Comprehension
Objectively, of course, the various ecosystems that sustain life on the planet proceed independently of human agency, just as they operated before the hectic ascendancy of Homo sapiens. But it is also true that it is difficult to think of a single such system that has not, for better or worse, been substantially modified by human culture. Nor is this simply the work of the industrial centuries. It has been happening since the days of ancient Mesopotamia. It is coeval with the origins of writing, and has occurred throughout our social existence. And it is this irreversibly modified world, from the polar caps to the equatorial forests, that is all the nature we have.
Question: 1
It can be inferred from the passage that the author would agree with which of the following statements? (Select all that apply.)
It can be inferred from the passage that the author would agree with which of the following statements? (Select all that apply.)
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For inference questions, be wary of answer choices that use absolute words ("only," "always") or introduce concepts not mentioned in the text (like "benign" or "inadvertent"). The correct inference should be a logical consequence of the author's stated claims.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- Over time, the impact of human culture on the natural world has been largely benign.
- It is a mistake to think that the natural world contains many areas of pristine wilderness.
- The only substantial effects that human agency has had on ecosystems have been inadvertent.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks us to identify which statement(s) can be logically inferred from the passage. We must evaluate each option based on the information and tone provided by the author.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author's central argument is that human culture has "substantially modified" nearly every ecosystem on Earth. This modification is described as ancient, widespread ("from the polar caps to the equatorial forests"), and "irreversible." The conclusion is that this "modified world ... is all the nature we have."
Analyzing the Options:
(A) Over time, the impact of human culture on the natural world has been largely benign.
The passage does not support this. The author explicitly states the modifications have been "for better or worse," which is a neutral stance, not a positive one like "benign."
(B) It is a mistake to think that the natural world contains many areas of pristine wilderness.
This is a direct and strong inference from the text. "Pristine wilderness" means an area untouched by humans. If virtually every system has been "substantially modified" and this "irreversibly modified world... is all the nature we have," then it is indeed a mistake to believe that many pristine areas still exist. The author's argument is that such areas are nearly impossible to find.
(C) The only substantial effects that human agency has had on ecosystems have been inadvertent.
The passage does not discuss the \textit{intent} of human actions. It focuses on the effects, not whether they were deliberate or accidental ("inadvertent"). Therefore, this statement cannot be inferred.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Only statement (B) is strongly supported by the author's argument that the entire planet has been modified by human culture.
This question asks us to identify which statement(s) can be logically inferred from the passage. We must evaluate each option based on the information and tone provided by the author.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author's central argument is that human culture has "substantially modified" nearly every ecosystem on Earth. This modification is described as ancient, widespread ("from the polar caps to the equatorial forests"), and "irreversible." The conclusion is that this "modified world ... is all the nature we have."
Analyzing the Options:
(A) Over time, the impact of human culture on the natural world has been largely benign.
The passage does not support this. The author explicitly states the modifications have been "for better or worse," which is a neutral stance, not a positive one like "benign."
(B) It is a mistake to think that the natural world contains many areas of pristine wilderness.
This is a direct and strong inference from the text. "Pristine wilderness" means an area untouched by humans. If virtually every system has been "substantially modified" and this "irreversibly modified world... is all the nature we have," then it is indeed a mistake to believe that many pristine areas still exist. The author's argument is that such areas are nearly impossible to find.
(C) The only substantial effects that human agency has had on ecosystems have been inadvertent.
The passage does not discuss the \textit{intent} of human actions. It focuses on the effects, not whether they were deliberate or accidental ("inadvertent"). Therefore, this statement cannot be inferred.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Only statement (B) is strongly supported by the author's argument that the entire planet has been modified by human culture.
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Question: 2
The phrase "coeval with" appears in the fifth sentence of the passage. That sentence reads, "It is coeval with the origins of writing, and has occurred throughout our social existence." In the context in which it appears, "coeval with" most nearly means
The phrase "coeval with" appears in the fifth sentence of the passage. That sentence reads, "It is coeval with the origins of writing, and has occurred throughout our social existence." In the context in which it appears, "coeval with" most nearly means
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When you encounter a difficult vocabulary word, use the context clues around it. The author is tracing a historical timeline ("since the days of ancient Mesopotamia," "origins of writing," "throughout our social existence"). These clues strongly suggest the word relates to time.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- influenced by
- older than
- coincident with
- unimpeded by
- similar to
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a vocabulary-in-context question. We must determine the meaning of "coeval with" based on the sentence and the overall argument of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage argues that human modification of the environment is not a recent phenomenon but an ancient one, dating back to Mesopotamia. The fifth sentence reinforces this point by stating that this modification ("It") is "coeval with the origins of writing." The author is establishing a temporal link, suggesting that human modification of nature has been happening for as long as human civilization (as marked by writing) has existed. Therefore, "coeval with" means existing or originating during the same time period.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) influenced by: This suggests a causal relationship, which is not the primary meaning here. The point is about timing, not cause.
(B) older than: This contradicts the intended meaning of occurring at the same time.
(C) coincident with: This means occurring at or during the same time. This is a perfect synonym for "coeval with."
(D) unimpeded by: This means not obstructed by, which is irrelevant to the context of time.
(E) similar to: This suggests a resemblance, but the relationship described is temporal, not comparative.
Step 3: Final Answer:
"Coincident with" best captures the meaning of "coeval with," which is used to indicate that two things originated or existed at the same time.
This is a vocabulary-in-context question. We must determine the meaning of "coeval with" based on the sentence and the overall argument of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage argues that human modification of the environment is not a recent phenomenon but an ancient one, dating back to Mesopotamia. The fifth sentence reinforces this point by stating that this modification ("It") is "coeval with the origins of writing." The author is establishing a temporal link, suggesting that human modification of nature has been happening for as long as human civilization (as marked by writing) has existed. Therefore, "coeval with" means existing or originating during the same time period.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) influenced by: This suggests a causal relationship, which is not the primary meaning here. The point is about timing, not cause.
(B) older than: This contradicts the intended meaning of occurring at the same time.
(C) coincident with: This means occurring at or during the same time. This is a perfect synonym for "coeval with."
(D) unimpeded by: This means not obstructed by, which is irrelevant to the context of time.
(E) similar to: This suggests a resemblance, but the relationship described is temporal, not comparative.
Step 3: Final Answer:
"Coincident with" best captures the meaning of "coeval with," which is used to indicate that two things originated or existed at the same time.
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