Early conservationists in the late nineteenth century recognized that unregulated logging would soon decimate the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. While several local ordinances were enacted to restrict timber yields, these piecemeal efforts did little to stem the tide of industrial deforestation. It was not until the federal government established the forest reserve system that a coordinated, large-scale strategy could successfully halt the rapid expansion of commercial timber companies into pristine wilderness areas.
As it is used in the passage, the phrase "stem the tide" most nearly means:
- Adivert the flow of water
- halt the progressAnswer
- Ctrace the origin of an event
- Dprovide temporary assistance
Answer
halt the progress
The correct answer is 'halt the progress'. In the passage, the author describes how minor local regulations were unable to stop the massive wave of deforestation. The context clues in the subsequent sentence—specifically the phrase 'successfully halt the rapid expansion'—directly mirror the meaning of containing or stopping an unwanted trend.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Determining the meaning of idioms and phrasal expressions based on context clues.
Estimated Time:1m 30s