The author’s attitude toward current human efforts to save the Javan rhino can best be described as

(A) optimistic and worthwhile
(B) pointless and doomed
(C) idealistic but profitable
(D) problematic and ironic
(E) confused but heroic


OA - D

my question regarding the OA

How do you justify problematic and ironic

D) CORRECT. The discussion of the mixed results and poor prognosis for the population in Vietnam justifies “problematic.” The last sentence of the passage, observing that benevolence has proved little better than maltreatment justifies “ironic.” Also, the author references the ironic quality of human protection of the Javan rhino in the 8th sentence in the 2nd paragraph, “Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer.”

I am not convinced with this explanation.
It is ironic that the lack of human disturbance is helping the animal . But can you say that the author's attitude toward current human efforts is ironic ?

Similarly for problematic, Passage says that farmers used to shot the animal. How can you conclude something about current human efforts from this statement ?

Please clarify.

Problematic - not supported by any text in the passage

Ironic - just one example is stated . Cannot be termed as the overall tone of the passage

Instructors - Ron/Stacey/Stuart ...Please explain

I was asked to contribute, which I'll do, although hrishi has aptly explained why B is correct.

Here are the two phrases that 100% support B:

"Now, human efforts to save them may well prove futile."

and

"Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer. Thus, human benevolence may prove little better for these rhinos than past human maltreatment."

Since the entire passage is written in the author's voice (i.e. the author doesn't distance herself from the text with phrases like "some people believe" and "many biologists think"), both of those statements are believed by the author.

Stuart,

Ironically u missed a point here..Its D and not B.

Plz post your explanation again. I am not convinced with option D completely. Yes it is ironic ..but I don't c Problematic

The author’s attitude toward current human efforts

Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer.

Problematic : read the last line "human benevolence may prove little better for " -- it means that human efforts may not prove much fruitful in saving rhinos.
Hence problematic attitude.