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 2 would most likely respond to the statement in the fifth sentence of Passage 1 ('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') by arguing that:
- A. industrialized nations pose a greater threat to the environment than do developing nations
- B. many fertilizers are organic substances that produce no ill effects in humans
- C. agricultural chemicals can be used on a small scale and still significantly improve crop yields
- D. the use of pesticides is unnecessary if high-yield crop varieties are adopted
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C aligns with the idea that improving crop yields can be achieved through targeted use of agricultural chemicals, suggesting a balanced approach rather than widespread reliance. This reflects the author's likely advocacy for sustainable practices that enhance productivity without overwhelming environmental concerns. Option A diverts the focus to industrialized nations, which may not directly address the statement's emphasis on developing nations' agricultural needs. Option B incorrectly implies that all fertilizers are harmless, overlooking potential environmental impacts. Option D dismisses the potential benefits of pesticides entirely, which may not align with the author's nuanced view on agricultural practices.
Option C aligns with the idea that improving crop yields can be achieved through targeted use of agricultural chemicals, suggesting a balanced approach rather than widespread reliance. This reflects the author's likely advocacy for sustainable practices that enhance productivity without overwhelming environmental concerns. Option A diverts the focus to industrialized nations, which may not directly address the statement's emphasis on developing nations' agricultural needs. Option B incorrectly implies that all fertilizers are harmless, overlooking potential environmental impacts. Option D dismisses the potential benefits of pesticides entirely, which may not align with the author's nuanced view on agricultural practices.
Other Related Questions
In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was only a subplot in a historical drama of time, place, and people that had been playing for thousands of years') chiefly serves to:
- A. call attention to the age of the United States as a nation
- B. question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark
- C. trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition
- D. place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The metaphor emphasizes the Lewis and Clark expedition as part of a much larger historical narrative, illustrating its significance within the vast timeline of human events. This context helps readers understand that while the expedition was important, it is just one chapter in a much larger story. Option A incorrectly focuses solely on the age of the United States, missing the broader historical context. Option B misinterprets the metaphor by suggesting it critiques the literary value of the writings, which is not the focus. Option C wrongly implies that the metaphor diminishes the expedition's significance, whereas it actually situates it within a grander narrative.
The metaphor emphasizes the Lewis and Clark expedition as part of a much larger historical narrative, illustrating its significance within the vast timeline of human events. This context helps readers understand that while the expedition was important, it is just one chapter in a much larger story. Option A incorrectly focuses solely on the age of the United States, missing the broader historical context. Option B misinterprets the metaphor by suggesting it critiques the literary value of the writings, which is not the focus. Option C wrongly implies that the metaphor diminishes the expedition's significance, whereas it actually situates it within a grander narrative.
The author implies that the social sciences:
- A. are valued for their techniques
- B. can make no contribution to progress
- C. cannot deal with long-term issues
- D. may someday add to the world's knowledge
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The social sciences are portrayed as fields that hold potential for future contributions to global knowledge, indicating optimism about their evolving role. Option A suggests that their value lies solely in techniques, which limits their broader impact. Option B dismisses their potential entirely, contradicting the author's implication of future contributions. Option C incorrectly asserts that social sciences cannot address long-term issues, overlooking their capability to analyze historical trends and societal changes. Thus, the emphasis on future contributions aligns best with the text's implications.
The social sciences are portrayed as fields that hold potential for future contributions to global knowledge, indicating optimism about their evolving role. Option A suggests that their value lies solely in techniques, which limits their broader impact. Option B dismisses their potential entirely, contradicting the author's implication of future contributions. Option C incorrectly asserts that social sciences cannot address long-term issues, overlooking their capability to analyze historical trends and societal changes. Thus, the emphasis on future contributions aligns best with the text's implications.
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.
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.