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Difficulty: EasyAuthor's Attitude and Tone

The reintroduction of apex predators into ecosystems from which they were previously extirpated has undeniably yielded positive ecological outcomes in many regions. In Yellowstone National Park, for example, the return of gray wolves has initiated a trophic cascade that helped restore riparian vegetation and stabilized riverbanks. However, it would be overly simplistic to view such reintroductions as an ecological panacea. The presence of large carnivores inevitably leads to complex, sometimes detrimental, interactions with local agricultural communities and alters the behavior of other native species in unpredictable ways. Therefore, while apex predator reintroduction is a valuable tool for ecological restoration, it must be approached with a clear-eyed understanding of its localized socio-economic and ecological trade-offs, rather than being universally prescribed.

Which of the following best describes the author's attitude toward the reintroduction of apex predators?

  1. qualified endorsementAnswer
  2. B
    unmitigated enthusiasm
  3. C
    cautious skepticism
  4. D
    detached neutrality
  5. E
    universal prescription

Answer

qualified endorsement
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the author's two primary points. By stating that predator reintroduction is a 'valuable tool' that has 'undeniably yielded positive ecological outcomes', the author is clearly endorsing the practice. However, by dedicating the second half of the paragraph to warnings against treating it as a 'panacea' and highlighting 'detrimental interactions', the author is placing strict qualifications on that endorsement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage for explicit positive or negative judgments.
The author uses highly positive phrases ('undeniably yielded positive ecological outcomes', 'valuable tool') but also highlights negative elements ('not an ecological panacea', 'detrimental interactions').
Identifying the valence (positive, negative, or neutral) is the first step in determining tone.
2
Evaluate how the positive and negative elements interact.
The positive elements represent the author's primary view of the subject, while the negative elements serve as limitations or caveats to that primary view.
This structural relationship determines the exact nuance of the tone descriptor.
3
Select the descriptor that matches a positive view combined with stated limitations.
The descriptor 'qualified endorsement' perfectly matches a positive assessment ('endorsement') that is bounded by specific conditions or warnings ('qualified').
This aligns exactly with the author's balanced synthesis in the final sentence.

Key Concept

Author's Attitude and Tone
Estimated Time:55s
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Author's Attitude and Tone

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