinum is softer than palladium. The comparative prices of the different metals are not indicated. While silver, gold, platinum and palladium are all traded by investors, that is the only similarity indicated.
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