The Nub of the Restorationist Critique of Environmental Preservationism GMAT Reading Comprehension

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Reading Passage Question:

The nub of the restorationist critique of environmental preservationism is the claim that it rests on an unhealthy dualism that conceives nature and humankind as radically distinct and opposed to each other. The crucial question about the restorationist outlook has to do with the degree to which the restorationist program is itself faithful to its first principle: that nature and humanity are fundamentally united rather than separate.

Rejecting the old domination model, which sees humans as over nature, restoration theory champions a model of community participation. Yet, some of the descriptions of what restorationists are actually up to—for example, Turner’s description of humans as “the lords of creation,” or Jordan’s statement that “the fate and well being of the biosphere depend ultimately on us and our relationship with it”—do not cohere well with the community participation model. Another holistic model—namely, that of nature as an organism—might be more serviceable to the restorationists. As with the community model, the “organic” model pictures nature as a system of interconnected parts. A fundamental difference, however, is that in an organism the parts are wholly subservient to the life of the organism.

‘The nub of the restorationist critique of environmental preservationism’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions.

The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Questions and Solutions

  1. Which of the following best expresses the author’s primary criticism of the restorationists?

(A) They fail to recognize any limits as to the scope of legitimate human manipulation of nature.
(B) They assign humans a controlling role in the world.
(C) They reject the most workable model for the relationship between humans and nature.
(D) Their critique of preservationism is not well supported.
(E) Their program does not coincide with their principles.

Answer: E
Explanation:
The “ vital ” question for the author involves the point up to which the restorationists are true to their “ first principle.” The author claims that they are not so true in that their program “ doesn't cohere well ” with their principle. This issue is “ vital ” to the author. It's reasonable to assert that this review is the author’s primary one.

  1. By asserting that the organic model “might be more serviceable to the restorationists” (Highlighted), the author implies that

(A) the descriptions by Turner and Jordan of the restorationists’ program conform more closely to the organic model than to the community participation model.
(B) the organic model is more consistent than the community participation model with the principle of restoration.
(C) the organic model is more consistent with the restorationists’ agenda than with the preservationists’ program.
(D) holistic models are more useful than the dualist model to the restorationists.
(E) the organic model, unlike the community participation model, represents nature as a system of interconnected parts.

Answer: A
Explanation:
In the antedating judgement, the author asserts that Turner’s and Jordan’s descriptions of restorationist exertion “ don't cohere well with the community participation model. ” By following this assertion with the suggestion that another model might be more serviceable, the author suggests that restorationists ’ exertions are more harmonious with this other model than with the community participation model.

  1. Which of the following best expresses the function of the first paragraph in relation to the second one?

(A) To establish the parameters of an ensuing debate
(B) To identify a problem with a school of thought, which is then explored in detail
(C) To discuss a secondary issue as a prelude to a more detailed examination of a primary issue
(D) To provide a historical backdrop for a discussion of a modern-day issue
(E) To introduce opposing viewpoints, which are then evaluated

Answer: B
Explanation:
In the first paragraph, the author refers to the “ vital question about ” or pivotal problem with the restorationists ’ program. Which the author also elucidates in the alternate paragraph. In the alternate paragraph, the author goes into a detailed exploration of the problem in the academy. This is fluently mentioned in option B.

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