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
The narrator primarily portrays the woman she is observing as someone who is:
- A. modest and self-effacing
- B. imposing and dignified
- C. youthful and energetic
- D. angry and impatient
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The portrayal of the woman emphasizes her imposing and dignified presence, suggesting strength and confidence. This is evident through her posture and the way she commands attention in her environment. Option A, modest and self-effacing, contradicts the strong impression she leaves, as she does not appear to shy away from the spotlight. Option C, youthful and energetic, overlooks the woman's gravitas and maturity, focusing instead on a fleeting quality. Option D, angry and impatient, misrepresents her demeanor, which is more composed and authoritative than reactive. Thus, the emphasis on dignity and presence aligns best with the narrator's observations.
The portrayal of the woman emphasizes her imposing and dignified presence, suggesting strength and confidence. This is evident through her posture and the way she commands attention in her environment. Option A, modest and self-effacing, contradicts the strong impression she leaves, as she does not appear to shy away from the spotlight. Option C, youthful and energetic, overlooks the woman's gravitas and maturity, focusing instead on a fleeting quality. Option D, angry and impatient, misrepresents her demeanor, which is more composed and authoritative than reactive. Thus, the emphasis on dignity and presence aligns best with the narrator's observations.
Which of the following results is LEAST compatible with the goal expressed in the third sentence of Passage 2 ('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')?
- A. An international ban on the use of agrochemicals drives several multinational corporations out of business
- B. A species of bird becomes extinct after forests in which these birds nested are cleared to create farmland
- C. A rural community shows an increased rate of disease after local farmers adopt chemical-intensive techniques
- D. Government subsidies to farmers encourage overproduction of certain crops to the detriment of others
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C is least compatible with the goal of increasing crop yields while protecting human health and the environment. An increase in disease rates due to chemical-intensive farming directly contradicts the aim of safeguarding human health. Option A, while it may harm businesses, reflects a move towards environmentally sensitive practices by banning harmful chemicals. Option B highlights the negative ecological impact of deforestation for agriculture, which undermines environmental health. Option D addresses overproduction and its ecological consequences, aligning with the need for sustainable practices. Thus, C is the option that most clearly opposes the stated goal.
Option C is least compatible with the goal of increasing crop yields while protecting human health and the environment. An increase in disease rates due to chemical-intensive farming directly contradicts the aim of safeguarding human health. Option A, while it may harm businesses, reflects a move towards environmentally sensitive practices by banning harmful chemicals. Option B highlights the negative ecological impact of deforestation for agriculture, which undermines environmental health. Option D addresses overproduction and its ecological consequences, aligning with the need for sustainable practices. Thus, C is the option that most clearly opposes the stated goal.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence? 'Some experts reject the implication that Çatalhöyük’s farmers cultivated distant fields, since large quantities of grain would have had to be transported.'
- A. Çatalhöyük's farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.
- B. Çatalhöyük's farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.
- C. Çatalhöyük's farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.
- D. Çatalhöyük's farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A directly challenges the implication that farmers at Çatalhöyük cultivated distant fields by suggesting they obtained the grains through trade instead. This undermines the need for transporting large quantities of grain from faraway locations, thus supporting the idea that local cultivation was not necessary. Option B focuses on soil conditions but does not address the transportation issue, leaving the original implication intact. Option C implies shared resources with neighbors but does not clarify whether these fields were local or distant, failing to challenge the transportation concern. Option D discusses environmental factors unrelated to the cultivation and transport of grain, making it irrelevant to the implication.
Option A directly challenges the implication that farmers at Çatalhöyük cultivated distant fields by suggesting they obtained the grains through trade instead. This undermines the need for transporting large quantities of grain from faraway locations, thus supporting the idea that local cultivation was not necessary. Option B focuses on soil conditions but does not address the transportation issue, leaving the original implication intact. Option C implies shared resources with neighbors but does not clarify whether these fields were local or distant, failing to challenge the transportation concern. Option D discusses environmental factors unrelated to the cultivation and transport of grain, making it irrelevant to the implication.
The final paragraph suggests that seeing the woman has caused the narrator to:
- A. face the negative feelings she has about her new home
- B. realize that she misses her mother more than she admits
- C. think about her own feelings about her family and background
- D. remember the reason she moved away from her home country
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The final paragraph emphasizes the narrator's introspection triggered by seeing the woman, leading her to reflect on her own feelings about family and background. This deep connection to identity is central to her experience. Option A misinterprets the focus; while negative feelings may exist, the emphasis is on personal reflection rather than facing negativity. Option B suggests a specific emotion related to her mother, which is not explicitly indicated in the text. Option D implies a recollection of her reasons for moving, but the paragraph centers more on her current emotional state rather than past motivations.
The final paragraph emphasizes the narrator's introspection triggered by seeing the woman, leading her to reflect on her own feelings about family and background. This deep connection to identity is central to her experience. Option A misinterprets the focus; while negative feelings may exist, the emphasis is on personal reflection rather than facing negativity. Option B suggests a specific emotion related to her mother, which is not explicitly indicated in the text. Option D implies a recollection of her reasons for moving, but the paragraph centers more on her current emotional state rather than past motivations.