37. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
Answer: D
An assertion is made and then supported by historical examples.
The passage makes an assertion regarding the heavy human impact on the Pine Barrens ecosystem and subsequently supports this assertion with historical examples, such as the activities of Native Americans and European settlers.
A) The similarities between two theories are presented.
This option is incorrect because the passage does not focus on comparing or presenting similarities between two theories. Instead, it asserts a point about human impact and provides historical context, rather than exploring multiple theories.
B) The basis of a widely held viewpoint is examined.
This option does not accurately reflect the passage's content. While the passage discusses human impact on the ecosystem, it does not specifically examine the basis of a widely held viewpoint; it instead presents a clear assertion about the consequences of human actions.
C) A recommendation is put forth and then evaluated.
This option is incorrect as the passage does not include any recommendations regarding actions to be taken. Rather, it describes historical impacts without suggesting or evaluating any particular course of action.
D) An assertion is made and then supported by historical examples.
This is the correct option because the passage starts with the assertion about the heavy human impact on the Pine Barrens and follows it up with historical examples of human activities that have contributed to this impact, such as lumber removal and systematic burning.
E) A conclusion is mentioned and then shown to be faulty.
This option does not apply as the passage does not mention a conclusion that is then shown to be faulty. The text maintains a consistent assertion about human impact without disputing a prior conclusion.
Conclusion
The correct answer, D, accurately encapsulates the structure of the passage, which asserts human impact and backs it with historical evidence. Other options fail to accurately reflect the organization of the text, either by misrepresenting the content or by suggesting elements that are not present in the passage. Thus, D is the only option that correctly describes the passage's organization.