Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyDebates about the Environment after 1900

Source: Rachel Carson, American biologist and writer, *Silent Spring*, 1962

"The most alarming of all man’s assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers, and sea with dangerous and even lethal materials. This pollution is for the most part irrecoverable; the chain of evil it initiates not only in the world that must support life but in living tissues is for the most part irreversible. In this now universal contamination of the environment, chemicals are the sinister and little-recognized partners of radiation in changing the very nature of the world—the very nature of its life."

Which of the following mid-twentieth-century developments was the most direct cause of the environmental concerns described in the passage?

  1. A
    The rise of eco-friendly organic farming methods during the Green Revolution
  2. B
    The global spread of Western consumer culture leading to complete cultural uniformity
  3. The expansion of industrial manufacturing and increased use of synthetic chemicalsAnswer
  4. D
    The environmental devastation caused by direct combat between Soviet and United States armies

Answer

The expansion of industrial manufacturing and increased use of synthetic chemicals
The correct answer is correct because Rachel Carson's landmark 1962 book *Silent Spring* focused on the environmental damage caused by the rapid expansion of industrial chemical production, particularly synthetic pesticides, in the decades following World War II. Her book helped launch the modern environmental movement by highlighting how industrial activities were contaminating global ecosystems.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus passage
The author, Rachel Carson, is warning against the contamination of the environment (air, earth, water) by dangerous chemicals and radiation in 1962.
Understanding the core argument of the source is necessary to identify the historical context.
2
Link the source to mid-twentieth-century historical developments
The mid-twentieth century was characterized by rapid industrial growth, agricultural intensification, and the proliferation of synthetic chemical compounds like pesticides.
Identifying the material changes that prompted the author to write the passage helps pinpoint the correct option.
3
Evaluate the options against the historical context and the source
The expansion of industrial manufacturing and synthetic chemical use directly caused the pollution Carson describes, whereas other options represent historical misconceptions or unrelated phenomena.
Comparing options ensures that the selected answer is both historically accurate and directly supported by the text.

Key Concept

Environmental effects of late-twentieth-century industrialization and debates about sustainability
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Debates about the Environment after 1900

More questions from this topic