For those of us who wish to preserve the planet’s diversity of species, high-tech, chemically assisted agriculture is an environmentalist’s best friend. That’s right. Soaring growth in human population threatens to destroy most of the world’s remaining rainforests, wetlands, and mountain ecosystems, drastically reducing species diversity. Despite advances in chemical-free farming techniques, overreliance on these practices will result in the plowing down of forests to feed a global population that is estimated to reach 9.6 billion people by 2050. Environmentalists must face the fact that unless high-yield crop varieties, pesticides, and fertilizers are widely used in developing nations, the world’s food supply will be outstripped by spiraling demand. This will mean more forests falling under the plow. I couldn’t agree more that it’s crucial to step up agricultural productivity to feed a spiraling global population. My quarrel is with how to intensify agriculture, not whether it should be intensified. The paramount concern must be to increase crop yields in environmentally sensitive ways that protect human health and the soil and water that are agriculture’s very foundation. Heavy use of agrochemicals can bring high yields in the short run, but the cumulative damages may be considerable. Those of us whose research demonstrates that resource-conserving farming practices can be just as productive as the chemical-intensive kind contend that the goal should be efficient use of chemicals, not wide use.
The author of Passage 1 uses the phrase 'That's right' in order to:
- A. acknowledge that a claim may be surprising
- B. confirm that a prediction was accurate
- C. concede that a criticism has merit
- D. emphasize that a debate has been settled
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The phrase "That's right" is used to acknowledge a statement or claim, often indicating that it may be unexpected or surprising to the audience. This aligns with option A, as it highlights an awareness of the potential shock value of the claim. Option B is incorrect because confirming a prediction implies certainty and agreement with a prior statement, which is not the intent of the phrase. Option C misinterprets the phrase's meaning; conceding a criticism suggests acceptance of fault, which does not fit the context. Option D also misses the mark, as emphasizing a settled debate would imply finality, whereas "That's right" suggests an ongoing dialogue rather than closure.
The phrase "That's right" is used to acknowledge a statement or claim, often indicating that it may be unexpected or surprising to the audience. This aligns with option A, as it highlights an awareness of the potential shock value of the claim. Option B is incorrect because confirming a prediction implies certainty and agreement with a prior statement, which is not the intent of the phrase. Option C misinterprets the phrase's meaning; conceding a criticism suggests acceptance of fault, which does not fit the context. Option D also misses the mark, as emphasizing a settled debate would imply finality, whereas "That's right" suggests an ongoing dialogue rather than closure.
Other Related Questions
Which of the following statements does the passage most directly counter?
- A. Having a non-arts job stifles and detracts from an artist's creative work
- B. For people working in non-arts professions, art is more than just an entertaining distraction
- C. The poetry of William Carlos Williams exemplifies autobiographical poetry
- D. Work and art cannot meaningfully complement each other
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is effectively countered by the passage, which likely illustrates how work and art can coexist and enhance each other, suggesting that they can provide mutual inspiration and growth. Option A misrepresents the relationship between non-arts jobs and creativity, as the passage may argue that such jobs can actually foster artistic development rather than hinder it. Option B acknowledges the significance of art in non-arts professions, which aligns with the idea that art can coexist with other careers, rather than opposing them. Option C focuses on a specific aspect of poetry that is unrelated to the broader theme of work and art's relationship, making it less relevant to the passage's main argument.
Option D is effectively countered by the passage, which likely illustrates how work and art can coexist and enhance each other, suggesting that they can provide mutual inspiration and growth. Option A misrepresents the relationship between non-arts jobs and creativity, as the passage may argue that such jobs can actually foster artistic development rather than hinder it. Option B acknowledges the significance of art in non-arts professions, which aligns with the idea that art can coexist with other careers, rather than opposing them. Option C focuses on a specific aspect of poetry that is unrelated to the broader theme of work and art's relationship, making it less relevant to the passage's main argument.
Both authors indicate that meeting the world's food needs should not come at the expense of:
- A. innovative farming practices
- B. environmental integrity
- C. humane treatment of animals
- D. economic development
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Meeting the world’s food needs should prioritize environmental integrity, as it ensures sustainable practices that protect ecosystems for future generations. If environmental health is compromised, long-term agricultural productivity is at risk. Option A, innovative farming practices, while important, can still be pursued without sacrificing environmental integrity. Option C, humane treatment of animals, is critical but may not directly relate to the broader environmental concerns outlined by the authors. Option D, economic development, is essential for food security, but it should not overshadow the imperative of maintaining ecological balance.
Meeting the world’s food needs should prioritize environmental integrity, as it ensures sustainable practices that protect ecosystems for future generations. If environmental health is compromised, long-term agricultural productivity is at risk. Option A, innovative farming practices, while important, can still be pursued without sacrificing environmental integrity. Option C, humane treatment of animals, is critical but may not directly relate to the broader environmental concerns outlined by the authors. Option D, economic development, is essential for food security, but it should not overshadow the imperative of maintaining ecological balance.
It can most reasonably be inferred from the passage that the music products industry would have a higher share of the e-commerce market if:
- A. entry-level school music instruments were sold to schools' music directors rather than directly to students
- B. the consumer market were to place less value on convenience and variety and more on competitive pricing
- C. a few types of music products sold predominantly in brick-and-mortar stores were excluded from the calculation
- D. brick-and-mortar store managers improved customer service and provided better training for their installation experts
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The inference about the music products industry’s higher e-commerce market share hinges on the exclusion of certain products sold mainly in physical stores. If these items are not considered, the e-commerce segment could appear more dominant. Option A suggests a shift in sales strategy, but it doesn’t directly impact the overall market share dynamics. Option B misplaces the focus on consumer preferences, which does not inherently increase e-commerce share. Option D addresses customer service improvements in physical stores, which would not enhance online sales. Thus, excluding certain products from the calculation is the most logical inference for a higher e-commerce share.
The inference about the music products industry’s higher e-commerce market share hinges on the exclusion of certain products sold mainly in physical stores. If these items are not considered, the e-commerce segment could appear more dominant. Option A suggests a shift in sales strategy, but it doesn’t directly impact the overall market share dynamics. Option B misplaces the focus on consumer preferences, which does not inherently increase e-commerce share. Option D addresses customer service improvements in physical stores, which would not enhance online sales. Thus, excluding certain products from the calculation is the most logical inference for a higher e-commerce share.
In context, the statement that the woman is 'draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen' (sentence 10) primarily:
- A. reveals the narrator's assumptions about the woman's income
- B. explains why the woman might be uncomfortable in the cold weather
- C. shows how different the woman's clothing is from the narrator's clothing
- D. emphasizes how out of place the woman seems in the surrounding environment
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The description of the woman being "draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen" emphasizes her opulent attire, suggesting she is out of place in her surroundings. This stark contrast highlights her distinctiveness compared to the environment, reinforcing her isolation. Option A misinterprets the focus on income rather than the visual impact of her clothing. Option B incorrectly assumes discomfort from the cold, which is not the primary focus of the imagery. Option C, while noting a difference in clothing, fails to capture the broader context of the woman’s disconnection from her environment, which is central to the statement.
The description of the woman being "draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen" emphasizes her opulent attire, suggesting she is out of place in her surroundings. This stark contrast highlights her distinctiveness compared to the environment, reinforcing her isolation. Option A misinterprets the focus on income rather than the visual impact of her clothing. Option B incorrectly assumes discomfort from the cold, which is not the primary focus of the imagery. Option C, while noting a difference in clothing, fails to capture the broader context of the woman’s disconnection from her environment, which is central to the statement.