Environmental Alarmists

Answer choices

1. A

   No Solution2% picked this

   providing examples of possible solutions to a

   As we mentioned in our anticipation, this could be called a Problem / Solution type passage, but the author never delivered a solution. It was really just calling out the problem and informing the reader about how it came to pass / how it differs from before.

   2%
2. B

   Too Strong: equally valid4% picked this

   explaining how conflicting viewpoints in a current debate are

   The author is presenting viewpoints of industrialists and environmentalists, but this is not an even-handed comparison. She doesn't like the new environmentalists. The author resents the alarmism and antagonism of where the environmental movement has gone. She is complimenting the environmentalists of the past for having done a better job of appreciating the interests of industry.

   4%
3. C

   Weak Match4% picked this

   determining which of two conflicting viewpoints in a current debate is

   We could infer which of the two conflicting viewpoints (industry vs. environmentalists) the author thinks is more persuasive (not the new school environmentalists). She describes that new school perspective as gloomier, and a mystique. She definitely thinks it's less persuasive than Marsh's views. But this isn't anything like what we thought the big picture was, when we asked ourselves before being confused by the answers. We said Problem (w/o Solution) or Old / New. The author is telling a before / after story. A sad change from a better environmental movement to a worse one.

   4%
4. D

   Correct87% picked this

   outlining the background and development of conflicting viewpoints in a

   Why this is right

   This edges out (C) because this reflects the Old / New big picture of the passage. The background/development (Old) leading up to the current (New). It's certainly not how we'd write our version of the correct answer, because we'd probably convey more of the idea that "one side of this current debate has evolved in a problematic way." But it's not-wrong, and that's good enough.

   Skill tested: Primary Purpose · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

   87%
5. E

   Out of Scope: demonstrating weaknesses3% picked this

   demonstrating weaknesses in the arguments made by one side in a

   This answer sounds like we read a Challenge Position passage, which was not how we intuitively reacted to this passage or question stem. Like (C), the reader can infer some of the content of what this answer choice is talking about. By presenting us with the Old (seemingly superior) arguments made by Marsh and the New (gloomier / extremely polarized) arguments made by modern environmentalists, we could infer weaknesses in their arguments. But most of the passage is not applicable to this answer. It would only apply to paragraphs 4 and 5. Finally, most of the author's objections were more about tone and tactics of the new school environmentalists. There wasn't much deconstruction of arguments.

   3%