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Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalyzing Divergent Ideas and Disagreement

Passage A

For decades, marine archaeologists have championed the principle of *in situ* preservation for historic shipwrecks, arguing that these sunken vessels are best understood when left undisturbed in their watery graves. A shipwreck is not merely a collection of isolated artifacts but a coherent, unified archaeological site. Removing objects piece by piece for museum display or commercial salvage disrupts the spatial relationships between artifacts, destroying crucial historical context. Furthermore, deep-sea environments, characterized by low oxygen and cold temperatures, act as natural preservation chambers. Once exposed to the air, organic materials like wood and leather degrade rapidly. Preserving these sites untouched ensures their integrity remains intact for future generations of researchers who will possess superior non-invasive technologies.

Passage B

While the sentiment behind leaving shipwrecks undisturbed is noble, it overlooks the harsh reality of marine environments. Sunken vessels are not frozen in time; they are subject to active destruction by deep-sea currents, wood-boring organisms, and industrial fishing trawlers. To leave these cultural treasures on the seafloor is to consign them to inevitable decay and loss. Active, scientific excavation and retrieval of artifacts are necessary to rescue history before it disappears. Once brought to the surface and stabilized through modern conservation techniques, these artifacts can be studied in ways impossible underwater and displayed to the public, fostering widespread appreciation for our maritime past. Selective excavation does not destroy context; it documents it, converting transient underwater relics into permanent historical knowledge.

Based on the two passages, the authors disagree most directly on which of the following questions?

  1. A
    Whether commercial salvagers should have the primary right to excavate and sell deep-sea artifacts.
  2. B
    Whether historical artifacts from shipwrecks possess significant educational value for the public.
  3. Whether leaving shipwrecks on the seafloor is an effective method of long-term preservation.Answer
  4. D
    Whether modern conservation technology is advanced enough to prevent organic materials from decaying after retrieval.

Answer

Whether leaving shipwrecks on the seafloor is an effective method of long-term preservation.
The correct answer states that the authors disagree on whether leaving shipwrecks on the seafloor is an effective method of long-term preservation. The author of Passage A argues that deep-sea environments act as natural preservation chambers that keep shipwrecks and their artifacts intact, recommending they be left undisturbed. In contrast, the author of Passage B argues that shipwrecks on the seafloor are subject to active destruction and inevitable decay, meaning that leaving them there does not preserve them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main argument of Passage A regarding the seafloor environment.
Passage A asserts that deep-sea environments act as natural preservation chambers and that shipwrecks should be left untouched to ensure their preservation.
To identify the first author's stance on the physical effects of leaving a shipwreck undisturbed.
2
Analyze the main argument of Passage B regarding the seafloor environment.
Passage B asserts that shipwrecks on the seafloor are subjected to active decay, currents, and trawlers, making seafloor preservation an illusion.
To identify the second author's stance on the physical effects of leaving a shipwreck undisturbed.
3
Compare the two stances to identify the direct point of disagreement.
The authors directly conflict on the preservation effectiveness of the seafloor environment: Passage A views it as a natural preservation chamber, whereas Passage B views it as a site of inevitable decay.
To synthesize the divergent viewpoints and select the matching option.

Key Concept

Comparing and contrasting divergent claims across paired passages
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Topics

Analyzing Divergent Ideas and Disagreement

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