I'm not sure why the answer to this question is (A) rather than (E). While it is true that the author goes to great lengths to confute the critics of his particular geographical perspective (ie,... "forests, in particular, had been altered to varying degrees well before the arrival of the Europeans"), the author seems more interested in advancing this position in opposition to a previous consensus, rather than merely trying to "(A) refute CERTAIN researchers' views."
(A) just seems too narrow, all the while the author maintains that "the myth persists that in 1492 the Western Hemisphere was an untamed wilderness and that it was European settlers who harnessed and transformed its ecosystems."
To me, that is the "incorrect" myth/record of early-American economical geography that the author seeks to "correct," a la answer choice (E). When in the course of achieving the correction of this record, it is true that the author "refute(s) certain researchers' views." What am I missing here?
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- rinagoldfield
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Atticus Finch
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Re: Q8
Hey jreeve12,
Thanks for your post.
You’re right that (A) is an imperfect answer choice (the author is refuting a "myth" as much as she’s refuting "CERTAIN researchers"), but it’s the best of the bunch.
I see the confusion about (E). What gave me pause here was the phrase "geographical record." I’m not a geographer, but I interpreted that as referring to a kind of body of physical evidence, such as rock striations and tree heights.
For example, the author refers to the geographical record on lines 16-17. She states "a large body of evidence for the routine practice of burning fires exists in the geographical record," and then goes on to describe charcoal accumulations and vegetation patterns.
So if the "geographical record" is a body of physical evidence"”if it’s charcoal and vegetables"”then the author doesn’t take issue with the geographical record itself. Rather, she takes issue with certain INTERPRETATIONS of the geological record. These INTERPRETATIONS were carried out by researchers. The researchers are the people the author seeks to refute.
In terms of B, C, and D:
(B) is contradicted. The author questions a common belief.
(C) is unsupported. The author wants to reinterpret evidence, not undermine the evidence itself.
is unsupported. No synthesis here.
What do you think, jreeve12?
Thanks for your post.
You’re right that (A) is an imperfect answer choice (the author is refuting a "myth" as much as she’s refuting "CERTAIN researchers"), but it’s the best of the bunch.
I see the confusion about (E). What gave me pause here was the phrase "geographical record." I’m not a geographer, but I interpreted that as referring to a kind of body of physical evidence, such as rock striations and tree heights.
For example, the author refers to the geographical record on lines 16-17. She states "a large body of evidence for the routine practice of burning fires exists in the geographical record," and then goes on to describe charcoal accumulations and vegetation patterns.
So if the "geographical record" is a body of physical evidence"”if it’s charcoal and vegetables"”then the author doesn’t take issue with the geographical record itself. Rather, she takes issue with certain INTERPRETATIONS of the geological record. These INTERPRETATIONS were carried out by researchers. The researchers are the people the author seeks to refute.
In terms of B, C, and D:
(B) is contradicted. The author questions a common belief.
(C) is unsupported. The author wants to reinterpret evidence, not undermine the evidence itself.
is unsupported. No synthesis here.
What do you think, jreeve12?
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