<p>This is page 727 number 21. Test 6 Section 7.
"What would the author of Passage 2 most likely say about the sort of report mentioned in lines 17-19 of Passage 1?"</p>
<p>Can someone please explain why the answer is D and please explain why A and B are wrong? I understand C and E are wrong.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>The same applies to number 16 on the same passage.(Answer D)</p>
<p>My approach: He seems to be criticizing those who psychologically believe skin cancer is caused by the ozone layer…I don’t see how it’s really a psychological fact. I put B- I thought he was basically saying we’re fearful not due to environmental reality but spoonfed propaganda…and that it shouldn’t be frighting.</p>
<p>nostalgic…here’s an explanation regarding #21 on page 727:</p>
<p>I think the problem you’re having is that you’re either not grasping or not paying attention to what the author of Passage 2 is really saying, what his or her Main Idea is. The author of Passage 2 is saying that the environmental movement’s efforts to make the public aware of the dangers of pollution, which have included frequent and constant “pessimistic appraisals,” have been successful. Basically, the environmental movement issued these dire reports and warnings, and they resulting in laws and regulations which have been extremely effective in curbing some of the ill effects of pollution (lines 51-63). </p>
<p>Yet the environmental movement and politicians, even in the face of these successes, continue to be pessimistic, continue to make it seem like it’s all doom and gloom. (The author discusses some of the reasons that people continue to be pessimistic, but those reasons are not really relevant to this question.) </p>
<p>So, basically, the author is saying that the reports and warnings helped to make things better, and yet everyone is still being so pessimistic when in fact, we should be happy about our progress.</p>
<p>Answers (A) and (B) have nothing to do with what the author of Passage 2 is saying. He’s not saying the people who issued the reports and the dire warnings were “unethical” or that the reports resulted from “scientific uncertainty”; he never says or even implies any such things, and if you think he does, show me where in the passage you’re getting your evidence.</p>
<p>While (A) and (B) may be true in some people’s opinion (maybe even yours), those people’s opinions are not what this question is asking about. This question is asking about the opinion of the author of Passage 2, and again, this author is saying that the reports and warnings were a good thing because they led to changes that have helped the environment, and now it’s time to end the pessimism and “trumpet the record of success” (line 89). Hence, “the reports served a purpose in their time,” but now that the changes made have been successful, it’s time to stop being so negative.</p>
<p>Just one last point…there is a key line in Passage 2 which is pretty much a dead giveaway that (D) is correct, but you’ve got to have a really good grasp of vocabulary to truly understand what the statement means: “This line of thought is an anachronism, rendered obsolete by its own successes” (lines 75-76). Translation: this idea that we are still in great danger from the damage we’re doing to the environment is an “out of date” (anachronistic) idea, and it “has been made” (rendered) “no longer needed” (obsolete) because of it has been successful in effecting change.</p>
<p>I hope all of this makes sense. I know others may have offered you a more succinct response, but I just wanted to give you as thorough and clear an answer as possible.</p>
<p>I know I am not the OP but thank you so much. I took this practice test yesterday and you really cleared it up for me. In fact, you have enlightened me in general on a better way to attack the critical reading passages. i must prove others are wrong not just an answer that is 50% correct. Once again. Thanks.</p>
<p>@michaelzev, great explanation. I was just studying Direct Hits, and learned the word “anachronistic” which helped me understand the key line you referenced, just to let everyone know.</p>
<p>800inmath & collegecrazey: Glad you found the explanation useful. I’m happy to help with any other questions.</p>