Dr. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1962) significantly influenced environmental policy in the United States. Carson's detailed documentation of p...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Dr. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1962) significantly influenced environmental policy in the United States. Carson's detailed documentation of pesticide effects led directly to major regulatory changes, as evidenced by the fact that ______
Which quotation most effectively demonstrates this causal relationship?
Carson's writing style made complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public, earning her widespread recognition as both a scientist and author.
Following the publication of Silent Spring, the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency cited Carson's research as primary justification for banning DDT in 1972.
Carson spent four years researching Silent Spring, interviewing scientists and reviewing studies from around the world to build her case against pesticide overuse.
The book's impact extended beyond environmental policy, inspiring a generation of scientists to pursue careers in ecology and conservation biology.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1962) significantly influenced environmental policy in the United States." |
|
| "Carson's detailed documentation of pesticide effects led directly to major regulatory changes, as evidenced by the fact that ______" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Carson's Silent Spring directly caused regulatory changes in environmental policy through her documentation of pesticide effects.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Carson's broad influence on environmental policy, then narrows to claim her pesticide research specifically led to regulatory changes, and indicates this claim needs supporting evidence.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct evidence should show a clear sequence: Carson published Silent Spring, then government/regulatory bodies took specific action, and they explicitly cited or used Carson's work as justification
- We need evidence that regulatory agencies actually relied on Carson's research when making policy changes, not just that changes happened around the same time
Carson's writing style made complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public, earning her widespread recognition as both a scientist and author.
- This discusses Carson's writing style and public recognition
- Doesn't address regulatory changes or policy impact at all
- Shows Carson's success as an author but not her influence on government action
Following the publication of Silent Spring, the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency cited Carson's research as primary justification for banning DDT in 1972.
- Shows direct sequence with EPA formation, citation of Carson's research as justification, and specific regulatory action
- Demonstrates clear causation with government agency explicitly using her research for policy decisions
Carson spent four years researching Silent Spring, interviewing scientists and reviewing studies from around the world to build her case against pesticide overuse.
- Describes Carson's research process for writing the book
- Shows her thoroughness but doesn't demonstrate any policy impact
- Students might think showing Carson's credible research methods proves policy influence, but the question asks for evidence of actual regulatory changes
The book's impact extended beyond environmental policy, inspiring a generation of scientists to pursue careers in ecology and conservation biology.
- Shows Carson's inspiration of future scientists
- Discusses impact on scientific careers, not government policy
- Students might confuse broad impact with specific regulatory influence, but inspiring scientists doesn't demonstrate the policy changes the passage claims