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By the beginning of the 20th century, several hypotheses were being proposed, suggesting a paradigm shift in our understanding of the universe. However, the clinching evidence was provided by experimental measurements of the position of a star which was directly behind our sun.
Which off the following inferences (s) may be drown from the above passage?
(i) Out understanding of the universe changes based on the positions of stars
(ii) Paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries
(iii) Stars are important objects in the universe
(iv) Experimental evidence was important in confirming this paradigm shift
(i), (ii) and (iii)
(iii) only
(i) and (iv)
(iv) only
Paradigm shift means a fundamental change in approach to something or change in the underlying assumptions in relation to something. This change, as per the question, was verified with the experimental measurements of the position of a star that was behind the sun.
(i) is incorrect as it generalizes the experimental evidence of the star and assumes it to be always true, which may not be the case every time.
(ii) is also incorrect. If there was a paradigm shift at the beginning of the 20th century, it does not necessarily means that all paradigm shifts usually occur at the beginning of centuries.
(iii) is incorrect as it again generalizes an experimental statement. Stars proved to be important in the given case does not necessarily imply that they would be important every time.
(iv) is correct as it is clearly understood from the given case conditions that this experimental measurements provided a clinching (solid/concrete) evidence to our understanding of the universe.