VivianKerr wrote:You posted the passage, but no notes. Make sure to create a detailed passage map for each GMAT passage and properly rephrase each question and make a prediction. The only way to Beat RC is by being thorough.
PASSAGE MAP:
Topic - the idea of ecological doom
Scope - its development
1st P - to introduce that "doom idea" developed w/Carson ("increasing urgency")
2nd P - to show good results from Carson's book (political movement + laws "stunning success")
3rd P - to describe recycling developments ("major growth")
4th P - to praise America's protection of endangered species (++)
5th P - to concede that there ARE some problems but reiterate benefits
6th P - to reinforce fact that despite progress, "doom idea" continues
Author's POV - "doom idea" is (-); environmental progress is (+)
Overall Purpose - to explain that "doom idea" persists despite progress
QUESTION 1
Rephrase - "What's not true?"
This is a detail question. You'll need to go back to the passage to eliminate details from the passage.
A - CORRECT. This is false. The passage states their emissions are "declining" but to say "no longer" is extreme.
B - Eliminate. This is supported by the discussion of recycling.
C - Eliminate. Supported by the 3rd paragraph.
D - Eliminate. Supported by the 3rd paragraph.
E - Eliminate. Supported by 1st sentence of 5th paragraph.
QUESTION 2
Rephrase - "Which is NOT a plausible reason for the "doom idea"?"
Prediction - This is an Inference question because of the word "plausible." Start by elminating the details from the passage which gives the reasons of: Carson's book, reluctant environmentalists, the left and the right is afraid, etc.
A - CORRECT. "Tacitly agreed to play it down" implies they are not "unaware."
B - Eliminate. This is plausible.
C - Eliminate. Supported by final paragraph.
D - Eliminate. Supported by 2nd paragraph.
E - Eliminate. Supported by final paragraph.
QUESTION 3
Rephrase - "What does the passage say about the right?"
Prediction - In the final paragraph, it states the right "is afraid of the good news because it shows that governmental regulations might occasionally amount to something...produce benefits at an affordable cost."
A - Eliminate. The Endagered Species Act is regulatory.
B - Eliminate. There is nothing to indicate the right would support the successes of the program.
C - CORRECT. This describes the author's criticisms.
D - Eliminate. It HAS shown success.
E - Eliminate. The right is described as disliking regulation.
QUESTION 4
Rephrase - "What's the function of p.3?"
Prediction - We can go straight back to our Passage Map for this one: 3rd P - to describe recycling developments ("major growth"); we need a Positive choice. This is between C and D. I would choose D.
A - Eliminate. Negative.
B - Eliminate. Too specific.
C - Eliminate. This seems to fit the overall purpose, but no specific commentary is offered in this paragraph about "certain groups of people."
D - CORRECT. This relates most specifically to the individual paragraph.
E - Eliminate. No specific agenda is mentioned.