Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist whose 1962 book Silent Spring helped launch the environmental movement. In the book,...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist whose 1962 book Silent Spring helped launch the environmental movement. In the book, which presents her research on pesticide effects, Carson maintains that synthetic chemicals fundamentally undermine the stability of natural ecosystems: ______
Which quotation from Silent Spring most effectively illustrates the claim?
Agricultural science has produced increasingly sophisticated methods for controlling pest populations in recent decades.
These artificial compounds disrupt fundamental biological processes, severing connections that have existed for millennia.
Systematic pesticide application has generated substantial improvements in crop yields across multiple agricultural sectors.
Contemporary research continues expanding our understanding of chemical applications in environmental management.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist whose 1962 book 'Silent Spring' helped launch the environmental movement." |
|
| "In the book, which presents her research on pesticide effects, Carson maintains that synthetic chemicals fundamentally undermine the stability of natural ecosystems:" |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Carson argued that synthetic chemicals fundamentally damage the stability of natural ecosystems.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Carson and her influential environmental book, then presents her core research-based claim that synthetic chemicals harm ecosystem stability, leading to a blank space where supporting evidence should go.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to find the quotation that most effectively illustrates Carson's specific claim.
What type of answer do we need? A quotation that provides the best evidence or illustration of how synthetic chemicals undermine ecosystem stability.
Any limiting keywords? "most effectively illustrates" - we need the choice that best demonstrates or shows Carson's claim in action.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct quotation should directly show how synthetic chemicals cause harm to natural ecosystems
- It should demonstrate the "undermining" of stability that Carson claims
- We need language that shows disruption, damage, or breaking down of natural systems
Agricultural science has produced increasingly sophisticated methods for controlling pest populations in recent decades.
✗ Incorrect
- This talks about sophisticated pest control methods getting better
- It doesn't illustrate harm to ecosystems but rather improved agricultural techniques
These artificial compounds disrupt fundamental biological processes, severing connections that have existed for millennia.
✓ Correct
- This directly states that artificial compounds disrupt fundamental biological processes
- It shows the "undermining" by describing how these chemicals sever connections that existed for millennia
Systematic pesticide application has generated substantial improvements in crop yields across multiple agricultural sectors.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on substantial improvements in crop yields
- It presents pesticide use as beneficial rather than harmful, contradicting Carson's claim
Contemporary research continues expanding our understanding of chemical applications in environmental management.
✗ Incorrect
- This talks about expanding research understanding
- It doesn't demonstrate any harm to ecosystems but rather scientific progress