LSAT 38, Reading Comprehension, Q8, LSATHacks

RC Question 8 Explanation, by LSATHacks

DISCUSSION: The main point of the passage is to argue against the researchers mentioned in the first paragraph. The author argues that natives did affect forests by burning them.

___________

1. CORRECT. Specifically, the skeptics mentioned at the end of the first paragraph. 
2. The common belief is that the Americas were virgin nature when Europeans arrived. This is mentioned in lines 1-4. 
3. What evidence is being countered? The skeptical researchers in lines 8-15 don’t show any evidence to support their views.
4. Which two viewpoints? There are only two presented. There is the opposing viewpoint, and the author’s own viewpoint: natives did sculpt the forests using fire.
5. It isn’t the geographical record that needs correcting. The record is clear that natives burnt forests. It’s the common myth (lines 1-4) and the opinions of certain researchers (lines 8-15) that need correcting.

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